The fiber sorter is an instrument which enables the sample to be fractionalized into length groups. The Baer sorter, the Shirley comb sorter, and the Suter-Webb sorter are the most popular method of the fiber sorter. Basically, the operation involves four main steps:
Preparation of a fringe or tuft with all fibers aligned at one end.
The separation or withdrawal of fibers in order of decreasing length.
The preparation of a sorter diagram by laying the fibers on a black velvet pad in decreasing order of length, the fibers parallel and their lower ends aligned along a horizontal base line as shown in Figure.
The analysis of the sorter diagram.