Various Methods of Inspection Systems for Apparels

Abstract

All the retailers want to buy high quality products from manufacturers, to sell the product to their customers. The quality of the garmentsmay vary depends on the price ranges. So we need to follow various methods ofinspection techniques, depends on the customers wants and needs. The inspectionsystem gives the clear judgment of the quality of the garment.

Introduction

Quality Assurance process the bulk pollution is examinedbefore delivery to the customer to see if it meets the specifications. Theconsumers want to get high quality products in low price. The products should reach the consumers with right quality depends on the cost.

Quality assurance covers all the process within a companythat contributes to the production of quality products. Which is conduct formbeginning to end of the process (or) shipment? The inspect is carried out by representatives of the current production and the result record on control chart. Which is a process to Assure the product quality Acceptable or not.

The aim of garment inspection is to visually inspect articles at random from a delivery in order to verify their general conformity and appearancewith instruction/description and/or sample received.

There are different types of inspection following by inspectorsas requirement of consumers.

1. Pre-Production check:

This is done before production starts. Where then is a finalverification of the material used; style, cut and workmanship of the garment or pre-production sample as per the customer Requirements.

2. Initial production check:

This is done at the start of production where a first batchof garments is inspected; to distinguish possible discrepancies/variation andto allow fro the necessary corrections to be made bulk production. Theinspection is a preliminary stage covering mainly style and general appearance,workmanship, measurements, quality of fabrics, components, weight, colourand/or printing.

During production check:

This is done during production to ensure initialdiscrepancies/variations have been rectified. This inspection is in fact thefollow -up of the initial production check and is generally carried out a fewdays after the initial inspection, especially if discrepancies have beendetected at that time.

Final Random Inspection:

This is carried out when the production of the totalquantity of an order or partial delivery is completed. A sample lot will beselected from the order and a percentage of the garments will be inspected,this percentage usually being stipulated by the buyer. The AQL samplinginspection may be applied or another inspection system designed by the buyer.

AQL Random Sampling Inspection:

The AQL random sampling inspection was derived from themathematical theory of probability and is based on the sampling scheme definedin military standard 105D (MIL -STD - 105D).

This method constitutes taking random sample from a lot ofmerchandise, inspecting them and depending on the quality of the sampleinspected, determining whether the entire lot is acceptable or not. The MIL -STD - 105D (also BS 6001, ISO 2859, DIN 40080) provides the sampling plans; andthese determine the number of samples of be inspected in lot size, in additionto indicating and the acceptable quality level (AQL) which represents the maximum number of defects per hundred units that, for the purpose of the samplinginspection can be considered satisfactory as a process average.

In general cases the buyer will determine which sampling plan and what AQL to adopt. The AQL 1.5 is applied when severe inspection conditions are required on high-class expensive items. The AQL 2.5 is applied when textiles of normal/good quality are involved. There are three types of sampling plans: i.e. single, double and multiple sampling plans. Each sampling plan can be performed at three levels, i.e. normal, tightened and reduced, depending on inspection requirements and quality of the products. In the garments industry generally single and double normal sampling plans are applied. Therefore only examples of these two will be provided. The sample size code letter table shows various lot sizes corresponding to a serious of code letters. There are seven inspection levels, four for general inspection (Already mentioned) and three for special inspection. For garment inspection, general inspection level II (normal II) is normally applied.

Single sampling plan - Normal inspection:

Assurance an AQL of 2.5 % and a lot size of 1200 garments and the sample size is 80 garments. If the number of defective garments found is 5 the total lot is "Acceptable" suppose if the defective garments found is 6, the total lot is "Reject/ Re-Check".

Double sampling plan - Normal Inspection:

Assurance an AQL 4.0% and a lot size is 1200 garments and the sample size is 80 garments. If the Number of defective garments found is 7, the total lot is "Acceptable" suppose if the defective garments found is 8 the total lot is "Reject/ Re-Check".

For Example:

Total garments (lot Size) 1200 garments

Sample size (selected for inspection) 80 garments

AQL 2.5 / 4.0

If the major defective found is 5 and minor defective found is 7 the total garments is "Acceptable". If the defective exceed (Above 5 major and 7 Minor), the total garments is Reject / Re-check.

AQL CHART

AQL max = Acceptable Quality level.

i.e.: maximum number of defective sample.

* = Sample Size, + = AQL number

Random Selection of Carton Box for Inspection

Order Quantity

If a carton contains Black, S-10, M-10, L-10, XL-10

White S-10, M-10, L-10, XL -10

Total No. of Cartons 15 Box

Carton Selection = √nx2

Where, n = number of cartons

10% of out of points for knitted goods and 5% of out of points (tolerance) are Acceptable.

The measurement tolerance level may very customer to customer.

Major defects:

Which fails to meet the mandatory regulations directly affecting the salability and safety of the merchandise as the point of view of the customer. Which affect the salability but also affect the value of the merchandise is considered as major defective, the major defects cannot be rectify. Ex: Fabric hole, Broken stitch, size Jumped, Dye patches, etc

Minor Defects:

These defects shall deteriorate the serviceability of the merchandise with in few washing or laundry minor defects rectify. Ex: Stain, Skip stitch, wavy bottom hem. Etc

If the defect found front side of the garment (when packed) which is considered as major, if it is found back side of the garment which is consider as minor defects. Defects are considered major & minor as per the customer demands.

Conclusion:

Now-a-days most of the customer demand for high quality products in low prices. So we should maintain the quality from the beginning stage of the production then only the final product with reach the consumer with right quality and we can get the order continuously from our customers. The quality should monitor, in right time and sequence by the manufacturer or quality Inspector (Buyer nominated persons) to avoid the further problems and comments from the customers.

The garment manufacturers inspect there products "online" continuously by the responsible persons. The problems not only occur in garment stage. Which is affect from the fiber stage. So the quality, we should maintain from fiber to final product, then only the right quality product will reach the consumers.

About the Author:

The author is a student of B. Tech, Final Year, in Department of Textile Technology, Pavendar Bharathidasan College of Engineering and Technology, Trichy, India.