Title: A case study in off-line quality control: characterisation and optimisation of batch dyeing process design

Authors: Gulser Koksal, William A. Smith Jr., Yahya Fathi, Jye-Chyi Lu, Ralph McGregor

Addresses: Industrial Engineering Department, Middle East Technical University, 06531 Ankara, Turkey. Industrial Engineering Department, North Carolina State University, Box 7906, Raleigh, NC 27695-7906, USA. Industrial Engineering Department, North Carolina State University, Box 7906, Raleigh, NC 27695-7906, USA. Department of Statistics, North Carolina State University, Box 8203, Raleigh, NC 27695-8203, USA. North Carolina State University, Department of Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science, College of Textiles, 2401 Research Drive, Box 8301, Raleigh, NC 27695-8301, USA

Abstract: A method is provided and demonstrated for robust design of the batch dyeing process. This method is used to identify optimal batch dyeing process parameter settings, which produce target colour with the least colour variation within and among dyed fabric pieces. The robust design problem is defined in terms of the design objectives, control factors and noise factors. Performance measures are presented to evaluate mean and dispersion characteristics of the dyeing output. Design and conduct of experiments are discussed for developing empirical models of the performance measures, and these models are developed for the study case. The robust design problem is formulated and solved as a nonlinear programming problem. Confirmation of results and iterative use of the proposed design method are discussed.

Keywords: off-line quality control; quality engineering; parameter design; robust design; design optimisation; textiles dyeing; colour control.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.1998.002676

International Journal of Technology Management, 1998 Vol.16 No.4/5/6, pp.358-382

Published online: 04 Jul 2003 *

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