QC in Knitted Production Part 3: Output Control Jimmy Lam Institute of Textiles & Clothing

Learning Objectives n What are the output control for the knitted fabric production? n Is it important and why?

Remember this model PROCESS INPUT OUTPUT CONTROL What are the major control elements for output control

Closed-loop Control Model Quality Control Process KNITTING YARN FABRIC INSPECTION

Output Control This is the final stage of manufacturing and is concerned with fabric inspection and fabric physical and chemical testing. This is the final stage of manufacturing and is concerned with fabric inspection and fabric physical and chemical testing.

Fabric Quality n Fabric Weight –It is affected by yarn count, loop length and fabric structure. Fabric weight is concerning with costs and performance n Fabric thickness –It is affected by yarn count, dial height, finishing and fabric structure. Fabric thickness is due with comfort

Fabric Quality n Fabric Width –It is affected by loop length, finishing and fabric structure (stentering). Fabric weight is concerning with material utilization in garment cutting n Colour fastness to washing –It is affected by quality of dyes and finishing techniques and is concerned with aesthetic of garment

Fabric Quality n Washing Shrinkage –It is affected by material used, loop length and type of finishing. It is concerning aesthetic of garment n Felting Shrinkage –It is important on sweater that made of wool, angora or cashmere fibres n Fabric distortion –It is affected by tightness factor and fabric structure and is concerned with the comfort of knitted garment

Fabric Quality n Seam slippage –Important for knitted apparel goods and is affected by seam density and fabric structure n Seam strength –Important for knitted apparel goods and is affected by thread strength, stitch density and type of seam. It concerns with quality and durability of garment

Discussion n Fabric inspection is the last stage in our control process, discuss why it is important ? n What possible action can we do if we discovery the fabric is suffered with “inferior quality” during the final control process ?