DigiPix > CASE STUDY: PILE FABRICS
THE APPLICATION: - Imaging & Colour Measurement of heavily textured fabrics.
The DigiEye system, produced by VeriVide is used for the imaging and colour measurement of samples, which would be impossible to assess using a standard spectrophotometer. DigiEye provides a non-contact measurement for all types of materials with different appearance characteristics.
As the sample is imaged without contact any raised pile including towelling, fleece, velour and heavily textured knitwear is captured without being flattened against a measuring head.
ISSUE 1: - Measurement - Inaccurate & potentially damaging to the fabric sample.
Colour Measurement has traditionally relied on spectrophotometers, however they were designed to measure very flat areas of 2D solid colour. Any sample of a textured or pile fabric is flattened against the measuring head of a spectrophotometer, thus the measurement reading is a false one, as it does not take into account the visual appearance of the fabric in its natural state. The depth of the shadows between the pile of the fabric also determines the colour of textured fabric.
Spectrophotometers cannot take into account the appearance differences between pile fabrics and plain, flat fabrics so it is impossible to obtain an accurate assessment of a pile fabric against an ordinary colour standard.
In the example of red fleece fabric below, the batch on the left has been brushed to a different degree to the batch on the right, when measured on a spectrophotometer the result did not reflect the magnitude of colour difference observed.
DigiEye was able to image both samples at the same time, under the same conditions and give a colour difference reading compatible with the visual appearance.
ISSUE 2: - Assessment of new colourways must include the visual effect of the pile
Designers and buyers cannot select new colourways from flat coloured fabrics, as it is impossible to extrapolate the final result on a pile fabric such as velvet or towelling. Thus real sampling has traditionally taken place with a lengthy time scale between colour selection and going to market, this is costly.
THE TECHNICAL BIT
The calibrated camera captures data in RAW format for very high-resolution images; since the image is captured in controlled and consistent lighting, using a cabinet developed and manufactured by VeriVide, the software can transform the RGB data from the camera into CIE colour space thereby enabling accurate non-contact Colour Measurement of the pile fabric.
Consistency is the key, as the environment is controlled, measurements are repeatable. The image can be retained with its associated data for visual assessment and correlation
The software also contains a choice of Colour difference equations so that components can be imaged with and compared to an agreed standard component.
The DigiPix Colour Replacement software also enables an object to be recoloured using colour information from a variety of sources including Pantone colours, or company colour library information in several data formats. The appearance of the pile fabric is retained during the recolouration enabling an accurate visualisation of the final colour.
THE BENEFITS
With DigiEye and the DigiPix Software, manufacturers and suppliers can image pile fabrics without causing surface damage and extract accurate colour measurements against any standard. This provides enhanced quality control by enabling tighter colour tolerances to be applied and colour differences can be communicated between suppliers and retailers.
Using the DigiPix Colour Replacement feature, the surface appearance of the pile fabric is taken into consideration. This provides enhanced visualisation during the product development of new colourways. This is very useful for designers and buyers who can use the software to decide on the most appropriate colours before ordering real sampling.
WISH TO KNOW MORE?
Further details of the DigiEye System - including the Large Area Imaging (LAI), are available via the Datasheet below (click on the relevant links to download or open).
Alternatively please contact Pete Laban - Sales Manager to arrange a demonstration.
| DIGIEYE DATASHEET | LAI - DATASHEET | CONTACT PETE LABAN |
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| DOWNLOAD PDF | DOWNLOAD PDF | p.laban@verivide.com |