Fusing Technology in Garments Industry
What is fusing:
Fusing or otherwise known as interfacing gives support and stabilizes areas of a panel ready to be attached to a garment. Interfacing is also used for reinforcing and preventing fabric from stretching. Interfacing works by applying heat which melts the glue and in turn bonds the fusing to the fabric.
Fusing Process in Garments:
Fusing process is one kinds of alternative method of fabric joining which is vastly used to attach the interlining. At present, apparel manufacturing cannot be imagined without fusing process. Resin coating of interlining melted by heating into the fabric under pressure and when it becomes cool and hard; both fabric and interlining are attached strongly.
Types of fusing in garments:
- Reverse fusing
- Sandwich fusing
- Double fusing
Reverse fusing:
In this process, the fabric of interlining is spread on the fusing bed and the part consists of resin is directed upward. Then the fabric of garments is spread on the resonated part of fabric and fusing is done there. This is called reverse fusing. In this process, the area of interlining is comparatively small than the fabric of apparel, as a result, proper spreading is difficult here.
Sandwich fusing:
Generally, fusing is done by a continuous fusing machine where the heat is applied from both sides of the fabric. In this process, two pairs of fabrics are fused i.e. the two interlinings are placed between or in the middle of two fabrics of apparel. If the heat and pressure are not applied properly then four layers may be joined due to the effect of striking back during fusing. By using this process, the production can be increased but needs more time. It may have unsatisfactory infused garments.
Double fusing:
In this process, two types of interlining are joined with the garment fabrics in a step during fusing. There is needed to control the temperature during fusing and it must be able to set the interlinings parts and garment parts properly. This type of fusing is generally done in collar and the front part of jacket.
Importance of fusing in Garments Industry:
In the clothing industry, fusing is a traditional method for joining two pieces of fabric. It can be used to attach foams, knitted spacers, or non woven to leather in the furniture and automobile industries.
It facilitates faster manufacture, which lowers direct labour costs and results in superior looks and feels that were not conceivable with sew-in laminates.
Fusible interlinings are typically used to save manufacturing time, which lowers direct labour costs.
When compared to sewing in interlinings, many fusing operators have lower skill requirements, which results in shorter training periods.
The lamination procedure makes it simpler to obtain consistent quality than many interlining stitching operations. Fusible interlinings open up possibilities for various garment fabrication techniques.
Defects of fusing process:
Striking back:
When resin of interlining is passed through the lower part of interlining during fusing due to uncontrolled heat & pressure is called striking back.
Striking through:
When resin of interlining is passed through the upper part of interlining due to uncontrolled heat & pressure, then the defect is called striking through.
Conclusion:
Nowadays, it is impossible to envisage clothing manufacture without fusing. Therefore, it could be assumed that fusing is now an important technology. The attachment of interlinings is the most significant aspect of garment manufacture where a different method has considerably replaced sewing. When interlinings are sewed in, it might be challenging to prevent the interlining from wrinkling inside collars and other sections.
