AUTOMATIC SPONGING:DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPUTER‐AIDED SYSTEM CONTROLLED BY FABRIC OBJECTIVE DATA

A new sponging system is introduced. The mechanical and dimensional stability properties are tested before the sponging by using KESF and the HESC103A steam‐press shrinkage test. Based on the fabric data, the optimum sponging line is selected from four lines. The sponging conditions such as steam temperature, steam flow rate, and speed of processing are decided by a computer based on the fabric data and the control signal is sent to the appropriate sponging machine. After sponging, fabrics are again measured for the mechanical and shrinkage properties for the final confirmation of the information as service to customers. This information is useful for the process control in suit manufacturing factories. This automatic system eliminates operator error in the sponging condition decision. It fits well with difficulties caused by large variations of fabric type.