Optimization of Woven Fabric Production Process on Picanol Omniplus Air Jet Machine Using Taguchi Multi-response and Grey Relational Analysis Methods

Abstract

The purposes of this research are to determine the optimal process parameters of woven fabric production process and the rank of factors that influence the responses of the fabric, namely tear strength and air permeability. In this research, Taguchi method was used in the optimization of woven fabric production by involving four factors, namely weft yarn type, weft density, air pressure, and warp tension each with the three levels. Orthogonal Array L9 is used for experiments with two responses, namely the fabric tear strength and air permeability. Grey relational analysis was used to determine the optimal process parameters. The results of the experiments showed that the fourth experiment has the highest rank with a value of 0.887 with TC 30 of yarn types, 62 of weft density, 4 bar of air pressure and 2 kN of warp tension. We also found that weft yarn type become the most influence factor of the responses. For the next stage, a variance analysis must be carried out to find the significance of the factors. Subsequent research makes it possible to add other responses, namely the tensile strength of the fabric, the pilling performance, and the drape test.