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Oriental carpet manufacturers abbreviated as OCM, situated at Chheharta, Amritsar is a world class
mill with growing international presence. OCM has become a synonym for quality suiting. It is the
first worsted mill in India to get the prestigious ISO-9001 certifications. It was established in
Amritsar in 1924 by a British company for manufacturing of hand knotted carpets for the supply to
its subsidiary company, the East India carpet ltd. OCM carpets have enjoyed the highest goodwill
for their fine quality and vibrant designs both in the home and foreign market and that is from
where it got its name OCM.
All departments of OCM, ranging from designing to finishing, work congenial for producing right
kind of fabric which has the right feel, fall and drape and maintains its ironed look throughout the
day. OCM has the facility to execute all stages of spinning, weaving, processing, dyeing and
finishing except changing raw wool into workable for spinning, so they buy tops of fibers.
THE COMPANY
Since its inception in 1924 as a manufacturer of hand-knotted carpets, OCM has come a long way to
become one of the largest worsted suiting producer, the first one to implement a customized textile
ERP solution. A completely vertically integrated plant, OCM has in-house production facilities to
convert tops to finished fabrics through dyeing, spinning, weaving and finishing using state-of-the-
art machinery. All the materials and processes pass through stringent checks at every stage and help
in delivering outstanding quality.
At present the company’s capacity includes 34064 Spindles and 182 high speed shuttle-less Looms
thereby giving spinning capacity of 12000 kg yarn and weaving capacity of 25000 Mtrs of fabric
per day. The spinning preparatory is from NSC, France, Spindles from Zinser, Germany,
Autoconers from Schlhafhorst, Germany, TFO’s from Leewha, Korea and looms from Lindaeur
Dornier, Germany, Sulzer, Switzerland and Picanol, Belgium. Apart from this, color continuity is
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tested on color matching system from Gretag Macbreath, UK and fabric gets final finish on
Decatiser from Biella Shrunk, Rotary Press of Mario Crosta, Italy, Continuous Decatising from
Speretto Rimar, Italy, Superfinish from M-Tec, Germany and Shearing machine from Xetma
Vollenweider, Switzerland.
The company has its age not only in the home market but is also exporting to several countries like
Canada, USA, Middle East and other its wool blended fabrics and innovative wool.
THE PROMOTERS
Early 2007, it has been acquired by a New York, US based, global private equity fund management
company, WL Ross & Co. LLC, headed by Wilbur L Ross Jr. Other notable business initiatives of
WL Ross & Co. LLC include:
• International Steel Group
• Kansai Sawayaka Bank ( Japan )
• International Textile Group
• International Automotive Components Group
• International Coal Group
International Textile Group ( ITG ) is a portfolio company of the WL Ross Group, formed in March
2004 through the merger of :
• Cone Denim – one of the world’s largest denim manufacturer.
• Burlington Industries – one of the world’s largest worsted wool manufacturers
CORE ORGANISATION VALUES & HRD POLICY
OCM recognizes that its people are the primary source of its competitiveness. A strong belief that
"to succeed requires the highest standards of corporate behavior towards our employees, consumers
and the societies ". OCM's corporate philosophy is embedded in its commitment to all stakeholders
- consumers, employees, shareholders, financiers, the environment and the society that the
organization operates in. It is committed to provide equal employment opportunities for attracting
the best available talent and ensuring a cosmopolitan workforce. It pursues management practices
designed to enrich the quality of life of its employees, develop their potential and maximize their
productivity.
NEW DEVELOPMENTS
Recent developments in OCM is the opening of retail outlets one of which is functioning smoothly
in Amritsar and there are plans of the management to open more retail outlets in other cities to
increase its customer base. They have also bought new machineries in many departments this year,
especially in finishing department.
LAYOUT OF THE OCM MILL
2 32 21 2 21 61 1 16 1789
1215 10 12 2 5234 2
3
3
1 Main gate 1 OCM conference room 3 EP Godown
6 Emporium 2 OCM(1924)
4
DEPARTMENTS
Production Department
This department of the company is further subdivided into:
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Raw materials used in OCM
The main raw material used in OCM are polyester and wool( superfine micron wool) imported from
Australia. For polyester, trilobal polyester fibres are mostly used because it is more brighter and
lustrous and provides more shine due to its trilobal structure. Other than trilobal polyester, terellene
is also used. Raw material other than wool and polyester, like silk,viscose, cotton and linen were
rarely used(if required by the buyer).
Wool used in OCM is generally of:
• 18.5 microns
• 19.5 microns
• 20 microns
• 21.5 microns
• 22.5 microns
• 28.5 microns
The blends of yarns are
• Polyester/wool: 70/30,60/40, 85/15, 55/45, 65/35
• Silk/wool
• Polyester/viscose
• Polyester/wool/viscose
• Polyester/wool/cotton
• Polyester/wool/linen
The main sources from where the wool is bought:
• Digjam Jamnagar
• Oswal
• Grasim
• Jaishree
Polyester is brought from:
• Digjam Jamnagar
• Jogindher worsted Ludhiana
DESIGNING
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Organization Chart
Manager (Mr. Atul Kumar)
Technical Assistant
(Mr. Amit Sharma)
Designing plays a major role in the whole process of fabric making. This department first receives
feedback from the market and after analyzing of various factors, the designs are developed and then
further processed. The designs are developed keeping in mind the two seasons, i.e. Spring/Summer
& Autumn/Winter. They produce about 300 designs per season. New designs are developed
according to the market trends along with improving some of the designs of the old designs.
Blanket Development
Design/Pattern Selection
Master Cards
Feeler Manufacturing
Production Plan
Feedback
BLANKET PATTERN
Various design patterns are produced by making blanket sample in different qualities for export and
domestic market. Designing staff person fill up the blanket sample development card. Design
number and piece number are allocated in a register. Weaving department(designing section)
weaves the development sample as per instructions on development card number. After greasy
inspection by greasy perch, the blanket sample is sent to finishing department through mending
department. After finished inspection by greasy perch, blanket sample is received in designing
department. The same is inspected by HOD (designing) and then marked and cut suitably for
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aapproval of design patterns. In case of customer qualities, samples are sent to customer for
selection.
MASTER CARD:
The purpose of making feeler samples is that customers and manufacturers can have the proper feel
and fall of the fabric and buyer can book their order by checking these feelers. Feelers are made by
PPC after sampling order is released to PPC Before these feelers are shown in the meeting these are
sent to the quality lab for testing. Feeler length is decided as per the requirement of Sample Section.
After finishing, feelers are checked for feel and finish of the design/ design pattern. Any
addition/deletion and future development is recorded and action is taken accordingly. In case of
feeler which is rejected due to some nonconformity, such as specifications or defectives, it is kept
separate by giving new design number and sold separately to avoid mix up with new feelers.
PRODUCTION PLAN
The Production plan is received from sales for regular ranges according to market requirements and
the whole process is made according to this production plan. To consume left over yarns some new
designs are made for which master cards and the production plans are delivered to PPC and their
information is sent to sales department.
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Shades are sent to D/H for development. After developments these shades are checked either by the
designing department, or are approved by the party. These are then send to the QC lab for testing. If
these shade pads are approved then they are sent to dye house for final production.
MASTER CARD DELIVERY:
The master card made is checked by firstly the technical officer and then by HOD (Design). After
this the master card is sent to Q.C Lab, from where it goes on to the PPC (Production Planning &
Control). If any problem occurs at subsequent stage of production (due to nature of design), the
matter is discussed with the Sales management and higher authorities if required.
FEEDBACK:
Feedback for further development is received from the different sources like best seller designs of
previous range, fashion periodicals, journals, market surveys by sales people (designing).
Software verification
All the software/ hardware used in the Designing Department are maintained by IT Department.
Software is verified by taking print out of standard master cards after every 6 months.
All records are kept systematically so that they are legible, readily identifiable and readable.
For preparing these feeler samples, the department has separate facility. There were 19 power looms
with 12 heald shafts capacity. Out of these machines, there were 4 machines with shuttle boxes with
capacity of 4 boxes for making checks. There are 23 workers in one shift in design department..
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Design-wise manufacturing plan
NEW SPINNING
Organization chart
13
Preperatory Ringframe Auto Coner
( Mr.V Shukla) ( Mr. Yashwinder) (Mr.Bharat bhushan)
PROCESS SEQUENCE
GILLING
BLENDING(4 passages)
COMBING
AUTO LEVELLING
SPEED FRAME
RING FRAME
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AUTO CONER
STEAMING
In new spinning department, the slivers in top form are converted to single yarn by drawing and
twisting and then winding them into bobbins.
From loose fibres comprising between 10-20 mm, the new spinning involves a number of processes
intended to
• Remove foreign substances from fibre
• Disentangle the fibres
• Making the fibres parallel
• Give them a twist.
The machines used in this department (in order of processing of material) are -
8 STEAMING STAFI 2
MACHINE DESCRIPTION
GILLING MACHINE
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Gilling machines is used for blending, drafting, and oiling to make the tops uniform in weight and
length. The machine processes the tops while making the fibers straight and parallel which increases
the uniformity in sliver.
From the back of the machine, the tops are fed. After passing through the feed rollers, tops move
through the gilling field which consists of top and bottom fallers moving in same direction as that of
top. Fallers are like combs consisting of pins whose density can vary according to the materials
being processed and the stage at which it is being processed. The machine head consists of 72 right
and 72 left fallers which are installed alternately( 1 top and 1 bottom). Faller ends are placed in two
chains which drive the fallers and are themselves driven through gearing arrangement. Only 22
fallers are in operation at any instant. The density of pins in the fallers may vary from 3 pins per cm
to 9 pins/cm. Low density pins are round in section while high density pins are flat.
After the material passes through the fallers, it passes through the delivery rollers whose speed
governs the actual draft given to the material. The draft ratio can vary from 4-12(set by draft
gearbox with stepped cones). There is a nozzle to spray antistatic oil on to the output fibers top. It
should be kept in mind that percentage oil content in wool fibers should be 0.8 to 1% and 0.5 % for
polywool. Humidity level should be 65-70% and temperature should be 27-30 degrees.
BLENDING
In blending process, two or more tops of same or different fibers are uniformly mixed resulting in
composition of uniform top. There are variety of reasons of blending like
• To produce an end product with characteristics unattainable from one component.
• To produce special effects.
• To ensure continuity of supply and avoid batch to batch variations.
• To improve processibilty and spinning performance.
• To exploit advertising/consumer appeal.
Fallers in machine separate fibers from each other and open the tops and mix the fibers properly to
achieve a uniform composition. There is set of four blending machines which through basic gilling
machine principles increase uniformity of required blend. The output of these four machines has a
uniform linear weight of fibers in the top. All these blender vary in pin density in fallers to separate
fibers as we go from one machine to another(4 passages). The blenders while blending also apply
draft on to the fibers tops to control the weight per unit length.
1st passage and 2nd passage – 3 pins per cm
3rd passage – 4 pins per cm
4th passage – 5 pins per cm
COMBING
After blending, fibers in sliver form are send for combing. In combing process, fibers are made
more parallel, short fibres are removed, front hooks and tail hooks are removed, impurities like dust
and vegetable matter are removed.
Numbers of slivers (maximum 24) are fed in to the machine from the back side through feeding
rollers. A fibre tuft is torn out of the feed sliver by a gripper system. The heads of the fibres are
cleaned by a rotating comb and the fibre tuft is then gripped by a pair of detaching rollers. At this
stage the rectilinear comb lowers itself and combs the back ends of the fibres. The tufts are then
overlapped and taken up in form of sliver. A crimping device imparts consistency to the sliver,
before its laying into a can. The short fibers and impurities are removed and are collected at the
bottom with the help of a doffer.
The speed of the machine is measured in nips/min and amount of feed is determined by the nip
distance( also called feed length). These are set differently for different material(type of fibre, its
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diameter, its length). There is a shovel plate which feeds predetermined amount of fibers through
the nipper jaws. Nipper jaw clamp the fibers and nipper brush pushes fibers into circular comb
which removes short fibres and impurities. The top comb enters the fibre mass behind the nipper
jaws. When top comb is at bottom of the stroke, nipper jaws release the mass. The drawing off
rollers move to pick the combed fringe and pull fibres through top comb. The vegetable matter and
short fibres are held behind the top comb and are removed by the segment on the next cycle. When
the drawing off roller grasps the fringe, the front carriage moves forward while the rollers rotate,
drawing the fibers onto the apron. Air suction is used to control the trailing fibres so they are not
caught on the segment.The top comb is compressed of a strip of very fine pins. Pinning density
varies, like for fine wool is combed on 30 pins per cm and coarser wool being combed at 25 pins
per cm. Finer the wool, greater the pinning density. Pinning density is also increased if wool
contains lot of vegetable matter. Selection of the pinning for top comb and the segment is highly
dependent on micron and contamination level of the input wool.
Specifications of Combing Machine
Running speed 175-210 nips/min
Feeding Cans(doubling 16-24)
Feed comb pinned length 410 mm
Top comb pinned length 470 mm
Circular comb pinned length 440 mm
Drawing off cylinder 25/28
Doffer diameter 138 mm
Drawing off apron 640 mm x 530 mm
After the combing or post combing, waviness of combed tops is removed and tops are made into
balls to reduce the number of cans required. The tops are continuously attenuated in weight/length
during passage through post combing section. In post combing, two machines are used-
1. Gill box- to draft the tops and remove the waviness
2. Gill box with auto leveler and auto balling component.
The first machine working is same as that of gilling machine working.
Working of second machine i.e. auto leveler is explained below.
AUTO LEVELLER
The function of auto leveler drawframe is to make the sliver weight/length uniform. An auto leveler
gill box has an exception that it contains a sensor to measure the thickness (difference) of the sliver
and single drafting zone mounted in front of the head. Any variation in the thickness of the sliver is
changed to electrical signal, which increases or decreases the speed of front drafting zone.
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Fig.1.5- Diagram showing parts of Auto leveler machine
At the machine input, fed web is sensed by a mechanical device with rollers. The displacements of
the measuring roller are converted to analogical tension by an electronic sensor. These variations
are processed by digital calculator which ensures the function of memory and of operator machine
interface. At the precise movement, when variations are in drafting zone, the calculator corrects the
I/P speed by moving the variator belt by means of an electrical stepping motor.
The regulation range is +15% to -25%. If the material goes beyond this range, the machine stops.
The machine is equipped with a mechanism by which the output tops are made into balls which are
stored in case of delayed subsequent processing.
SPEED FRAME
Its function is to attenuate the sliver into a rove and to produce a suitable package to be fed into a
ring frame. They are called rovers in OCM as their name is derived from FM-7 rovers. In addition
to reduction of weight/length of the tops, a small twist is provided in this machine. The sliver from
the feed passes through the sliver guides, optical detection system and goes into a double apron
drafting
system. The drafted material then goes between two rubber aprons which moves axially causing the
fibres to roll over each other, they twist first into one direction and then into the opposite direction
as they move forward, the row is then wound on the roving bobbin. The twist is based on false twist
principle. Weight of the package from this machine is set according to the order and in such a way
that roving machine is used properly.
Specifications of Speed Frame or Roving Machine
RING FRAME
Ring frame converts the roving into a yarn and simultaneously twist it while it is wound on a ring
bobbin to provide the strength to the yarn to make it stable. In OCM, there are 44 ring frame
machines and they all are of Zinser, company of France. There is 3 by 3 system for twisting yarn.
The drafting zone is divided into three parts –Back rollers, Middle rollers, and Front rollers.
7. AUTO CONER – Its function is to remove the yarn faults with the help of an optical sensor and
splice and to produce bigger package from small ring bobbins.
There are many defects which are produced after spinning like-
1. Neps- They have yarn diameter that is seven times more than the normal yarn.
2. Thick places-
• Short- They have diameter which is 3 times more than normal yarn but of length 3 cms
• Long- They have diameter which is 1.25 times more than normal yarn but of length 3.5
cms or above.
1. Thin places- They have diameter which is -20% that of normal yarn but of length 3 cms or
above.
To remove these defects, we use Auto coner machines. Auto Coner is a highly automated m/c as in
this m/c the empty ring bobbin are automatically replaced, splicer automatically joins the broken
ends. More over an optical sensor equipped with cutters detect the thick and thin places, slubs, neps
etc and splice the broken ends together. All the grooved drums are individually driven and the
length of yarn on package is fixed so that the m/c automatically stops after the required length of
yarn.
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Fig.1.7- Graph showing percentage defectives in spinning every month
Process parameters in New Spinning
Top making
Combing
Poly/wool and pure wool
Quality No. of ends Feeding Nip distance Feed length Top comb Speed
to feed (gm/mtr) (mm) (mm) (PPCM) (nips/min)
24 Nm to 52 24 348 36 6.7-15T 28 190
Nm P/W
60 Nm 24 276 36 6.8-17T 30 190
P/W(85/15)
48 Nm to 60 24 324 36 6.7-15T 28 190
Nm P/W
61 Nm to 80 24 300 36 6.7-15T 28 190
Nm P/W
90 Nm to 24 324 36 6.7-15T 28 190
100 Nm P/W
78Nm AW 24 300 36 6.7-15T 30 190
17.5 MIC
60 Nm to 70 24 324 36 6.7-15T 28 190
Nm AW
20-18.5 MIC
25 Nm to 60 24 444 36 6.7-15T 28 190
Nm AW
28 MIC
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Count Count Fibre Tpm Twist White Dyed/mix shade
(Nm) range specification wheel
Speed Ring tr. Speed Ring tr.
2/10 9.9-10.1 28.5 µ 356 44T - - 5500 18
1/12 11.7-11.9 28.5 µ 356 44T - - 7500 18
1/18 17.9-18.1 22.5 µ 435 36T - - 8000 19
2/25 25.0-25.2 18.5 µ 475 33T 9000 21 - -
2/25 25.0-25.2 28.0/28.5 µ 475 33T 8500 21 - -
2/32 31.9-32.1 20.5/20.8 µ 455 65T 8500 22 8200 23.5
2/38 38.0-38.3 22.5 µ 519 57T 9500 24 8900 24
2/44 43.5-43.8 22.5/24.5 µ 630 47T 8400 25.5 8000 25
2/60 59.6-59.8 20.0 µ 705 42T 7500 27 7400 27
2/70 69.6-69.8 18.5/19 µ 779 38T 7000 27 6700 27
Doubling - D
Nominal Draft - ND
Wrapping(gm/mtr) - W
Material Yarn 3rd passage 4th passage 5th passage 6th passage Roving
count D ND W D ND W D ND W D ND W N W
Poly/wool 18-34 8 8.0 22.0 8 8.0 22.0 4 7.7 11.5 4 7.1 6.5 11.34 0.57
35-42 7 7.0 22.0 8 8.0 22.0 4 7.7 11.5 4 7.6 6.0 10.92 0.55
43-48 7 7.3 21.0 8 8.2 20.5 4 7.8 10.5 4 7.6 5.5 11.55 0.48
49-53 7 7.0 20.0 8 8.0 20.0 4 8.0 10.0 4 8.0 5.0 11.55 0.43
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54-63 7 7.0 20.0 8 8.0 20.0 4 7.6 10.5 3 7.5 4.2 11.55 0.36
60 7 7.4 19.0 8 8.0 19.0 4 7.6 10.5 3 7.9 3.8 11.55 0.33
8 8.0 20.0
64-72 7 7.0 20.0 8 8.0 20.0 3 6.7 9.0 3 7.7 3.5 11.55 0.30
78-80 7 7.0 20.0 8 8.0 20.0 3 7.1 8.5 3 7.7 3.3 11.55 0.29
90 7 7.0 20.0 8 8.0 20.0 3 7.5 8.0 3 8.0 3.0 12.48 0.24
100 7 7.0 20.0 8 8.0 20.0 3 7.5 8.0 4 6.0 5.3 12.48 0.24
4 7.1 3.0
Pure wool 10 9 7.2 30.0 8 8.0 30.0 4 6.9 17.5 4 5.6 12.5 9.0 1.39
and 12 9 7.2 30.0 8 8.0 30.0 4 7.5 16.0 4 5.8 11.0 9.0 1.22
Wool/Visc 18-21 9 7.2 30.0 8 8.0 30.0 4 7.5 16.0 4 7.5 8.6 10.92 0.78
22-25 8 8.0 24.0 8 8.0 24.0 4 8.0 11.8 4 6.3 7.5 10.92 0.68
26-28 7 8.0 24.0 8 8.0 24.0 4 8.0 11.8 4 7.4 6.5 10.92 0.60
29-38 7 7.3 21.0 8 8.0 21.0 4 7.8 10.8 4 7.9 5.5 11.34 0.49
39-44 7 7.3 21.0 8 8.0 21.0 4 7.3 11.5 3 7.5 4.6 11.34 0.40
48 7 7.3 21.0 8 8.0 21.0 4 7.3 11.5 3 8.0 4.3 11.76 0.37
49-60 7 7.3 21.0 8 8.0 21.0 4 8.0 10.5 3 7.9 4.0 11.76 0.34
61-64 7 7.3 21.0 8 8.0 21.0 3 7.4 8.5 3 7.5 3.4 11.76 0.29
70-72 7 7.3 21.0 8 8.0 21.0 3 7.4 8.5 3 7.5 3.4 12.48 0.27
78-80 7 7.4 20.8 8 8.0 20.8 3 7.6 8.2 3 7.8 3.3 12.48 0.26
One extra passage for poly/wool blend of count 60Nm in 4 th passage and for pure wool of count 100
Nm in 6th package
POST SPINNING
Organization chart
Manager(R.K.S.Malli)
24
Jugal kishor
(Tech.off) Shashi Sharma
(tech.off)
The main purpose of post spinning department is to convert the single yarns in to 2 or 3 ply yarns
by applying twist to that yarn. For that, the first stage is that of assembly winding in which two or
more packages are wounded on a single package without imparting any twist on them.
Then the package is sent to TFO where two or more yarns are getting converted into single yarn by
applying twist to them. The twist is imparted with the help of rotation of spindle on which yarn is
getting unwind and the drum speed with which the package is rotated. The motion is transferred
through a pulley, pulley belt and through gears.
After TFO, yarn is send to autoclave for heat set to set the twist in the yarn. In this, yarn is subjected
to vacuum, steam, and air for setting the twist in it.
Then this yarn is set for conditioning and then the yarn is sent for winding according to customers
requirements.
PROCESS SEQUENCE
Conditioning ( 8 Hrs )
25
Course Count 2/24, 2/32 P/W
Winding ( 4 M/C)
OCM Yarn
C/ Spinning Yarn
Issued to Weaving
To Packing Section
ASSEMBLY WINDING
This preparatory stage for production of ply yarn consists of winding together 2-3 single yarns on
suitable package. It produces ply yarn, which are free from defects from due to balance tensioning
of single yarns. Its main function is to make packages of required weight. Two processes are carried
simultaneously ie. clearing the yarn and providing a larger feed package. There are two sections-
right and left, both sections containing 60 spindles. Each package is wounded with two or three
ends according to the requirement of the ply of the yarn.
In assembly winding, no twist is provided to the yarn. Also, there is a proper sequence of threading
for proper winding. There is a sensor which senses the breakage of the yarn and lifts the package
from the rotating drum.
To hold and lift the package from rotating drum, there is spring liver mechanism.
The m/c has group drum winder (drum diameter of 90 mm and drum r.p.m of 300). The speed of
m/c is 300 m/min and weight of package formed is 1080 gm.
There were 6 assembly winding machines in OCM.
The yarn path is as follows
26
Tensioner (disk type)
Guide wheel
Thread guide
Drum winder
The yarn from the double package gets twisted like the roving in the speed frame. Then it comes out
from the central hole of the disk, moves below to come out of the outer hole to form a balloon and
gets twisted in a similar mode to that of ring spinning. Therefore for each rotation of the disk the
output yarn gets twisted. This type of twister not only gives higher production but also produce
superior quality of ply yarns with fewer knots due to larger package. For p/w t.p.m given is from
590-890 depending upon count, and spindle speed 8000-10000 also according to the count.
For woolen, t.p.m given is from 360-760, and spindle speed is 6000-7000 depending upon count.
The twist is imparted with the help of rotation of spindle on which the yarn is getting unwinded and
the drum speed with which the package is rotated. The motion is transferred through a pulley, belt
and gears. There are four gears,by changing these gears we can change the amount of twist.
There were 56 TFO machines in OCM.
To find the amount of twist:
T.P.M= Spindle speed / delivery per minute
The yarn path is
Twister
27
Thread Guide
Tensioner
Traverse Guide
Package (Cheese)
Fig 1.9- Graph showing production of plied yarn from TFO every month
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Some features of Autoclave machine are:
• 540 kg of yarn can be steamed at a time.
• Steam moves inside out.
• Temperature around 90 degree Celsius.
After steaming, conditioning is done for about 4 hrs. For wool, around 24 hrs is spent on
conditioning.
Rewinding
It is done for removal of knots to avoid pin holes in the fabric which are form during finishing,
rewinding on paper cones or material that are not to be used in the mill.
Total capacity of post spinning department is 9 tonnes per day but they were able to get the output
of 6 tons.
DYE HOUSE
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Organizational structure
D.G.M ( Mr. S.K Pandey )
The dye house unit is a major operational unit in the company. The product is given its proper and
required shade in the dyeing house. The raw wool received as raw material is of white or natural
colour and dye house dyes the wool into the required shade according to the market demand and the
customer’s order. The product is dyed in dye house keeping in mind its composition and the
quality.
In OCM 3 types of dyeing are done
1. Top Dyeing( Fiber form)
2. Yarn Dyeing( After yarn has been made)
3. Fabric Dyeing( After fabric has been made)
In OCM, dyeing is more concentrated on top dyeing. Approximately 85% of dyeing is top dyeing,
10% is yarn dyeing and 5% is fabric dyeing.
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Tops Loading in machine
Rinsing
Addition of Dyes
Shade checking
Draining
Soaping
Dispatch
List of machines
Polyester
50 degree celcius
3 deg/min(gradient)
95 deg celcius
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1 deg/min
10 min(light shade)
20 min(medium shade)
30 min(dark shade)
After treatments
Neutralize
Antistate(lubrication(SAPKO-1556))
Chemicals added
1.Ammonium sulphate
2.Acetic acid
3.Levelling agent- Lixatron DFT
4.Wetting agent- Lixatron CIR
WOOL
40 degree celcius
33
Chemicals addition(10 min)
1 deg/min(gradient)
1 deg/min
98 deg celcius(dyeing temperature)
10 min(light shade)
20 min(medium shade)
30 min(dark shade)
After treatments
Neutralize
Antistate(lubrication(SAPKO-1556))
Dyes used for different materials
34
Chemicals Function
Ammonium sulphate For buffer
Setamol W S/ Lixaton W S Dispersing Agent
Metaxil D F T/ Livaton D Ft Levelling Agent For Polyester
Cibaflow C I R Dearrating agent
Acetic acid For Ph
Sodium Hydro Sulphate Reduction Clearing Chemicals
Caustic Soda Alkali
Sivatol Detergent
Sapco 1556 W B Antistatic agent
Sodium Acetate For Ph in case of wool
Irglan HTV Wool protecting agent
Unipol FBSE Leveling agent
There was a testing lab in which samples were tested and also different shades were made by doing
experiments(as required by design department). Liquor ratio used in dyeing was 1:10,but in testing
lab, it was 1:20.
The process for polywool blends is same of that of wool but there are some extra chemicals added
to the solution. They are-
1.Carrier- it helps to reduce the temperature of exhaustion from 135 deg celcius to 115 deg celcius.
2.Wool protector- wool generally gets damaged at 98 deg celcius, but by wool protector the wool
is not damaged till 120 deg celcius.
3. T/W Blended Fabric/Yarn
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Process starts at 50 deg. The heat to the material is then ascended by 1 deg/ minute till 85 degrees.
This is then holded at the same temperature for 10 minutes. The heat is further increased by 1 deg/
min till 120 degrees. The material is further kept at the same temperature for 30 minutes. Further the
material is cooled by 5 deg/ min.
HTHP Machines
This machine is used both for fiber and yarn dyeing. It consists of stock tank, dye addition and main
dye vessel, which is a cylinder with domed ends, upper being lid, securely locked by sliding ring.
The lid is raised by pneumatically operated cylinder at the back of machine. The pump is fitted
immediately below the main vessel. There are two pumps,one is turbo pump, and other is injector
pump. Turbo pump is used to transfer water, chemicals, and dyes from stock tank to main dye
vessel
and is responsible for in to out and out in motion of liquor during dyeing. Injector pump is used to
transfer the liquor from dye addition to main dye vessel. The stock tank is provided with a stirrer.
Water in let and drain valve are provided in the stock tank and main dye vessel.
Loading
Water in take
Rise in temperature
Addition of chemicals
Holding
Addition of colors
Rise in temperature
Holding
Sample checking
Rise in temperature
Cooling
Drain
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Washing
Rinsing
Unloading
Hydro extractor
After the dyeing process is completed, the material contains some amount of water. To remove this
water from the material, we use hydro extractor. The principle of centrifugal force to push the water
out of the material through a perforated cylinder is applied on this machine. The perforated cylinder
is continuously rotated with the help of motor and belt. The centrifugal force acting outwards force
the water out through a perforated surface while this water is being carried out by the outlets in the
external cylinders in which the perforated cylinders rotate. There are two hydro extractors for tops
and one for cones of yarns. While using these machines, following things should be kept in mind:
• Wool tops and polyester tops should be loaded separately.
• Different shade tops are loaded separately
After drying the material from the hydro extractor the material is still left with 20% to 30%
moisture in it.
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Fig.1.12- Hydro extractor
38
• Suction system for sucking the water vapors, which evaporate from the material being
dried.
• Coolers which are used for cooling the water, which is circulated round the triode valve to
keep it cool and get heated in turn.
Fig.1.13- RF dryer
Specifications of RF dryer
R F Power 15 Kw
Frequency 27.12 MHz
Conversion Efficiency 70% - 75%
Unit Cooling Forced Air Cooled
Electrical Supply 410V 3ph 50Hz
Electrical Power 26 kW Max
Modular Conveyor 800 mm wide
39
Fig.1.14- Back washing
Chemicals used and their functions
Silvatol Soap
Sapco 1556 Oil for wool
Cresmar RFA Oil for polyester
Acetic acid To remove superfluous
Eripsan OS Soap
Polyester tops
Bath number Chemical Quantity kg/hr Temperature(deg)
1. Eriopon O.S and soda ash 2.0 and 0.5 70
2. Acetic acid 1.0 30
3. Crimsor 1.5 50
Defeltor section
The fibers during dyeing get entangled. Therefore to parallelize and make a new compact top, so
that there is no much problem in further processing, tops are sent to defeltor section which has 5
defeltor machines. Maximum 12 slivers can be fed to a machine but the actual numbers which is
used to feed is from 6 to 8. In these machines, fibres are separated from each other and slivers are
converted to tops. The draft is set from 6 to 8 according to the requirement and the linear weight
required in final top’s sliver. Capacity of machine is 600 kg per shift.
Fabric dyeing
41
Fabric dyeing department is near the finishing department so that the fabric after dyeing can be
easily taken from dyeing to the finishing department. The explanation of the fabric dyeing machines
is as follows.
Jet dyeing machine
It is a high temperature and high pressure machine and is mainly used for dyeing polyester portion
present in the blended fabrics.
Process sequence
Loading of fabric
Cool to 60 degree
Drain
Unloading
In this machine, liquor moves and carries cloth with it i.e. both fabric and liquor move. The machine
consists of a dye vessel which can be pressurized. A jet is provided in the main dye vessel, which
helps in movement of fabric. A material roll is provided which lifts the fabric from the bottom of
dye vessel and feeds to the jet. There are two pumps, one is turbo pump and other is injector pump.
One filter is provided which removes the fibers from the dye liquor. Liquor is heated by the heat
exchanger. Addition tank is provided in which dyes and chemicals are present in dissolved state.
Injector pump is used to transfer liquor from addition tank to dye vessel while turbo pump supplies
liquor to the jet. The material to liquor ratio is 1:9, jet pressure is kept 1.2 kg/cm square. Capacity of
machine is 250 kg.
Chemicals used
Beam dyeing is used for dyeing polywool and all wool fabrics. In this machine, fabric remains
stationary while liquor flow through the fabric. The pressure vessel has a circular cross section. At
the center back of machine is the dye liquor inlet, feeding directly into the barrel of perforated beam
and at back of the shell, just below the center is dye liquor outlet to the pump. Two rails running the
full length of the vessel are mounted at the side about quarter of the way above the bottom; these
rails support the weight of the rolls and accompanying cradle during dyeing operation. The doors
surround at the front of machine is fitted with rubber seal and ring locking device securely locks the
door.
Beam is made of stainless steel and is fixed at both ends on the batching machine. First a grey
cotton cloth is wrapped on the beam then material to be dyed is wetted and then wrapped on the
machine. After this another layer of grey cotton is given which acts as support for the batch.
After the batch is ready the beam is loaded in the machine. The basic equipment for beam winding
consists of mechanisms to rotate the beam and good delivery system, which will allow the fabric to
be wounded on the beam without forming the creases.
Process sequence
Loading of beam
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For dark shades-35 to 40 mins
Washing
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Color Matching Procedures
Definitions-
Component- The name used for a dye top. Each component has an established standard for color.
Finished blend- The name used for the blended top. A finished blend has an established standard
for color.
Lot- The name used for a manufacturing order.
Component dyeing-
• For each component, a standard dye formula is maintained.
• For every component dye lot, samples of sliver are taken after backwashing and pinning.
These samples are taken throughout the lot and are kept until all of the lot is consumed.
• For each wool component lot, pads are made and color readings are compared to the stored
standard and assessed to determine if they are good enough to use.
• For each polyester component lot, sliver is used for color readings that are compared to the
stored standard and assessed to determine if they are good enough to use.
• A dye formula is modified if it is determined that the shade has drifted.
Top blending-
• Planning system issues production order with a ssuggested make up specifying by mix,
component, and lot. Initial working pads are made from this.
• The working lot pad is read and plotted versus the stored standard.
• Using both the spectrophotometric data and visual assessment, a decision is made whether to
approve the working lot pad or to change the make up in order to move the color into an
acceptable shade.
• After shade approval, instructions are sent to planning to specify by mix, component and lot
which items to use in the Finished Blend lot.
• Planning issues the blend instructions to Blend Prep.
• Blend Prep creels the blender as specified and informs the color control technician that the
lot is ready for review.
• The color control technician verifies that the lot is creeled properly and releases it for
production. Samples are collected and new pads are made and checked for shade before the
lot is released for production.
• For larger lots, a sample is collected every eight hours and a pad is made and checked for
shade. This is a precaution to ensure that the shade has not drifted while the lot is running.
Finishing:
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Top to finish lot purity
• When establishing the initial finished fabric standard, it should maintain a pure dyed top lot
through yarn, weave, and finishing so that top standard and finished fabric standard are of
the same base.
• After standard established, its ok to mix dye lots in other processes.
Finish process when establishing standard
• Establish routing on finished fabric standard.
• Take swatches at critical process points( example- after scouring, before chemical
treatments).
• Maintain good process control.
• Review machine status for a midpoint control.(for example- KD blankets should not be new
or old which will affect shade- it should be average life.
Establish standard
• Shade area to maintain master shade swatch, extra yardage from same piece and swatch for
customer.
• Print spectrophotometer absolute values as per permanent reference.
Shade control during production
• Include a fabric routing step to check shade before any critical or irreversible processes.
Develop run card for these areas if necessary( example check shade before chemical
repellent treatments, if repellant is non removable then must use a run card and develop a "
before treatment " standard).
• If order requires customer approval for each piece, the pieces must bee placed in a " hold"
status to avoid shipping until approved.
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Weaving
Organization chart of weaving
Manager(Mr.R.P Singh)
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Process sequence
Warping
Beaming
Weaving
Warping
The weaving process starts with warping. In this section, the warp ends are being wrapped around
the beam which are then put on to the machine.
A warping plan is provided to the weaving department with a master card in which all the
instructions regarding the weaving process are given. The wrapper makes seating according to this
plan on the warping machine and by doing the required calculations. While doing setting he
considers the parameter of the reed width, warp length and according to that sectional width is
decided.
Creeling
It is a process of mounting a large number of wound packages onto a unit known as a creel. In OCM
truck creels are used. In this type of creel the yarn packages are placed on spindles of truck in a
preparation area. A number of trucks are required per creel.
At the time of a run, the yarn of each end is broken between the package and the guide and the
trucks are wheeled out from the center of the creel to be replaced by the preloaded trucks.
It is then necessary to tie the yarn from each new package to its corresponding end in the creel.
Each thread is then drawn forward to the front of the creel in a strictly controlled order, which
ensures that there is no crossing of the threads. At the front of each horizontal row of packages, on
one side of the creel there is a row of guides where each thread passes under a trip wire.
If a thread breaks during the course of processing, this wire falls to make an electrical contact and
stop the machine before the broken thread becomes lost under subsequent ends of the yarn on the
beam. A light at the end of the relevant guide bar is illuminated in order to direct the operative to
the source of the broken thread.
Sectional Warping
As wool does not requires any sizing because of its high strength and the need for producing
complicated patterns has resulted in the formation of sectional warping in place of high speed
beaming.
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This is a two stage process. In the first stage yarn end from the creel is taken to the mill via a
condensing rollers where they coverage into a single sheet, leasing rods for locating the broken
ends, adjustable reed to set the width of a warp sheet to the exact distance between the flanges of
the beam.
The sheet of the yarn is placed on a horizontal beam in sections. Each section contains a fraction of
the number of ends required in the final sheet.
If a pattern is involved the order of the ends in each section is arranged to a similar so that in any
circumstance that the amount of re-creeling between section is minimal. The length of yarn wound
per section is sufficient for one weaver’s beam only. Each section is inclined to the vertical with
first section resting on incline at the end of the mill. This ensures that the threads do not fall off the
top outside edge of the section to become buried under the ends of the next section build-up. When
all the section have been wound on the drum the second stage of the process can take place. This
involves the sheet being pulled of the drum and on to a beam during which time the mill transverse
in the opposite direction and the same rate as that moved in the first stage. It is the transfer of warp
sheet from drum to weaver beam. It requires about half an hour, while beaming two pressure rollers,
which are spring loaded remains in contact with the beam to form compact beam.
DRAWING-IN
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In weaving the process of threading warp ends through the eyes of the healds and the dents of the
reed. The warp yarn required passing through the heald eyes in order to form the shed, it is not
possible that the loom may stopped to draw the ends. To save the time for production, the operation
of drawing-in carried out separately. This operation includes the passing of ends through drop wire,
heald eyes and dents of reed.
TYEING-IN
In case of bulk production and the new quality having the same denting and drafting as previous
one to save the time for production the operation of tying-in is done. If every end is tied to its
corresponding end on the old beam, the drawing-in process can be omitted. The tying operation is
done with the portable tying machine.
For every warping machine there is a separate calculation device for doing setting in the machine.
• Total number of ends = reed count x reed width x ends per inch
• Feed ratio = according to gears( set according to length of roll required)
• After feeding these values, the computer will give the cone height.
• After feeding the yarn length, computer will give number of rounds that we need for that
length.
• To find the total number of section that will be on the beam
• Number of section = total number of ends/ creel.
• Section width = reed width/ number of section.
• To check the section width, there is a V reed.
After warping is over, beams are taken for drafting. According to the plan, ends are passed through
different heald shafts and then the denting is done accordingly.
WEAVING
After denting, the beams with warp ends are taken for weaving where by movement of heald shafts,
the fabric is formed by interlacement of yarns according to the lifting plan cut on the dobby cards.
The main working principle of these machines is that their each process of shedding, picking, beat-
up set according to the degree of rotation to the main shaft. If not done then there is much more
chances of damages of loom and fabric.
In the loom, the weaver’s beam is placed at the back. Yarn ends from this beam are passed
simultaneously through drop wires through the heald eye of the heald frame, dents of the reed to the
fall of the cloth. The number of heald frames depends upon the weave and the passage of each warp
threads through the heald eye depends up on the drafting plan. These heald frames move up and
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down to form a shed through which a weft yarn is passed across. Weft insertion is done through
different mechanisms like rapier, projectile, shuttle etc. the required length of the yarn is wounded
onto a weft accumulator. The inserted weft yarn is cut from the entry side and push to the fell of the
cloth by the reed. Then the tucking device in the next shade tucks in both sides. All the weft yarns
are inserted through the same side of the m/c.
The temples at the fell hold the woven cloth to prevent any weft wise contraction. The woven cloth
is held tight by the tensioner rollers and is wound on to the cloth roll. The denting plans and the reed
density dictates the e.p.i and the length of the cloth wound after each insertion cycle dictates the
p.p.i.
1. Warp beam
2. Warp sheet
3. Back rest roll
4. Feeler roll
5. Warp stop motion
6. Heald frames
7. Reed
8. front rest
9. Press roll (sand roll)
10. Guide rod
11. Take up roll
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Fig.1.21- Weaving
Calculations
Fig.1.22-
Fabric being
weaved(selve
dge yarn roll
on right
side)
These
machines
have jacquard of 56,40 hooks which are 32 in number and all machines have dobby attached to
them. These dobby have 20 to 28 shafts.
All above mentioned machines have six different wefts carrying capacity. There are different
needles for their weft, which come down according to the needle plan cut on the dobby cards.
Length of beams of different looms is as follows:
Weaving mechanism-
There are three main motion of weaving. These are primary, secondary and auxiliary motion.
Primary motion
Every looms requires three primary motion to produce a woven fabric. These motions are Shedding,
Picking and beating.
• Shedding- Shedding is the name given to the motion, which moves heald frame up and
down in order to separate the warp sheet into two layers and form the shed in which weft
yarn is passed.
• Picking- Picking is the second primary motion in which weft yarn is passed through the
shed. This is known as picking.
• Beating-up- Beating up is where the reed, mounted in a reciprocating sley, pushes the weft
into the fell of the cloth to form fabric. This requires considerable force, hence the term
beating-up. The crankshaft of the loom is responsible for the beat-up action which must take
place after each weft insertion and so it will make one revolution per pick inserted.
Secondary motions
There are two secondary motions in weaving namely let-off and take-up.
• Let-off- The let-off motions ensure that the warp ends are controlled at the optimum tension
for the fabric that that is being woven.
• Take-up- The cloth take-up motions withdraw cloth from the fell and then collect it at the
front of the loom.
Auxiliary motions
Auxiliary motions are warp stop motion, warp protector, weft stop motions and weft replenishment.
• Warp stop motion- Warp stop motions halt the loom when a drop wire falls as a result of
end breakage.
• Warp protector motion- Warp protector motions stop the loom before beat-up in the event
of projectile falling to complete its traverse from one side of the loom to the other side.
• Weft stop motion- Weft stop motion halts the loom in the event of a break in the weft yarn.
• Weft replenishment- Weft replenishment ensures a continuous supply of weft yarn to the
loom whenever a supply package becomes exhausted.
Rapier Loom
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In the rapier loom there are two rapiers to insert the weft yarns. One rapier feed the filling yarns half
way through the shade of the warp yarn to the arm of the other side, which reaches in and takes it
across the rest of the way. In OCM, there are both rigid and flexible rapier machines. There are 110
Dornier machines which are all rigid rapier machines. The width of these machines is 210 cms and
speed is 240 to 280 picks per minute.
There are 32 Picanol machines, which have speed of 400 picks per minute. These machines have
width of 220 cms. they use flexible rapier in them. They are all electromagnetically controlled.
Working of Picanol is similar to that of Dornier but efficiency of Picanol is better.
There are four machines of Dornier HVT, which have width of 210 cms. These are also rigid rapier
kind but these are electronically controlled. HVT and Picanol machines have automatic accumulator
attached to them for providing weft ends at proper tension. In this machines no cut cards are used
but all designs are fed through control panel screen and all other settings are done electronically.
In the projectile loom weft yarn are carried by the projectile through one side to the other side. The
path of the projectile is governed by a continuously moving chain conveyor.
The picking and projectile receiving units are separated from the moving sley. The sley (projectile
track) carries the reed and gripper guides. The gripper projectile, made of fine steel, 90 mm long 14
mm wide and 6 mm thickness (3.5 in x 0.55 in x 0.14 in) weighs 40g (1.33 oz). It carries the weft
thread into the warp shed. The weft is drawn directly from a large, stationary cross wound package.
There is no weft winding. The gripper projectile is picked across the warp shed at very high speed,
the picking energy being derived from the energy stored in a metal torsion bar which is twisted at
predetermined amount and released to give the projectile a high rate of acceleration.
Picking always takes place from one side, but several projectiles are employed and all of them
return to the picking side by a conveyor chain located underneath the warp shed. During every flight
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through the shed the projectile runs in a rake like steel guides, so that the warp threads are touched
neither by the projectile nor weft thread.
Every pick is cut off at the picking side near the selvedge after weft insertion, leaving a length about
15 mm from the edge. Similar length of weft also projects from the selvedge on the receiving side.
The reed is not reciprocated as in shuttle loom, but rocked about its axis by a pair of cams. The sley
which carries the reed and projectile guides, is moved forward and backward through a saddle
carrying two follower bowls which bear against the surface of two matched cams. Whenever the
reed width is reduced for weaving a small width cloth from the standard reed width, the projectile
receiving unit is moved inward on the telescopic shaft, to the new selvedge position, and so the
projectile travel distance is reduced.
There are 16 machines of Suzlier company which work on projectiles. These machines have width
of 220 cms and speed of 300 picks per minute. There are 11 projectiles in a machine.
WEAVING CALCULATIONS
PRODUCTION CALCULATION-
55
correct the defects occurring in the grey cloth. Greasy stain removal is done during inspection, by
spraying a solvent (e.g. carbon tetra chloride on stain spots). After greasy perch inspection the
fabric is forwarded to mending, where they are seen for these defects.
The defects in fabric after weaving:
•Wrong draft
•Stain
•Missing pick
•Missing end
•Temple cuts
•Float
•Floating ends
•Thin places
•Damage
•Start up mark
•Reed marks
•Broken pick
MENDING
Mending section corrects any kind of defects in the fabric. No specialized machines are used for this
job work. There are menders and workers in the mending section who remove the defects. Mending
capacity is 12000 meters per day, but if defects are large in number, then the output reduces even up
to 5000 meters.
Fig.1.24- Mender in
operation
The fabric from greasy perch is checked on the perches and the defects are removed. On the perch
table and mending table defects like missing pick, missing end, bunches and knots are corrected.
Float, damage, temple cut and wrong draft cannot be mended. The tools used for mending are-
• Forceps- It is used to pick out and hold threads for mending.
• Erasers- It is used to straighten out pulled or tight threads in the fabric.
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• Needles- It is used to repair defects such as missing end, missing pick where filling id done
according to the design of the fabric.
57
FINISHING
Organizational chart
Tech Officer ( Mr. Nirmal Singh) Tech Officer ( Mr. Ashwini Kumar)
Finishing is an important process which is essential for the final appearance and the handle of the
fabric. The choice and sequence of the finishing process depends up on the type of the material.
Main purpose of finishing department is to provide luster to the fabric and give permanent
shrinkage to the fabric so that the customers don’t complain about shrinkage of fabric after washing.
In OCM, the finishing department was divided into two sections- Wet finishing and Dry finishing.
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The machines used in this department (in order of the material processing) are-
Greasy woven
Mending
Lot preparation
59
Polywool (PD) Polywool (PD) All-Wool
Dyeing
S.F.M
Dry
Checking
S.F.M
Singeing
Scouring
Hydro
K.D
CRABBING
Crabbing is the setting process of wool. It helps in bringing dimensional stability to the fabric and
eliminates distortions like crocking and uneven shrinkage.
To set the cloth and the yarn twist permanently, wool fabric is passed over several cylinders that
rotate in hot water and is then immersed quickly in cold water.
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The cloth is held firmly and tightly to avoid wrinkling
Repetition of the treatment with increased pressure results in setting of the cloth and the finish
Effective crabbing depends on
• Tension(it should be uniform)
• Duration of treatment
• Composition of crabbing liquor(no alkali should be added)
• Temperature( it must be constant)
• Ph of the crabbing liquor.(should be maintained at 7)
Vulco-Crab is a wet fixing machine - crabbing – suitable for pure wool and wool-blended fabrics
(clear finished or raised). The patented working principle is based on the idea of “direct pressure”
exercised by 7 pressure rollers individually pushed by two hydraulic cylinders against a heated
drum around which the fabric passes together with a special impermeable silicone technical belt.
With this solution the fabric undergoes through a high pressing effect with a sequence of strong
crushing (over 50 Kg/cm2), such an action is developed with the fabric heated over 100°C in an
environment saturated with steam.
In fact part of the water contained in the fabric is transformed into steam when it comes in contact
with the heated surface of the central effect drum, while the impermeability of the technical belt
keeps the generated steam in contact with the fabric. These are the ideal conditions to guarantee a
good fixing phenomenon - setting, where the chemical ties of the wool fibres are stabilized giving a
“ flat memory” effect to the fabric. Immediately after, a quick cooling of the fabric on the discharge
part of the plant through the immersion in cold water, or as an alternative, through forced air
circulation around a perforated drum, optimizes the process. The stabilization of the fabric obtained
in this way is useful to prevent defects (creases or marks) during the following operations of dyeing,
washing or milling.
SINGEING
In Singeing, the protruding fibres(loose hairs) are removed from the surface of the cloth, there by
giving it a smooth, even and clean look, also reducing the pilling in the fabric.
The cloth to be singed is passed over brushing roller so that the protruding fibres are away from the
surface of the cloth. During brushing some of the loose fibres get removed. The fabric is passed
over two burners. These two burner are supplied with LPG gas. The fabric path is arranged in such
a way that both the surface are singed in a single pass. An exhaust chamber is provided over each
burner slot and is connected to an exhaust fan.. the products of combustion are led into exhaust and
taken away from the machine. All wool fibres are not singed because when the protein fibres burns
hard, black residue is produced, which is difficult to remove. There were 2 operators to operate the
machine per shift. The polywool fabrics are given two rounds.
SCOURING
Scouring is a process in which we remove the natural impurities, dirt, greasy spots (from loom ) etc.
These impurities interfere with subsequent finishing process, therefore scouring is must. There are
some impurities which are not removed by scouring process. Therefore a special scouring process is
carried out in which the material is first padded with special scouring chemicals on jigger and batch
is left over night. After this process, normal scouring is carried out on the dolly rotary machine.
Composition of scouring liquor is governed by nature of oil which has to be removed. Scouring
chemicals are generally acetic acid and soda ash.
Hemmer machine
This machine is used for both scouring and milling of the fabric. Both length milling and width
milling can be done in this machine. It consists of two pairs of top rollers and bottom rollers. Fabric
is passed between these rollers in rope form. Plates are provided which can be controlled
pneumatically. Water inlet and drain valve are also open closed pneumatically. Machine capacity is
200 kg.
MAT machine
It is also used for both scouring and milling(length and width milling). It is also a rope scouring
machine and consists of two pair of rollers and four metallic plates this machine contains four drain
valves and four in let valves. A pump is provided in the machine, which brings the chemicals from
the stock tank to the main vessel.
Capacity of machine - 350 kg.
Press of plates during milling- 2 bars
Speed of the fabric- 150-200 m/min( maximum speed is 400 m/min).
Scour Mat
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It is a rope scouring method used for terry wool fabric. It consists of pair of rollers between which
ropes of fabric is passed. Maximum eight ropes can be loaded on this machine but six ropes are
normally loaded. Two ropes at the end are not loaded to avoid the damage. To avoid the
entanglement of the ropes, they are passed through rings placed just before the rollers. There is one
water inlet valve and two drain valves, one for collecting plate, which heats the water which is to
be squeezed from fabric. This water then overflows from the plate and falls in it to the main vessel.
The water is again picked by the fabric and again squeezed between the rollers. Capacity of Scour
Mat machine is 200 kg.
Dolly machine
This machine is used for scouring and width setting of the fabric.
The dolly machine is constructed with two heavy squeeze rollers and guide rollers. The bottom
heavy roller is driven by chain pulley drive given from outside. The top roller rests on this roller
with fabric between them in rope from and is frictionally driven. A metallic plate is situated under
the heavy rollers to catch the expressed liquor. It is only when scouring is approaching completion
that the liquor is discharged to facilitate quicker and more though rinsing.The pieces of cloth are
made into endless chains in such away that they pass through the squeeze rollers, over guide rollers
and under the though. When the machine is set under motion the pieces will rotate endless.
The top roller is soft rubber coated and bottom roller is made of hard ebonite. In the metallic plate,
a steam pipe is provided which is perforated to heat the water. Four jets of water at the back side of
the machine spray water with force on to the fabric. There can be possibility of processing four
ropes together. Capacity of dolly machine is 150 kg.
Following points are to be checked for scouring machines-
• Condition of upper and lower rollers.
• Guage in between the rollers.
• Water leakage and steam leakage from valves.
• Condition of drain valves.
• Air pressure where required.
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• Auto stop devices.
• Cleanliness of machines.
MILLING
It is done to shrink the material to maximum possible extent so that it does not shrink during its end
use. The lot is loaded into the machine and its ends are stitched together to form an endless rope.
Four such ropes are loaded in the machine. The machine consist of a fan, which blows air onto the
fabric so that it opens before entering the compressing zone with closely placed steel bars followed
by squeeze rollers .the fabric then slides over the tray in plaited form before being drawn away by
the winch rear and thrown into the milling liquor. During the milling cycle the milling liquor is also
continuously sprayed over the material before entering the compressing zone. The liquor is with
drawn from the addition tank, which is continuously replenished, by withdrawing the milling liquor
from the bottom of the machine. This process is based on the principle that the wool gets shrinked
when it is rubbed in wet conditions and at certain temperature.
Process sequence
Loading of fabric
Drain
Drain
Washing
Addition of acid
Addition of softeners
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After milling, the material is sent in drying section. First process is hydro extraction. The material is
loaded in the machine and rotated at high speed, and water gets extracted from the material. There
are 3 such machines in OCM.
DRYING AND HEAT SETTING
The drying and heat setting both is done by a stenter.
The essential part of the machine, the end less chain, called pin plates run forward each side of the
stenter frame. These chains are so held that the selvedge can be impaled on both sides. The pins are
about 10mm long and mounted in two rows along the base plate, about 24 pins in approximately 7
cm. The fabric lies stretched in open width across the stenter frame and between the two chains of
the pin plates.
Over feed is necessary to minimize lengthwise shrinkage in subsequent washing and dry cleaning.
The fabric descents behind the fabric operator platform and passes underneath to a driven roller just
above the floor level. It then rises upward in front of the operator and is contacted by the first scroll
roller, then by a smooth idling roller followed by the main feed roller, rubber coated to insure good
control. The fabric is then on to the same level as the pins and moves forward to join them.
As the chains move forward carrying the fabric, it is arranged that they gradually diverge to
required width and the fabric is thus stretched out to the width. Once the fabric has been brought to
the required width, the two chains of the pin plates run parallel and take the fabric through a long,
lightly constructed, heat insulated chamber where the drying takes place due to the hot air being
circulated there in, as the fabric emerges completely dry and set in length and width. It reaches a
point when it leaves the pin plates and is folded into laps in trolley. Meanwhile, the pin plates
attached to the endless chains return to the entry end of the stentering machine and there again pick
up the incoming fabric to bring it forward.
Near the end of the machine the fabric is lifted of the pins by the driven take off roller and passes
round a pair of draw rollers, which deliver to an overhead plaiting mechanism. A large wire mesh
screen is fitted in the side to remove fly or lint entering the system. Heat setting is done to avoid
formation of creases and shrinkage. It provides dimensional stability to the fabric.
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In a shearing machine there is a spirally wound shearing blade, which revolves in contact with a
ledger blade. The fabric passes over a cloth rest in front of ledger blade and the raised fibres flop
against the ledger blade and are cut by the rotary blade. Suction units are incorporated for cleaning
the working units .an automatic seam unit allows the steam to pass through. There are six searing
units divided in three sets, each seats working on both faces of the fabric simultaneously. Static
charge, which may build up in previous shearing units. This part of the machine is very important
because it prevents the formation of cropping mark, which results from the tendency of fabric rising
up and sticking to the spiral blade. For cropping, there is a very important factor which is the
distance between the fabric surface and the blade which is set according to the requirements.
In this machine, the speed of the fabric movement is 20-25 meters and speed of the spiral blades is
1200 rpm.
DECATISING
This process is used for improving the soft handle of the fabric. The fabric is wound together with
an interleaving fabric on a perforated metal roller so as to form a reasonably thick roll, between
each layer of the fabric of some thickness made of synthetic material.
The machine consists of two rollers. A wrapper of terry viscose is wrapped around one roller. The
fabric with wrapper is fed to other roller. Fabric can be fed from both sides of machine. When the
fabric is fed from one side of the machine, the fabric is unloaded from the other side of the machine.
Steam is blown from inside to outwards through the fabric which undergoes moderate pressure due
to tight winding. The steam time is generally 4 minutes to produce smooth and flattening of the
surface. The steam absorbed is expelled by lowering compressed air through the fabric in same way
as it was blown through it. This air produces some cooling in the fabric.
Specifications
Kier Decatising
This machine is used to give smoothness, luster and soft surface to the fabric. Also, it provides
bulkiness to the fabric and also controls fabric shrinkage both lengthwise and widthwise.
It is also called final finish as after this, finished fabric will not shrink after washing, generally in
case of wool fabric, as during spinning and weaving, the fibers get stressed( due to sulphide bonds
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in wool structure). In kier decatising, the sulphide bonds get relaxed and get rearranged. By this
machine, the width reduces by 1% and the length extends by 1.5%.
The machine consists of three perforated metal rollers covered with wrapper. Fabric is wound on
the roller with the fabric layer in between successive wrapper layers. This roller is send inside the
kier for processing. There are two other rollers outside the machine, one of which is loaded while
other is simultaneously unloaded. The process is similar to open decatising. The main difference is
that steaming is done in a closed vessel and the process is more controlled than the open decatising.
The wrapper length in this case is 600 meters and fabric length is 450 meters. The machine is
electronically controlled and different programs are set in its memory according to the fabric
composition. There are different methods of applying steam to the fabric.
KD in-out : In this case the steam is passed out from the perforated cylinder and passed through the
fabric. The drain valves remain closed while steam is being applied.
KD out-in : In this case the steam is applied from out side of the fabric roll to inside the drain
valve, and the drain valves are remained closed.
ROTARY PRESSING
The material after cropping which is not decatised is taken for rotary pressing. The process in this
machine is similar to simple ironing. But it is a continuous process i.e. fabric is fed from one side
and is pressed in the machine with the help of iron roller and pressed fabric received from other side
of the machine. The machine consists of roller and metallic plate having same curvature as that of
the roller. The material entered is taken over vertical moving roller, which is hydraulically
controlled to properly aligned fabric at the centre of the machine. The material is passed over two
brushes to remove dust and loose fibres. The material is then taken to the main pressing zones. it
consists of a big rotating steel cylinder roller heated internally by steam. Under this roller is a
heated steel plate which can be moved up or down to press the fabric against the roller. It should be
noted that the fabric should be damped with steam before hot pressing. Rotary process gives fabric a
crisp handle and increase in luster.
Specifications
In every two months, following list is checked for rotary press machines-
• Lubrication of all moving parts.
• Safety guard at the feeding end for correct position.
• Water supply to the hydraulic pump for proper cooling.
• Oil level of main gear box and hydraulic pump.
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• All the drives in the machine.
• The brushing unit.
• The take off rollers.
• Air, oil and steam leakage from joints.
• Stoning of calendring cylinder.
• Descaling of cooling unit of hydraulic pump.
PAPER PRESSING
After open decatising, the material is taken for paper pressing. This machine gives smoothness and
shine to the fabric. The machine consists of compressed paperboards placed on a platform. The
fabric is compressed between 2 paper boards. Surface of the board is very smooth. After every 40
paper boards there is paper board provided with copper wires which can be internally heated. After
loading the material in the machine it is transferred to the base of the hydraulic pressure unit and is
heated for some time before pressure is applied. Then pressure is applied on the stock of the fabric
place between the paperboards for four hours and the material is unloaded. Pressing results in
parallelization and flattening of fibers. Hence surface of fibers becomes smooth and it reflects more
light.
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Fig.1.30- Paper pressing(fabric between the paperboards and copper wires for internal heat)
Specifications
In every two months, following list is checked for paper press machines-
• Brake of bed lifting motor.
• Lubrication of moving parts
• Oil leakage from the joints.
• Limit switches of safety devices.
• All the guides (made of fibre sheet).
• Hydraulic pump, high pressure valve, low pressure valve, pressure release valve.
SUPER FINISH MACHINE
This machine consists of a large diameter rotating cylinder. It is heated internally by steam. An
endless thick belt(silicon rubber blanket) is arranged which presses lightly against the greater part of
cylinder to ensure that there is no friction or slip between the two. The suitably damped fabric is fed
between the blanket and cylinder an is so laid around the cylinder until it arrives at a point where
the blanket leaves the cylinder and under the influence of this pressure and the moisture from the
steam, the fabric has its surface completely smooth to acquire soft handle. Temperature of the roller
is kept at 140 degree. This machine gives smooth handle and lustrous look to the fabric.
Every month, following list is checked for super finish machines-
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• Controls of the rotating cylinder
• The conveyor belt.
• Guide rollers.
• Endless belt control feeler and switches.
• Hydraulic system and oil level.
• Correct belt tension of rotor.
• Pressure control devices and pressure reducing valves.
• Position of the rotor in relation to the fabric sides and tension of its belts.
• Roller effect for shine and cleanliness.
• Distance between the fabric to the rotor unit( must be between 8 to 10 mm)
• Flanges and rotary joints.
• Lubrication of all moving parts.
CONTI BLOW
This machine is similar to decatising machine but it is a continuous process. The function is to
produce compactness in the fabric. It consists of a perforated roller, which is covered with a silicon
blanket, a metallic plate is fitted below a roller and the continuous belt is also present which moves
between the rollers and plate. The fabric is fed between the roller and the plate. The fabric is then
fed between the roller and the belt. Pressure is also applied in the process which leads to reduction
in width.
Specifications
In every two months, following list is checked for Conti blow machines-
• Air and steam leakage from joints.
• Correct position of all the safety guards and limit switches of auto stop.
• Setting of the bowing roller.
• Steam strainers and steam trap.
• Gap between steming jet and decatising cylinder.
• Entire pneumatic steam valves.
• Lubrication of moving parts.
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Maintenance check points on finishing section machines
Parts to be inspected Check points Inspection notes
Control panel 1.Check all connections. 1.Must be tight.
2.O/L relay settings. 2.Set as per motor ratings.
3.Contactors contacts. 3.Check for pitting/ damage, clean or
4.Metering equipments. Replace.
4.Check for zero errors.
Electric motors 1.Check bearings. 1.Replace if noisy/ damaged
2.Carbon brushes. 2.Replace if worn out or not of
3.Commutators. proper size.
4.Slip rings. 3.Must be smooth. Polish if pitted.
5.Dust filters. 4.Must be smooth. Polish if pitted.
5.Clean properly.
Voltage stablizer 1.Servo system 1.Check its operation.
2.Oil level. 2.Must be maintained up to the
3.Metering equipments. mark.
3.Check for zero errors.
Heators 1.Heating equipment. 1.Check contuinity and repair or
replace if defective.
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INSPECTION
Organizational Structure
Civil Export
Tech officer ( Mr. Surjeet Singh ) Tech officer ( Mr. Satya Pal)
In the inspection department, the fabric from the finishing department is brought in horse trolleys.
Then the fabric is taken to the perches. Firstly it is taken to back side perching, where the fabric is
placed on a machine with its back facing the operator or inspector looking for defects in the fabric.
As in general inspection machines, light is put on the fabric from the other side to find the defects
easily. The fabric is inspected for the presence of faults manually and the faults are flagged
according to the faults.
4 types of defects are basically looked upon, they are- clipping, damage, barre and stain.Six
machines are used for the process. In this process two types of flags are used-
White flag – for presence of minor faults (pin holes, marks)
Yellow flag – for presence of major faults(start up mark, missing pick, damage etc,)
White flags are used for the minor faults which are not adding major to the fabric. The yellow faults
are those faults which cannot be removed from the fabric and has to be further cut from the fabric.
These inspected fabrics are the further checked on the table where the faults are rechecked if the
faults are under the white or yellow flag category. The fabric rolls are further processed (cut)
according to the buyers demand. if the fabric length is 15 m and there are 10 white flags then the
amount paid by the buyers will be of 14.90 m only. This means the buyer is given compensation for
this defect as 1% of total meters. Further the acceptable limit for the white flag is one in every 5m
(max).
No of machines 6
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No of pieces/ (m/c) /shift 26
Length of fabric ( avg) 110m
Total amount of fabric inspected 6 x 26 x 110 m
= 17160 m/shift
INSPECTION MACHINE
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SR. NO. SPINNING PREPARATORY WEAVING PROCESSING
1. Thick places Slack end Missing end Corrugation
For the export market OCM uses the four point system
The four point system is issued by the American Society for Testing and Materials(ASTM). Faults
are scored with penalty points of 1, 2, 3 and 4 according to their size and significance. In the
inspection the total points are awarded to the fabric. The general tolerance limit for the presence of
the defect is 25 points per 100m roll of the fabric. Again this tolerance limit depends upon buyer
some has strict limits some are liberal in their tolerance level. Generally the yellow flag faults are
not removed for the export market products because they come under the tolerance limit.
No of machines 6
No of pieces/ (m/c) /shift 31
Length of fabric (avg) 110m
Total amount of fabric inspected 6 x 31 x 110 m
= 20460 m/shift
After inspection, the fabric is brought to the measuring and table cutting section.
Here the fabric length as required by the buyer is measured and cut according to the instructions by
the PPC. If the defect gets in the way before the required length has been completed, then an
assessment committee in which all HOD’s of different departments come together and decide what
to do with the defect and action is taken. If there is need of cutting of fabric due to some defect, then
it is noted with the reason and the type of defect due to which fabric is cut short of the length and
the report is sent to the respective department so that they can improve that. Also the supervisor
checks the shade of the fabric with the original sample.
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CHECKING OF DIMENSIONS
1. MEASUREMENT OF WIDTH-
Width shall be measured at three different places of the fabric and recorded. While measuring
width, care should be taken: -
• To remove the wrinkles/ crease gently from the fabric surface.
• To keep the measuring tape straight across the fabric horizontally from selvedge to
selvedge.
• To measure the width as far as possible near the centre avoiding the ends.
• Not to stretch the fabric while measuring
1. MEASUREMENT OF LENGTH-
Fabric to be measured for length and actual length recorded. Length is measured by any of the
following methods: -
• By passing through meter counter fitted roller.
• By manually clipping the fabrics in the fold measuring frame.
• By counting the number of meter fold in case of folded fabrics. Care to be taken to ensure
that the folds are of one meter length by measuring a few folds.
Ends per inch shall be counted at two places along the width of the fabric and recorded.
b) Picks per inch
Picks per inch shall be counted at three places along the length of the fabric and recorded. Care to
be taken while placing the pick glass to see that the edges of the template should coincide with the
yarn. Ends/Picks per inch may be counted for one inch. Also the picks should not be counted at
defective places like weft bars and cracks.
c) Weight per square meter
Pieces are to be weighed and recorded for GSM.
Calculation of GSM
Fig.1.33- Details of the fabric from ironing on sticker over the fabric.
After this labeling is done and barcode is assigned to each roll and Than. On that barcode also, there
are details of fabric and party. Then packing of than is done in which Cellophane paper is used to
pack the fabric inside the Alfathin film. The Cellophane paper is heat absorbent and ironing is done
on Cellophane kept just above the Alfathin film and not directly on Alfathin film as the film sticks
with the iron. Ironing on Cellophane doesn’t affect it and the film beneath Cellophane is properly
packed. The Cellophane can be used many times for packing the fabrics in the Alfathin film. The
packed fabrics are then send to the warehouse.
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Process sequence
Receive material from Finishing Dept.
Cutting
Weighing
Plaiting
Packing
Final checking
Send to warehouse
WAREHOUSE
The material from Inspection Department is received in Warehouse and a record is kept. It is the
warehouse from where is material is sent ahead to its market customer as the challan recipt is issues
for the invoice department as well as for the transportation department , so as to have an estimate
figure of cost to be obtained from the buyer.
The warehousing department follows the listed below steps of procedure:
• Scanning of the packed fabric lot
• Computer scan of the vouchers & verification of details of the vouchers (using bar code
readers).
• Dealer-wise stock maintenance against requirement.
• Bill development and issuing of challans ( for invoice, transportation, sales.)
• Rechecking of bill with the sales challan copy.
• Dispatch to dealer using different modes of transportation.
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The work process in the warehouse department goes smoothly in 2 work shifts. And 3 shifts very
seldom in 3 months span.
The vouchers received are checked for any mistake for:
• DESIGN
• GRADATION
• METRES etc. by piece ticket
There is different warehouse for storing export and domestic fabric in OCM. The capacity of
warehouse for domestic market is 10 lakh meters and for export, it is 2.5 lakh meters.There were 15
staff members in warehouse and invoice and total 60 workers in the warehouse.
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QUALITY & ASSURANCE
The Quality Assurance department performs all the possible quality checks on all material involved
in production and ensures best possible quality according to set norms. Quality Control laboratory
acts as the main controller of quality of the product.
The raw material i.e. wool and the finished product i.e. fabric both are tested for quality assurance
in Q.C Lab. The quantity of raw material i.e. wool to be purchased is checked by various tests in the
Q.C Lab and the raw material is purchased only on the approval of the Q.C lab.
The product during its production stage is also tested in the laboratory e.g. the color fastness is
checked as required by Dye House. The samples are also tested for various characteristics during
development etc.
Thus the Q.C Lab checks and controls the quality of the product at various stages during its
production. The Q.C Lab is equipped with various machines and technical staff for testing and
quality control which helps in achieving the company’s aim of good quality. Each department has
online testing lab in which material is tested time to time for different things.
The work of quality control lab starts when the raw material has been taken in. it starts testing from
the fiber to the formation of the fabric and gives the instruction according to the change required in
the handling of the material.
At first, when the fibres come to the lab, the main tests are related to its length, its diameter ( micron
for wool), different defects in the fibres like dead fibre, pin points, colored fibres. Based on these
defects , their evaluation is done for their further processing.
After testing of fibres, they are send for either dyeing or for spinning(at the time of processing). In
case of spinning, the fibres are checked for their mass per unit length. In dyeing department, tests
are performed for Ph control and for shade matching.
After dyeing, fibers are being tested for their color fastness to perspiration, to washing, to light etc
and they are compared with the grey scale and the points are allocated to them from 1 to 5. The
fabric which are tested, in which the result values lie between 3 to 5 are considered good and other
are rejected and accordingly color fasteners are used in the dyeing process. The results of these
color fastness tests are based on three things, the change in shade of fabric, change in color of
liquid, and the change in color of the adjacent fabric.
After dyeing, the material goes for spinning. In this department the fibers are converted to yarn. In
this processing these products are tested for the strength and for weight per unit length and twist,
coefficient of variation etc. Before the yarn is made, the product at respective stages in the spinning
department is tested for the weight per linear metre. This is checked to reduce the variation in the
final product. Also the oil content is checked at various stages.
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Some of the important tests which are carried out in the Q.C Lab are briefed below:
BLEND (Composition):
Chemical tests are used to find out the blend of the fabric. One ingredient is dissolved in the
chemicals and the residual is dried and weighed, which in turn gives the percentage of ingredients.
Thus the blend or composition is found by chemical testing.
• For WOOL: Chemical used is 5% Sodium Hydroxide.
• For VISCOSE: Chemical used is 75% Sulphuric Acid.
• For SILK: Chemical used are Sodium Hydroxide & Hydrogen Chloride.
• For VEGETABLE FIBRES: Chemical used are 75% Sulphuric Acid & 25% Water.
• For POLYESTER: Chemicals used are Nitro Benzene, Phenol & Nitric Acid.
The blend tolerance is 2%.
Fabric width
For civil, overall width is 150 cm which includes selvedge.
For domestic, width is 150 cm which excludes selvedge.
PILLING:
Pilling is the process of growth of small balls called pills on the surface of the fabric due to wear &
tear or abrasion.
Name of the Machine – Atlas Random Tumble
Martindale testing machine
ICI pilling testing machine
The fabric is tested for resistance to pilling in the Q.C Lab and graded as I.II or III according to the
results. (Grade I is best and Grade III is poor).
Two methods are used for pilling in the lab. These are:
• Abrasion testing
• ICI Pill Box testing
Abrasion Testing:
This test gives the result in very short span of time as compared to the other method. In this method
small pieces of fabric is fitted in the machine and tested for pilling.
ICI Pill Box Testing:
In this method, the fabric is rolled upon small cylinders made of rubber and are allowed to rotate
randomly in a special wooden box, this method takes about 11 hours to give good and accurate
results. The box has a cork sheet covering inside so that the tested samples rub against it for 11
hours and every possible pill of the fabric gets exposed. A rate of 5 is considered to be the best for
pilling of a fabric.
Micron tester
This machine is used to check the diameter or the fineness of the fibers.
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The fineness of the fibre(wool) is measured in microns.
1µ= 10-6 m
For wool, the fiber is said to be fine if it is below 18µ or 80s. this fiber is very soft and expensive.
The fibre is said to be of medium thickness if it is between 22µ to 22.5µ or 64s.
The fibre is said to be coarser if it is more than 27µ or 58s.
Tensile strength
The tensile strength or the breaking strength is tested by three different methods.
• Raveled strip method- In this method, a strip is cut(6 x 20 cm). Then yarns from the sides are
taken out to reduce it to 5 cm width. This raveling helps to get better results of the strength than
directly cutting 5 cm strip. The ends of the strip are held by jaws moving away from each
other. The reading in the machine when the strip gets torn is its tensile strength or breaking
strength.
• Cut strip method- Difference in raveled strip and this method is that no raveling is done in
this method. A strip (5 x 20 cm) is cut. The strength of the fibres is less than that in raveled
strip method.
• Grab method- The strip size is 4 x 3. In this the strength of only 1 inch is calculated. Thus
only one inch is grabbed. Rest of the yarns are supporting yarns.
For all these three methods, the strength is calculated both warp wise and weft wise.
Seam slippage
For this test, the strips are stitched and then weight is put. The weight at which seam opens is read.
For civil, the allowed seam slippage is 6 mm. 8 kg of load is put on the fabric.
For export, , the allowed seam slippage is 6.4 mm. 25 lbs of load is put on the fabric.
Laundrometer
The color fastness of the fabric is noted in this test and the sample is tested for the extent it loses
color in the test. The fabric is kept in the laundrometer for a period of 35 minutes.
Shrinkage
The shrinkage property is tested in this test. To check the shrinkage, shrinkage tester machine is
used. The fabrics of different blends are tested by different methods e.g. All Wool is tested for
shrinkage by soaking it in cold water only (a wetting agent is also used so as to improve the wet
ability of the wool) for 2 hours.The detergent used is Lisapol D. While the Terry Wool fabric is kept
in boiling water for continuously 12 hours and then dried flat at room temperature.
Fabric is cut to 30cm x 30 cm. In this piece marks are made and distance between marks are 25 cm.
After soaking the fabric, it is taken out and the distance between marks made on the fabric is
measured. The difference in distance is calculated in form of percentage.
Projection Microscope
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A projection microscope is used to identify the nature of the fibres. Slides are prepared of either
fibres or the sliver.
This helps in:-
• Identification of fibres.
• Measurement of fibres.
• Judge the qualities of the fibres.
Twist Tester
A Twist Tester is used to measure the twists per decimeter or twist per inch of a yarn.
It also determines the nature of the twist, whether it’s an ‘S’ twist i.e. a clockwise twist of the yarn
or a ‘Z’ twist i.e. an anti-clockwise twist of the yarn.
Crease Recovery Tester:
Small pieces of warp and weft are cut from the fabric. They are kept under weight for 5 minutes.
Then they are hung from a point in the crease recovery tester at 90 degrees. After 5 minutes the
scale is rotated at certain angle, if the crease straightens up at 140 degrees, then its good else if it
straightens up at an angle less than 140 degrees then there are less chances of crease recovery in that
fabric.
Crockmeter
To check the color fastness to rubbing.
Color fastness tester- to check the color fastness to
• Washing
• Perspiration
• Color bleeding
• Stains
Other testing apparatus are-
• Ph tester
• Oil content tester
• Drape tester
• Fiber length tester
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RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
The OCM is especially active in initiatives taken in the framework of research and in the
development of innovative products, in particular, by promoting technical textiles or new
application fields for textile-based materials.
R&D (Research and Development) Fabrication
• Sampling Oder Receiving from Merchandiser
• Selection of Yarn
• Knitting parameters setting
• Finishing parameters (Samples + Production)
• Samples inspection according to four point system
• Testing of samples
• Checking parameters at every stage (Weaving, Dying & Finishing)
Process Flow of Research & Development
IN-HOUSE TESTS:
• WRINKLE RESISTANCE:
Wrinkling means crease in the wrong place
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Wrinkling depends on the blend & the finish
Wrinkle resistance in OCM Suitings is measured in every lot & design.
• PILLING:
Pilling depends on fabric sett & finish. Loose sett and surface nap of fabrics cause pilling.
OCM Suitings are well sett, singed & cropped.
Each OCM Design is tested for pilling in R & D laboratory before marketing.
• SEAM SLIPPAGE:
Slippery yarns and loose structure are primarily responsible for seam slippage.
High yarn friction and fabric firmness prevents seam slippage.
• BAGGING:
Repeated flexing-particularly at the elbows or knees leads to bagging.
Bagging depends on firmness of single yarn.
• DIMENSIONAL STABILITY:
Depends on fabric sett & finish.
Crabbing, Heat setting & Decatising are critically governed to achieve dimensional stability.
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
• BATCHING OIL:
Mahwa Oil lubricant was replaced by self-emulsified castor oil based batching oil. Net
saving was approx Rs. 4 lakh per annum since 1974.
Other benefits were better fibre-cohesion & absence of freezing of oil in winter
• RING FRAME using Opto-Electronic sensor / stop motion:
Trial fabrics made from such yarns in 1981 were evaluated even before Siro-Spun
technology was introduced.
Other IN-HOUSE Developments:
• Mosquito repellent finish
• Enzyme finish
• Fragrance finish
• Anti-pill finish
• Moisture control finish
• Mechanical stretch fabric
• Fancy yarn developed in conventional ring frame
• SiroSpun yarn
• Lycra yarn made in conventional TFO
WATERPROOFING:
OCM excels in waterproofing of woollen materials. A technology perfected by only OCM.
FLAME PROOFING:
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OCM excels in flame proofing of woollen upholstery. Tweeds and children wear using the latest
perfected Fluouro – Zirconium based technology.
SIRO SPUN YARN:
With the “SIRO SPUN” process, a special spin-twisted yarn can be produced directly on the ring-
spinning machine. In this process, two roving are led in parallel through the drafting system,
separated by two specially developed condensers, and drafted separately.
The twist is introduced as for a normal single yarn by means of ring and traveller. The roving
strands, which are drafted parallel, are combined after passing the front rollers at the exit from the
drafting system, with some twist being produced in the individual strands right up to the nip point.
Once past the front roller of the drafting system, the two strands are combined producing a twofold-
like yarn. The yarn has uni-directional twist like a singles yarn but the fibers are bound sufficiently
for the yarn to survive weaving/Knitting.
The process Technology of SIRO spun yarn imparts better surface abrasion resistance and pilling
resistance in comparison to Normal & compact yarn.
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Fig.1.37- The SiroSpun Process and SiroSpun yarn
SAFETY
In OCM, various safety measures and precautions are followed to ensure a safe environment inside
the industry. There are charts and boards for proper use of each machines and also about the
instructions for using that machines are written in hindi and in local language so that workers can
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easily read them and follow them. There are fire extinguishers and emergency exits in each
department.
OCM SAFETY CONCERNS
• Safety of workforce.
• Safety of machinery.
• Safety of buildings.
• Safety of electrical installation.
• Safety of raw material
• Safety of finished goods.
• Safety of hoists and lift.
• Safety of furnace oil, diesel, LPG and chemicals.
• Safety of pressure plants.
SAFETY MEASURES
1. Environmental health- The department takes special measures to ensure the environmental
health of the workforce as a whole.
2. Safety meetings are held- Both the management as well as the worker representatives are
present in the meeting. The meetings are held once a month.
3. Internal audit safety report- The data is collected from all the departments. It covers the
following areas-
Precautions-
• First-aid boxes- these are checked twice a week.
• Eyetest- eye tests are done on a regular basis for all the employees.
• Spray-pesticide spray is sprinkled at regular intervals.
Security-
• Visitors- visitors are duly checked and given temporary passes by the personnel department
for entry in the company premises.
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• Fire points- Various fire points have been created in the company for fire safety during an
emergency.
Problems raised by the workers-
• Drain passing near the workers colony must be covered.
• Water cooler should be provided at specific places.
• Additional first aid boxes should be provided.
• Provision of normal as well as liquid soaps should be made in all the washrooms.
• Proper cleaning should be done by the sundry staff twice a day.
• AC plants should be switched off when not in use.
• Flooring should be repaired where necessary.
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SALES & MARKETING
The textile industry in India is Season based. The summer season begins in November and ends in
May and, winter starts in June and ends in October. The sales department is responsible for making
sales in domestic market. The distribution network of OCM has got about 16 agents spread all over
the country which in turn is well connected further to distributors,, wholesalers and retailers.
The sales team of OCM, by remaining in touch with the agents books orders from the valuable
customer and sends the order to staff at the office. The orders after being booked are dispatched
within 45 days. The domestic market is more profitable than the export market. The costing of any
material depends on the micron of the yarn used for its construction. Sometimes the price range is
also decided depending upon the price range of the competitors.
There is no excise duty charged on the products meant for the Defence Personals.
OCM supplies about 10 lakhs of product to the Defence Personals.
Privileges in Export:
The export house enjoys some special facilities provided by the govt. Some of these privileges are:
• Duty free import of raw material
• No Excise
• No Sales Tax
• Special Import Licenses.
The latest trends about the market and the various moves of the competitors are carefully studied
and new designs and new markets are tapped very carefully by the sales team. The sales department
with its well qualified and professional team of members is well equipped.
OCM also have many exclusive retail shops all over the country.
OCM does cater to the need of brands like:
• Madura Garments
• Shopper’s Stop
• Mayfair
• Crocodile
• Benetton India Pvt. Ltd.
• Indus League Clothing
• Silver Crest Clothing Pvt. Ltd.
• Trent Ltd.
• Embassy Apparels
OCM does supply to various Government Departments & Forces also, the names of a few are listed
below:
• HRTC
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• Delhi Metro Corporation
• Department of Police, Delhi
• Department of Police, Punjab
• Ordinance Clothing Factories
• Indian Navy
• Indian Army
• Indian Airforce
• Indian Oil Corporation
• Lok Sabha Secretariat
• BHEL
• Department of Police, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
• Rashtrapati Bhawan
• National Fertilizers Ltd.
OCM does provide its supplies to various airlines and hotels too, namely :
• Kingfisher Airlines
• Spicejet Airlines
• Jet Airways
• Air Deccan
• Airport Authority of India
• Hotel Radisson
• Centaur Hotels Ltd
OCM has proved its metal in overseas as well, as courtesy to it has numerous Export Customers as
well, namely:
• Levis
• ODLR
• Superior
• Kizan
• J C Penny
• Original Penguin
• Haggar Clothing Company
S.W.O.T ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
• Biggest strength of OCM woolen mills is its latest technology and imported machinery.
• High spinning capacity plant in worsted spinning system.
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• In north India the brand is perceived to be a premium and reliable brand because of its
presence in market for over eight decades.
• There is no other big industry of woolen fabric in north India.
• The industry has a good reputation in international market as well.
WEAKNESSES
• The main weakness of OCM is a conventional distribution channel. The company relies
mainly on agents for sales promotion who might neglect their work to earn better margins.
• Though the company is selling its product all over India, but it is situated in Amritsar,
which is far from the west and south India.
• The company spends less money on advertisement and brand promotion as compared to
other brands.
• The brand positioning is wrong, it is still perceived to be an older brand.
OPPORTUNITIES
• The company can set up its ready-made unit to increase the utilization of its finished
product.
• There is increase in demand of the suiting product in the market due to increase in business
class people.
• Due to increased demand of product, there is also demand for quality of product for which
OCM is known in the market.
• The other opportunity for OCM is the rural customer because they are not as much targeted
by the big players.
THREATS
• The biggest threat is of the growing popularity of the cotton fabric and thus cotton
producing units in India and abroad.
• Raymond suiting has been major competitor of OCM.
• The converters i.e. units established exclusively to convert fabric into ready-made garments
pose the biggest threat to OCM, since they usually buy cheaper material of not so known
brands.
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SUGGESTIONS
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CONCLUSION
From our two weeks of industrial training here in OCM, Amritsar, we have learnt many things
which hopefully mightn’t be imparted anywhere in books or colleges, i.e., with excellence and
perseverance combined with team efforts and morals only, a company can imagine to succeed.
And it gives us immense pleasure to share that OCM is indeed a successful textile company, setting
examples for others to follow and being a guiding light for internees as well as new fishes in the
market to survive(by imbibing in blood their success key).
After this training we have came to know that how fabric is made and what kind of defects are there
in the fabrics and how they come into existence and what are the quality standards for fabrics.
The strong culture of the OCM does definitely contribute to great extent to the production capacity
of the company. The capacity planning process of the industry is remarkable and does compel one
to pay heed to, if at all one desires to be dream big and be successful.
OCM, India undoubtedly made the two week industrial training program worth and does
enlightened us to extremes.
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REFERENCES
www.ocm.in
Export related information from Warehouse (General Manager).
Process related information from respective HODs (Head of Department)
SWOT information from the retail outlet head.
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