In the development and manufacture of military fabrics, it is important to ensure that the fabrics meet the stringent requirements they are subjected to. The new Shimadzu spectrophotometer purchased for Foxa's laboratory brings significant benefits to the quality assurance process and speeds up the production chain.
Foxa Oy is known as a manufacturer of high-quality technical textiles and materials developed for demanding professional use, such as military fabrics.
- The colour tones of the military fabrics' terrain patterns are carefully defined to blend in well with the surrounding terrain, says Lauri Sipilä, Foxa's project sales manager.
A spectrophotometer can be used to ensure that the fabric reflects near-infrared (NIR) radiation in the desired way. This means that clothing and equipment made from the fabric will not stand out from the environment, for example when viewed with a night vision device.
- Product development of fabrics and equipment is also in constant competition with technological progress. As the various types of night vision equipment evolve, so too must the need for more effective protection.
The investment will speed up and streamline processes, as measurements can be carried out in-house without waiting times in external laboratories. This ensures that each fabric blade supplied meets the standards set for NIR properties.
One important part of quality control
Foxa's fabrics are subjected to numerous tests, including strength, wash resistance, breathability and water repellency.
- Military fabrics undergo around 20 different tests, of which hue measurement and NIR reflectance are just one," explains Lauri Sipilä.
Quality assurance is carried out twice. The first test is carried out on shipping samples before the factory is authorised to ship and the second test is carried out when the fabrics arrive at Foxa's warehouse.
Foxa's textile laboratory in Forssa is one of the most modern in the Nordic countries. The laboratory's versatile machines can test almost all technical requirements for workwear fabrics and knitwear.
- Having our own laboratory is convenient, and also a necessity in our operations," says Sipilä.
The spectrophotometer purchased for Foxa Oy's laboratory is co-financed by the European Union.