Fabric Inspection: Four Point System
There are various systems for fabric inspection, such as Four Point system, Ten Point system, Grantville system etc. but in the mentioned systems, or in any other systems, there are no arrangements until recently, for considering of the shade, bias, handling etc., of fabrics. The four points system for fabric inspection has been described here. Because the system of examining of the quality of fabrics in this system, has been recognized by American Apparel Manufacturing Association (AAMA) and American Association of Quality Control (AAQC).
Four Points System
In this system, the numbers of defective points in one hundred square yards of fabrics are determined through inspection. If the defective points in each one hundred square yards of fabrics be 40 or above, the fabric will be considered as rejected. Based on the price and quality of garments, the acceptability of defective points may be determined more than 40 also, but in that case it depends on the understanding of the buyer and the seller. The chart of point determination for the defects in fabrics is given below:
Both ways in warp and weft the length of the defect in fabrics distribution of points
Defects up to 3 inches …………………………………………… 1
Defects from 3 to 6 inches ……………………………………… 2
Defects from 6 to 9 inches ……………………………………… 3
Defects more than 9 inches ……………………………………. 4
The volume of Holes & Openings
1 inch or below.………………………………………………….. 2
More than 1 inch ……………………………………………….. 4
Note: In each yard of fabrics, the defect points more than 4 cannot be counted.
The defective points and the system of determination of acceptability of a fabric are shown through an example. Let, by examining a roll of fabric in 48” width and 120 yards in length, the below defects have been determined or marked:
4 defects below 3” …………………………………………………... 4 X 1 = 4points
6 defects between 3” to 6” ………………………………………..... 6 X 2 = 12 points
2 defects between 6” to 9” ………………………………………..... 2 X 3 = 6 points
1 defect more than 9” ……………………………………………… 1 X 4 = 4 points
…………………………………………………………………………………….......
Total points = 26 points
Points / 100 square yards
Total defect points 100 36”
= ………………………… X ………… X …………………………………...
Total fabric yardage 1 Width of the examined fabric (inch)
26 100 36”
= ………… X ……… X ……...
120 1 48”
= 16.25 defect point/100 sq. yds
The total defective points in each 100 sq. yds being below 40, this roll of fabric may be accepted. It may be mentioned here that the limit or level of acceptability of fabric is determined by the buyer and seller of the fabric. How much the difference in length and in width in the rolls of fabrics will be accepted also depend on the written contract between the buyer and the seller of the fabric. The sampling plan for inspection is also not done by any hard and fast rule. But, 100% inspection is done on the fabrics from which the value of the garments produced is more than US $20, and 10% inspection is done on those fabrics where the value of the garments produced from the fabric is less than US $20.
