Machinery and equipment

Machinery for the production of multiaxial reinforcements

6 February 2019

Karl Mayer Technische Textilien GmbH of Obertshausen, Germany, is to highlight its machinery for the manufacture of reinforcements for composites at JEC World.

FREE CONTENT: Oerlikon Manmade Fibers joins Industry 4.0 alliance

25 January 2019

Oerlikon Manmade Fibers has become a member of Adaptive Manufacturing Open Solutions (ADAMOS), an alliance of machine construction, production and information technology (IT) companies established

FREE CONTENT: Oerlikon's latest technology for carpet yarns

11 January 2019

Oerlikon Manmade Fibers revealed its latest development for the manufacturers of bulked continuous filament (BCF) carpet yarns (the BCF S8) during the Domotex exhibition held in Hanover, G

Visions of an autonomous factory are rapidly becoming a reality

Gaining significant clues to the kinds of developments textile manufacturers can expect to see at next year’s ITMA, Adrian Wilson visited this year’s precursor event, ITMA Asia + CITME, and discovered enthusiasm among machine builders for a future based on automation and data exchange.

FREE CONTENT: Thread-colouring system attracts backing from Coats

5 December 2018

Industrial thread manufacturer Coats has invested in the developer of a continuous thread dyeing system, Twine Solutions.

From everyday to high-technology: the changing Chinese market

More than1600 textile machinery manufacturers will exhibit at the sixth combined ITMA Asia + CITME taking place on 15–19 October 2018 in Shanghai, China, covering 170 000 m² of exhibition space to showcase state-of-the-art machinery. James Bakewell selects his highlights from the show.

Itema to show latest rapier looms in China

25 September 2018

Itema of Colzate, Italy, is to show two new rapier machines at ITMA Asia + CITME 2018 in Shanghai, China, on 15–19 Octo

Picanol to launch rapier in Shanghai

24 September 2018

Picanol NV of Ieper, Belgium, will unveil its latest rapier loom (GTMax-i 3.0) at ITMA Asia + CITME 2018 in Shanghai,

Digital options in abundance during Texprocess Americas

The potential of integrated manufacturing and micro-factories was a dominant theme during the Techtextil North America and Texprocess Americas exhibitions. Adrian Wilson reveals what he found during the co-located events, held in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, on 22–24 May 2018.

Flat-knitting technology can make anatomically contoured seat covers in a single step

27 July 2018

Two German partners have developed a means to produce anatomically contoured polyester (PES) covers and trim components for automobile seats in a single process.

Andritz buys Italian converting machinery manufacturer

11 July 2018

Andritz AG of Graz, Austria, has bought a 70% stake in manufacturer of converting machines for the hygiene and food packaging industries Diatec Srl of Collecorvino, Italy.

Brückner opens expanded production facility

11 July 2018

A €40-million production facility for the manufacture of finishing machinery has been opened in Abtenham, Germany, by Brückner Textile Technologies GmbH & Co KG.

Wetlaid hydroentangled nonwovens for biodegradable wipes

14 June 2018

Albaad is using technology (WLS) from Trützschler Nonwovens and Voith to produce wetlaid and hydroentangled biodegradable wipes from cel

Thread-colouring unit to be launched at Avantex

12 June 2018

Coloreel of Jönköping, Sweden, is to launch its thread-colouring unit for industrial embroidery machines at the fashion and technology show Avantex in Paris, France, on 17–20 September 201

Digital printing technology moves into high-volume markets

Mass customization, direct-to-consumer sales models, drastically reduced delivery times and the strong influence of social media on buying decisions are all contributing to the continued rise of digital textile printing, according to Adrian Wilson.

Finishing machinery for electronic glass fabrics

23 April 2018

Demand from the printed circuit board (PCB) industry for glass fabrics is driving sales of Brückner Textile Technologies’ finishing lines, says the company of Leonberg, Germany.

Needlepunch line for geotextiles is a first in Italy

28 February 2018

Andritz is to supply a needlepunch line (neXline) for the manufacture of geotextiles to Manifattura Fontana.

Lectra helps Dual keep pace with automotive demand

21 February 2018

Lectra has become the sole supplier of high-ply cutting equipment and services for Dual’s seating and interiors business, and laser cutting equipment and services for the company’s airbag cushion b

Laser cutting module for polyester fabrics

12 February 2018

A laser-cutting module that cuts and seals the edges of polyester (PES) fabrics in a single step – something a standard rotary blade cannot do – has been launched by Zünd of Altstätten, Switzerland

Brückner's expanded production facility nears completion

7 February 2018

A new custom-designed facility covering 25 000 m² and equipped with state-of-the-art production equipment will shortly become the centre for the manufacture of finishing machinery made b

Karl Mayer to show carbon-reinforced glass fabrics

25 January 2018

The manufacture of glass fibre fabrics with defined carbon fibre reinforcements will be one area of focus on Karl Mayer’s stand at JEC World in Paris, France, on 6–8 March.

Collaboration, diversity and innovation help define Rando Machine

John McCurry spoke to the two principals behind the specialist airlaid machinery builder Rando Machine Corp to learn about the company’s philosophy towards supplying the evolving needs of its customers around the world.

Karl Mayer to focus on digitization

21 December 2017

Karl Mayer of Obertshausen, Germany, has set-up a company to develop digital technologies for the machinery builder.

Pegas to install Reifenhäuser’s latest nonwovens line

14 December 2017

Reifenhäuser Reicofil GmbH & Co KG is to supply Pegas Nonwovens with a semi-commercial RF5 production line for its plant in Znojmo-Přímětice, Czech Republic.

Nanoval celebrates first sale of novel spunlaid line

29 November 2017

Nanoval of Berlin, Germany, has sold the first production plant for spunlaid nonwovens based on its unique process for spinning continuous filaments.

The key role for three-dimensional weaving in advanced composites

The establishment of Dornier Composite Systems and the Dornier CS Technology Center reflect the growth in opportunities Lindauer Dornier and others see for advanced weaving technology in the composites market, reports Adrian Wilson.

Composites 4.0: complex three-dimensional textile reinforcements

The commercialization of automated tape laying (ATL) and automated fibre placement (AFP) processes is growing rapidly, and these technologies are eclipsing what can be achieved with conventional three-dimensional (3D) weaving or multiaxial knitting, says Adrian Wilson.

Stäubli—developing the link between weaving and robotics

Stäubli is best known for its weaving machinery, but sophisticated mechatronic technologies are at the heart of many of the Swiss company's latest developments, reports Adrian Wilson.

Textile technologies key to making the most of a precious resource

By 2021, the composites industry could be generating 32 kt of carbon fibre waste a year, and re-using this material is both an environmental and an economic necessity. When UK-based carbon fibre recycler ELG Carbon Fibre (ELG-CF) opened the doors to its factory in Coseley in June 2017, James Bakewell went along to find out how textile technologies are being used to make this happen.

Lohmann invests in infra-red heater for laminating adhesive tapes

5 July 2017

Lohmann Technologies UK has installed a specialist infra-red (IR)-based heating system for the manufacture of adhesive tapes at its factory in Milton Keynes.

Metyx invests in Karl Mayer warp knitting lines

30 June 2017

Metyx Group is reporting that it has concluded a multi-machinery deal with its long-time partner Karl Mayer Technische Textilien GmbH for the supply of warp-knitting production lines.

No mission is impossible according to machine builder Picanol

Picanol’s Global Market Manager Technical Textiles Filips Lombaert explains the loom builder’s philosophy towards this sector, already an important part of its sales and one its latest campaign aims to develop, in an exclusive interview with Editor Nick Butler held during Techtextil.

Low production costs with eight-shuttle circular loom

19 May 2017

A circular loom (FX 8.0) for the production of heavy-duty tape fabrics has been unveiled by Starlinger of Vienna, Austria.

Needlepunch investment for technical fabrics

9 May 2017

Technische Textilien Lörrach (TTL) of Lörrach, Germany, has invested in a complete needlepunch line including opening and blending equipment, a card, a crosslapper, drafting and needling machinery,

Machinery builders still covet manufacturers of technical textiles

The growth in the development of specialist machinery and equipment targeted specifically at the manufacture of technical textiles is never better illustrated than in the importance that all of the major builders devote to Techtextil. Editor Nick Butler presents his selection of the highlights to be found during the exhibition’s next edition, taking place in Frankfurt, Germany, on 9–12 May 2017.

Reifenhäuser reinvents industry standard line for nonwovens

10 April 2017

A production line for spunbond, meltblown and composite nonwovens has been unveiled by Reifenhäuser Reicofil of Troisdorf, Germany.

Electrostatic charging unit for meltblown nonwovens

6 April 2017

Oerlikon Neumag is launching a unit for electrostatically charging meltblown nonwovens at Index 17 (4–7 April) in Geneva, Switzerland.

Lectra expands its range of airbag cutters

5 April 2017

Lectra has added a smaller model (FocusQuantum FT3K) to its range of laser cutters for multi-ply fabrics intended for use in airbags.

Melt-spun multifilament yarns for high-performance textiles

15 March 2017

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts in Lowell, USA, have taken delivery of a melt-spinning system capable of extruding high-performance multifilament yarns.

Textiles and nonwovens—drivers of the digital print revolution

A sea-change is taking place, writes Adrian Wilson, reporting from Heimtextil 2017 in Frankfurt. Polyester, cellulosics and glass-based substrates can all provide advantages in the digital printing revolution.

Reifenhäuser sells off division for monofilaments, strapping tapes and artificial grass

3 February 2017

Troisdorf, Germany-based Reifenhäuser has sold its two divisions specializing in machinery for manufacturing monofilaments, strapping tapes and artificial grass to Dietze + Schell Maschinenfabrik o

Knitted smart fabrics

25 November 2016

A German manufacturer of knitting machinery has collaborated with researchers in the UK to create a balaclava that warms the air being inhaled through it to reduce the risk of athletes, such as run

Touchscreen control panel for testing equipment

25 October 2016

A manufacturer of textile testing equipment has added a touchscreen-based control panel to its portfolio.

Growing Chinese market prompts investment in airbag cutter

19 October 2016

Dual of Seoul, South Korea, has invested in a laser airbag cutter (FocusQuantum) for use in its multi-ply airbag manufacturing plant in Jiangyi

ITMA Asia + CITME 2016 preview: fibres, yarns and filaments

Innovations abound throughout the fibre processing chain and increasingly developments are targeting technical textiles, writes Nick Butler.

ITMA Asia + CITME 2016 preview: dyeing and finishing

Nick Butler selects the highlights from those exhibiting finishing machinery at ITMA Asia + CITME 2016.

ITMA Asia + CITME 2016 preview: technical fabrics

Increasingly Asian manufacturers are turning to technical textiles and, while the principal focus of many attending ITMA Asia remains the traditional sectors of the industry, Nick Butler has still found plenty to interest those operating in performance markets.

Printing unit for in-line branding of nonwoven sanitary napkins

15 October 2016

Danish flexographic technology provider Tresu Group has developed a multicolour flexographic printing unit for applying patterns to nonwoven disposable sanitary napkins.

ITMA Asia + CITME 2016 preview: performance nonwovens

More and more, nonwoven manufacturers are looking to make fabrics for technical applications and machinery builders are responding by developing equipment to meet their specific needs. Nick Butler reviews those about to be exhibited in Shanghai.

ITMA Asia + CITME 2016 preview: digital printing and inks

ITMA Asia + CITME 2016 will be held in Shanghai, China, on 21–25 October 2016 and Nick Butler shares his highlights of the exhibits relevant to manufacturers of technical textiles. He starts with technology for digital printing where the rapid pace of development will be evident as visitors discover just how much has changed in the scant few months since the last ITMA was held in November 2015 in Milan.

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1 May 2024

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