As one of the world’s leading weaving machine manufacturers, Picanol has always had a very close relationship with the Chinese textile industry. This relationship is not a matter of chance or coincidental developments: on the contrary, it is the result of long-term, strategic planning by the Picanol management.
In this firm belief, Picanol sent its first pioneers to explore the possibilities in the Far East, already in the early 1950s. Picanol took part in one of the first international exhibitions held in Beijing. This was the period when Picanol salesmanagers, still based in Ieper, criss-crossed the Orient to promote its weaving machines at exhibitions and technical seminars.
The growing installed base of Picanol machines in China, as well as the increasing demand for a higher level of service & support resulted in the establishment of the Picanol Service Centre, which was set up in Shanghai in 1987. A network of local service engineers was also established to serve the other South-Asian countries.
The next step in the history of Picanol in China was the set-up of PST, Picanol Suzhou Textile Machinery Works, thus starting its career as a Chinese textile machinery manufacturer. This set-up took place in 1994 and we celebrate this year the 22 years existence of Picanol Suzhou Textile Machinery Works.
PST was Picanol’s first production line outside Belgium, and the technology and organisation were based entirely on the assembly concept employed at the company’s headquarters in Ieper. Today PST houses a complete production unit with 3 assembly lines for 3 product types (GT-Max, GTMax-i with rapier technology and the OMNIplus-X with airjet technology), a mechatronics division, a sales, service and spare parts organization. The majority of the Chinese management, engineers and technicians have been trained in Belgium.
Machines produced in PST aim at the top layer of the mid segment and are besides in China, also quite succesful in the new emerging textile regions outside China. The Belgium produced machines are built for the top segment.
Headquarters in Belgium
One of the big assets of this cross border entrepreneurship is the mixture of drawing upon the know-how & quality standards from the Picanol Group, combined with good understanding of its local customers.
With more than 200 engineers and strong R&D teams headquartered in Belgium, Picanol invests heavily in R&D activities every year. Picanol’s R&D aims not just at development and production of the most advanced weaving machines, but also achieving the most profitable weaving process in the world.
Picanol offers eight types of weaving machines: the OptiMax-i, TerryMax-i, GT-Max and GTMax-i with rapier technology, the OMNIplus Summum, TERRYplus Summum, OMNIplus 800 TC and the OMNIplus-X with airjet technology. Together, these machines cover the full spectrum of textiles including apparel, household and technical fabrics. The high degree of digitization of all these machines, together with their Sumo main drive, ensures a lower weaving cost, higher quality of the fabrics produced, greater flexibility and exceptional ease of operation in comparison with other weaving machines.
Our product portfolio at ITMA-CITME
– At the occasion of the ITMA-Asia + CITME fair (21-25 October, Shanghai) Picanol will present a wide variety of weaving machines, both airjet and rapier.
– The highlight will be the OptiMax-i , for the first time on display in the Asian continent.
– Two other rapiers on display: one GTMax-i 190 cm and one in wider width version of 340 cm.
– As for the airjet machines 2 OMNIplus Summum and one OMNIplus-X will be shown.
– In total 9 Picanol machines will be on display, of which six on its own booth (Hall H3, booth C20). One Picanol OMNIplus Summum with jacquard will be on display at the Bonas booth and one OptiMax-i on the Stäubli booth.
As a technological market leader, Picanol constantly invests in R&D to assure the highest performance of its weaving machines, both for new machines and for those already installed in the field. For each new product development launched on new machines, the Picanol aftermarket team investigates how the new feature can bring a solution or benefit to get the most out of the weaving machine. Also the after market upgrade possibilities will be presented on the Picanol booth.
Picanol weaving machines on display at ITMA Asia + CITME 2016
OMNIplus Summum 6-R 190 weaving a shirting fabric
This airjet is equipped with a high speed dobby. It combines performance, flexibility and energy effectiveness. Waste control and style changes are simplified thanks to the Blue22 EasySet prewinders.
Warp
Yarn count Ne 120/2
Material Cotton
Density 41,5 ends/cm
Weft
Yarn count Ne 120/2
Material Cotton
Density 36 picks/cm
Drawing-in width 179 cm
OMNIplus Summum 4-P 280 weaving a sheeting fabric
This machine brings the answer to the increasing demand to weave sheeting fabrics on a type 280 at the highest speeds thanks to the air tucking version for
Warp
Yarn count Ne 60/1
Material Cotton
Density 72 ends/cm
Weft
Yarn count Ne 40/1
Material Cotton
Density 42 picks/cm (double pick)
Drawing-in width 270 cm
OMNIplus-X 2-P 190 weaving a bottomweight fabric
The OMNIplus-X airjet machine, based on the Picanol airjet platform. Possible to weave a wide range of fabrics at an unbeaten price/performance ratio.
Warp
Yarn count Ne 32/1
Material Cotton
Density 57 ends/cm
Weft
Yarn count Ne 10/1
Density
Drawing in width 160 cm
OptiMax-i 4-R 190 weaving a fancy denim
Machine specified to show the top performance achievable with the new OptiMax-i.
Warp
Yarn count Ne 40/2
Material Cotton
Density 42 ends/cm
Weft
Yarn count Ne 33/1
Material Polyamide/Elastane
Yarn count Ne 20/1
Material Cotton/Elastane
Density 29 picks/cm
Drawing in width 179 cm
GTMax-i 8-R 340 weaving a deco fabric
The new generation of GTMax-i in wider width execution. Weaving a high versatility article.
Warp
Yarn count 76 dtex
Material Polyester
Density 28 ends/cm
Weft
Yarn count Various
Material Polyester, Viscose, Chenille
Density variable
Drawing in width 314 cm
GTMax-i 6-R 190 weaving a shirting denim
The narrow width GTMax-i in the new execution. Thanks to the technological evolutions this machine continuous to set the standard for denim as well as shirting fabrics.
Warp
Yarn count Ne 32/1
Material Cotton
Density 47 ends/cm
Weft
Yarn count Ne 32/1
Material Cotton
Density 31,5 picks/cm
Drawing in width 171 cm
Stäubli booth:
OptiMax-i 12 – J 190 weaving an upholstery fabric.
Warp
Yarn count dtex 167
Material Polyester
Density 66
Weft
Yarn count
Material Polyester, viscose, blends
Density 26 – 45 picks/
Drawing in width 146 cm
Bonas booth:
OMNIplus Summum 6-J 190 weaving a furnishing fabric
Warp
Yarn count denier 150
Material Polyester
Density 48 ends/cm
Weft
Yarn count Nm 20/1 & 27/1
Material mix viscose, polyester, polyamide
Density 34 picks/cm
Drawing in width 155,5 cm
Shanghai Tongxiang Booth
GTMax-i 12-J 190 weaving a shoe fabric
Warp
Yarn count denier 100
Material polyester filament DTY
Density 82 ends/cm
Weft
Yarn count denier 50
Material polyester filament DTY
Density 40 pics/cm
Drawing in width 174,5 cm
Innovation is a constant at Picanol. An R&D team of over 150 researchers are working day-in-day-out on performance, efficiency, user friendliness and versatility of the Picanol weaving machines, so that the weaving industry can get the most out of its energy, time, material, market and talent. This makes the Picanol machines the most innovative in the world.
Teaming up with Picanol is the best guarantee for weavers of being competitive and profitable – now and in the long term. See you at booth C20 in Hall H3!
