Fabric Inspection: Procedure and Calculations

Inspection:
Fabric inspection is a quality control process that involves examining fabric for defects or irregularities before it is used in production or shipped to customers. The purpose of fabric inspection is to identify any defects or issues with the fabric, such as holes, stains, uneven dyeing, or other flaws that could affect the appearance or performance of the finished product. Fabric Inspection procedure and calculations are discussed in following.

Objectives:
The main objectives of inspection is the-

1. Detection of Defects
2. Correcting of defect or defective garments as early as possible in the manufacturing process so that time and money are not wasted later.

Fabric Inspection Method:
Fabric is inspected to determine its acceptability from a quality viewpoint. There are various fabric inspection system such as-

• 4- point system
• 10- point system
• 2.5- point system etc.

4- Point System: The 4-point system is widely used for fabric inspection, in the united states it is known as AAMA point grading system (AAMA- American Apparel manufacturers association).

Fabric Inspection Procedure and Calculations

Procedure of Four Point System:

1. Fabric inspection is usually done on fabric inspection machinery.
2. These machinery are designed so that rolls of fabric can be mounted behind the inspection table under adequate light and re-rolled as they leave the table.
3. Inspection machinery is either power driver or the inspector pulls the fabric over the inspection table.
4. The defects are located, marked, and recorded on an inspection form.
5. Some machinery is equipped to measure the length of each roll of fabric (meter/yard).

Fabric defects point values based on the following:

Calculations and Result:

Total defect points per 100-yard square are calculated.

If fabric rolls contain less than 40 points per 100-yard square are considered “first” quality and as an Acceptance criterion.

If fabric rolls containing more than 40 points per 100 yards square are considered “second”.

Example: A fabric roll 130 yards long and 45 inches wide contains the following defects:-

6 defects up to 3 inch- ……………………………..6 X 1 = 6 points
5 defects over 3 inch but less 6 inch- …………. 5 X 2 = 10 points
2 defects over 6 inch but less 9 inch- …………..3 X 2 = 6 points
1 defects over 9 inch- ………………………………1 X 4 = 4 points
1 hole over 1-inch dimensions- …………………..1 X 4 = 4 points
…………………………………………………………………………………
Total defect points…………………………………………..= 30 points

Therefore,

Points per 100 yard square =

……………….Total points scored in roll  X  36 inch
……………………………………………………………………………….. X 100
….Fabric width/inches  X  Total length yard inspected

………..30 X 36
= ……………………… X 100
………..130 X 45

= 18.4    (Defect points per 100-yard square.)

So, the roll is Acceptable.