Antimicrobial Activewear – What is the real Purpose?
Introduction An antimicrobial inhibits the growth of or even kills micro-organisms such as bacteria. There are many different types: in the medical field you may hear of antibiotics treating bacterial infections or antifungals treating fungus; disinfectants and antiseptics are also two types. But how can you apply them to the textile industry? A synthetic chemical agent […]
Process Improvement – A Basic Understanding
Process Improvement In any industrial process, one always hears the phrase, “Process Improvement.” Other names you may be familiar with are: Continuous Improvement, Kaizen, Lean, 5S, etc. What is “Process Improvement” anyways? According to the Cambridge online dictionary: Process Improvement The job of examining the processes used in a […]
5S – Home Organization
With a new year, come new resolutions! Maybe you set a fitness goal. Maybe you want to learn something new. Or maybe you are interested in home organization. If the latter applies to you, then 5S may be the tool to use. In a previous blog I discussed the Japanese organizational tool, 5S. This tool […]
Dye Fixative life lesson: Separate your colors (at least at first)
In a world with Color Catchers and mixed load laundry detergent, we may have gotten too comfortable with our textile finishing. Not all dye fixatives are created equal. After purchasing a new set of towels in various shades of tan, green, and deep red, the next course of action was to wash them before use. […]
Cotton: A Day in the Life
A single cotton fiber experiences many different places and processes before finding its way onto a shelf and into our lives. From the field to the closet, we can dive into the lifecycle of cotton! Starting as a seed, cotton is typically grown for six months beginning as early as February and as late as […]
InformEX 2015 – Specialty Chemical Tradeshow
InformEX is an annual tradeshow and conference held for companies involved in the specialty chemical and custom chemical manufacturing markets. Geared towards anyone from production personnel to business managers, the tradeshow is a great opportunity for companies to investigate new manufacturing technologies, establish relationships domestically and abroad, and explore new markets. Companies from various industries […]
Hiyari Hatto (ヒヤリ ハット)
In an ever-changing manufacturing environment, a continuous safety culture is extremely important. One way to foresee and hopefully prevent accidents is through the Hiyari Hatto program used in Japan. Hiyari Hatto (or Near-miss) refers to an instance when you witnessed or thought of something that almost happened, but didn’t. When this type of situation occurs […]
5S Tool for Efficient and Safe Operation
In the manufacturing industry, a lot of tools are used to implement process improvement, monitor production, and maintain safe operations. Some of these tools are industry specific, while others can be applied to any industrial process. A few of the well-known methods are: Six Sigma, HAZOPs, Lean manufacturing, and KPI. Another tool that […]
