Abstract
In this research, we have developed a fusing condition optimization process to maximize bonding strength between a fusible interlining and a fabric using Taguchi method (also called 'robust design', 'quality engineering', etc.). The four target fusing parameters including types of fusible interlining, fusing temperature, fusing pressure, and fusing time are selected to optimize the quality of fused composites. The Taguchi processes 1) calculate the SN (signal-to-noise) ratios of repeated experimental observations, 2) find the corresponding influential fusing conditions for a given fabric, 3) determine the optimum values of the fusing conditions, 4) calculate the prediction interval of maximum bonding strength of the fused composite with optimum fusing conditions, 5) certify the applying Taguchi processes, and finally, 6) compare the expected losses between before and after improving bonding strength of the fused composite. The new process has been applied to three different fabrics using the specified experimental design with an optimum orthogonal array table. Conclusively, we can easily determine the optimum fusible interlining and fusing process conditions with simple experiments.
