Textile fabric drape tester

Fabric Drape Tester

  Fabric Drape Tester is a lab device used to measure the drape ability of fabric—how it hangs under its own weight. It assesses how fabric conforms in folds or waves, which affects garment appearance and comfort.   Purpose of Fabric Drape Tester: To evaluate the aesthetic and functional behavior of a fabric when suspended, especially important in apparel and home textiles.   Working Principle: A circular fabric specimen is placed over a smaller disc. The unsupported edges drape downward. A light source casts a shadow of the draped shape onto a recording surface or scanner. The area of the shadow is measured to calculate the drape coefficient.   Main Components of Fabric Drape Tester: - Rotating Support Disc: Holds the fabric. - Light Source: Projects the drape shadow. - Paper or Digital Scanner: Captures the drape outline. - Template: For cutting fabric to standard test size. - Software or Plan meter: Calculates the drape coefficient.   Applications of Fabric Drape Tester: - Fashion and apparel design - Fabric development - Quality control in woven, knitted, or nonwoven fabrics   Benefits of Fabric Drape Tester:

1. Quantifies Fabric Flow - Measures drape behavior accurately, crucial for garments and furnishings.
2. Supports Design Decisions - Helps designers select fabrics that match the intended look and movement of a product.
3. Improves Garment Fit and Comfort - Ensures fabrics behave naturally on the body, enhancing wear ability.

 

4. Enhances Product Aesthetics - Prevents stiff or limp fabric choices in fashion, interior, or technical textiles.
5. Standardized Evaluation - Enables comparison across fabrics using drape coefficient, based on standards (e.g., BS 5058).
6. Supports R&D - Useful in developing new fabrics or finishes to improve drape quality.

 

7. Non-Destructive Testing - Tests fabric without damaging it, allowing for further analysis.
8. Boosts Quality Control - Identifies batch inconsistencies or performance issues early in production.

  Features of Fabric Drape Tester:

1. Rotating Support Disc - Holds the fabric sample over a smaller disc to create natural drape.
2. Standard Sample Size Support - Designed for circular fabric samples, usually 30 cm in diameter.
3. Light Projection System - Projects the draped fabric’s shadow onto a screen or recording surface.

 

4. Drape Coefficient Calculation - Measures the shadow area to compute the drape coefficient (percentage of unsupported area covered by the shadow).
5. Digital or Manual Options - Available in models with digital image processing or manual plan meter tracing.
6. Stable Base and Structure - Ensures consistent and vibration-free testing conditions.

 

7. Sample Templates Provided - For cutting precise, standard-sized fabric specimens.
8. User-Friendly Interface - Simple controls for rotation and light alignment.
9. Compact and Lab-Ready Design - Fits easily on lab benches and in testing environments.
10. Compliance with Testing Standards - Supports BS 5058 and other relevant drape measurement methods.

  How to Use Fabric Drape Tester:

1. Prepare the Fabric Sample - Cut a circular fabric sample, typically 30 cm in diameter, using the provided template.
2. Place the Fabric - Center the fabric sample over the smaller support disc (usually 18 cm diameter) on the tester.
3. Turn on the Light Source - Illuminate the fabric from above so it casts a shadow onto the recording surface or paper below.

 

4. Capture the Shadow Outline - Trace the shadow manually on paper or capture it digitally, depending on the model.
5. Measure the Shadow Area - Use a plan meter (manual) or software (digital) to determine the shadow’s area.
6. Calculate Drape Coefficient (DC) - Use the formula:

DC (%) = (Shadow Area - Support Disc Area) / (Full Fabric Area - Support Disc Area) × 100  

7. Record the Result - Log the drape coefficient to evaluate how stiff or flexible the fabric is.
8. Repeat for Accuracy - Test multiple samples and average the results for consistency.

    fabric drape tester Scope of application It is used for testing dynamic and static drape properties (drape coefficient, shape change rate, surface ripple and drape uniformity, etc.) of various fabrics. Related standards GB/T23329 FZ/01045 BS5058 etc. Instrument characteristics 1. CCD imaging, dynamic and static image processing. 2. A variety of charts and data statistics, analysis, storage, output 3. No need to replace background color, can test all kinds of color samples. 4. Work mode:Microcomputer control, CCD imaging, automatic processing of images and data automatically. Technical parameters 1. Communication interface: RS232, USB 2. Image sensor: CCD sensor. 3. Static (dynamic) state draping coefficient: 0 ~ 100% + 2 4. Drapability uniformity: 0 ~ 100% + 2 5. The rate of morphological change is 0 to 100% + 2. 6. Surface waviness error: + 1