Design and practicability evaluation: a novel platform for fabric steam ironing

Purpose – Smooth appearance of fabrics after ironing with steam, soleplate, ironing speed and their interactions cannot be studied using household ironing machines such as hang steamer and flatiron. The purpose of this paper is to present the design and verification of a simple, low-cost test platform based on the fabric materials hang-ironing factors includes temperature, humidity, ironing speed (time). Design/methodology/approach – This platform achieves adjustable and stable steam flow rate, enabling any ironing speed and any temperature of soleplate below 200°C. Moreover, the whole ironing process is automatically after experiment level set ahead for better observation to the ironing process. Findings – Regression results of the apparatus are stable, statistical significant which is verified by the statistics under design of experiment. Originality/value – It is useful in other aspects such as nozzle test and improvement, new products evaluation and smooth appearance level experiment and test for new ...