Itema’s R9500-2denim

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Itema has a manufacturing site for its weaving machines at its headquarters in Italy.

Itema has introduced the  second-generation R95002denim rapier weaving machine designed to enable denim weavers to meet the needs of the fast-changing denim market.

TW Special Report

A living fabric and an icon of style, denim is part of million people’s lives. In all forms — torn, scraped, washed-out, aged and distressed — denim has been the king of fashion for more than five centuries and continues to evolve. At first used to produce workwear, denim has now become the undeniable heart of the most prestigious fashion brands’ collections, which are changing faster and more frequently than ever before.

These frantic evolutions certainly impact production of the fabric itself, forcing denim weaving mills to quickly adapt to market’s demand. In fact, denim mills are increasingly facing not only constantly evolving fashion trends, but also more demanding customers and shorter lead times to fill orders. Technology — agile and adaptive — is key when it comes to enabling denim mills to react and counteract the fast pace of today’s world and, at the same time, stay abreast of their customers’ requirements. In the amazing world of weaving, indigo fabric remains one of the most demanding and challenging fabrics to produce.

Italy-based Itema S.p.A. developed a rapier weaving machine tailored exclusively to denim weaving. Now in its second generation, the Itema R95002denim has been improved and further fine-tuned to enable denim weavers to meet fast-changing and constantly evolving market requirements.

Key factors when it comes to denim weaving machines are production speed and fabric quality. Higher machine revolutions per minute (rpms) lead to greater production capacity and superior fabric quality — which in denim weaving means no fabric defects such as starting marks and irregular fabric appearance — guaranteeing superior attractiveness for buyers and brands.

A further important universally valid factor in weaving is user-friendliness, and in this field the new Itema R95002denim features many advances.

The R95002denim was recently launched during the ITM 2018 exhibition in Istanbul, Turkey. According to the company the new denim-dedicated Itema weaving machine excels due to unparalleled cost savings, superior fabric quality and outstanding user-experience.

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The iSAVER™ eliminates waste selvage on the left-hand side of the fabric to offer cost savings and sustainable weaving.

Cost Savings

Savings are one crucial feature of the R95002denim. Optimization of the main mechanical components allows a considerable energy consumption reduction, and the machine is also equipped with iSAVER™ — a new device that eliminates the waste selvage on the left-hand side of the fabric thus leading to savings. Designed and developed by ItemaLab – the Itema advanced innovation department — iSAVER™ combines innovative mechatronic principles to reduce weaving costs. Working up to four weft colors and ensuring maximum user-friendliness, the device allows weavers to save 2,000 euros ($2350) per machine per year as a minimum savings — variations in savings are a result of different yarn cost. Saving raw materials, such as cotton, reduces wasted resources and results in a reduced need to process waste.

The redesigned and optimized tape-hook system on the R95002denim completes the savings picture by significantly extending the components’ lifetime. The new Itema tapes developed by Lamiflex, an Itema Group company specializing in composite materials, feature an innovative configuration with a triple layer of carbon fiber leading to maximum reliability. The tapes represent the first result of the research and development cooperation between the two companies after the Itema acquired Italy-based Lamiflex S.p.A.

Superior Fabric Quality

Specifically considering denim fabrics, uniform fabric appearance and softer hand-feel are the seals of Itema-woven indigo fabrics. With the R95002denim Itema makes a further step toward denim perfection by combining the Itema Shed Geometry and the new rapier weft transfer. The new SK UltraLight Rapiers, specially designed to meet specific indigo fabric needs, feature a design that ensures their reduced dimensions and maximum lightness. Streamlined and lightweight, the SK UltraLight rapiers further enhance the Itema Shed Geometry allowing an even smaller shed opening for improved fabric quality.

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Itema’s R95002denim weaving machine

Outstanding User-Experience

Great strides also have been made to guarantee an outstanding user-experience including optimized machine ergonomics with a lowered front frame to facilitate loom accessibility and the new ergonomic rapier opener with knob. Additionally, the new Itema Textile Help dedicated to denim fabrics is a troubleshooting software that when loaded directly on the machine console provides real-time support to the weaver to quickly overcome the most common textile difficulties that may occur during the weaving cycle.

Brand-new, advanced devices now available with the new-generation R95002denim loom are specifically designed to deliver tangible benefits to denim mills running the new Itema machine, guaranteeing a competitive advantage in the market.

Whether a weaver is looking for fabric quality, reliability, waste minimization, sustainability, user-friendliness, or all of the above when producing denim fabrics, there is now a new, high-performance weaving machine that delivers all of these benefits and more.

May/June 2018

May/June 2018: Textile Activity At A Glance

BFMJ18barometers

May/June 2018

Unifi Acquires National Spinning Assets

Greenboro, N.C.-based Unifi Inc. reports its operating subsidiary Unifi Manufacturing Inc. entered into an agreement to acquire the dyed yarn business and other assets of Washington, N.C.-based National Spinning Co. Inc. The transaction adds acrylic and wool products to Unifi’s dyed yarn portfolio, and is expected to close in May. Unifi reports it will transition the dyed yarn business from Burlington, N.C., to Unifi’s dye house in Reidsville, N.C., and expects to run the dye house on a seven-day schedule. National Spinning employees will be offered positions at Unifi including those in key sales, technical and operations positions.

“This acquisition will better position Unifi for growth in key market segments such as sweaters, hosiery and apparel, as our expanded dyed yarn portfolio will help strengthen our relationship with existing customers and brings opportunities to attract new customers as we become an even greater solutions provider,” said Tom Caudle, president and COO, Unifi. “Additionally, our customers continue to focus on shortening product development and production lead times, and thus we expect that these new capabilities will allow us to provide flexible and responsive dyed yarn solutions to meet this demand. Expanding our product portfolio will also bring additional innovation to the dyed yarn supply chain, and will provide more sourcing flexibility for customers while assuring continued capability and expertise.”

“We believe this transaction best serves the long-term interests of both our employees and our customers,” said Jim Booterbaugh, president and COO, National Spinning. “Customers will receive world-class innovation and technical support from Unifi, and employees that join Unifi will benefit from the career opportunities provided by a larger portfolio of products, services and solutions.

May/June 2018

ITMA 2019 Floor Space Sells Out

According to the European Committee of Textile Machinery Manufacturers (CEMATEX), owner of the ITMA exhibition, the floor space for ITMA 2019 is fully booked. More than 1,500 companies from 45 companies have applied to participate in the show, which will be held in Barcelona June 20-26, 2019. Organizers now are working to expand the net 110,000 square-meter exhibit space to accommodate additional exhibitors.

“We are grateful for the vote of confidence from the industry,” said Fritz P. Mayer, president, CEMATEX. “It shows ITMA is the launch pad of choice for the latest technologies from around the world. Interest in ITMA 2019 is extremely strong, and we have received more applications at an earlier date compared with previous editions. We continue to welcome new applicants, especially manufacturers who are launching new products, as they will help to make ITMA 2019 an even more vibrant sourcing platform for our visitors.”

May/June 2018

Fruit Of The Loom Honored For Energy Efforts

Fruit of the Loom Inc., Bowling Green, Ky., recently was honored with the Offsite Renewable Energy Award for its Merendon Power Plant during the 2018 Smart Energy Decisions Innovation Summit. The awards recognize creative technologies and forward-thinking practices by large electric power users. Recognizing a need for a renewable energy source at its manufacturing facilities in Honduras, Fruit of the Loom established the Merendon plant, which operates as part of the Fruit of the Loom corporation. The plant helped the company reduce its carbon footprint by more than 51,500 metric tons each year, which is the equivalent to removing 11,028 passenger cars from the road for one year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Fruit of the Loom is committed to socially responsible efforts and also recently joined The Sustainability Consortium. The company also received the Corporate Social Responsibility Seal from FUNDAHRSE in 2017.

May/June 2018

HanesBrands Awarded Ninth U.S. EPA Energy Star Partner Of The Year

Winston-Salem, N.C.-based HanesBrands reports it has earned its ninth consecutive U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Energy Star Partner of the Year award for sustained excellence in energy conservation, carbon emissions reduction and environmental sustainability.

In 2017, the company’s accomplishments included lowering year-over-year energy use per pound of production by 6 percent, saving more than $4 million; implementing environmental stewardship initiatives such as the startup of a heat and power biomass plant in El Salvador; using programs to encourage employees to engage in the company’s energy management culture; and partnerships with multiple universities to educate future business leaders about the importance of environmental stewarship in business.

“HanesBrands is incredibly honored to earn our ninth consecutive Energy Star Partner of the Year award and will accept it on behalf of our approximately 70,000 worldwide employees who are committed to energy management and environmental responsibility,” said Javier Chacon, chief global manufacturing officer for HanesBrands. “Thanks to our employees’ steadfast commitment, Hanes is the only apparel company to be honored for sustained excellence by the EPA Energy Star program in its 26-year history and continues to demonstrate that companies from all industries can make a difference in energy conservation, carbon emissions reduction and environmental sustainability.”

May/June 2018

Applied DNA Sciences, WestPoint Home Sign CertainT® Program Deal

Stony Brook, N.Y.-based Applied DNA Sciences Inc. reports it has signed a multi-year license with WestPoint Home LLC. The deal grants WestPoint Home the exclusive right to use Applied DNA’s CertainT® platform for its blended duvets, towels, sheets, pillow cases, bed skirts, shams and decorative pillows sold for hospitality in Canada, Mexico and the United States. The agreement also gives WestPoint non-exclusive CertainT platform rights for various hospitaility opportunities.

Applied DNA’s molecular tags embedded into the source materials will certify that any of WestPoint’s hospitality textile products featuring polyester (PET) or recycled PET contain the original source raw materials to ensure origin and authenticity.

“Our partnership with Applied DNA adds to our already extensive assortment of environmentally sustainable products and processes,” said Normand Savaria, president and CEO, WestPoint Home.

“As leaders in supply chain transparency and accuracy we are excited to be adding the CertainT platform and technology to our product offerings.”

May/June 2018

Techtextil North America/Texprocess Americas 2018: A Hit For Visitors & Exhibitors

BornemanBy Jim Borneman, Editor In Chief

The combined Techtextil North America/Texprocess Americas 2018 held recently in Atlanta and organized by Messe Frankfurt North America was a very positive experience for visitors and exhibitors alike. With many recognizable textile executives in attendance, the show offered serious networking in addition to the largest-ever exhibit floor space for the event.

With exhibitors from an unofficial count of 32 countries, the international presence was palpable. Country pavilions were prevalent as were well known domestic representatives cutting across technologies and suppliers to the industry. The international pavilions were well staffed and offered great information.

Notably, the show floor highlighted the growing realm of digital printing. In some cases, digital printing machinery manufacturers aligned with apparel manufacturing suppliers on the Texprocess side of the hall illustrating how their technology integrates into the apparel manufacturing process. Industry stalwarts like Zimmer were located on the Techtextil side of the exhibition showcasing digital printing machinery as well as coating technologies.

The shows spoke volumes about the health and vibrancy of the U.S. industry today. This was the 15th edition of Techtextil North America and fourth edition of Texprocess Americas, and it is interesting to see how the show has changed over the years from its roots as a relatively small show held at the Cobb Galleria just north of Atlanta to today’s expanded presence at Atlanta’s main congress center. And yes, there still is room to grow.
One attending executive who hadn’t attended in the recent past, said, “Where did all the sewing machines come from?” — a testament to the growing size of Texprocess Americas and its impressive representation of suppliers to the sewn products industry.

The executives that stopped by the Textile World/Textiles Panamericanos booth generally were positive about the show and the state of the industry. There was a steady flow of guests to all booths, and engaging conversations were taking place across the show floor.

Momentum is building for the very busy show calendar in the first half of 2019. Techtextil North America will be held in Raleigh, N.C., in February — a little earlier than usual. The IDEA show, hosted by the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry (INDA) will be held in Miami at the end of March; INPRINT USA moves to Louisville, Ky., in early April; Techtextil/Texprocess will be held in Frankfurt in mid-May; and then the industry’s largest trade show event — ITMA 2019 — takes place in Barcelona mid-June. That is quite a lineup, not to mention the various annual association meetings and conferences. Keeping the schedule straight will be challenging to say the least. It will be a demanding time for exhibitors and attendees alike, but what a showcase with the promise of something on display for everyone.

In 2018, Techtextil/Texprocess has done a positive job in providing a welcoming showcase presenting the depth and breadth of the textile industry — “Norma Rae” was noticeably absent.

May/June 2018

Gore Featuring 5G And Aerospace & Defense Test Solutions At IMS 2018

PHILADELPHIA — June 12, 2018 —  W. L. Gore & Associates continues to enhance the company’s microwave/RF solutions to operate at higher frequencies while performing reliably over time. Gore will be featuring several 5G and aerospace & defense testing insights and products at IMS 2018, June 12-14, at the Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia, Booth #1537.

5G testing has become increasingly complex, with higher frequency test components above 6 GHz and more ports to address. Multiple functions are integrated into a component and frequent calibration is required. At the same time, tests need to deliver highly accurate measurements for faster throughput, less calibration and downtime, and reduced overall costs.  To address these demanding requirements, Gore has introduced GORE® PHASEFLEX® Microwave/RF Test Assemblies, Type 0N — the smallest, lightest, most internally ruggedized assembly on the market today for modular, multi-port, and multi-site test applications.

Gore’s product specialist Chris Cox said, “Test assemblies for 5G applications are important. The need for smaller and lighter assemblies will be crucial, as well as their durability and flexibility. Knowing you can trust them will be even more significant for 5G.”

In the area of defense and aerospace, Gore will be featuring its GORE® PHASEFLEX® Microwave/RF Test Assemblies and their airframe assemblies, GORE-FLIGHT™ Microwave Assemblies, 6 Series. The airframe assemblies are lightweight cable solutions that deliver the lowest insertion loss before and after installation, ensuring reliable performance for the life of an aircraft system. The robust construction reduces total costs by withstanding the challenges of installation, reducing costly production delays, field service frequency, and the need for purchasing replacement assemblies.

The testing of aircraft systems is a critical part. “You can’t trust the performance if you can’t trust the test,” Gore aerospace application engineer Chris Ericksen stated.

In addition to the above, Gore will be highlighting the company’s “60 Years of Improving Lives” with a special display featuring Converse shoes with GORE-TEX® Technology, FDA-approved GORE CARDIOFORM Septal Occluder, and Elixir® Strings for guitars.

Posted June 12, 2018

Source: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

Innovative Japanese Mattress Brand Introduces The Airweave Advanced

NEW YORK CITY— June 12, 2018 —  Airweave, a leading bedding brand in Japan, has announced the launch of its latest mattress model to the U.S. market, the Airweave Mattress Advanced. The experience is designed to satisfy a wider range of customers’ needs while still offering Airweave’s signature support and breathability which is scientifically proven to provide a deeper, more restorative sleep compared to traditional foam mattresses.

Airweave was founded on the need for a mattress that could provide proper support and spinal alignment that traditional mattress materials could not satisfy. From this need, the proprietary airfiber® material was created — a highly resilient interwoven resin fiber with free airflow for unparalleled support and temperature control. Through world-class scientific research and consumer feedback, Airweave has made technical advancements to its airfiber material and the design of each product over the course of ten years. Airweave continues to disrupt the industry with the Airweave Mattress Advanced.

Benefits of the Airweave Advanced

Personalize Your Comfort: The Advanced comes with three airfiber blocks: two regular firmness, and one DUAL MODE. Airweave’s DUAL MODE technology allows users to select their firmness level simply by flipping to the regular or firm side. Use the optional pillow top layer for added softness. The components are secured with an inner and outer cover.

Easier To Move, Easier To Clean: Carry and clean with ease thanks to the Advanced’s lightweight and modular design. A great feature for frequent movers and a nod to the traditional Japanese futon which is designed to be easily stored when not in use.

Longer Lasting & Sustainable: Enjoy Airweave for a lifetime by easily replacing parts rather than having to buy (or throw out) your entire mattress. A win for customer’s wallet and the environment.

A Better Mattress In A Box: Airweave’s unique airfiber material cannot be compressed like the typical bed in a box. But by dividing the mattress into customizable parts, we now can offer a better sleep experience AND fast & easy shipping. Assemble within minutes, and it’s ready to sleep on. No wait time for the mattress to fully expand and no off-gassing perio

Posted June 12, 2018

Source: Airweave

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