Page 66 - July/August 2019

66 67
impact on the business success of users. In one Importantly, this knowledge is a considerable
Quality partner for fabric producers example, a US technical textiles producer reports that scale-up on the ‘normal’ weaving operator’s ability to
it has increased sales volumes through the ability to
feedback observations over several looms. The
guarantee seamless fabrics to its customers. This firm
whole-mill picture from USTER® FABRIQ EXPERT
USTER® Fabric Inspection presents top technology and quality produces base-layer material for coating, an application makes the results more representative of the true
picture in the mill.
in which defects larger than 9 inches are unacceptable,
management with USTER® Q-BAR 2 and USTER® FABRIQ EXPERT as they would require cutting and seaming.
It follows the USTER ‘Think Quality’ concept –
The advantage of USTER® Q-BAR 2 here is the rapid supporting customers to make informed decisions
stop of weaving when it identifies a defect – before it for long-term business success through increased
reaches the critical size for the subsequent productive efficiency and effective quality
processes. management.

Full on-loom quality transparency Quality partner for fabric producers
USTER® FABRIQ EXPERT is the key to early Combining the industry-leading technology of
detection of quality issues, based on comprehensive automated vision-based inspection with USTER’s
quality data gathered during on-loom inspection of unrivalled stature in quality management systems
fabrics. It provides weavers with an overview of their and services creates the perfect ‘dream team’ for
entire installation, via USTER® Q-BAR 2 systems
fitted over each machine. fabric manufacturers. They can now have access to
highly-effective automated fault detection, as well as
The quality data can be used to compare the total transparency of weaving quality performance,
performance of the same styles on different provided during on-loom inspection. USTER® Fabric
machines, for example. Another benefit is an Inspection offers real benefits for weavers in terms of
USTER® Q-BAR 2 – The latest generation of on-loom monitoring and inspection
indication of when to replace spare parts, preventing both customer satisfaction and their own long-term
Since 2018, the world-renowned USTER quality systems for the wider textile industry. faults which could occur with worn-out parts. business success.
systems include fabric inspection – and ITMA 2019
has seen the launch of the first major innovation to be Fault detection with direct impact on business
developed since the acquisition of automatic vision success
inspection company Elbit Visions Systems (EVS). USTER® Q-BAR 2 represents the next generation of
the original on-loom monitoring and inspection
Fabric makers will already be familiar with the system, offering user-friendly design and operational
successful, industry-proven solutions USTER® EVS improvements for weaving. An inspiring USTER
Q-BAR, FABRIQ VISION and FABRIQ SHADE, which design built on years of EVS experience brings many
today are used worldwide to inspect upwards of 60 advantages, including indication of the defect
million meters of fabric per day. At ITMA in Barcelona, location, and better access to make maintenance
USTER® Q-BAR 2 and USTER® FABRIQ EXPERT tasks easier.
have been launched and explained to show visitors.
The USTER® Q-BAR 2 is positioned immediately
For fabric manufacturers, the competitive nature of behind the reed on each machine – the ideal location
the textile market means that reliable quality is a for earliest detection of fabric defects. This means
requirement, and defects are unacceptable to their the operator can respond quickly to alarms and stop
customers. USTER® FABRIQ EXPERT and USTER® signals, to correct problems immediately and prevent
Q-BAR 2 aim to support textile mills in guaranteeing quality issues from continuing, thus minimizing
the delivery of the desired roll quality, using the best material waste. A red LED guides the operator to the
technology available for monitoring and improving exact position of defects, and lights at the side of the
production at the earliest-possible stage. unit show system status.

That includes locating any defects quickly, Fabric faults are categorized and saved, creating a
supporting identification of the root causes and ‘defect map’ for each roll which can be recalled and
initiating corrective action. The expertise of EVS reviewed later via the intuitive touchscreen. The
technology – with intelligent visual detection and system reduces the need for post-weaving inspection
fault-recognition algorithms – is now enhanced by for most applications.
USTER’s overall experience in quality management
USTER® Q-BAR is already making a significant

July/August 2019 July/August 2019