Quack! Online

An Interview with the Hamid.k.Lateef(C.E.O Textile Testing International) on the Modern challenges in the Textile industry & the role of Testing

(Requirements of Modern Textile Industry)
Both industrialized and developing countries now have modern installations capable of highly efficient fabric production. In addition to mechanical improvements in yarn and fabric manufacture, there have been rapid advances in development of new fibers, processes to improve textile characteristics, and testing methods allowing greater quality control. Textile fabrics are judged by many criteria. Flexibility and sufficient strength for the intended use are generally major requirements, and industrial fabrics must meet rigid specifications of width, weight per unit area, weave and yarn structure, strength and elongation, acidity or alkalinity, thickness, and porosity. In apparel fabrics design and colors are major considerations, and certain physical properties may be of secondary importance. In addition, the various tactile properties of a fabric, described as its “hand,” “handle,” or “feel,” influence consumer acceptance.

The textile industry increasingly employs research and development in the area of quality control. Medieval craft guilds were concerned with maintaining high quality standards, and later textile mills established rigid systems of inspection, realizing that a reputation for supplying fault-free goods encouraged repeat orders. Modern quality control has been assisted by development of techniques and machines for assessing fiber, yarn, and fabric properties; by the introduction of legislation regarding misrepresentation in many industrialized countries; and by the establishment of rigid specifications by a growing number of buyers. Specifications have been established for the purchase of industrial fabrics, for textiles used by the military and other branches of governments, and for similar purchasing methods adopted by some retailers and other large buyers. In consumer-oriented areas, the public is becoming aware of product testing and is beginning to require proof that products have met certain test standards. Read the rest of this entry »

Four years of progressive education, lots of exacutive and technical training programs, learning about change management and so on – makes you think you’re ready to take the bull called life by its horns, right?  Stop right there!

You are venturing into an industry that feels strongly but negatively towards change. If you feel you study in a terrible institution, change your attitude. You’re better than most of the people you will encounter in the textile industry. They’ll feel threatened by you, try to bring you down at every step, prove you wrong and stupid and treat you like a nobody. Some people will even prove to you what an idiot you are if you suggest a free upgrade in the ancient word processing software they make everyone use. Those presently studying –  if you enter the industry demotivated, you’re dead, because you haven’t seen what demotivation is – yet.

Take the bull called life by its horns and tame it. Nobody ever made anything better by not doing anything about it. Difficult people and situations are an essential part of life. Learn to deal with them by embracing their sorry existence, and you can be sure you’re on the right track!

By Salim Rajani, SIMDA

A popular Japanese strategy, that ‘if people are educated enough, then they will automatically recognize issues and work for the improvement’. Considering the need of specialized trainings, the Series of Workshops have been arranged by SIMDA to enhance knowledge, efficiency, productivity and aligning working methodology of Woven/Knitted/Denim Garments, Home Textile Made-ups, Terry Towel Industries and Buying Agencies.

Details and Course Outlines are described below: Read the rest of this entry »

The 7th International Machinery Exhibition of Garment and Textile Technology (MEGATECH), Pakistan will begin on Tuesday, March 3, 2009, and is scheduled to remain open till Friday March 6. Federal minister for Pakistan textile industry, Rana Muhammad Farooq Saeed Khan will inaugurate the exhibition which will feature 450 companies from 28 countries.

Scheduled on March 4-5, ‘09 is the 2nd International Technical Textiles Conference in which textile specialists from United Kingdom, Turkey, India and Pakistan will participate.

Textile scientists and academicians from Textile Institute of Pakistan’s Textile Research and Innovation Centre are all set for their active participation in the event where they will present their latest research on the development of technical textiles in Pakistan.

This year, TIP will also display selected posters highlighting final year students’ research projects at the ‘Knowledge Village Pavilion’ along with textile universities from all over Pakistan.

Research in textile is a ridiculously funny idea! What can you possibly explore in a unit or so inch long simple cellulosic material?!

Generally speaking, yes, research is exciting, challenging and we all find ourselves discussing about that Hydron machinery that sought to replicate Big Bang. We all remember Dolly, the cloned sheep too well. Deep down, we wonder in awe about how anyone can so radically change our concepts about space-time being intertwined, and how the heck was modern logic discovered which gradually progressed into modern digital computing.

…but textile research? What can it possibly discover? Fine, we can have a fabric more finer, more stronger. We can do a tad bit of this and a tad bit of that to increase production, decrease energy consumption. But somehow these news only find space in a boring editorial of a rendezvous magazine. That’s it.

And well, there is some research in textile taking place in some western countries, and gradually it will trickle down to us. So what is the fuss about this textile research centre in Pakistan and that also right at the top of our heads?? Who cares? Seriously??!

The thing is that, though we do humbly accept that Read the rest of this entry »

It is reported that over 20 students from TIP, mainly from the departments of final year management, and sciences attended the two day workshop on modern merchandising and order management techniques at  ‘Institute of Business and Technology (BIZTEK)’ on Feb 21, 09 and Feb 22, 09, in response to the ad placed by SIMDA on Quack! Online a couple of weeks ago.

“It was beneficial, although we had studied most of the topics covered in our merchandising course with Mr.Shehzad Dadabhoy in detail. Still, it was a great refresher course with excellent examples and analyses on the local industry! “, said a student attendee from 4th year BBA Textile Management and Marketing. Similarly, other students also felt that the event was useful and very well priced.

SIMDA has been gracious enough to mail us photographs of the Read the rest of this entry »

As soon as the spring semester starts and the time for elections comes close, everyone at TIP starts becoming very excited especially the seniors, who can be seen everywhere trying to persuade their friends to vote for them.

Let’s make some difference this year. when we go around campaigning for the elections and cast our votes. I have had an idea for a while, and I would like to share it with all those who C.A.R.E about the enviornment. Whenever we participate in various activites, we waste a lot of time and resources such as the paper, boxes and various other materials on campaigning.

This year, let’s make a change by changing the way we elect our TISF leaders. Let’s avoid wastage and save resources. Lets go towards an online voting system where by we can elect our chosen canditdates at the campus easily without wasting, most importantly, time, by excluding the recounting process as well as reducing chances of errors. Secondly, we can save a lot of paper from being wasted. I would like you to share your comments and opinions regarding this idea so we can work towards making this idea a reality.