Thursday, October 29, 2009

Silver Bullet can make things like electronic clothing



With the development of a new silver ink, Xerox scientists have paved the way for commercialization and low-cost manufacturing of printable electronics. Printable electronics offers manufacturers a very low-cost way to add "intelligence" or computing power to a wide range of surfaces such as plastic or fabric. This development will aid the commercialization of new applications such as "smart" pill boxes that track how much medication a patient has taken or display screens that roll up to fit into a briefcase.

"For years, there's been a global race to find a low-cost way to manufacture plastic circuits," said Paul Smith, laboratory manager, Xerox Research Centre of Canada. "We've found the silver bullet that could make things like electronic clothing and inexpensive games a reality today. This breakthrough means the industry now has the capability to print electronics on a wider range of materials and at a lower cost."

Until now, bringing low-cost electronics to the masses has been hindered by the logistics and costs associated with silicon chip manufacturing; the breakthrough low-temperature silver ink overcomes the cost hurdle, printing reliably on a wide range of surfaces such as plastic or fabric. As part of its commercialization initiatives, Xerox plans to aggressively seek interested manufacturers and developers by providing sample materials to allow them to test and evaluate potential applications.

Integrated circuits are made up of three components - a semiconductor, a conductor and a dielectric element - and currently are manufactured in costly silicon chip fabricating factories. By creating a breakthrough silver ink to print the conductor, Xerox has developed all three of the materials necessary for printing plastic circuits.

Using Xerox's new technology, circuits can be printed just like a continuous feed document without the extensive clean room facilities required in current chip manufacturing. In addition, scientists have improved their previously developed semiconductor ink, increasing its reliability by formulating the ink so that the molecules precisely align themselves in the best configuration to conduct electricity.

The printed electronics materials, developed at the Xerox Research Centre of Canada, enable product manufacturers to put electronic circuits on plastics, film, and textiles. Printable circuits could be used in a broad range of products, including low-cost radio frequency identification tags, light and flexible e-readers and signage, sensors, solar cells and novelty applications including wearable electronics.


Monday, October 26, 2009

'We offer excellent quality-price solutions' - Picanol



The Belgium based, Picanol NV develops, produces and markets high-tech weaving machines. Picanol weaving machines are a synthesis of technological know-how and experience built up over more than half a century. Today, about 2,600 weaving mills around the world use Picanol machinery, totaling to around 110,000 weaving machines.

Picanol recently presented its latest weaving solutions for technical textile fabrics at Techtextil in Mumbai, from 10-12 October 2009. In 1999 Picanol re-entered the specialty markets with a tire cord airjet weaving machine. This development came after a 10-year period of redefining Picanol's strategy based on two new technologies: airjet and fast rapier.

In an established market dominated by a small number of players, a new entrant has to formulate its own strategy. Picanol decided to use its proven strengths to be successful in the demanding field of technical textiles. Techtextil Mumbai proved to be a good opportunity for weavers to discover what Picanol has to offer specifically for this niche market.

Fibre2fashion spoke exclusively to Erwin Devloo, Marketing Communications Manager, Picanol NV, to share their experiences about Techtextil, who said, “Picanol participated for the second time in Techtextil. Our overall experience is very good when it comes to facilities and efficiencies.”

“The facilities are according to international standards and the price is also OK. We had a good mix of competitors, fellow OEM's customers and prospective customers having stalls at the exhibition. There cannot be a comparison with Techtextil in Frankfurt, but this Mumbai edition compares well with other initiatives in Shanghai or Atlanta”.

Commenting on the visitation and interest shown by industry towards the show, he said, “The major response came from India and some Turkish, Pakistan and Bangladesh visitors as well and the best day was Sunday, with a more than normal attendance and organising this event during the week-end is definitely to stay.”

Picanol, with 70 years of experience, is well established in traditional textiles market. How was the response from buyers from the emerging field technical textile products, was our next question, to which he replied by saying, “Picanol re-entered in to the business of Technical Textiles in 1999, after being absent for 20 years.”

“The main reason for this move was because of overwhelming demand from existing customers who are entering themselves into this field of application and also due to the fact that, our existing and prospective customers did not find the same excellent quality-price solutions they where used to with Picanol, when working with the existing suppliers in this emerging sector”.

To conclude the interview, we asked him about the current trends in technical textile machinery, to which he said, “When it comes to India, the following segments in woven technical textiles are gaining importance; Sunscreens, outdoor furniture, coated fabrics, geotextiles, packaging , tyre-reinforcement ( Tyrecord ) and conveyorbelts.”

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Tuesday, October 20, 2009

ACIMIT-ICE to organize technical workshop in Raleigh


The Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers (ACIMIT) and the Italian Trade Commission (ICE) organize, in partnership with the Nonwovens Institute of North Carolina State University, a technical workshop dedicated to Italian technology for the nonwovens and technical textile industries. The event will occurr in Raleigh (November 11th and 12th, 2009) at North Carolina State University.

At the technological meeting some Italian manufacturers of machinery for technical textiles and nonwovens industries will introduce their updated technologies, as well as exchanging views and ideas on technology with the main US companies involved in these sectors.

Technical textiles and nowovens are a reality which is gaining more and more importance in terms of size, thanks to the technological features of its products and to its continuous offer of new and promising market niches.

The sector of innovative textiles embraces several companies, which are leading in different application fields (apparel, geotextiles, etc.). The steady research and innovation activities in the production of technical textiles linked together textile producers and Italian technology suppliers into a success alliance.

ACIMIT estimates that about 100 of its member companies are involved in the production of machinery for technical textiles or nonwovens. This sector is observing a steadily growing turnover, accounting for 10% on the total turnover of Italian textile machinery industry.

The Italian participants at workshop in Raleigh are only part of the Italian supply for this sector. To find out ideal technological partner, textile operators might visit the ACIMIT website (www.acimit.it), where they can discover, in the section reserved to technical textiles, ACIMIT’s associate members operating in the sector.


Wednesday, October 14, 2009

100 companies already registered for of ITMA ASIA + CITME



With 100 German companies already registered for ITMA ASIA + CITME 2010, “Made in Germany“ is going to be very well represented at next year’s major event of the textile machinery industry, taking place from June 22nd to 26th in Shanghai.

The timing of ITMA ASIA + CITME 2010 fits with improving business conditions in Asia. After the all time low in January and February this year, China’s textile industry has recovered gradually. India’s textile sector seems to be coming out of the crisis as well. Experts from India expect things to settle down by the next two quarters.

Although being back on track again, the cost pressure on textile producing enterprises will remain high and additional tasks are under way since governments in Asia are adopting stricter environmental standards. Sustainability has become an issue textile mills have to address for cost as well as for legal reasons. German textile machinery manufacturers are offering solutions for higher energy and material efficiency that can help Asian textile producers to realise substantial cost savings thus giving them a competitive edge. 





Saturday, October 10, 2009

PALLETMASTE, textile pallet assembly from WELKER



In case of dispatching textile goods with pallets, the assembly with bobbins represents a relatively difficult task. First, because the pallets with 13 or 14 rows are too high to be assembled on the floor, and second, because their structure without a wrapping film is quite unstable.

With the new PALLETMASTE, WELKER has designed an exclusive textile solution, amalgamating an assembly table with a wrapping machine that moves the platform adjusted to bobbin sizes.

The AUTOSTEP device adjusts the platform height safely step by step. PALLETMASTER can be equipped with integrated state- of the art weighing and ticketing systems, so that the pallet leaves the place completely assembled, identified and weighed.

Therefore, the equipment offer following functions:
- Assembly of pallets
- Wrap packing of pallets
- Weighing and ticketing

WELKER was founded in 1856. In 1941, the first and innovative vacuum steaming equipment was developed and successfully introduced to the market. Since then, WELKER became the most specialised company in the Textile Industry in the vacuum technology. Today, WELKER enjoys world wide reputation as manufacturer of reliable, safe, extremely robust and innovative machines. WELKER machines are manufactured in Germany.


Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Spinning charkha records extraordinary growth in sales



Many of Gandhi charkhas from the outlet of Gujarat Khadi Gram Udyog near historic Sabarmati Ashram are witnessing an outstanding growth in sales. Around 700 spinning wheels were sold in the year 2008, while this year the figure has already crossed 1,000.

The Bardoli showpiece version is the largest selling spinning wheel among the available three types. Above 800 spinning wheels of this type have been sold this year. Jharkhand government is among the big clients of Bardoli showpiece versions, which has purchased over 350 of these charkhas, in the past two years and are showcased in government offices of the state.

Several departments of Gujarat Government also purchase charkhas regularly in order to gift them to guests and visitors. NRIs also purchase these as showpieces and it is the favorite gift item and keepsake of foreign tourists as well. 




Friday, October 2, 2009

HP expands portfolio of HP Latex Printing Technology



HP unveiled an expanded portfolio of HP Latex Printing Technology solutions designed to broaden production capabilities for a greater number of customers and provide a viable alternative to eco-solvent technologies.

The offerings enable small and midsize digital print and sign shops, copy shops and photo labs to produce indoor and outdoor applications with ease while reducing their environmental impact.

Additions to the portfolio include:
- The HP Designjet L25500 Printer, which offers easy, low-maintenance printing of a wider range of applications – from indoor point-of-purchase displays, exhibition graphics and interior décor like wall murals and fabrics to outdoor banners, bus shelters and vehicle wraps – than is possible with eco-solvent or traditional water-based printing alone.
- Six Original HP printing materials compatible with HP Latex Ink printers, including two recyclable substrates and three polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-free alternatives.
- The expansion of the HP Planet Partners program to include the HP Large-format Media take-back program in the United States and select countries in Europe.

“Customers have been asking us for a versatile, cost-effective alternative to eco-solvent-based printing solutions for the production of a wider range of indoor and outdoor large-format applications, while reducing the impact of printing on the environment,” said Santiago Morera, vice president and general manager, Designjet Large-format Printing Solutions, Imaging and Printing Group, HP. “The expanded HP Latex Printing Technology portfolio enables us to meet and exceed this demand for a variety of customers, allowing them to create a competitive advantage and seize new growth opportunities.”

The expanded HP Latex Printing Technology portfolio builds on the proven technology of the HP Designjet L65500 Printer. This printer has seen tremendous acceptance in the graphics market with more than 1.2 million m2 printed on installed machines since the printer’s general availability in August 2008.

Unrivaled versatility, ease of use and printing with the environment in mind
Available in 42- and 60-inch models, the HP Designjet L25500 Printer delivers unrivaled versatility for a broad range of high-quality and flexible, outdoor and indoor applications while meeting the needs of environmentally conscious customers.

Existing low-volume print service providers (PSPs), such as early customer Tot.rètol of Igualada, Spain, can benefit from the HP Designjet L25500 Printer because it delivers prints with quality and durability comparable to eco-solvent ink technologies. In addition, it prints a wider range of applications – from durable outdoor signage to high-resolution, close-view prints – than is possible with eco-solvent or traditional water-based printing alone.