The TSA Tactile Sensation Analyzer delivers precise data on how fabrics feel to the touch, according to a press release. As a portable, innovative lab device it provides a quick return-on-investment, proving especially useful for on-the-go troubleshooting and quality assurance. Weighing less than 20 kg, the TSA allows textile manufactures to evaluate the haptic feel of their products in a fraction of the time needed for hand-panel testing or other factory equipment.
Traditional hand-panel testing has long been held as the standard for evaluating fabric comfort. The drawbacks of this method include the time and cost factors. Also, because the results are subjective, many tests are often needed to arrive at a reproducible value. In addition, human testers are unable to reliably distinguish between haptic traits such as softness and smoothness and can only arrive at an overall impression of the material’s haptic quality.
The TSA, on the other hand, provides a numerical value for a material’s hand-feel, also known as its handle, along the distinct haptic parameters. This makes it easier for textile manufacturers to pinpoint why one product is preferred over another: Is it because it is softer, smoother, or more flexible? Without concrete data, the answer is anyone’s guess.
Emtec Electronic will be attending the International Textile Machinery Expo at Booth number H7AA10 in the Processing Hall to demonstrate the operation and explain the measuring principle behind the device.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (NB)