A Guide of Shrinkage Test Washing Machine : Make Shrinkage Test Easier

 

In this article, we will share with you the complete guide to Shrinkage Test Washing Machine.

Why Shrinkage Testing is Very Important in the Textile Industry？

Product quality control: Shrinkage rate is one of the most important indicators for assessing the quality of textiles. By testing the possible dimensional changes of textiles during the washing process, it can be assessed whether this textile product complies with the design requirements and standard specifications, thus ensuring the quality of the products.

Consumer satisfaction: Consumers usually expect the textiles they buy to retain their original size and shape after washing. If the product has a large shrinkage rate, it will lead to bad effects and consumer dissatisfaction, then reduce brand reputation and customer loyalty.

Cost control: For textile manufacturers, larger shrinkage rates can lead to increased product returns, higher production costs, and higher repair costs. Therefore, by controlling shrinkage rates, production and maintenance costs can be effectively reduced.

Regulatory compliance: Some countries and regions may have legal limits or standards for textile shrinkage. Manufacturers need to ensure that their products comply with the relevant regulations to avoid possible legal liabilities and fines.

 

Product development and improvement: Through textile shrinkage testing, manufacturers can master the performance of their products under different washing conditions and provide data support for product development and improvement, thus continuously enhancing product competitiveness.

To summarize, shrinkage testing is an indispensable part of the textile industry for ensuring product quality, enhancing consumer satisfaction, controlling costs, complying with regulations as well as product development and improvement.

 

What is a Shrinkage Test Washing Machine?

A Shrinkage Test Washer, or Washing Machine for Shrinkage Testing is a device designed specifically to wash the textiles based on certain test standards or requirements. Then the test men can measure the dimensional changes in textiles after the washing process. This type of shrinkage test washing machine mimics the workings of a domestic washing machine, but it has more precise controls to ensure accurate and repeatable testing.

This Shrinkage Test Washing Machine is usually characterized by the following features:

Precise Control: Parameters such as temperature, water volume, wash time and rotation speed can be precisely controlled during the washing process to simulate the effect of different washing conditions.

Adjustable washing program: The washing program of this Shrinkage Test Washer can be adjusted according to the needs of the test standards, such as different washing temperatures, times, and rotation speeds.

Automated control system: Equipped with an automated control system to ensure stability and control of the washing process and minimize the impact of human error.

Customized size and capacity: Designed with the right size and capacity for textile shrinkage testing to accommodate different sizes and types of textile samples.

Data logging and reporting capabilities: Parameters and results from the washing process can be recorded and test reports generated for further analysis and evaluation.

What are the categories of washing machines for shrinkage testing?

In the textile laboratory, the fabric shrinkage test is usually conducted according to the needs of  European standards, American standards, or Japanese standards as well as other country standards, or the internal quality control standard of the enterprise. Some test standards such as GB/T8629, and JIS1930, are the same as the European standard ISO6330, and the American Standards, which are commonly known as AATCC 88B, AATCC 124, and so on.

According to the different standards, there are mainly three kinds of washing machines for shrinkage tests.

Machine Type A: European standard & GB standard, the drum washing machine with front open;

Machine Type B: the United States standard, the turbo washing machine with upper open;

Machine Type C: the Japanese standard, the agitator washing machine with upper open.

	Machine Type A	Machine Type B	Machine Type C
Features of Shrinkage Test Washer	Horizontal Drum Front Open	Vertical Turbo Upper Open	Vertical Mixing Upper Open
Net Capacity	61L or 65L	90.6L	50L
Heating System	5.4KW Constant temperature control	/	/
Wash Water Level	100mm or 130 mm	297±25 mm or 398.5 ±17.8 mm	40L
Wash Load	Specimen (including other washings) should be 2.0±0.1 kg
	Note: When the specimen is a complete garment, and it exceeds 2.1Kg, the total mass should be reported.   When testing dimensional stability, the weight of the specimen should not exceed half of the total wash load.   When the specimen is a complete garment, if the ratio of the specimen to the other wash materials exceeds 1/1, report the actual ratio.

 

What are the Differences between European Standard Shrinkage Test Washing Machines and American Standard Shrinkage Test Washing Machines?

 

Standards Compliance: European standard washing machines for shrinkage testing are usually designed to comply with the relevant European Committee for Standardization (CEN) or International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards, whereas U.S. standard shrinkage washing machines may be designed to comply with American National Standards (ANSI) or American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards.

Test Methods: There are some differences between European and U.S. shrinkage test methods. While they may be both under similar principles, the specific test procedures, parameter settings and interpretation of results will differ.

European standard shrinkage test washing machines usually meet the following standards: ISO 5077/6330, M&S P1, P1A, P3A, P12, P91, P99, P99A, P134, BS EN 25077/26330, NEXT TM7/7A/7B, TM12, GB/T 8629, IWSTM 31, IEC 456.

The American standard washing machines for shrinkage tests meet the following standards: AATCC 88B, AATCC 88C, AATCC 124, AATCC 130, AATCC 135, AATCC 142, AATCC 143, AATCC 150, AATCC 159, AATCC 172, AATCC 179, AATCC 188 and so on.

 

Design Standards: For example, European standards may be more environmentally friendly and energy efficient, with smaller models that conserve water, while U.S. standards may be more user-friendly and easy to operate, with greater energy consumption.

Market Needs: Consumers in Europe and the U.S. may have different preferences and needs, so test equipment for both may be adapted to meet market needs. For example, U.S. consumers may be more concerned with the appearance and ease of operation of washing machines, while European consumers may be more concerned with the performance and environmental friendliness of washing machines.

 Detailed Introduction of the Usage of Washing Machines for Shrinkage Tests in European Standards

Take the Automatic Shrinkage Test Washer TF176 as an example.

Automatic Shrinkage Washer TF176 is a new-generation textile and household washing test equipment. Its exterior is fully stain-steel structured and its shell is separated from the washing case to reduce running resonance. Its computerized control program and mechanical structure fully comply with the latest test methods and standards in GB/T8629:2012 Textiles-Domestic washing and drying procedures for textile testing ISO 6330:2021 Textiles – Household Washing and Drying Programs for Test. Also, by the function of manual programming, it can formulate the washing programs according to the other test standards or special test methods.

This shrinkage test wash machine has been configured with 13 sets of “automatic washing programs”, which comply with the standards. Moreover, the machine enables users to program their washing programs and you can manually edit the programs according to your needs. Therefore, it has a wide range of applications and it is convenient to use.

Especially, this shrinkage test washer applies to textile enterprises, quality supervision agencies, commodity inspection agencies, and research institutions for taking shrinkage and relaxation tests of textiles, which are made of cotton, animal furs, silk, lien, and chemical fibers.

Main Technical Parameters of Shrinkage Test Washing Machine  TF176

1. Category: Type-A washing machine – front gate feeding, horizontal drum -type
2. Inner cylinder diameter: (52± 0.1) cm
3. Inner cylinder depth: (31.5 ± 0.1) cm
4. Inner/outer cylinder spacing: (1.7±0.1)cm
5. Quantity of lift films: 3 pieces (at an interval of 120°)
6. Height of lift films: (5.3±0.1)cm
7. Rotational motion: (normal) clockwise (12±0.1)s, stop (3 ± 0.1)s

Counterclockwise (12±0.1)s, stop (3±0.1)s

(mild) clockwise (8±0.1)s, Stop (7±0.1)s

Counterclockwise (8±0.1)s, stop (7±0.1)s

(gentle) clockwise (3±0.1)s, Stop (12±0.1)s

Counterclockwise (3±0.1)s, stop (12±0.1)s

Rotation speed: 52r/min when washing

(500±20)r/min at dehydration or (800±20)r/min at dehydration

9. Injection time: inject to a height of 13cm, with time being consumed by less than 2 min
10. Drainage time: emptied from a height of 13cm, with time being consumed by less than 1 min
11. Heating power: (5.4 ± 2%) kW
12. Rated loading capacity: 5 kg
13. Water level control:  10cm 、 13cm
14. Power supply: Ac220V  50Hz7kW
15. External dimensions: (750×750×1230) mm (L×W×H)
16. Weight: 190kg

Structure and Principle of Shrinkage Test Washing Machine TF176

The shrinkage test washing machine mainly consists of three parts: the main engine, electrical control unit, and operating panel.

1. The inner cylinder and the outer cylinder of the main engine are made of high-quality stainless steel and the shell of the main engine, too. So it is smooth and clean in surface, anti-corrosive in function, and elegant in shape.
2. The washing cylinder and the cabinet adopt high-performance shock absorb-reconnecting with them so that the washing cylinder can keep the cabinet stable during rolling and intensive vibration and prevent the whole machine from shaking.  Therefore during the use of the machine, the machine does not need to be fixed with foundation bolts, and it can be relocated and used anywhere.
3. The machine adopts a liquid crystal display to show operating programs and the operation style of the menu mode setting, so it is user-friendly for control.
4. The shrinkage washer has a built-in standard “automatic washing process” (seen as annex chart), a shrinkage manual-editing washing program (maximum capacity: 9 manual-editing programs), and a single manual control process, greatly expanding the scope of use.
5. The shrinkage test washing machine adopts upper drain mode through a pump, which broadens the drainage pipeline so it can be placed in many workspaces ( or be installed more conveniently.)

 

 

 

Installation and Adjustment of Shrinkage Test Washing Machine TF176

1. For the new shrinkage test washing machine which has been just transported (See Chart 1 for Automatic Shrinkage WasherTF176), before using it, screw off the screws of the back cover and the upper cover, then dismount the back cover and the upper cover.
2. Use a suitable wrench to remove the upper and lower fixing bolts, and remove the upper and lower transportation reinforcement rods.
3. Install the rear cover plate in reverse order.
4. Installation of inlet pipe: The instrument adopts a quick installation inlet pipe, which is equipped with a filter gasket. The filter screen should be cleaned regularly to avoid affecting the inlet flow rate.
5. Hanging drainage pipe: This instrument uses a drainage pump for drainage, which is an upper drainage structure. When using, the drainage pipe must be hung up, and the height of the pipe mouth should be 0.6-1m from the bottom of the instrument.
6. The shrinkage testing wash machine should be placed on a solid and flat foundation, and the level should be placed in the middle of the cover plate on the testing machine. Rotate the four feet under the frame and adjust the level with a cross. After each foot solidly contacts the ground, lock the foot tightly.
7. When the installation of the shrinkage test machine is completed, the grounding wire should be installed on the cover plate screw, and the lead wire should be connected to the grounding device to ensure safe use.
8. There is a power cord on the back of the testing machine. Connect the other end of the power cord to the knife switch with AC220V ± 10%, 50Hz, 25A or above, preferably without using a socket connection, otherwise poor contact will not guarantee the normal operation of the instrument.

The Function Introduction to the Touch Panel of Shrinkage Test Washing Machine TF176

A Power Interface    

“AUTO”, “MANUAL”, “PARM”, “SETTING”: Click to switch the interface.

HMI: 20221203, MCU: 20221203: Touch screen and microcontroller version number.

 

Automatic Testing

“AUTO”, “MANUAL”, “PARM”, “SETTING”: Click to switch the interface.

“Auto/Edit”:  the parameters being tested automatically or customized.

“Step”: Test step prompts.

“GB/T8629”: The standard number for this test.

“Lock icon”: The green unlock icon indicates the status of the door lock being opened; The red locking icon indicates the door lock is closed.

“40.0℃”: Set water temperature parameters.

“38.0℃”: Real-time water temperature display.

“10cm”: Set water level parameters.

“13cm”: Real-time display of water level.

“60min”: Set testing time parameters.

“50min 10s”: Real-time testing time display.

“cycle1——>10”: The current cycle number and the number of times it needs to be cycled.

“Test”: Click to start or stop the test.

 

Manual Testing

“AUTO”, “MANUAL”, “PARM”, “SETTING”: Click to switch the interface.

“Lock icon”: The green unlock icon indicates the status of the door lock opening; The red locking icon indicates the door lock is closed.

“40.0℃”: Set water temperature parameters.

“38.0℃”: Real-time water temperature display.

“10cm”: Set water level parameters.

“13cm”: Real-time display of water level.

“60min”: Set testing time parameters.

“50min 10s”: Real-time testing time display.

“Normal”, “Mild”, and “Gentle”: Click to select the washing method.

“Inflow”: Click to start or end water ingress.

“Heat”: Click to start or end heating.

“Drain”: Click to start or end drainage.

“Spin”: Click to start or end dehydration.

“Stop”: Click to end all actions.

Parameter Settings

Automatic parameters

“AUTO”, “MANUAL”, “PARM”, “SETTING”: Click to switch the interface.

“Auto”, “Edit”, “Manual”: Click to select the parameters that need to be set.

Standard number options such as “GB/T8629-2001”: Click to select the standard number to be tested.

“Spin speed”: Click to set the Spin rate.

Options such as “1A” and “2A”: Click to select the washing program to be tested.

“OK”: Determine the parameters and start washing.

 Custom Parameters

“AUTO”, “MANUAL”, “PARM”, “SETTING”: Click to switch the interface.

“Auto”、”Edit”、”Manual”： Click to select the parameters that need to be set.

” Number”: Click to select a custom parameter number.

“Cycles”: Click to set the number of cycles.

“Wash pram, rinse pram”: Click to select whether to set washing parameters or rinsing parameters.

“Rinse mode, Rinse level” and other parameters: Set corresponding parameters as needed.

 

 Manual Parameters

“AUTO”, “MANUAL”, “PARM”, “SETTING”: Click to switch the interface.

“Auto”、”Edit”、”Manual”： Click to select the parameters that need to be set.

Parameters such as washing water level and wash temperature: Set corresponding parameters as needed.

 

 

System Settings

 

“AUTO”, “MANUAL”, “PARM”, “SETTING”: Click to switch the interface.

HMI: 20221203, MCU: 20221203: Touch screen and microcontroller version number.

“Factory settings”: Click to enter the factory settings interface.

Note: This setting includes sensor calibration, instrument debugging, data initialization, etc. It has been set at the factory and should not be operated. If necessary, please contact after-sales service.

“Language “: Click to switch languages.

 

Testing process

Setting Test Parameters

Set the required test parameters according to “4 Parameter Settings “.

Placing samples

Place the test sample and add powder.

Automatic/Edit Testing

Automatic testing interface, click test, the instrument will automatically test, and after the test is completed, the instrument will sound an alarm prompt.

Manual Testing

Click the button as needed.

 

Attention

When setting parameters for this machine, the certain content has a certain limitation range, so if it is beyond the range, the setting is invalid:

When setting the water level, users can only input (10 or 13) cm, or it is invalid.

When setting the water temperature, the setting can only be within the normal working temperature of 99℃, or it is invalid.

When setting washing time, flushing time, cooling time, etc., the setting time can be within the range of 0 to 99 min.

The 13 standard-compliant “automatic washing program” is the conventional automatic washing process in GB/T8629:2012 Textiles-Domestic washing and drying procedures for textile testing

ISO 6330:2021, Textiles — Household Washing and Dying Test Programs for Test (see the addendum). For safety use, the machine must be grounded reliably.

To ensure that the shrinkage test washing machine can run normally, the machine must be installed on solid ground, and the 4 feet must be adjusted well to full contact with the ground to avoid inclining or it will cause shake while dehydrating.

Before using, ensure to discharge the transportation fixing board or the machine does not run.

The inlet pipe must be fixed to prevent water from intruding into the electrical parts as it may cause electricity leakage to damage the components.

The textile fabric fibers in the filter are required to be frequently removed to ensure that the drainage pipe is unimpeded.

When the machine is in use or there is water in the cylinder, remember not to open the front round glass door to avoid water leakage and scald.

The front door must be closed before the machine is started. If the front door is not well closed, it is invalid to press the start key and the machine can not work.

When the machine is in use, if mechanical or electrical failures occur, cut off the power in a timely and send for a specialist to repair it or send it to its manufacturer for repair.

 

Attachments:  Washing standards according to ISO 6330-2021

Program	Stirring during heating, washing, and flushing	Wash				Rinse 1		Rinse 2			Rinse 3			Rinse 4
		Temp. a） ℃	Level b).c) mm	Washing time d) min	Cooling f)	Level bc) mm	Washing time d).g) min	Level bc) mm	Washing time d).g) min	Dehydration time d) min	Level bc) mm	Washing time d).g) min	Dehydration time 5) min	Level bc) mm	Washing time d).g) min	Dehydration time d) min
9Nh)	Normal	92±3	100	15	Required i）	130	3	130	3	—	130	2	—	130	2	5
7Nh)	Normal	70±3	100	15	Required i）	130	3	130	3	—	130	2	—	130	2	5
6Nh)	Normal	60±3	100	15	Not required	130	3	130	3	—	130	2	—	130	2	5
6Mh)	Mild	60±3	100	15	Not required	130	3	130	2	—	130	2	2j）	—	—	—
5N	Normal	50±3	100	15	Not required	130	3	130	3	—	130	2	—	130	2	5
5M	Mild	50±3	100	15	Not required	130	3	130	2	—	130	2	2j）	—	—	—
4N	Normal	40±3	100	15	Not required	130	3	130	3	—	130	2	—	130	2	5
4M	Mild	40±3	100	15	Not required	130	3	130	2	—	130	2	2j）	—	—	—
4G	Gentle e）	40±3	130	3	Not required	130	3	130	3	1	130	2	6	—	—	—
3N	Normal	30±3	100	15	Not required	130	3	130	3	—	130	2	—	130	2	5
3M	Mild	30±3	100	15	Not required	130	3	130	2	—	130	2	2j）	—	—	—
3G	Gentle e）	30±3	130	3	Not required	130	3	130	3	—	130	2	2j）	—	—	—
4H	Hand washing imitation e）	40±3	130	1	Not required	130	2	130	2	2	—	—	—	—	—	—
N  Normal Washing: clockwise rotate(12±0.1)s, suspend(3±0.1)s, counterclockwise rotate(12±0.1)s, suspend(3±0.1)s; M  Mild Washing: clockwise rotate(8±0.1)s, suspend(7±0.1)s, counterclockwise rotate(8±0.1)s, suspend(7±0.1)s; G  Gentle Washing: clockwise rotate(3±0.1)s, suspend(12±0.1)s, counterclockwise rotate(3±0.1)s, suspend(12±0.1)s; H  Hand Washing imitation: gentle method  clockwise rotate(3±0.1)s, suspend(12±0.1)s, counterclockwise rotate(3±0.1)s, suspend(12±0.1)s; a  The washer starts timing as it reaches the set washing temperature. b  The machine rotates 1min, suspended 30s, and measures liquid level from the bottom of the cylinder c  View table B2 for the volume of model a1 machine d  Time tolerance is 20s e  No stir as the temperature is less than the set temperature by 5℃, it requires to stir from 5℃ less than the set temperature to the exact set one. f  Cool down: fill cold water to 130mm liquid level, stir 2min g  Rinsing time starts timing when it arrives at the specified liquid level. h  Heat to 40℃ and maintain the temperature for 15min, then continue to heat to washing temperature i  Only for security labs j Short-time dehydration or drip dry

 

For more information on this shrinkage test washing machine or other textile testing methods/standards, textile testing machines, contact us:
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