#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2022-04-14

Data-based yield improvement

Today’s textile markets are highly competitive, throughout the entire value chain from fiber to fabric. Customers expect unique products, at the right quality and free from unacceptable defects, every time. Fabric producers need to manufacture economically, with best-possible use of resources. The major challenges require comprehensive management strategies – and definitely automated fabric inspection.

Uster automatic fabric inspection leads the way to the future

In the classic fabric production process, manual inspection and lab testing are time consuming operations which need to be optimized with automated solutions. Adding automation to the process will reduce production costs and satisfy customers by delivering 100% inspected fabrics. The advantages of data generated at automated fabric inspection bring the added benefit of helping customers to prepare for the future. The Uster EVS Fabriq Vision is an excellent example for proof.

The fabric quality assurance system

Fabric producers need to guarantee reliable quality. This requires a consistently high rate of defect detection. Uster EVS Fabriq Vision ensures this is achieved by using automated control during intermediate and final inspection, removing the need for costly manual inspection. The system’s ability to capture any visible defects allows fabric yield to be optimized and prevents claims.

Real-time process monitoring detects, records and locates all defects in every roll of fabric. Fabriq Vision is able to capture any visible defect, at line running speeds. It can be used in a variety of positions on most manufacturers’ machines. Inspection is objective, accurate and consistent. The automatically generated defect map serves as the basis of improved fabric quality which leads to maximum fabric yield for various applications.

The key to consistent quality is the optimized grading efficiency. Uster EVS Fabriq Vision provides real-time alerts for operators, showing all defects and automatically creating roll inspection charts. All detected faults are collected in an album for review. Here the operator can quickly mark faults and select those which can be deleted. Users can set their own quality standards for different types of fabric and increase the efficiency of the grading process.

Data is the key to a bright future

Multiple spectroscopes inspect the material and unique algorithms identify all defects automatically, recording them in a dataset for each produced roll. The Album Software ensures optimum inspection efficiency and throughput. Classification using artificial intelligence will become available for more applications to speed up the reviewing process. Uster Fabric Inspection solutions bring the added benefit of helping customers to prepare for a digital future.

Uster Fabriq Expert is the real-time quality analysis system providing fully-customizable quality analysis tools. Information on process and product quality, based on data from each fabric roll inspected with the Fabriq Vision or another Uster fabric inspection system are well displayed on the PC screen. Uster Fabriq Expert helps managers and operators to optimize product and process quality, without the need for an additional quality reporting routine.

Thanks to Fabriq Expert process-related quality problems can be eliminated by immediate reactions and suitable corrective measures. Fabriq Expert provides real-time quality statistics, which can be used to identify root causes and main problem areas. Customizable quality analysis tools such as pareto charts, histograms and pie charts make it very easy to recognize problem ’hot spots’ and take the right corrective actions.

Yield – what finally counts

After final inspection, fabric will often be cut into smaller rolls, which will then be delivered to various customers. Optimized cut control (OCC system) provides a tool for automated cut optimization, as well as additional components which can be installed on any existing debatching or cutting line.

Upgraded process efficiency comes with clever software. The cut optimization software automatically identifies the correct cutting position to achieve maximum fabric yield according to quality requirements. Invisible synchronization marks are – also automatically – applied and indicate the position of defects and cut positions in a roll, so these are always under control, allowing the cutting table to run at maximum possible speed for maximized fabric yield.

Measure and control the fiber – optimize yarn quality

Producing consistent yarn quality is an everyday challenge – and a very difficult one. Detailed knowledge and understanding of the fiber raw material is absolutely critical to achieving the best possible quality in the yarn. To help spinners, Uster experts have put together guidelines for avoiding yarn irregularity claims, in a special edition of the Uster News Bulletin.

Uster presents novelties at ITMA Asia + CITME 2025

There’s news from Uster Technologies to be announced for the industry’s upcoming event in Singapore. The Uster 360Q universe is growing with new products, solutions and services. Innovation developments can also be recorded in the fields of man-made fiber testing and fabric inspection. Uster innovations address the industry’s trending topics as mill management and process control, optimization of delivered fabric quality and yield.

Challenges of making yarn from recycled fibers

What does it take to spin quality yarn from recycled fibers? Uster Technologies brought textile industry leaders together to discuss the role of technology, data and automation – as well as the current challenges in using recycled raw material. Experts from Rieter, Säntis Textiles, Otto Yarns, and TVU commented on the current situation and looked into the future of spinning in a panel discussion organized at Uster headquarters.

Messe Frankfurt commits further to East Africa: three textiles trade fairs during Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week from 2027

Messe Frankfurt and its Texpertise Network continue their steady, successful trajectory in the region. As Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW) opened today, Member of the Executive Board Detlef Braun announced that Messe Frankfurt is licencing its three leading international trade fair brands Texworld, Apparel Sourcing and Texprocess to Nairobi, Kenya for the first time in 2027. From now on, they will take place annually as part of the Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW) Nairobi.

“We Believe in the Value of Textiles”: Successful Opening of the KARL MAYER TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER

KARL MAYER inaugurated its new, state-of-the-art TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER (TIC) with a four-day opening week from April 21 to 24. The highlight of the week was the grand opening on Thursday, which drew a strong turnout from the international textile industry: around 220 customers, brands, and partners from across the textile value chain came to the company’s headquarters in Obertshausen for a first-hand look at the new high-tech development environment and lively exchange with industry peers.

Texhibition Istanbul signals stability and global connectivity

From 4 to 6 March 2026, Texhibition Istanbul once again brought together the international textile industry at the Istanbul Expo Center. Organized by İTKİB Fuarcılık A.Ş. in cooperation with the Istanbul Textile Exporters Association (İTHİB), the fair confirmed its role as one of the most important international sourcing platforms for fabrics and textile innovation. With 500+ exhibitors across 5 halls on 42,850 sqm, the trade fair attracted 19,325 visitors. Among them, 5.565 international visitors represented Europe, Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, North America, and other regions, underlining the show’s expanding global reach.

INDEX 2026: Reicofil introduces RF 5.10 upgrade boosting output by 10 percent

At INDEX 2026, Reifenhäuser Reicofil will present its latest developments for the nonwovens industry under the guiding themes “Grow Together”, “Expand Together” and “Transform Together”. On this occasion, the leading manufacturer of nonwoven machinery will be unveiling two brand-new technology advancements – RF 5.10 upgrade and RF Core – at the show.

Tradition and Innovation – Phoenox Textiles Ltd. relies on state-of-the-art carpet back-coating line from Brückner

For more than 70 years, Phoenox Textiles Ltd. has been synonymous with quality, reliability, and inno-vation in the textile industry. Founded in 1954 in Huddersfield (Yorkshire, UK), a region with a long tradition in textiles, this family-owned business has continued to evolve without losing sight of its roots. Today, in its fourth generation under the leadership of the Mosley family, Phoenox successfully combines decades of experience with a clear, forward-looking corporate strategy.

Uster FiberQ excels for recycled raw materials too

Uster FiberQ is a complete solution for raw material utilization, supporting spinners to achieve consistent quality and profitability every day, building further growth for the future. The Turkish company ORTA relies on FiberQ with recycled yarn for its denim production. Data-driven knowledge puts the producer in control of raw material utilization – ready to make the correct decisions for process efficiency, quality and productivity.