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The review of blind dyeing - the RFT technique

Article  in  International Journal of Scientific and Engineering Research · June 2014

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 International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, Volume 5, Issue 6, June-2014 813
ISSN 2229-5518

The Review of Blind Dyeing- the RFT Technique

●
Mohammad Gias uddin

Abstract— Blind dyeing is an exacting service in terms of quality and speedy delivery, supported by advanced coloration technology, with

a high level of expertise. The benefits of achieving right-first-time (RFT) production through blind dyeing are documented and include cost
savings, increase in productivity with just-in-time (JIT) processing and a quick response (QR) to customer requirements. These benefits
would not have been possible without the fulfillment of optimized laboratory requirements and would result in improved, controlled and
systematic dye application techniques. A complete change in philosophy and management attitudes is required to the dyeing techniques.
Similarity, many technical factors require tight control. In this paper, a review on blind dyeing as well as RFT technique, particularly blind
dyeing principle and its concept of success, laboratory requirements for bulk reproduction, main controlling points for blind dyeing, costing
and profit is being presented so that industry can get benefit to a considerable extent by adopting this concept.

Keywords: RFT, QR, ΔE, shading, automation, quality, cost, service, management.

——————————  ——————————
1 INTRODUCTION

T HE wet processing sector of the textile industry has

traditionally suffered from low levels of Right-First-
dyeing lends itself to fixed dyeing times, therefore
predetermined machine capacities allow production to be

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Time (RFT) production. Dye houses today need to accurately planned and quoted delivery schedules met.
recognize the increasing need to adopt a more scientific
approach. The pursuit of quality assurance systems and the 2 .2 Cost factor [1]
introduction of total quality management (TQM) can accept Profit margin can only be achieved in one of the following
no other concept than RFT. Blind dyeing has been viewed three ways:
as the unattainable goal for colorists in much the same way (a) Increasing the selling price,
as like the ‘zero defect’ concept. But the need for service (b) Decreasing the cost price, or
and quality, while keeping costs down, will only be (c) Both.
achieved in this way. Moreover, failure costs money. It is obvious that a
successful blind dyeing process has a cost advantage.
Customers are now better informed and aware of their
2. PRINCIPLE OF BLIND DYEING rights to get the best value for their money. This
The technique of blind dyeing not only means that no emphasizes the need to reduce costs and ensure timely
additions are made, but also requires that the shade should delivery besides reduce wastes and environmental
not even be checked until the process is complete. There pollution.
must be confidence in the way the process is set out and
controlled, so that an RFT result is the only possibility. The
motivation for introducing a blind dyeing operation is three
fold: service, cost and quality.
TABLE 1
2.1 The service factor [1] RELATIVE COST AND PROCESSING TIME OF
Meeting the customers’ requirements is the main thrust of CORRECTION
industry today. Fixed delivery dates, fast response, correct Stage Polyester Cotton
specification (shade, handle, finish, etc) are just some of Cost Time Cost Time
these requirements. These will only be achieved by a Shading 18% 50% 20% 22%
Re-dyeing 80% 135% 100% 200%
————————————————
• Assistant Professor, Department of Textile Engineering, Ahsanullah
So in the area of dyeing, RFT is the only answer to achieve
University of Science & technology, Bangladesh, the needs emphasized. Higher the success rate of RFT,
E-mail: [email protected] greater is the possibility of reducing costs.

2.3 The quality factor [1]

Quality is synonymous with consistency of product.
Variable dyeing times and conditions experienced in
carefully planned RFT operation. Due to re-processing the traditional dye/sample/addition methods introduce
cycle time is increased and thus there is a delay; there is a variation into the process and subsequently the end result.
production loss and also loss of capacity utilization. Blind
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In exhaust dyeing the surface appearance deteriorates with 3.2 The reasons for a RFT philosophy [3]
time. Shading additions are another variable that can have There are probably three areas that need examining if we
a detrimental effect on continuity. The quality also suffers are to justify the approach of a RFT objective within
by re-processing, as the characteristics of the substrate are business. These are:
invariably affected. Blind dyeing will minimize these (a) The market place- its expectations and requirements.
variables and lead to increased consistency of product. (b) The competition- not local, international.
(c) The ‘in-house’ benefits of doing this- opportunity and
3. “RIGHT-FIRST-TIME” PRODUCTION cost savings.

The rate of production of the required shade, at the 3.3 The requirements for achieving RFT dyeing [3]
required levels of fastness, dimensional stability and tensile The first quality production at the first time is achieved
strength to levels which would satisfy the highest retail through a combined program of four interdependent key
specifications of Western Europe and Japan, that is ingredients:
achieved without any further adjustment or re-working in (a) Employee involvement and participation
the process. Suppose, a drop in production efficiency of (b) Attention to detail across the business
only 10% would mean a “RFT” rate of 90% (extremely (c) Closer relationships with both customers and
creditable) ; but this would obviously mean 10% of the suppliers
production batches would need some form of repair or (d) Capital investment.
shading addition.
70% RFT is not uncommon in a modern dye house. An
improvement in RFT level from 70% to 90% would allow 4. CONCEPT OF SUCCESS IN BLIND DYEING
for an increased production capacity of 60%. PROCESS
The success in dyeing requires a scientific approach and
3.1 ‘‘QR’’ and ‘‘RFT’’ History [2] does not merely depend on skill. By monitoring,

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Quick response is an operational philosophy and a set of manipulating and controlling the various factors and
procedures aimed at maximizing the soft goods pipeline. variables that govern the dyeing process, it is possible to
This means from the fiber supplier over spinning, weaving produce reproducible results consistently both in
or knitting, dyeing, finishing, garments manufacturing to laboratory and in bulk. With the advent of plc
retail shops. Manufacturers produce only small quantities (programmable logic controllers), instrumentation,
of the various dyed goods, but have to be prepared for automatic dozing and dispensing systems, computer color
repeat orders in certain hues without delays that are matching etc., it is possible to precisely control all variables/
marked by bar codes previously at the time of selling. This factors successfully. Those seeking to adopt blind dyeing
condition necessitates dyes and dyeing processes that are must have this foremost on the agenda, for it is the key that
easily repeatable. Roger Milliken first introduced the QR will make or break a blind dyeing operation.
concept, which rapidly found a huge response. The concept Blind dyeing, which means, RFT dyeing will not yield high
of RFT dyeing is necessary for QR processing lines, but it is success rate unless the following variables [4] are controlled
very welcome also for conventional dyeing. The precisely:
development of instrumentation colorimetry in the 1990s in 1. Quality of water
both batch and continuous dyeing operations significantly 2. Substrate preparation
strengthened this concept. QR and RFT are recent 3. Dyeability of substrate / Selection of dyes
economical developments in dyeing technology. 4. Weight of substrate / Weighing of dyes and
chemicals
There are two stages of RFT concept in color management: 5. Concentration and dispensing methods of dyes
• Correlation of computer predicted recipe to the and chemicals
target shade in the lab. 6. Standardization of dyes
• Convert into reality or to get the exact shade at the 7. Moisture content of dyes and substrate at the time
first attempt right in time. of weighing
Again, where there is a close control over the color strength 8. Dye bath additives
of the dyestuffs and consistent substrate quality dyeability, 9. M: L ratio
it is often possible to operate so-called ‘blind dyeing’ in 10. Time/ Temperature/ Temperature ingredients/ pH
which the computed dye recipe in the lab is used profiles.
immediately for bulk dyeing. Where repeat dyeing of same 11. Machine characteristics
colors are required, it is usually possible to input the 12. Control of liquor flow/ Substrate circulation
reflectance data gained from bulk dyeing in order to refine 13. Behavior of dyes in combination
the database and thereby achieve a greater level of RFT 14. Accuracy of laboratory dyeing recipe
dyeing. 15. Accuracy of transfer to bulk-scale recipe

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5. LABORATORY TO BULK REPRODUCTION and yet give the desired results, like salt tolerance, pH
[5] tolerance, temperature range etc.
4. Highest accuracy of weighing and measuring for both in
The fundamental requirement in a laboratory is to ensure laboratory and in bulk.
that the reproducibility of shades within the laboratory is 5. Modern laboratory techniques, Computer Color
consistent. The general practice followed by a number of Matching System (CCMS), electronic balances and pipettes.
dye houses for translating laboratory to bulk is to start with 6. Substrate used for laboratory matching should be of the
a recipe - 10% to 15% lower and add one or more colors same source as in bulk.
after taking out a sample in the bulk to correct the shade. 7. After initial matching trials, the final shade for approval
With blind dyeing the laboratory dyeing need to be an should be carried out on a machine and system that can
exact representation of the standard to reduce the variation simulate the exact conditions in the bulk.
in bulk production. The uses of a sample dyeing machine
(have the same controls and process conditions as bulk) as
an intermediate stage reduce bulk failures due to poor- 7. MAIN CONTROLLING AREAS FOR BLIND
quality laboratory work. DYEING
The many problems for successful conversion of laboratory 7.1 Management of substrate - Yarn / Fabric
scale to bulk are caused by wrong recipe choice. Again, the
This is the most difficult area to control, as high degree of
limits of accuracy that must be imposed on the most
discipline is required to source the grey. Cotton being a
important variables to obtain reproducibility to a within a
natural fiber, its characteristics shall vary according to its
ΔE of 1 unit are shown in the Table 2.
geographical and morphological factors; also on the grade
TABLE 2
of cotton. Same kind of mix should be used for entire
LIMITS OF ACCURACY ON MOST IMPORTANT
production of a particular requirement. Here again,
VARIABLES [4]
management should have a good rapport with the supplier
Factors Variation units and prescribe specifications to which the supplies are

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to be made. Follow exactly the same procedure, taking
Moisture Content of dye 3.5%
samples from different parts of the rope in each tube of the
Moisture Content of Substrate 0.5% machine.

Weighment of substrate 0.5% 7.2 Management of dyes, chemicals and water

Under no circumstances, can the constituents of the recipe
Weighment of dyes and chemicals <0.5% be changed between the laboratory and the bulk. Even the
brands used in lab should not be altered. Those colors
Dye Standardization <2.5% which are specially engineered to have similar dyeing
pH of dye-bath 0.35 Units characteristics for substantivity, exhaustion, reactivity and
washing off properties should be used. Specially designed
dyeing systems are available to ensure high degree of
In other words farther the deviations, greater the variations reliability. Dyes play an important role in cost
in reproducibility. Ideally, total color difference, ΔE within competitiveness and absolute reproducibility of dyeing.
0.5 is necessary for more stringent matching. Dyes are the most expensive raw materials of dyeing.
Hence, it is important to maintain the main criteria behind
6. THE ROLE OF LABORATORY FOR dyestuff selection that should be-
SUCCESSFUL BLIND DYEING
(a) High quality of dye standardization i.e. negligible
The laboratory is the ‘technical service centre’ for bulk lot-to-lot strength variation in dyestuff supplies. This
processing. For blind dyeing operation to be successful, the nullifies the need for the check routine for each lot as well
laboratory has to meet the following requirements: as shade adjustments and ensures high level of
1. High degree of accuracy in laboratory matching. The reproducibility. The technique of standardization consists
laboratory needs to be equipped of establishing a standard against which assessment is
with automatic dispensing systems. There need to be made, assessment of the production batch prior to final
constant dialogue with the production department for the standardization and conversion of the batch to saleable
feed back on bulk reproduction to fine tune the techniques material. Dye standardization makes a major contribution
and systems. Process details are to be standardized for both to dye selection and the ability to achieve RFT dyeing. The
laboratory and bulk. storage conditions of dyes in use must be carefully
2. Compatible dyeing methods that can be reproduced in controlled as the effect of ambient conditions on moisture
bulk. content can have a significant effect on dye strength.
3. Choice of dyes that are compatible, give level dyeing and
are robust to process condition, that is, the dyes and (b) Choice of medium affinity bi-reactive dyestuffs- Bi-
chemicals should have flexibility and tolerance to accept reactive dyestuff gives a high degree of fixation
certain degree of variations in the processing parameters (approximately 80%) as against mono-reactive dyes

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(approximately 60%). This accompanied with the medium 7.5 Computer-integrated control
affinity of dyes ensures easy wash off thus, fewer washing The controls necessary not only involve the machine
baths. This has an impact on the water, time and energy running conditions, but also the availability of information
savings in cost effective production. Moreover, the dyes in relation to:
should have a proper combination of reactive groups in the • Raw material traceability
bi-reactive system to achieve ideal and homogeneous • Piece identification
application properties. • Batch information
• Process specifications
(c) Good compatibility of dyestuffs- the dyestuffs used • Management information
in trichromy should be compatible i.e. they should have • Recipe control
homogeneous affinity and reactivity. This is essential to
ensure reproducible results. 7.6 Administration
Besides the selection of dyestuffs, the following The production planning and control should monitor and
methods for Purity test of dyestuffs can be routinely carried maintain records of material movement in the process
out in the dye house to ensure the dye quality and thus house right from the grey receipt. They should be in close
reproducible dyeing: coordination with the various departments and supply
(I) Chemical methods information on source fabric/ yarn, batch size, process
(II) Colorimetric estimation and specifications, management information etc.
(III) Laboratory dyeing trials
Also, chemicals and auxiliaries should be tested for
8. ANALYSIS OF TRUE COST OF OF RFT,
consistent purity and strength. The physical parameters like
powder form or liquid form, concentrations etc. should be SHADING AND RE-DYEING BATCHES [6]
consistently maintained. The dyeing and finishing of a cellulose textile with reactive
dyes consists of preparation, colouration, washing off, after

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Textile wet processing sector is a major consumer of water treatment and finishing.
and energy. Water should be of consistent quality with only Let us consider the colouration stage (dyeing) only. Every
permissible hardness- preferably not more than 5 ppm both batch that meets requirements “Right First Time” would
for lab and bulk. The hard water with high TDS led to poor cost 100 units if blind dyed, or 03 units after shade
performance in processing with inferior quality end sampling.
product. Hard water does not yield clean dye solution and Let, the total cost that breakdown into the
also affect the performance of various chemicals and individual contributions for 1 batch of coloured cellulose
auxiliaries employed in processing. In fact this can be (dyed with reactive dyes) amounts to 100 units.
understood from the percentage of RFT of the product. In our country generally the total cost would be made up as
Again, ever increasing environmental issues and energy shown in Table 3 and Figure 1.
cost are forcing towards RFT approach because when we TABLE 3
achieve the target at first time, it reduces the total TYPICAL TOTAL COST OF A “BLIND DYED” BATCH
consumption of water and energy. Cost element Relative contribution
7.3 Automation [1] Dyes and Chemicals (D+C) 25%
Modern technology, particularly microprocessors have Labour (L) 20%
brought high level of controls to the dyeing process. The Energy (EN) 10%
process cycles, dozing, MPI- multi product injection Water + Effluent (W+E) 10%
systems, Time/ temperature profiles are programmable in Depreciation and
modern dye house and there is very little human Overheads (D+O)
intervention once the system is set up, thus ensuring 35%
Finance (Cost of money
reliability and consistency. Due to automation in and influence of inflation )
dispensing and dozing of dyes and chemicals at consistent
concentrations, the pH profiles are also possible to be
maintained.
D+C L EN W+E D+O RFT
7.4 Computer color matching system 25 20 10 10 35 100
The accuracy, predictability and speed of matching have
improved considerably by CCMS. With a rationalized
range of compatible dyes, the system is very effective. The Fig. 1. Cost of RFT batch of coloured cellulose (Blind dyed).
database should be updated for any changes in the
substrate or method of dyeing or dye quality etc. The extent Blind dyeing is the exception rather than the rule, and it is
of metamerism needs to be sorted out to avoid more usual to take samples (S), assess the shade against a
controversies later. shade standard. This of course costs time and money; and
let, shade sampling will provide a 3% contribution.

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International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, Volume 5, Issue 6, June-2014 817
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10. CONCLUSION
S RFT approach has become the need of the present day. The
RFT- blind dyeing is possible with the availability of
D+C L EN W+E D+O RFT modern technology. Also the success rate in this system
25 20 10 10 35 103 contributes vitally to the three important requirements for
3 survival in the global textile market in the changed
environment of free competition i.e. 1) quality with better
Fig. 2. Batch which passes after first sample. features, 2) competitive price and 3) just in time delivery.
A small shading addition provides a relative contribution To survive, we need to provide customer satisfaction and I
of 30 units; and a large shading addition 70 units. These believe that the implementation of blind dyeing through
units include additional dyes and chemicals charge, sound management will help bring about the success
additional utilities charge etc, required for shading. required for this purpose.

D+ D+ REFERENCES
L EN W+E S Add
C O Total 133 [1] Finnie, G.M. Blind dyeing- theory in practice. J.S.D.C., May/June
20 10 10 3 30
25 35 1991, Volume 107, p. 197-200.
[2] Colour Chemistry. Heinrich Zollinger, Third, Revised edition,
Fig. 3. Effect on cost of small shade add. New York, 1987 p. 380
[3] Farrington, D. W. Right-first-time- an approach to meeting the
demands of today’s customers, J.S.D.C., September 1989, Volume
D+ D+ 105, p. 301-303.
L EN W+E S Add
C O Total 173 [4] Park, J; Shore, J. Significance of dye research and development for
20 10 10 3 70
25 35 practical dyers, Coloration Technology, August 2007, Volume

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123, Number 4, p. 209-216.R. Nicole, "The Last Word on Decision
Fig. 4. Effect on cost of large shade add. Theory," J. Computer Vision, submitted for publication. (Pending
publication)
[5] Park, J; Shore, J. Significance of dye research and development for
D+ D+
L EN W+E S Add practical dyers, Coloration Technology, August 2007, Volume
C O
20 10 10 3 30 123, Number 4, p. 209-216.
25 35 Total [6] Gupta S. “India Told to Aim Higher”: International Dyer: Sept
206+ 2004, Part III- Improving Productivity in the Exhaust Dyeing of
D+ D+ Cellulosic Substrates.
L EN W+E S Add
C O
20 10 10 3 70
25 35

Fig. 5. Total cost of an unlevel dyeing (Strip & re-dye)

So any deviation of shade reproducibility from “Right First

Time” is obviously expensive. The risk of an unlevel
dyeing, and therefore cost of stripping and re-dyeing (206+
units) increases markedly with every shading addition.

9. MAJOR BENIFITS OF RFT-BLIND DYEING

[1]
• Cost saving
• Improved planning
• Enhanced quality
• Increased productivity
• Customer satisfaction
• Reduced effluent load
Subtle benefits include the development of a logical
problem-solving approach and also a move towards less
‘chaotic’ production.

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