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Engineering Disciplines

Textile Engineering

Textile Engineering

Introduction -

Textile Engineering is that discipline of engineering which deals with the manufacturing of textiles e.g. cotton, Nylon, Polyester and silk etc. Textile Engineering is also known as textile technology. The textile engineers apply the engineering science and principles for the processing and production of textiles. They carry out a detailed research on the physical and chemical Principles which is then used for the analysis of conduct of Polymers (molecules consisting of a chain of smaller units). These polymers are used for the development of the textile fiber.

Textiles are manufactured after going through three stages –

Polymer Fiber into Yarn
Yarn into Fabric
Fabrics into Textile

Textiles are then woven into cloth or other useful things. While Silk is considered to be the fabric of the rich and famous, Nylon and Polyester are suited for formal occasion. But Cotton is the most important natural fiber because 50% of the fabric sold throughout the world is Cotton. And Cotton is also cool, durable, comfortable and very soft. Especially in summer, Cotton is the first choice of the people all round the world. Cotton sarees provide elegance to a lady’s personality in India.

Textiles Engineering is needed for myriad purposes other than the manufacturing of clothes. Textiles are used in the manufacturing of carpets and furnishing like bed sheets and bed covers, quilts, table cloth, curtains and towels etc. It is also used for flags handkerchiefs, rags and dusters, tents and nets etc. Kites, sails and parachutes also need the services of textile engineers to make textiles so that they can thrive in the wind.

Textiles have industrial uses as well. Also known as Technical Textiles, they are made of zinc oxide and nanowires to enable strong protection. Some of examples of Technical Textiles are Medical Textiles like gauze and bandage etc., Geo-textiles (special textile for protection while in doing construction work) and Agro-textiles (special textile for protection while working in crops). Technical Textiles are needed for the manufacturing of other protection clothing to protect from heat and radiation for the likes of anti-bomb and bullet proof vests etc.

Textile Engineering is therefore very important for the development and comfort of the society. Textile Engineers are concerned with the research and discovery of new technologies for production and improvisation of textiles. They find ways to improve textile fibers and also produce new textile fibers. The work of the textile engineers involves mechanical, chemical and industrial fields of engineering as well.

Textile Engineers need imaginative and creative skills to succeed in this discipline of engineering. Technical aptitude and analytical skills are also very necessary as is the attention to details. One must also enjoy working with colors and knowledge of fabrics would be a bonus. A Textile Engineer must also be comfortable while working in a team and have good communication skills.

Educational Requirement: -The basic qualification for becoming a Textile Engineer is B.E. or P.G. Diploma in Textile Engineering. The eligibility criteria for B.E. / B. Tech is 50% marks in Class 12th Board Examination in science stream with Physics, Chemistry and Maths. English is compulsory. If a person wishes for an advanced course, M.E in Textile Engineering, he must achieve high percentage of marks in Class 12th Board Examination along with the bachelor’s degree. The students can also opt for Diploma in Environmental Engineering.

Selection: - The admission to the mining engineering course is very competitive. A person has to pass the entrance test – JEE (Joint Entrance Examination) to attain admission to the IIT. For other reputed institutions you have to succeed in AIEEE (All India Engineering/ Pharmacy /Architecture Examination). There are state level and national level examinations also with some institutions opting for their own entrance examinations like BITS, WB-JEE. Selection is done on the basis of marks obtained in board examinations i.e. 10+2 and the marks obtained in Entrance Test.

Duration: - The B.E /B.Tech is a 4 year course and when the student has the bachelor’s degree in Textile Engineering in his hand, he can proceed further for an M.E./M.Tech course which is of 2 years. The Diploma course in Textile Engineering is of 3 years duration.

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Different Branches of Textile Engineering: -

There are varied branches of Textile Engineering and Textile engineers can attain specialization in any of these fields. This is a good way to become expert and have an edge over others.

1. Textile Chemical Technology – Textile Chemical Technology deals the origin, structure, preparation, washing, bleaching, Dyeing, Printing and dressing of textiles. The Engineers related with this field concentrate on the treatment of textiles during their origin. They are involved in removing any natural or synthetic impurities of textiles before it is processed.

2. Fiber Science Technology – This branch of Textile Engineering deals with research of fiber and polymers. The engineers related with this field concentrate on developing new fibers and devise new techniques to increase the productive capacity of textiles.

3. Technical Textiles – Technical textile Engineers are involved in the manufacturing of technical Textiles like Agro textiles which protect the farmers and Agricultural Engineers from the adverse effects of soil and pollution or Geo-textiles which protect the people during construction work and the other outfits made for the protection against heat and radiation.

4. Computer Application in Textiles - Computer Application in Textiles is that branch which deals with the application of Computer in various aspects of textile manufacturing like Spinning, weaving and garment manufacturing. The Engineers design and manufacture products with the help of computers. Computers also help in sales, marketing, accounting and economy in the textile industry.

Textile engineering

Career options for Textile Engineering:-

Textile Engineering is indeed a very popular career option. Textile Engineers are in great demand in both government as well as private sector. There are many textile companies who need Textile Engineers for different departments like production, planning, quality control, sales and marketing etc. There are two major textile sectors in India – the mechanized sector (the section of machinery) and the handloom sector (manual labor section). Both of these sectors are flourishing throughout India and have immense possibilities for employment. There are infinite textile mills in our country and one can expect to get a job in any of them. A Textile Engineer with a bachelor’s degree can work in any department of choice like dye and finishing, quality control, product development, polymer science and environmental control in the textile industry. Some other Textile Engineers can opt to serve the technical department and become a technician. Many institutions conduct several Management Trainee Programs which can lead to Plant or Corporate Management jobs. Textile Engineers can also enter other fields of textiles like Marketing Technical Sales, Customer Relations, Cost and Inventory Control, Industrial Engineering and Human Resources. Some Textile Engineers who are not interested in technical field may take up Research work and develop new fiber or even new techniques for treatments of fibers. They can even become teachers and serve in Institutions that have Textile Engineering as a subject. Some roles of the Textile Engineers are -

• Process Engineer
• Quality Control Supervisor
• Technical Services/Sales Manager
• Operations Trainee
• Process Improvement Engineer
• Medical Textiles Engineer.

Salary – Textile Engineers can expect a very good pay package. Fresh graduates can expect to start with a salary range from Rs12, 000/- to Rs.30, 000/- per month. The salary is bound to increase with skills, experience and performance. A Textile Engineer with 2 or 3 year experience can earn more than Rs.50, 000/- per month with additional benefits and perks. In USA also there is a great demand of Textile Engineers and they can begin with a salary of $50,236 per annum with a bachelor degree. Textile Engineer with an M.Tech degree gets around $59,880. A Textile Engineer with a doctorate degree takes home a Pay package of $68,299. In the government sector in USA a textile Engineer can earn up to $72,500 and in private sector one can earn up to $55,850.

Textile Engineering is a very challenging career. As a textile Engineer one can really dive in the wide arena of colors, designs and fabrics and enrich his life.

The Best Colleges for Textile Engineering in India are: -

1. TIT&S Bhiwani

2. IIT Delhi

3. VJTI, Mumbai

4. MLV Textile Institute, Bhilwara [AG1]

5. Government Central Textile Institute, Kanpur.

6. Government College of Engineering & Technology, Serampore

7. Zail Singh College of Engineering & Technology, Batinda

8. College of Textile Technology, Behrampur, Murshidabad

9. PSG College of Engineering, Coimbatore

10. LD College of Engineering, Ahmedabad

The Best Colleges in the USA for Textile Engineering are -