"Textile experts unanimously believe growth will be driven by technical textiles with its widespread applications. Technical textiles used in the highly-specialised aerospace industry are now being tried for consumer applications. To bring this to the world, Messe Frankfurt is partnering with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the German Aerospace Center (GAC) to showcase highly-specialised textiles under its ‘Living in Space’ theme. And as Olaf Schmidt, VP– textiles and textile technologies, Messe Frankfurt, says, technical textiles will aid in future development of space travel and human habitation of nearby planets. Messe Frankfurt is the organizer of the twin Techtextil/Texprocess 2017 fairs in Frankfurt."
Textile experts unanimously believe growth will be driven by technical textiles with its widespread applications. Technical textiles used in the highly-specialised aerospace industry are now being tried for consumer applications. To bring this to the world, Messe Frankfurt is partnering with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the German Aerospace Center (GAC) to showcase highly-specialised textiles under its ‘Living in Space’ theme. And as Olaf Schmidt, VP– textiles and textile technologies, Messe Frankfurt, says, technical textiles will aid in future development of space travel and human habitation of nearby planets. Messe Frankfurt is the organizer of the twin Techtextil/Texprocess 2017 fairs in Frankfurt.
Digitalization is key
It’s the right time to harness the potential of digitalization in textile manufacturing. Michael Jaenecke, Messe Frankfurt, Director of brand management technical textiles and textile processing, points out digitalization has become a buzzword in the apparel industry, with new tools allowing data to flow seamlessly from digital design and development all the way through the supply chain to help garment manufacturers cut costs, improve quality, increase productivity, speed time to market, reduce waste and stay competitive.
Christian Kaiser, a researcher/scientist at the Denkendorf-based German Institute of Textile and Fibre Research, believes digital small factory is the emerging model concept for SMEs. Micro factories typically are about 300 to 400 sq. mt. in size. The micro factory deploys ‘smart machines,’ which perform cutting, sewing, welding, etc. Adidas used these machines for sports shirts. Calling it ‘smart designing’, Kaiser says the machines designed as per our R&D enable savings can cost from €300,000 to €400,000, this being the smallest version of the micro factory. These machines are already available in North America. The Chinese, Swiss, Japanese and Germans are making such machines.
Growing popularity of organic
Big companies like Trevira, Perlon, Polisiik, PHP Fibers, China’s Glory Tang Group, etc, have been producing improved versions of thermoplastic polymers derived from lactic acid. Germany's Institute of Textile Technology at RWTH Aachen University has developed bio-based PLA-fibre blends whose mechanical properties result in lower shrinkage and greater tensile strength compared to the regular PLA. Flame and heat-resistant fibers are also finding space with small companies foraying in this market. Pyrotex Fibers, a small German company, has a patented Pyrotex-engineered acrylic-fiber.
Gerber technology
Visitors at the show were attracted towards Gerber Technology. Peter Morrissey, Senior VP (global sales and services) at Gerber Technology, says the YuniquePLM System enables the customers to easily install and automatically update features through the Adobe Add-Ons Marketplace. As a result, the designers can devote their time to designing new garment pieces. Gerber has also developed the latest Design Suite Plugin, which enhances the efficiency of the operations. Gerber’s Innovative Apparel Show at the Texprocess fair showcased designs created by fashion and design school students of design and fashion schools.
Stäubli’s innovative streak
Swiss company Stäubli offered machinery dedicated to production of technical textiles. Fritz Legler, a senior executive with the company informed weavers who count on Stäubli’s high-performance machinery benefit from features like high reliability and flexibility will be able to take the lead on the market of technical textiles with innovative and creative products for countless applications. The company displayed technical fabrics including spacers and multilayers with variable thickness that have been produced in conjunction with Stäubli products, such as TF weaving systems, dobbies, Jacquard machines, warp drawing-in, or tying equipment.
Stäubli’s Magma T12 warp tying machine has been developed for technical yarn ties monofilaments, coarse multi-filaments, PP ribbons, bast fibres, coarse staple fibres, and many other fibre types. It has been developed for universal application ranging from coarse technical yarns to medium yarn-count range. Its rigid design includes an optical double-end detection system.
The UNIVAL 100 single-end control Jacquard machine offers more benefits for sophisticated technical textiles, such as automotive and aeronautic textiles, technical textiles in the sports, industrial, medical sectors and new fabric constructions, even with glass fibre, carbon and Kevlar. Its new TF weaving system is designed to offer virtually unlimited weaving possibilities, whether for flat, spacer or complex multi-layer fabrics and 3D fabrics.
