Minimization of Reworks in The Apparel Industry

January 2013. Vol. 1, No.
ISSN 2305-8269
International Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences

2012 EAAS & ARF. All rights reserved
www.eaas-journal.org
MINIMIZATION OF REWORKS IN QUALITY AND PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENT IN THE APPAREL INDUSTRY

Md. Mazedul Islam Adnan Maroof Khan 2 Md.Mashiur Rahman Khan
1 1
Department of Textile Engineering, Daffodil International University, Bangladesh 1 Department of Apparel Manufacturing Engineering, Bangladesh University of textiles. mazed@daffodilvarsity.edu.bd ; maroof215@gmail.com ; mrktex@yahoo.com
Abstract
The fast changing economic conditions such as global competition, declining profit margin, customer demand for high quality product, product variety and reduced lead time etc. had a major impact on manufacturing industries. The demand for higher value at lower price is increasing and to survive, apparel manufacturers need to improve their operations through-Producing right first time quality and waste reduction. This paper discusses the quality and productivity improvement in a manufacturing enterprise through practical study. The paper deals with an application of methodology in an industry which provides a framework to identify quantify and eliminate sources of variation in an operational process, to optimize the operation variables, improve and sustain process performance with well-executed control plans. The application of this paper improves the process performance of the critical operational process, leading to better utilization of resources, decreases variations & maintains consistent quality of the process output. The outcome of this observation reflected that an industry may gain higher productivity and profitability with improved quality product by minimizing reworks activities. It also minimizes cost and improves internal throughput time. A general overview over this development is given in this paper.
Keywords Costs, Operation, Productivity, Profitability, product Quality, Reworks.

I. Introduction As the global economic condition changing in a rapid motion, generally in an industry more focus is given on profit margin, customer demand for high quality product and improved productivity. In garment manufacturing, it is usual few rejected garments after shipment. Reason, most of the manufacturers believe that garments are soft goods and non-repairable defect may occur due to low quality raw materials or faulty process or employee casual behavior. However, factory must have check points to control over this issue. There is no ready-made solution that can reduce rejection percentage overnight. Each order is unique. But this paper works suggest how to handle this issue and bring down rejection rate to minimum. We see a lot of rejected garment after shipment. Most of the organization termed these garments as rejected because those garments cant be repaired by any means. Reworks in the garments industry is a common works that hampers the smooth production rate and focus poor quality products having an impact on overall factory economy. Minimization of reworks is a must in quality and productivity improvement. Rework is a vital issue for poor quality product and low production rate. Reworks are the non -productive activities focusing on any activity that customer are not willing to pay for. Non-productive activities describe that the customer does not consider as adding value to his product. By reacting quicker in minimization of reworks to make a product as per customer demand with expected quality, the company can invest less money and more costs savings. Therefore, a study was carried out in the garment industry named Opex & Sinha Textile Group located at Mirpur, Dhaka,
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Bangladesh at cutting, sewing and finishing section to identify reworks so as to eliminate them for saving 2. Problem Definition and Methodology In the Apparel Manufacturing Industry, main raw material is fabric; others are different types of trimming and accessories. Operational wastages in the Apparel manufacturing process are- top surface rework, printed label rework, sewing fault rework, pinhole rework, fabric rework Improper fly shape, and other reworks. The general methodology followed to minimize reworks is given below. Review of the existing quality system in the company 2. Identification of defects in the various departments by collecting data from old records 3. Analysis of data collected in order to identify majorly occurring defects 4. Categorization of defects 5. Development of a model Quality Inspection System 2.1. Review of factory existing Quality System 1.
time,
cost
and
improved
product
quality.
6. 7.
8. 9.
10.
11. 12.
13.
Implementation of check sheets to capture defects in different departments Training on concepts of quality, importance of maintaining correct data, usage of the collected data to analyze and solve quality issues through the tools of quality Introduction of Inline Inspection on Sewing floor through a pilot run in one line Training on the Sewing floor to QCs, supervisors and checkers on filling in the format and on making Cause & Effect Diagrams Analysis of defects occurring in the check sheets implemented in various departments and devising suggestions to improve upon them Spreading of Inline inspection to other lines Tracking of improvements and comparing them with previous situation in different departments Visual communication of performance.
Fig. 1 Review of Existing Quality System
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2.1. Identification of Defects The reports of quality inspections in various departments were studied for the period of January April- 2012. 2.1.1 Cutting Department: Percentage of lots
3%
21% PASS FAIL HOLD 76%
Fig. 2 Lots percentages overview of cutting departments
2.1.2 Sewing Department 6.00 5.06 5.00 4.00 3.00 2.00 1.00 0.00 OPEN SEAMS UNEVEN MARGIN UNEVEN NECK/PLACKET/W.BAND EXPOSED RAW STITCH FULLNESS UNEVEN GATHER BROKEN STITCH SHADE VARIATION ZIPPER PLACEMENT JOINT OUT BALANCING OUT PUCKERING ROPING WRONG LABEL ATTACH/LABEL MISSING FABRIC DEFECTS LOOSE TENSION WRONG PANEL ATTACH HOOK /LACE/ BUTTON PLACEMENT
Defect categories wise D.H.U.
3.36
3.12 2.70 2.63 2.00 1.57 1.30 1.19 1.13 1.11 1.02 0.94 0.68 0.49 0.36 0.34 0.23 0.19 0.10 0.09
Fig. 3 Defect categories wise D.H.U in the sewing department
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2.1.3 Categorizations of Defects Sewing Defects: These defects are usually caused by errors arising from wrong functioning of sewing machines. Seaming defects: These defects are usually caused by errors arising from the interaction of the operator and machine in the handling of garment. Placement Defects: These defects are usually caused by errors arising in marking and cutting as well as 2.1.4 Sewing Department Defects categories wise sewing operations in the sewing room or a combination of these Fabric defects: These defects are usually caused by errors arising from the fabric processing like knitting and dyeing. Embroidery defects: These defects are usually caused by errors arising from the embroidery processing of the garments.
Defect categories wise D.H.U. (Defects per Hundread Unit)

Total pieces inspected- 30030 25.00 20.73 20.00 14.00 D.H.U. 15.00 10.00 5.00 0.00 Defect Categories 3.37 1.02 0.10 Where, Seaming defects- 6224 Sewing defects- 4204 Placement defects-1012 Fabric defects-307 Embroidery defects-31 SEAMING DEFECTS SEWING DEFECTS PLACEMENT DEFECTS FABRIC DEFECTS EMBROIDERY DEFECTS Fig. 4 Defect categories wise D.H.U in the sewing department Defects encountered-11778 D.H.U.- 39.22
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2.2 Stages of Model Development
Identification of various options at the check points to capture defects
Selection of various tools to be used the model
Developments of model
2.3 Development of Model
Inline Inspection through Defect Frequency Rating System
Defect capturing at the End Line through check sheets
Analysis of defects
Cause & Effect Analysis of highest occurring Defects
Effective Solutions Provided
2.4 Formats introduced in various departments. 1. Cutting audit format 2. Cutting pattern check format. 3. Sewing in-line inspection format 4. Sewing end-line inspection format 5. Sewing cause & effect analysis format. 6. Finishing initial inspection format
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3.0 Experimental Sewing Data
Uneven Raw Margin Exposed Raw stitch
Uneven Top Stitch
Label Attachment
Measurement out
Uneven fly shape
Thread Tension
Total Defective Pieces 56 22 22 5 12 16 17 10 23 17 11 12 18 14 17 29 14 8 8 8 339
Total Checked Pieces
Broken stitch
1-Mar 3-Mar 4-Mar 5-Mar 6-Mar 7-Mar 8-Mar 10-Mar 1 11-Mar 12-Mar 13-Mar 14-Mar 15-Mar 17-Mar 18-Mar 19-Mar 20-Mar 21-Mar 24-Mar 25-Mar TOTAL 1
4 6
10 13 2
56 4 9 2 9 9 7 4 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 1 3 2 1 3 2 55
4 9 2 5 2 5
2 6 10 1 3 3 1 1 11 20 4
1 4 2 2
5 3 4 1 5 3 2 2
2 2
4 2 3 35
72
3 2 14
2 27
30
70
56 8 42 11 77 4 42 8 78 6 67 8 75 3 70 15 139 5 97 5 55 4 116 7 203 9 151 11 139 12 207 12 135 3 87 2 70 1 94 134 2000
100 52 29 12 15 24 23 14 17 18 20 10 9 9 12 14 10 9 11 9 17
Table.1 Defect categories wise and percentage defectives in the sewing department
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Percentage Defective
Puckering
Slip stitch
Roping
Others
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4.0 Cause & Effect diagram for major occurring defects and their implemented solutions 4.1 Measurement out of tolerance
Improper sweep shape after panel attachment
Notches not proper
Solutions Provided Cause Notches improper at pleats Solution Cutting Department was informed about the cause and the reason identified was misalignment of plies during cutting. This being a major defect causing activity was asked to be checked 100% in the audit before sending the bundles to sewing. A template was provided against which the pieces were checked and in case of any deviation, white pencil was used to mark pleat positions. Bottom trimming was done to make the sweep uniform.
Improper sweep panel attachment
shape
after
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4.2 Puckering at waistband
Improper pre-setting of waistband
Causes Improper pre- setting of waistband after thumb pressing
Solution Pressing was done by steam iron with a spray of starch over it. This made the handling of the waistband easier while stitching and thus reduced puckering at the waistband.
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4.3 Roping
4.4 Waistband extension uneven
Causes Improper folder setting on machine
Solution The folder guide was adjusted and improper materials handling avoided
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Causes Margin not followed while attaching waistband and waistband edge not finished properly 4.5 Improper fly shape
Solution The operator was instructed to be careful while feeding and following the margins strictly
Causes Top stitch is being inhibited by zipper lock underneath
Solution A template was provided to the operator and the stitch was shifted a little below, altering the fly shape within tolerance level
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4.6 Fusing shining marks
Causes Poor quality fusing used
Solution Fusing was changed and skilled operator required
5.0 Trend chart showing reduction in defect levels after implemented solutions D.H.U. levels in Measurement Out 60 40 20 0 1-Mar 2-Mar 3-Mar 4-Mar
Fig. 5 Defects level Reduction in Measurements Out
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D.H.U. levels in Puckering 25 20 15 10 5 0
Fig. 6 Defects levels Reduction in Puckering
D.H.U. levels in Roping

14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0
7-Mar
6-Mar
8-Mar
9-Mar
15-Mar
10-Mar
11-Mar
12-Mar
13-Mar
14-Mar
16-Mar
17-Mar
18-Mar 6-Mar
Fig. 7 Defects levels Reduction in Roping
D.H.U. levels in Uneven fly shape 40 30 20 10 0 3-Mar 4-Mar 5-Mar
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Fig. 8 Defects levels Reduction in Uneven Fly Shape
Defects levels in Label Attachment

16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0
Fig. 9 Defects levels Reduction in Label Attachment
Defects levels in Uneven Top Stitch 25 20 15 10 5 0 3-Mar 4-Mar 5-Mar 6-Mar 7-Mar 8-Mar 9-Mar 10-Mar 11-Mar 12-Mar Uneven top stitch Fig. 10 Defects levels Reduction in Uneven top Stitch
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6.0 Defects analysis in finishing department 239 206 200 150 100 50 0 SOIL/ DUST/ RUST STICKER MARKS SWEAT MARKS VEGETABLE MARKS Fig. 11 Defects analysis in finishing department OIL SPOT INK/CHALK MARK TOBACCO MARK 132 106
250
6.1 Recommended Suggestions Implemented to Reduce Defects in finishing section 1.Oil spots: Application of a scrap paper under the presser feet of sewing machines after the days work so that the machines which are leaking oil can be tracked. 2. Proper oiling level to be maintained in order to prevent leakage of extra oil 3.Operator to take responsibility of cleaning the machine after lubrication 4. Immediate reporting of oil leakage Ink/ chalk marks: Usage of good quality markers, the marks of which are easily washable 2.Avoid using pencils for marking. 3. Usage of chalks on white and light colored fabrics. Soil and dust: 1.Usage of plastic bags for storing and transportation of pieces. 2. Cleaning of checking tables and machines before the start of days work 3. Avoid keeping garments on the floor, using trolleys for storage. 4. Creating a polyethene sheet partition between sewing and finishing departments so that fabric dust doesnt come over to the finishing unit and settle down on the washed fabric. Suggestions implemented to reduce no. of uncut & loose thread: 1.Thread cutting operation to be carried out after washing in order to counteract unraveling of threads after washing 2. Use of thread sucking machine to prevent any loose threads to reach the checkpoint
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7.0 Department wise results and discussion (Sewing, Finishing and Cutting department) 7.1 Cutting Department 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 01/02/08 08/02/08 15/02/08 22/02/08 29/02/08 07/03/08 14/03/08 21/03/08 28/03/08 04/04/08 11/04/08
Fig. 12 Overall reductions in defect levels for cutting department
7.2 Sewing Department Overall Percent defective trend
120
100 80 60 40 20 0 1-Mar 2-Mar 3-Mar 4-Mar 5-Mar 6-Mar 7-Mar 8-Mar 9-Mar 10-Mar 11-Mar 12-Mar 13-Mar 14-Mar 15-Mar 16-Mar 17-Mar 18-Mar 19-Mar 20-Mar 21-Mar 22-Mar 23-Mar 24-Mar 25-Mar
Percentage defective Fig. 13 Overall reductions in defect levels for sewing department
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7.4 Finishing Department
20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 Shade Variation Fabric Fault Hard Stains Uncut/ Loose thread Insecure stitch Cut & Hole Embroidery/Beads/Printing Wrong/Missing Label Touching Mending Stitching Others
February
March
April 1- 15
Fig. 14 Overall reductions in defect levels for finishing department Cutting lot failure rate reduced to zero percent generally. Sewing percent defective reduced to approximately 40%. In finishing, stitching D.H.U. came down to approximately 8% from 16% as earlier, uncut thread D.H.U. came down to approximately 10% from 22% as earlier. Rework increased the cost of the different work categories between 2% to 30%. However, some best practices to control defect generation within the factory were suggested as- Make the workplace clean from fabric store to cutting to sewing to washing and finishing. Place quality control system in proper place. Implies that sufficient no. of checkers, trained checkers, checkers making report while checking, analysis of reports and take action based on the quality check reports. Conduct training program for the checkers on how to check piece correctly to capture defective pieces. Train them to make garment checking reports. Run quality awareness program for your employees. Quality standard must be understood by each employee and everybody have to work to meet quality goal. No low standard work should be accepted by the following department. In sewing line dont allow operators to keep bundles open and each bundle must be completed before forwarding to the next. It will help you track missing pieces. It is usual experience that operators throw pieces under tables when they make mistake or receive defective (incomplete) garments from previous operator. Nobody keeps track of these missing pieces until you found shortage of garments in finishing. Set standard operating procedures (SOP) for each task performed by your employees. SOP for quality control system for each department. Set audit team to audit your quality system in a regular interval. These
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recommendations were suggested to the individual 8. Conclusion The suggestive tools developed in this article cover a comprehensive series of aspects in minimizing reworks in the sewing section of apparel industries by ensuring quality production. The importance of the textile industry in the economy of Bangladesh is very high. The explosive growth of the RMG industry in the country, however, has not been enough supported by the growth of backward linkage facilities. So manufacturing the quality product is mandatory to sustain in this global competitive market. Quality is ultimately a question of customer satisfaction. Good Quality increases the value of a product or service, establishes brand name, and builds up good reputation for the garment exporter, which in turn
department.
results into consumer satisfaction, high sales and foreign exchange for the country. The perceived quality of a garment is the result of a number of aspects, which together help achieve the desired level of satisfaction for the customer. However, we should bear in mind that 1% defective product for an organization is 100% defective for the customer who buys that defective product. The study clearly indicates that by eliminating non-productive activities like reworks in the apparel industries time as well as cost are saved by ensuring quality production which have an important impact on overall factory economy.
References [1] Dr P Khanna: Work study, time and motion study, Dhanpat Rai and Sons, New Delhi, (pp 21-31). [2] F.M. Gryna, J.A. DeFeo, Quality Planning & Analysis for Enterprise Quality, Tata McGrawHill, Edition, 2008 [3] (Opex Group) (n.d.). Retrieved december 2012, from viyellatex group: http//www.opexgroup.com [4] (viyellatex group)(n.d.). Retrieved december 2012, from viyellatex group: http//www.viyellatexgroup.com [5] http//www.asiantextilejournal.com [6] (Sepal Group)(n.d.). Retrieved december 2012. From sepal group http//www.sepalgroup.com [7] (n.d.). Retrieved nov 2012, from fiber 2 fashion: http//www.fiber2fashion.com [8]Saroj Bala, Factors Influencing Costing of Woven Fabrics, The Indian Textile Journal, 2003 [9]Dean J W and Bowen D E., 1994, Management Theory and Total Quality: Improving Research and Practice and Theory Development, the Academy of Management Review 19, (3) PP 392-418. [10]O.H. Khan, A Study of Six Sigma Implementation and Critical Success Factor, Pakistans Ninth International Convention on Quality Improvement, Karachi, Pakistan, pp. 1-12, Nov. 2005 [11]Hawken, Paul, Amory Lovins, and L. Hunter Lovins. Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution (New York Little, Brown and Company, 1999) [12] Florida, R. Lean and Green The Move to Environmentally Conscious Manufacturing. California Management Review 39, (1996) 80-105 [13]Environmental Technology Best Practice Programmed. (1996). saving money through waste minimization raw material use, GG25, Crown Copyright. [14] M.Mahajan, Statistical Quality Control, Dhanpat Rai & Co. (P) LTD. pp.186-206,
Authors Biographies: Md. Mazedul Islam The author is associated as Lecturer in the Department of Textile Engineering at Daffodil International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. His research interest fields are- Apparel production and Merchandising, Production Management. Industrial Engineering, Apparel and fabric finishing, Textile and Apparel Quality control, Apparel Brand management, Apparel Washing etc. Adnan Maroof Khan The author is associated as Lecturer in the Department of Textile Engineering at Daffodil International University,
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Dhaka, Bangladesh. His research interest fields areGarments Technology, Production Management, Garments Quality Control & Management, Textile Coloration & Fabric Structure and design, etc. Md. Mashiur Rahman Khan Assistant Professor & Head, Department of Apparel Manufacturing Engineering, Bangladesh University of textiles.
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Minimization of Reworks in The Apparel Industry

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January 2013. Vol. 1, No.

International Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences

MINIMIZATION OF REWORKS IN QUALITY AND PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENT IN THE APPAREL INDUSTRY

Keywords Costs, Operation, Productivity, Profitability, product Quality, Reworks.

January 2013. Vol. 1, No.4

International Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Fig. 1 Review of Existing Quality System

January 2013. Vol. 1, No.4

International Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Fig. 2 Lots percentages overview of cutting departments

Defect categories wise D.H.U.

Fig. 3 Defect categories wise D.H.U in the sewing department

January 2013. Vol. 1, No.4

International Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Defect categories wise D.H.U. (Defects per Hundread Unit)

January 2013. Vol. 1, No.4

International Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences

2.2 Stages of Model Development

Identification of various options at the check points to capture defects

Selection of various tools to be used the model

2.3 Development of Model

Inline Inspection through Defect Frequency Rating System

Defect capturing at the End Line through check sheets

Cause & Effect Analysis of highest occurring Defects

Effective Solutions Provided

January 2013. Vol. 1, No.4

International Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences

3.0 Experimental Sewing Data

Uneven Raw Margin Exposed Raw stitch

Uneven Top Stitch

Uneven fly shape

Total Defective Pieces 56 22 22 5 12 16 17 10 23 17 11 12 18 14 17 29 14 8 8 8 339

Total Checked Pieces

56 8 42 11 77 4 42 8 78 6 67 8 75 3 70 15 139 5 97 5 55 4 116 7 203 9 151 11 139 12 207 12 135 3 87 2 70 1 94 134 2000

January 2013. Vol. 1, No.4

International Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Improper sweep shape after panel attachment

Notches not proper

Improper sweep panel attachment

January 2013. Vol. 1, No.4

International Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences

4.2 Puckering at waistband

Improper pre-setting of waistband

Causes Improper pre- setting of waistband after thumb pressing

January 2013. Vol. 1, No.4

International Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences

4.4 Waistband extension uneven

Causes Improper folder setting on machine

January 2013. Vol. 1, No.4

International Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Causes Top stitch is being inhibited by zipper lock underneath

January 2013. Vol. 1, No.4

International Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences

4.6 Fusing shining marks

Causes Poor quality fusing used

Solution Fusing was changed and skilled operator required

Fig. 5 Defects level Reduction in Measurements Out

January 2013. Vol. 1, No.4

International Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences

D.H.U. levels in Puckering 25 20 15 10 5 0

Fig. 6 Defects levels Reduction in Puckering

D.H.U. levels in Roping

Fig. 7 Defects levels Reduction in Roping