SERVICES

Provide support to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Clothing and Textile industry to improve innovation and competitiveness.

The Technology Station in Clothing and Textiles is located in the Department Clothing and Textile Technology of the Faculty of Engineering at Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Bellville Campus.

The following range of specific services will be provided to the clothing and textile sector:

1. PRODUCT PROCESS CONSULTING

• Provide advice on productivity improvements including process layout, optimizing sewing methods, work-study.
• Advice on acquisition of new or improved technology.
• Advice on maintenance and setting of equipment.
• Work aid development and template making service.

2. QUALITY AND PRODUCT TESTING

• Provide a TEXTILE AND GARMENT TESTING SERVICES to the clothing, textiles and related industries.
• Provide advice on material usage and care.
• Analyse, develop and implement quality systems for companies.

3. DEMONSTRATION AND TRAINING

• Offer a menu of NQF accredited short course in through the CLOTHING AND TEXTILES TRAINING UNIT to the industry to improve their productivity and competitiveness.
• Present workshops and seminars on issues of strategic importance to the technological development of the industry.
• Demonstrate the correct use and maintenance of technology.
• To stimulate technology transfer projects.

4. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH

• Consult on product development issues viz. developing of specifications, pattern making, and prototype making.
• Provide a CAD service to the clothing sector.
• Develop low cost work aids for SMEs to improve their productivity.
• Research projects.

The Textile Testing Laboratory of the Technology Station in Clothing and Textiles has been accredited to conduct the following Woolworths test methods for small businesses.

• Colour fastness to washing using Sodium Perborate
• Colour fastness to water at 37°
• Colour Fastness to perspiration
• Colour Fastness rubbing
• Colour Fastness Hydrolysis
• Colour Fastness to contrast trim
• Colour Fastness to Sea water
• Tensile strength
• Martindale abrasion
• Mass per square metre

TEXTILE AND GARMENT TESTING SERVICES

1. Colourfastness to washing
2. Colourfastness to sea water
3. Colourfastness to chlorinated water
4. Colour fastness to hydrolysis
5. Colour fastness for contrast trimmed items
6. Colour fastness to perspiration
7. Colour fastness to water
8. Rub Fastness
9. Garment durability wash
10. Fabric dimensional stability to washing + Bowing/spirality measurement
11. Abrasion resistance
12. Pilling
13. Snagging
14. Solid Content
15. Tensile strength
16. Tear strength
17. Seam Slippage
18. Stretch and recovery tests on elastomeric materials
19. Print Durability
20. Burst strength
21. Fabric mass per square metre
22. Ph Test liquids and compounds
23. Ph material
24. Yarn count
25. Yarn twist
26. Yarn shrinkage/crimp
27. Microscopic fibre analysis
28. Light fastness and weathering tests
29. High specification washing tests
30. Solubility /fibre identification
31. Test viscosity of liquids and compounds used printing and finishing
32. Fault Analysis /Care Label instruction
33. Fabric analysis
34. Trials / Problem Analysis
35. All other services offered