Laser and manual whisker with scrapping process analysis in terms of industrial engineering and sustainability for denim washing industries

Abstract

Whisker and scrapping is a well-known dry process in the denim washing industry. Whisker is the worn-out lines and impression patterns generated by natural wearing on hips and front thigh area. On the other hand, to create a distressed look hand scrapping is applied on the front thigh, upper back knee, upper pocket side, or overall area of a denim garment. Nowadays those are common dry processes for denim wash. Those are used to increase the fashionable look of a denim garment. Whisker and scraping are the first process of the denim dry process. There are many types of whisker and scrapping process for denim garments. In the manual version generally, it is done by pattern, chalk, and emery paper. Another popular and well-established way is laser burning. Both process is well qualified to meet consumer demand. The final outlook and outcome are also the same for both processes. But here the main issue is SMV, per-hour output, Manpower, and Sustainability. For manual processes, SMV is more and Per hour output is less as a result the production is less, and extra manpower is required. For manual scrapping PP spray process is required to increase the distress look. That's why this process is not sustainable for the application of potassium permanganate (PP Spray). For laser burning, the machine output is much higher for machine operation less manpower is required. And here the laser effect enhancing chemical is applied instead of PP spray which is a sustainable process. As a result, production must be higher for a washing plant by implementing a laser burning process instead of a manual process.