Machine Vision System for Characterizing Horizontal Wicking and Drying Using an Infrared Camera

Moisture transport properties of fabrics are of key interest within the textile industry. This paper introduces a new method to measure horizontal wicking and drying properties of a fabric using a thermal imaging machine vision system. By tracking the area of the wet region of a fabric specimen over time, five new features are measured that characterize key periods of the wicking and drying process. Experimental results show significant differences in these measurements for fabrics that have been treated with a proprietary formula known to improve wicking properties of fabrics. Furthermore, analysis shows that the repeatability of this new method shows marked improvement over current industry standards.