Abstract
In this paper, a novel method for analyzing a woven fabric structure, particularly a multi-layered one, is proposed to obtain positional information regarding each yarn of a sample woven fabric using X-ray computed tomography (CT) images. It can reconstruct a positional relationship between the yarns. The positional information is defined as a sequence of points on the center line of each yarn of the sample in this study, since the sequence can be regarded as the representative position of the yarn and robust against measurement errors. The sequence is obtained by estimating the center of the yarn cross-section of the same yarn at each of the CT images in succession. The center of the yarn cross-section is estimated by correlating the CT image with a yarn cross-sectional model. The effectiveness of the proposed method is confirmed by experimentally applying the method to CT images of a twill fabric. Furthermore, the experimental results of applying the method to CT images of a double-layered woven fabric indicate that even if this method is applied to a multi-layered woven fabric, the correct location of each yarn of the fabric can be estimated.
