Invest a little on quality control checking in order to save you money

What is Quality Assurance or QA? Both the British Standards Institute (BSI) and Textile Terms and Definitions define it as “all the planned and systematic actions necessary to provide adequate confidence that a product or service will satisfy given requirements for quality.” Implementing Quality Control (QC), defined by the same two bodies as “the operational techniques and activities that are used to fulfil requirements for quality”, provides Quality Assurance.

Why is QC so important? Quality Control is an essential requirement throughout the manufacturing pipeline. It provides historical data on past production runs, which allows quality comparisons to be made ensuring that consistent standards are maintained. Corrective action can be taken to rectify potentially costly mistakes provided that regular quality control checks are conducted. These may be carried out in-house, provided that suitable equipment is available or submitted to a testing laboratory.

The use of quality control measures ensure that Quality Assurance is maintained: this gives confidence to customers that the goods supplied will be acceptable. Frequency of quality control checks is dependent upon the product(s) and situation; each circumstance is unique. It should be carried out at every manufacturing stage from the raw material through to the finished product. It is also a cost-effective implementation strategy because when regular quality control checks are maintained the likelihood of excessive faults is significantly reduced.

National and international test methods have been developed to ensure global consistency of test procedures. Product specifications define the expected minimum performance levels to ensure that products are suitable for their intended purpose. The implementation of regular quality control procedures check that these specifications are achieved.

Quality control
To operate an efficient, effective quality control system it is essential that regular equipment maintenance and calibration procedures are followed. It is also imperative that the correct standard materials and equipment are used as specified in the relevant test methods and specifications.

The use of regular quality control checks ensure that products consistently achieve the necessary standards required both internally and externally for customers. The benefits are numerous in terms of customer confidence, cost savings and production reliability.

Testing services

Woolmark Testing offers a fully comprehensive commercial testing service. With our laboratory in Italy (Biella - under Woolmark Italy Srl),  we offer a fully integrated range of testing with over 100 different tests that can be carried out on all types of natural, man-made and blended fibres throughout the textile pipeline.

Although best known for our work in the international textile apparel industry, our scope is not limited to this sector. Our customers include fibre processors, textile manufacturers and importers, retailers and major detergent and washing machine manufacturers.

We are instrumental in developing new test methods on new innovative product ranges. We can also advise you on the viability of new products, working with you to develop solutions that exactly meet your particular market objectives.

Our business is designed to deliver the accuracy, speed and value that our customers need. We also guarantee complete confidentiality for all our customers.

The essentially scientific nature of our work is reflected in clear, well presented reports. We also recognise the importance of good customer service, and accordingly offer all the support and advice you need to achieve your own specific objectives. Such a level of service earns customer loyalty, which is why much of our business is, repeat business.

WE UNDERTAKE QUALITY ASSURANCE TESTING TO THE STANDARD TEST METHODS DEMANDED BY MOST INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED BODIES.

Test methods

Are you confused when it comes to test methods? All test methods have a prefix whether they are International, National or Retailer specific.

Your customer may ask you to test your product according to a specific test say DIN 32896 or EN 26330; how do you know whose test method it is? We get enquiries all the time asking for clarification of test methods.

TO ACCESS WOOLMARK QUALITY SPECIFICATIONS PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Standard materials

To carry out testing to standard test procedures the correct standard materials specified in each method must be used. We are familiar with most textile tests and know what materials should be used in which test. 

Woolmark Testing provides a comprehensive range of tests and services

Chemical testing
Chemical testing is used as a means of identifying problems in processing. These include:

• Quantitative fibre content (chemical and manual).
• Video microscope for use in complaint, investigation and fibre damage analysis.
• Soxhlet extraction tests using the various solvents
• Investigation of fibre damage i.e. alkali and UB solubility, staining tests and microscopical examination. Qualitative fibre identification (both chemical and microscopical.
• Vegetable matter.

Colour fastness
If you manufacture dyed or undyed products, the last thing you want is a colour change whether it be due to fading or yellowing in the sun, colour change or colour bleeding in laundering. We can help you quality control check your production to prevent finding out when it is too late. If it is too late we could help solve a problem that has occurred. If it is a consumer problem we can investigate who has caused the problem.

Our technicians have many years of experience in colour fastness testing, colour measurement and visual assessments. This is a skilled job requiring a significant amount of training; this enables our laboratory to confidently provide accurate and reliable colour fastness test results.

Dimensional stability
Dimensional Stability is of major importance to garment makers and retailers. Regardless of what the care claim is, all garments are susceptible to dimensional changes during cleaning - whether it is shrinkage, extension or distortion. There are test procedures for checking stability to all care claims - dry clean, hand wash, machine wash and machine wash tumble dry. Woolmark Testing can conduct all these types of test procedures. Whatever a garment care label states, it should be tested to this claim to ensure that it conveys the correct care instruction to the consumer.

Detergents & laundry products
Detergents and laundry products have a major effect on how a textile product performs.  This effect depdends on the type of detergent used, ie. whether it contains bleaches, enzymes, softeners, or if it is a powder, liquid, bleach or tablet. They may affect garment properties such as:

• Colour change
• Fibre Damage
• Handle

We have a specification for the approval of detergents which Woolmark Testing developed, which evaluates all these properties. Detergents are evaluated for their effect on a number of dyed fabrics and compared with a reference, looking at shade change and dye cross staining. We have a test which detects if a detergent contains perborate, which can cause some colours to fade or change. Detergents are also subjected to a fibre damage test to show the effect of bleaches and enzymes present in the detergent as both these ingredients cause degradation to textile fabrics. General properties such as pH and presence of OBA (optical brightening agent) are also conducted.

Fabrics
There are many tests available to evaluate the overall properties of a fabric. Manufacturers and retailers need to know the physical characteristics of a fabric to determine if it is fit for the intended end use. The physical properties which are commonly tested are:

• Tensile strength
• Abrasion
• Seam slippage
• Pilling
• Weight
• Thickness

Fibres
The quality of raw fibre purchased has a major effect on processing and the final quality of the product.
Our range of raw fibre tests include:

• Identification (quantitative and qualitative)
• Length
• Diameter
• Strength and extension
• Damage
• Drafting force
• Linear density
• Bundle strength/tenacity

Yarns
Quality control testing of yarns is very important to the spinner, weaver and knitter. It is essential that yarns are tested at regular intervals to maintain ongoing quality of production. If a spinning machine or process before the final yarn stage develops a problem, testing will show an irregularity in the yarn such as:

• Thick and thin places
• Low and high strength areas
• High and low twist areas
• Hairiness
• Neps

Thus a problem could be rectified to prevent further problems down the processing line.

Floorcoverings
All carpets and floorcoverings may be tested for a number of parameters:

• Pile Height
• Pile Density
• Durability
• Appearance retention
• Colour Fastness
• Tuft Bind
• Backing Strength/delamination
• Pilling

All these tests can then be assessed independently, the results analysed, and finally a carpet classification determined based on the results acheived that informs the manufacturer and the customer what location the floorcoverings are best suited to. There are a number of classification schemes. At Woolmark Testing we can conduct the European and Woolmark classification schemes that give a location guidance of whether a carpet is suitable for contract or domestic use.

Washing machines
We have a specification for the approval of machine washable wool wash and also machine hand wash cycles on domestic washing machines. The testing is conducted by Woolmark Testing. This testing determines the severity of the wash cycles by measuring the amount of shrinkage caused to wool garments per wash cycle. We are also familiar with testing to IEC requirements for cleaning efficiency.

Woolmark group tests
Special Group Test Discounts for Woven/Knitted fabrics
Woolmark Testing offers a members discount to customers requiring groups of tests to our specifications. We are specialists in advising our customers which specification is required for their products to ensure that they continue to meet the specifications for labelling to Woolmark, Woolmark Blend or Wool Blend trademarks.

TO ACCESS WOOLMARK QUALITY SPECIFICATIONS PLEASE CLICK HERE.