Uster Technologies introduced its pioneering solution suite Uster 360Q at ITMA 2023. It brings together instruments, data-enabled software, and Uster textile expertise – empowering mills to lift quality and profitability to the next level.
Uster 360Q smoothly combines three key elements: cutting-edge instruments, integrated software with data analytics, and unrivaled textile expertise from Uster’s acknowledged specialists. With this combination, textile mills can completely embrace the philosophy of ‘managing a mill with quality in mind’. Uster Technologies has a game-changing role, built on its unique market position, in which 360Q creates a visionary universe for its customers.
Supreme discipline in cotton spinning
Cotton is the most widely-used natural fiber in textiles – and the most challenging when it comes to raw material management. A primary challenge is the variability in cotton qualities. Spinning mills have a delicate task to maintain optimal stock levels without compromising quality or profitability. The raw material mix is crucial, as laydowns affect process performance and waste levels at different stages, as well as quality and consistency. It’s also true that mill personnel may not always have the expertise needed to manage these factors.
Uster 360Q supports spinners to make sustainable decisions for raw material management, driven by solid and reliable data. Combining Uster HVI 1000 with powerful software, analysis of fiber data is the first step. Uster textile experts then bring the capabilities of equipment, data and software tools into the specific mill context. This achieves maximum and long-term quality consistency, reduces mixing costs and optimizes yield and waste levels. Minimized losses from claims are the logical result.
Uster FiberQ Lot and Uster FiberQ Bale
FiberQ Lot and FiberQ Bale are the software elements of 360Q for raw material utilization. They support spinners’ daily processes, resulting in better quality consistency, profitability and further growth.
To suit the diverse needs of spinning mills, two different FiberQ value modules are offered: Uster FiberQ Lot and Uster FiberQ Bale. The Uster FiberQ Lot management value module is suitable for mills which take representative samples of incoming cotton, rather than testing 100% of all bales, particularly when cotton parameter variation is low within one lot.
The Uster FiberQ Bale laydown module caters for mills conducting 100% testing of bales – or which have test results for every bale provided by cotton classing organizations. It is ideal for machine-picked cotton with higher parameter variations.
FiberQ Lot and FiberQ Bale achieve maximum quality consistency by processing high volumes of data, taking in all key quality parameters. It is totally automated, with built-in application intelligence to provide laydowns to suit each mill. With the potential to connect to further process steps in the future, FiberQ is the ideal starting point for the digital journey to mill optimization.
The Uster 360Q Platform is the enabler for the comprehensive data processing. It is a cloud platform which simplifies device and software complexity by providing a central access point for all Uster solutions and digital services, with reliability and top-notch security. Uster’s new architecture enables global connectivity and greater analytical power. Spinners are set for the future, using secure, fast and reliable access to Uster cloud services that is easy to use. For example, it is now feasible to see an overview of multiple plants from one central point, in any location.
Textile expertise for impact
Any system, however intelligent, always needs the ‘human factor’ to give the best outcome. For spinning mills, regular collaboration with Uster textile experts allows them to maximize optimization potential. Textile Expertise is the third element of Uster 360Q.
With Uster Academy, 360Q introduces another source of knowledge. The Uster Academy is a comprehensive e-learning platform with course programs from global textile experts, including tailored training for diverse learning needs and impactful decision-making. Participants can stay up-to-date through flexibly-paced online courses, leading to a valued Uster certificate on completion.
Join 360Q
It’s important to note that Uster 360Q aims to take in the full extent of data-driven decisions for optimized quality and profitability in the textile industry. That includes machinery and component manufacturers, as well as mills. ‘360 degrees’ stands for an ecosystem that is open to anybody interested in creating strong and viable customer value.
Uster Technologies is ideally positioned, as a neutral company focused on quality management, to commit and maintain partnerships with a wide vision. Technical possibilities to connect data can be leveraged by a growing network of partners, offering immense potential for mills in the textile industry.
