Ring yarn quality prediction using hybrid artificial neural network

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to predict a global quality index of a ring spun yarn whose count Ne is ranging between 7.8 (76.92 tex) and 22.2 (27 tex). To fulfill this goal, a hybrid model based on artificial neural network (ANN) and fuzzy logic has been established. Fiber properties, yarn count and twist level are used as inputs to train the hybrid model and the output would be a quality index which includes the major physical properties of ring spun yarn. Design/methodology/approach – The hybrid model has been developed by means of the application of two soft computing approaches. These techniques are ANN which allows the authors to predict four important yarn properties, namely: tenacity, breaking elongation, unevenness and hairiness and fuzzy expert system which investigates spinner experience to give each combination of the four yarn properties an index ranging from 0 to 1. The prediction of the model accuracy was estimated using statistical performance criteria. These criteria are correlation coefficient, root mean square error, mean absolute error and mean relative percent error. Findings – The obtained results show that the constructed hybrid model is able to predict yarn quality from the chosen input variables with a reasonable degree of accuracy. Originality/value – Until now, there is no sufficiently information to evaluate and predict the global yarn quality from raw materials characteristics and process parameters. Therefore, this present paper’s aim is to investigate spinner experience and their understanding about both the impact of various parameters on yarn properties and the relationship between these properties and the global yarn quality to predict a quality index.