Textile Production and Processing Overview

Study Notes

Textiles originate from the Latin verb "texere" meaning to weave.
A textile is a general term for any manufactured material from fibers, filaments, or yarns, characterized by flexibility, fineness, and a high length-to-thickness ratio.
Textiles are materials (fibers, filaments, yarns) that can be made into fabrics.

The process starts with raw materials (textile fibers).
Yarn manufacturing (spinning mill) follows.
Fabric manufacturing (weaving, knitting, braiding) comes next.
Wet processing (dyeing, printing, finishing) occurs after the gray fabric stage.
Finally, the finished fabric is used for garment manufacturing.

Textile production involves fiber-to-yarn, yarn-to-fabric, and coloring/finishing processes.
Management/control processes include textile inspection, evaluation, and production management.
Apparel manufacture has operational processes like product design/development, material management, garment making, pressing/finishing/packaging; and management/control such as inspection/evaluation and production management.
Distribution/sales processes include product delivery, wholesaling/retailing, sales forecasting, marketing/promotion, and related management issues.

Woven: Fabrics created by interlacing yarns.
Knitted: Fabrics created by interlocking loops of yarn.
Braided: Fabrics formed by intertwining strands in a specific pattern.
Nonwoven: Fabrics made from fibers held together by bonding, without weaving or knitting.

Fiber: Natural or synthetic, the smallest component with a hair-like structure that can be separated from fabric.
- Examples: absorbent(cotton, rayon), stretchy(spandex), warm(wool), strong(nylon, polyester).
Yarn: A continuous strand of fibers; used to create fabric.
- Examples: smooth (satin), soft (brushed denim).
Everyday Textile Products: Apparel (clothing), interior textiles (upholstered furniture, carpets), and more.
Smart Textiles: Interactive textiles that react to the environment; examples include delivering medication or monitoring body temperature.
Technical or Industrial Textiles: Textiles for technical use in diverse applications. Examples include automotive uses (tire cords, seat upholstery), construction uses (tarpaulins, awnings), and more.

The complex involves various stages, from raw materials to finished products.
- Raw materials like natural/protein fibers, and those synthesized (chemicals)
- Manufacturers and Processors of yarns and fabrics.
- Product manufacturers (apparel, home furnishings).
- Wholesalers and Retailers for consumer products.