Fabric relaxation is a crucial process in the garments industry that helps to eliminate any tension or stress in the fabric that may have occurred during the manufacturing process. The fabric relaxation process is typically performed before the fabric is cut and sewn into a garment.Fabric relaxing machine is crucial equipment in the garment industry as they help to improve fabric quality, enhance productivity, reduce fabric waste, increase customer satisfaction, and enable the production of a wider range of fabrics. By reducing any tension or stress that may have been introduced during the manufacturing process, fabric relaxation machines improve the overall quality and consistency of the fabric. They also allow manufacturers to process fabric quickly and efficiently, reducing lead times and costs. This leads to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty, as well as the ability to produce a wider range of garments with different fabrics.
SOP for Fabric Relaxation in the Garments Industry
1. Inspection: Before the fabric relaxation process, the fabric should be thoroughly inspected to ensure that there are no defects or damages.
2. Identification: Each roll of fabric should be identified with a unique code or label that indicates its type, color, width, weight, and other relevant specifications.
3. Unrolling: The fabric should be unrolled onto a flat surface or a conveyor belt, taking care not to stretch or distort it.
4. Steaming/Airflow Relaxing: The fabric should be steamed evenly on both sides to relax any tension or creases. The temperature and duration of the steaming process should be based on the fabric type and weight.
5. Cooling: After steaming, the fabric should be allowed to cool down gradually to room temperature. Rapid cooling can cause the fabric to shrink or deform.
6. Re-rolling: Once the fabric has cooled down, it should be re-rolled onto a cardboard tube or a fabric roll. The roll should be tight enough to prevent the fabric from sagging or wrinkling, but not so tight as to cause tension.
7. Documentation: Each roll of fabric should be documented with its unique code or label, along with the date of relaxation, the temperature and duration of steaming, and any other relevant information.
Fabric relaxation refers to the process of releasing the tension in fabrics from their roll-type tie. It is a critical step in ensuring the dimensional stability of the fabric after it is cut, and before it is sent to the cutting section. By allowing the fabric to completely relax at its natural temperature, the risk of fabric distortion or shrinkage can be minimized. Overall, fabric relaxation is an important step in the garment manufacturing process that helps to ensure the quality and durability of the final product.
General Fabric Relaxing Process
Received Fabrics from Warehouse
↓
Fabrics Unrolling through Machine
↓
Keeping Fabrics in Relaxation Rack in a certain period
(Relaxation time will depend on Fabrics Nature)
↓
Fabrics spread/ Lay for cutting
↓
Relax Fabrics
↓
Direct to Cutting
Fabric relaxation is a critical process that requires careful attention as it directly affects the shape and measurement of the fabric after cutting. Typically, fabric relaxation takes anywhere from 12 to 48 hours, with an additional two hours after laying. However, this lengthy process can be time-consuming, leading modern mills to turn to fabric relaxing machines for a faster solution. There are various types of fabric relaxing machines available, such as steaming, mechanical, and air type machines. SUNTECH Textile Machinery has the Fabric Relaxing Machine (ST-FRM-VI), which is the leading global sales machine that eliminates tension in knit fabrics while keeping them tidy for storage. This machine offers a fast and efficient solution, allowing the fabric to be directed straight to the cutting section and saving up to 24 hours of laying time. With its special air floating device and tension control system, it can also reduce out-of-tolerance cut parts, ultimately improving efficiency and reducing waste in the production process.
