Optimization of air pressure and speed of air jet loom; impact on fabric tensile and tear strength properties using Response Surface Methodology

Weaving industries that use air jet loom are always emphasized to increase production and keep up the quality of woven fabric. But due to faulty mill practices or negligence, fabric mechanical properties of the fabric made on air jet loom are impaired. Improving the fabric quality can be achieved by improving work practices and optimization. The aim of this research is to optimize the air pressure and loom speed to produce a fabric with optimum mechanical properties and twist loss of weft yarn after weaving. To perform the experiment, three independent variables (loom speed, left-side relay nozzle pressure, and right-side relay nozzle pressure) was taken. With the combination of the three independent variables at five levels each, nineteen fabric samples were produced and each tensile and tear strength of the fabric in the weft direction were tested. Central composite design (CCD) was used to design the experiment, analyze the results of the experiment, and optimize the process. The results of the experiment show that variation in loom speed and air pressure affects twist of the weft yarn and mechanical properties of the fabric significantly and loom speed had a most significant effect on yarn twist loss, fabric tensile, and tear strength.