Broken needle control in exported garments usually comes from buyer technical specifications and destination-market product safety requirements rather than a single mandatory standard. Many European and US brands specify in order attachments that each finished garment pass through a needle detector, with defined detection sensitivity, record retention and re-inspection procedures. Companies should confirm the buyer's written terms before setting inspection steps and acceptance criteria.
For detection methods, conveyor-type needle detectors suit piece-by-piece inspection of finished garments and knitwear, identifying residual broken needles, sewing needles and some metal fragments. Garments with zippers and buttons require separating accessory signals from foreign-object signals, with handheld detectors used for locating and verification. Metal detectors are often used for incoming fabric and trims, while X-ray systems suit complex products with many metal accessories.
When selecting equipment, define the product categories, minimum detectable foreign-object size and throughput first, then choose the equipment type and tunnel size. Use test pieces for start-up checks and keep records, establish isolation, re-inspection and release procedures for rejected items, and retain data as required by buyers. Sensitivity is affected by vibration, electromagnetic interference and conveyor condition, so maintenance and operator training are part of the control system.