Textiles
From raw materials to fabric manufacture, to garment makers and machinery manufacturers, all of varying size and resource. Within this chain sits 'Textile Testing', the purpose of which is to test materials before, during and after material processing, to confirm the finished product quality.
Minimise risk, enhance customer satisfaction, reduce costs and achieve business growth
The textile supply chain is long and complex; from raw materials to fabric manufacture, to garment makers and machinery manufacturers, all of varying size and resource. Understanding a material's quality through testing at every stage is therefore critical for future success, and accurate textile testing can help textile makers to minimise risk, enhance customer satisfaction, reduce costs and achieve business goals.
The testing process
At the product development stage, testing is undertaken to minimise risk of customer rejects and claims. This saves money and enhances reputation. Quality assurance tests are then conducted at key points during bulk production to ensure that the expected finished performance of the product is achieved and allows time for corrective action to be taken. This saves money on future production. Post processing, quality assurance tests are conducted on the finished articles before shipping - this is to confirm that the buyer will accept the product and its delivery.
Textile testing
Within this chain sits 'Textile Testing', the purpose of which is to test materials before, during and after material processing, to confirm the finished product quality. Stringent demands are being placed on fabric suppliers and finishers, who may be held financially liable for excess 'seconds' garments and losses for downtime and cancellation if it is proven that the fabric does not conform to the agreed specification.
Valid test results are only obtained if all process variables are reduced to an acceptable minimum. It must utilise controlled conditions, and accurate, regularly serviced and calibrated instruments operated by well-trained technicians.
Peter Goodwin, Head of Technical, James Heal