Characterizing fuzz on fabrics using image analysis

A hardware device and software based on image analysis techniques are devel oped to detect and describe fuzz on fabric surfaces. Thin optical slices ne ar the surface of fabrics are imaged with a microscope objective lens and e lectronic camera. Sharply focused fuzz fibers are detected within each imag e and described in terms of fuzz density, fuzz height, and fabric-fuzz sepa ration. The hardware device and software techniques are evaluated by visual izing fuzz detection in individual images and by assessing the reasonablene ss of measured fuzz parameters for fabrics with intuitively known fuzz attr ibutes. The instrument's usefulness is explored by assessing the influence of the yarn interlacing pattern, mechanical abrasion, and a fuzz-reducing f inish on fuzz.