The Techtextil North America 2024 New Product Innovation Award has been claimed by emtec Electronic, based in Leipzig, Germany, for its TSA Tactile Sensation Analyzer.

Traditionally, assessing the haptic quality of textiles involves subjective hand testing, which is prone to variability, inaccuracies and different expectations. This often makes extensive testing and repeated sample shipments between stakeholders in different geographical locations necessary – notably between brands and apparel companies in the USA and Europe and producers in Asia.

The emtec TSA considerably speeds things up by providing objective, digital data on the intricate nuances of touch. In just two minutes, the device evaluates surface softness and smoothness, as well as stretch and recovery behaviour.

With its latest upgrades, the analyzer now also assesses thermohaptic and friction parameters, offering a comprehensive analysis of textile properties. Additionally, it features an enhanced measurement method for springback behaviour and an integrated camera for capturing detailed sample images.

A further highlight is the seamless integration of the digital TSA data in the cloud-based Virtual Haptic Library, a collaborative effort with Black Swan Textiles. This online database categorises the data, enabling authorised personnel worldwide to access it in real time for efficient quality assurance and control regardless of location.

 The TSA offers solutions that improve logistics, supply chain management and sustainability in textile production. By providing objective digital test data to assess haptic quality, it minimises the need for physical sample shipments and enhances production control, leading to a more efficient and eco-friendly textile chain.

“This innovation represents a significant step towards sustainable practices in our industry,” says Eric Haagen, head of global business development at emtec. “Our upgraded TSA transforms how manufacturers evaluate haptic qualities, boosting supply chain transparency and efficiency and supporting environmental goals by cutting down on rejects and reducing carbon emissions.”

The Techtextil North America 2024 New Technology Innovation Award winner was Microban, for a new a antimicrobial technology for filtration media called Akotech, about which more details will be published later.

Techtextil North America 2024 took place in Raleigh, North Carolina, from August 20-22.

www.emtec-electronic.de

www.techtextil-north-america.us.messefrankfurt.com