Page 49 - February-March 2021
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 Fabrics of the future  their durability, strength and stability, meeting the

            requirements of individual athletes across many
 Swiss weaving machinery   sports, as well as leisurewear. Stäubli is well known
            as a leading global specialist in weaving preparation,
 manufacturers are in the   shedding systems and high-speed textile machinery.

            Its jacquard machines offer great flexibility across a
 forefront of novel   wide range of formats, weaving all types of technical
            textiles, lightweight reinforcement fabrics – and
 application development  shoes.


            It’s possible to weave new materials such as
            ceramics, mix fibers such as aramid, carbon and
            other, and produce innovative multi-layers with
            variable thicknesses. Such applications put special
            demands on weaving machines which are fulfilled by
            Stäubli high-performance TF weaving systems.      Multilayer Aramid (© 2021, Stäubli)
                                                              assurance system significantly improves first-quality
            Great weaving results are impossible without perfect   yield for all applications. Protecting fabric makers
            warp tension, now available thanks to the         from costly claims and damaged reputations,
            world-leading electronic warp feeding systems of   automated fabric inspection also removes the need
            Crealet. Some market segments in weaving industry   for slow, costly and unreliable manual inspection,
            today demand warp let-off systems which meet      freeing operators to focus on higher-skilled jobs.
            individual customer requirements. For example, the
            company has recognized expertise to understand    Smart and collaborative robotics (cobots) offer many
            that geotextile products often need special       automation possibilities in weaving rooms. Stäubli’s
            treatment, as provided by its intelligent warp tension   future oriented robotics division is a driver in this
            control system. Individual and connective solutions   segment with first effective installations in warp and
            are designed to allow external support via remote   creel preparation.
            link. Crealet’s warp let-off systems are widely used in
            both ribbon and broadloom weaving, for technical   Control and productivity
            textiles applied on single or multiple warp beams   Willy Grob’s specialized solutions for woven fabric
            and creels.                                       winding focus on reliable control of tension, keeping
                                                              it constant from the start of the process right through
            Functional, sustainable, automated                to the full cloth roll. Continuous digital control is
 Textile Calculator (© 2021, Jakob Müller)  Trends in the field of woven narrow fabrics are clearly   especially important for sensitive fabrics, while
            focused on functionality and sustainability. The Jakob   performance and productivity are also critical
 Shoes and electronic calculators are probably not   every point in the process – from tightening the first   Müller Group has already embraced these principles –   advantages. In this regard, the company’s
 the first products people would associate with the   thread in the warp to winding the last inch for fabric   for example using natural fibers for 100% recyclable   large-scale batching units can provide ten times the
 textile weaving process. But they certainly signpost   delivery. They also share a common advantage, with   labels with a soft-feel selvedge. It also focuses as much   winding capacity of a regular winder integrated in the
 the future for woven fabrics, as two examples of the   a leading position in the traditional weaving industry   as possible on the processing of recycled, synthetic   weaving machine.
 ever-wider possibilities of latest technology in the   as well as the expertise to foster new and exciting   materials. Both PET bottles and polyester waste from
 field. Fashion and function already combine in the   applications.  production are recycled and processed into elastic   The customized concept by Grob as well as design
 increasing popularity of woven fabrics for shoes, and   and rigid tapes for the apparel industry.  and implementation result in great flexibility and
 this is a present and future trend. Calculators in   Technology and research cooperation  functionality of the fabric winding equipment – yet
 fabrics? That’s another story of ingenious   The concept of a ‘textile calculator’ was developed   For efficient fabric production environments, it is now   another example of Swiss ingenuity in textile
 development, using so-called ‘meander fields’ on the   by Jakob Müller Group, in cooperation with the textile   recognized that automated quality solutions are   machinery.
 back and keys printed on the front of the material.  research institute Thuringen-Vogtland. Müller’s   essential. Quality standards are increasing
 patented MDW® multi-directional weaving   everywhere and zero-defect levels are mandatory for   There is even more innovation to come in weaving –
 These glimpses of the outlook for modern weavers   technology is able to create the meander fields   sensitive applications such as airbags and protective   and in other segments – from members of the Swiss
 are among the highlights of developments now   which allow calculator functions to be accessed at a   apparel.  Textile Machinery Association in future! This confident
 being pioneered by Swiss textile machinery   touch. A novel and useful facility, which suggests   assertion is founded on an impressive statistic: the
 companies. All weaving markets require innovation,   limitless expansion.  Uster’s latest generation of on-loom monitoring and   4077 years of experience behind the creative power
 as well as speed, efficiency, quality and   inspection systems offers real operational   of the association’s member firms. It’s proof positive
 sustainability. Member firms of the Swiss Textile   Today, the latest woven shoes are appreciated for   improvements for weavers. The fabric quality   that their developments grow out of profound
 Machinery Association respond to these needs at   their precise and comfortable fit. They score through   monitoring prevents waste, while the quality   knowledge and continuous research.

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