"Texture" has long been referred to as the material texture and tactile sensation - what people feel when they touch an object.
The "Criteria of quality evaluation" is based on the subtle differences which artisans and experts with long experience can distinguish, is only subjective from hand touch sensation.
It is difficult for people without experience to determine this.
Hand movements such as "stroke", "stretch", "bend", "finger push" are used when people distinguish texture. KES testers can reproduce those movements and sensitivity, and generate measurement data.
Using this data, human subjective evaluation can be converted into an objective evaluation which can be shared by everyone.
This is the technology of Texture Measurement.
Our technology makes it possible to pursue comfort and to make the artisans expertises available to everyone.
Based on the basic design and research of Dr. Sueo Kawabata of the Faculty of Engineering at Kyoto University, and the applied R&D of Dr. Masako Niwa of Nara Women's University, the KES System of texture measurement was introduced in 1970 as a system capable of converting subjective evaluation to objective data.
"KES" stands for "KAWABATA EVALUATION SYSTEM", and is generally called "KES".
Over the past two decades, "KES" has been widely utilized in the textile, cosmetics, food, paper and automobile industries, etc.
"KES" has also been used worldwide for texture evaluation.
"KES" was originally developed for textile measurement, however it has now been utilized in various industries as this technology has wider applications.
"Food texture", "Ease of carrying a container", "Cosmetic application comfort", "Interior surface comfort" and
"Coating smooth texture".
The technology of texture measurement is used in various industries from the environment to human welfare.
With a focus on people, its applications will advance to other areas in future,
