Fabric Engineering by Means of an Artificial Neural Network

A study is reported of the relationship between the low-stress mechanical and surface properties of polyester-fibre air-jet-spun yarns and the handle properties of fabrics made from them. A total of 81 yarn samples in three yarn linear densities were produced by altering the process variables in air-jet spinning. An artificial-neural-network (ANN) model for predicting fabric-handle properties based on the low-stress mechanical and surface properties of air-jet-spun yarns is developed. The accuracy of prediction is good. With the model, the direction of change in fabric-handle properties due to change in yarn flexural rigidity, compressional energy, and hairiness is evaluated. An inverse model of ANN is also developed.