Soft Computing Applications in Fabrics and Clothing: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive review of soft computing applications in the domain of fabrics and clothing. In the last two decades, soft computing techniques, such as artificial neural network, fuzzy logic and genetic algorithm, have been used abundantly for fabrics and clothing modelling, manufacturing, quality control and marketing. This review is aimed at presenting a compendium of research work done so far on the applications of soft computing techniques in fabrics and clothing science and engineering. In the beginning of the paper, a brief introduction of soft computing techniques is provided. Then, the applications of soft computing methods in fabric property modelling (tensile, bending, shear, drape, handle, comfort, thickness and compression, air permeability, porosity, etc.) are provided. In the subsequent sections, soft computing applications for fabric defect identification in static and dynamic conditions, fabric classification, fabric engineering, machine control and marketing, are discussed. The scope of future applications is included in the concluding section.