Swiss Textile Machinery members set standards in demanding fabric sectors and Techtextil, the international exhibition for technical textiles and nonwovens taking place from June 21-24 in Frankfurt, represents the ideal platform for these companies to demonstrate their commitment to the highest quality standards.

Luwa

In the production of nonwovens, for example, obtaining the best results begins with establishing the right conditions in the mill, which is the specialist field of Luwa air engineering.

Key considerations include establishing the ideal humidity for the optimal processing and pneumatic conveyance of fibres and ensuring the mill environment is free of bacterial contamination, especially when manufacturing for the hygiene sector.

Luwa has developed a sustainable humidification system – a hygienic, non-steam-based solution with high energy-efficiency – and also offers unique filters for the removal of airborne fibres and additives such as superabsorbent powders.

Autefa

Sustainable manufacturing is also a key goal for Autefa Solutions, with a focus on manufacturing systems which preserve both energy and raw materials. Spunlace processes can require relatively high energy usage, but Autefa’s unique combination of a hydroentanglement machine and drum dryer can reduce energy consumption by up to 30%.

Customers can also modernise existing production lines with the latest hydroentanglement technology. Product quality in needlepunching lines can be monitored and improved by a sophisticated control system resulting in an excellent uniformity in the fabric by managing weight distribution through accurate settings at the crosslapper and the card feed.

Graf

High web quality is also the business of Rieter subsidiary Graf. Its metallic card clothing helps manufacturers consistently produce impeccable webs and thanks to its precise fibre transfer, 20% fewer failures are produced. Graf’s superior performance increases throughput by up to 10% and results in greater carding efficiency compared to conventional clothing. This applies to both short and long staple fibres bonded by chemical, mechanical, thermal or solvent treatments. The resulting webs hold the fabric together more durably.

Crealet

The specialised electronic warp thread feed solutions of Crealet are applicable to various types of weaving machine with customised solutions also offered. The company’s extensive know-how spans mechanical engineering, drive technology, electronics, software development and textile technology as the basis for ensuring yarn tension is exactly right. Yarn tension is a major factor in warp feeding, and Crealet has devised effective solutions which quickly and precisely synchronize the tension of different warp beams and which connect to an integrated network. The goal is to allow customers to realise creative ideas with impeccable fabrics.

Loepfe

Correct tension is the ideal start for weaving, but fabric quality also depends on other factors in further stages. Yarn and weft control systems by Loepfe detect the smallest filamentat, fluff or knot, as well as all types of other weft faults during the weaving process. They drive quality assurance to reach zero-defect manufacturing, meeting the high demands of technical textiles. Loepfe solutions are particularly well represented in the automotive industry, where perfect and often flawless end-product is indispensable for a wide range of vehicle components such as airbags, car glass, seats, carbon materials, and tyre cords. The company’s optical yarn defect sensor provides all-around control over every single millimetre of the running yarn.

Uster

Fabric producers need to deliver guaranteed quality reliably which requires a consistently high rate of fabric defect detection. The Uster quality assurance system ensures this by using automated control during intermediate and final inspection, removing the need for costly manual inspection. The system’s ability to capture any visible defects prevents claims. After final inspection, the fabric will often be cut into smaller rolls, which will then be delivered to various customers. Uster optimised cut control is a software tool for automated cut optimisation that can be installed on any existing debatching or cutting line, allowing significantly higher yields.

Commitment

Swiss Textile Machinery Association members are committed to enabling customers to make the most of their machines and components – from the very start to the very end of the production.

“Quality and sustainability are important factors of differentiation and conclusively essential for success,” says Cornelia Buchwalder, Secretary General of the Swiss Textile Machinery Association. “Our members’ innovations aim for satisfied and long-standing customers in the technical textile industry around the world,”

At Techtextil, 24 companies will exhibit at the Swiss Association’s Member’s Pavilion or at individual stands.

www.swisstextilemachinery.ch