The Application of Quality Control and Automation in Reducing the Real Cost of the Dyeing Process

F inancially analyzing the dyeing pro- cess has always been a problem to wet processors. The mere handling of the mass of data required in doing a meaningful analysis offers its own problems. But recently developed computer techniques have simplified the task and made it more practical to evaluate the cost effectiveness of dyeing processes now being used as well as alternate ways of doing the same thing. Before examining methods for deter-mining dyeing costs, let’s consider the current scenario in the dyeing sector which makes a realistic cost analysis so important. The great disparity in labor costs in the textile producing nations illus-trates the handicap that the developed markets have in competing with the devel-oping countries. Recently published fig-ures ( I) are given in Table I. In markets where base costs are high it is vital to utilize labor in the most effective manner. The use of automation and com-puter control techniques helps meet these needs. The latest machinery developments are designed to achieve short, simple, auto-mated processing. This applies in all areas of dyeing and printing. Such develop-ments are engineered to give the most The authors describe how computer modeling techniques can be used to analyze the dyeing process to determine how various manufacturing techniques impact on quality, productivity and profit. Procedures are described for producing consistent and improved quality, lowering overall costs and establishing greater flexibility in meeting market demands for getting it right the first time