Award presentation: Fritz P. Mayer (CEMATEX), Mathias Zidda, Professor Dr Thomas Gries (ITA), Martin Kolloch (ITA), Markus Beckmann (ITA GmbH), from left to right. © ITA

Mathias Zidda, master graduate of Institut für Textiltechnik of RWTH Aachen University (ITA), won the ITMA Research & Innovation Excellence Award for his 3D braiding machine, which was rebuilt according to the Industry 4.0 standard. During his master thesis Development of a gear-driven 3D rotational braiding machine and its control concept, Mathias Zidda was supervised by ITA doctorate candidate Martin Kolloch.

Fritz P. Mayer, President of CEMATEX and the German Engineering Federation (VDMA), handed over the prize money of EUR 10,000 with certificate to the lucky winner at ITMA 2019 in Barcelona, Spain.

The 3D braiding machine consists of an existing conventional mechanical system. It has now been digitised and rebuilt according to Industry 4.0 standard. With the help of the digital control, for xample, 3D reinforced ceramic turbine components can be manufactured as prototypes and subsequently produced in series. Together with the company ark industrie, from Aachen, and 2C-Composites, from Heinsberg, the control system was completely redesigned so that the machine can be monitored and operated from anywhere.

“Every machine manufacturer is looking for ways to update its existing machinery before replacing it. We provide him with a good solution in the field of digitisation and Industry 4.0,” said Professor Dr Thomas Gries, Head of ITA.

At ITMA 2015, ITA doctoral candidate Jan Jordan had already won the R&I Excellence Award for his master thesis Development & assembly of a test bench for the analysis of magnetic weft insertion.

The ITMA Sustainable Innovation Award was created by CEMATEX to recognise the joint efforts of the global textiles industry to promote corporate sustainability through innovative solutions and outstanding industry-specific research.

The award comprises two categories: Industry Excellence Award for textile and apparel manufacturers, and Research & Innovation Excellence Award open to Master’s students.

www.ita.rwth-aachen.de