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Stretch fabrics have an irreplaceable position in modern clothing manufacturing due to their good ductility, comfort and fit, and are widely used in sportswear, tights, yoga clothes, jeans and other products. However, it is precisely because of the high elasticity of this type of fabric that it also brings huge challenges to cutting and garment production.
Untreated stretch fabrics are very prone to dimensional errors, deformation, shrinkage and other problems during the cutting process, resulting in unstable garment pattern, difficult sewing and increased defective rate. For this reason, choosing the right fabric relaxing equipment has become a key step for clothing companies to improve quality, reduce rework and ensure accurate pattern.
Why do Stretch Fabrics Need to be Relaxed in Particular?
Stretch fabrics usually contain spandex (such as Lycra) or elastic fiber components, which are easily pulled by tension during weaving, dyeing and transportation. Although the surface of the fabric seems to be flat, there is actually a lot of "residual tension" hidden inside. Once it is cut or sewn directly, the stress may be released, which may cause:
Inaccurate garment size (garment shrinkage or elongation)
Curling of the edge of the fabric affects sewing
Uneven pulling of the seams affects wearing comfort
High deformation rate of garments after washing
These problems can be effectively avoided by using professional loosening equipment in the early stage of production.
The Role of the Fabric Relaxing Machine is Far More Than "Realxing the Fabric"
Many people mistakenly believe that the role of the relaxer is just to "loosen the fabric". In fact, it is a standardized and automated process equipment, and its core purpose is to restore the natural state of the fabric, relieve residual tension, and ensure the dimensional stability of the fabric.
In particular, the fabric relaxer with a roll-to-roll structure can continuously and efficiently relax, control tension, correct deviation, and rewind the stretch fabric, truly providing a stable, controllable, and flat fabric foundation for the subsequent automatic cutting and sewing.
What Functions Should be Paid Attention to When Choosing?
Tension control system
Stretch fabrics are extremely sensitive to tension changes. An ideal relaxation machine should have the ability to automatically adjust tension to avoid secondary stretching during processing.
Deviation correction and fabric straightening function
The edge of the fabric is prone to deviation under high-speed operation. The precise deviation correction system can ensure the alignment of the fabric width and provide an accurate benchmark for automatic fabric laying or cutting.
Fabric detection and error correction mechanism
High-end equipment can be equipped with a fabric detection module to promptly alarm or automatically stop when wrinkles, edge flakes, etc. are found.
Compatibility with different elastic materials
Different stretch fabrics (such as warp-knitted spandex, weft-knitted stretch cotton, double-sided stretch, etc.) have different process requirements. The equipment should have the ability to flexibly adjust parameters.
Data recording and tracking system
Real-time recording of fabric length, tension, running speed and other data to provide a basis for subsequent quality control and process optimization.
What are the Direct Advantages of Relaxed Stretch Fabrics?
The garment pattern is more stable: whether it is tight or loose design, the size error is significantly reduced.
Sewing is smoother: the fabric surface is flat, not easy to slide, and the seams are uniform and beautiful.
Improved comfort of finished garments: the fabric regains its natural elasticity, and fits the body without being tight.
Reduced deformation rate after washing: consumers can maintain the original appearance and size after washing.
Significantly reduce rework: control quality at the source, save costs and time.
Return on Investment
Many factories hesitate when purchasing relaxers, worrying that the cost return is not obvious. In fact, compared with the intangible costs caused by defective products, rework, and customer complaints every year, the investment of an efficient relaxer can be recovered within a few months, and in the long run, it will significantly improve the overall operational efficiency and brand value.
From quality control to shortened delivery time, from reducing manual intervention to process standardization, fabric relaxers have built an invisible but extremely critical "quality defense line" for clothing companies.
Conclusion
For stretch fabrics, the quality of the processing of the previous process directly determines whether the finished garment is qualified. Relaxation before cutting is not only a technical link, but also a reflection of the clothing company's responsibility for products and customers.
Choosing a fabric relaxing machine with stable performance and strong adaptability is the fundamental means to solve the "hard-to-solve" problems such as curling, shrinkage, and unstable size. Especially in the fierce market competition, stable pattern and excellent finished product quality will become the core competitiveness of enterprises to stand out.