A CASE-STUDY IN OFF-LINE QUALITY-CONTROL - CHARACTERIZATION AND OPTIMIZATION OF BATCH DYEING PROCESS DESIGN

A method is provided and demonstrated for robust design of the batch d yeing process. This method is used to identify optimal batch dyeing pr ocess parameter settings which produce target colour with the least co lour 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 condu ct of experiments are discussed for developing empirical models of the performance measures, and these models are developed for the study ca se. 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.