Lectra And Politecnico di Milano Join Forces To Host A Design & Technology Seminar

PARIS — July 12, 2016 — Lectra recently co-hosted a Design & Technology seminar in Milan with the Department of Design and the POLI.design Consortium of Politecnico di Milano, one of Italy’s largest technical universities.

Politecnico’s Department of Design joined Lectra’s Education Program in 2014. The partnership between the two organizations is based on a commitment to training students on the latest innovations in design technology and techniques to give them an advantage on the labor market. Students benefit from hands-on experience using Lectra’s latest generation technology, as well as its expertise and knowledge of industry best practices.

The seminar was an opportunity for students and executives from the upholstered furniture, marine, and automotive markets to gain valuable insights into the ways recent technological innovations can bolster design creativity and development efficiency.

Explorations of market trends and changes, as presented by Caterina Rorro, Marketing and Communications Director, Lectra Italy, emphasized the importance of offering innovative designs, accelerating development speed and reducing costs for companies across the three industries.

A demonstration of DesignConcept, Lectra’s 2D/3D solution for virtual prototyping, costing and creation of technical specifications, showcased the multiple ways in which the solution’s collaborative product development and pre-production process helps companies address these market challenges.

Stanislas Joly, General Manager of Sylvain Joly Designs, detailed the benefits of DesignConcept’s virtual prototyping process for designers. “The gap between the original design and the final product can be frustrating for designers. With a solution like DesignConcept, cost and technical constraints can be integrated from the beginning; modifications and changes can be easily made and then shared among all teams. The increased communication and visibility significantly shorten process times and also allow us to ensure that the end product resembles our original intention as closely as possible,” he said.

“DesignConcept has been a valuable addition to our training program and a strategic asset for students. The ability to optimize the aesthetics, feasibility and production costs on-screen is a powerful learning tool,” added Professor Andrea Ratti, Director of the Master in Yacht Design, Politecnico di Milano.

Posted July 12, 2016

Source: Lectra

Madeira USA Fills New Position Of Director Of Finance With Concord Resident

LACONIA, NH — July 12, 2016 — Madeira USA President Shirley Clark recently announced the appointment of Stephen Sacco to the new position of Director of Finance. A resident of Concord, NH, Sacco graduated from SNHU with a degree in Finance & Economics. Prior to joining Madeira, he worked with Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership (MBHP), a highly respected non-profit organization responsible for connecting residents of Greater Boston with safe, affordable homes. Prior to that experience, Sacco ran several UPS retail stores within the Manchester, NH area.

“We were drawn to Stephen’s ability to jump between retail and non-profit without missing a beat!” explains Madeira President Shirley Clark. “We feel that he brings a high level of professionalism, knowledge, and the customer service instincts that will make him a valuable player on the Madeira USA team. That mix of analytical thinking and people awareness will prove to be an asset with customers and co-workers alike.”

As for Sacco, “On the job for only a few weeks, I’m concentrating right now on getting a better understanding of this business, and learning the direction the president wants the company to take within the industry. I admit to being an analytical thinker, but coming up with numbers that sit in a computer within a spreadsheet doesn’t do anyone much good! I believe in making those findings available to the appropriate people, applying them in the correct context, in order for my analysis to guide decisions that will have a long lasting effect on the success of the company.”

Madeira USA recently celebrated its 30th anniversary of having its U.S. headquarters based in Laconia, NH. Last year, Business NH Magazine recognized Madeira USA as one of New Hampshire’s Top Women-Led Businesses, under the leadership of President Shirley Clark.

Posted July 12, 2016

Source: Madeira USA

AEC Narrow Fabrics Gets OEKO-TEX Certification

ZURICH, Switzerland — July 12, 2016 — The OEKO-TEX® Association is pleased to announce that AEC Narrow Fabrics (Asheboro Elastics Corp.) has been awarded the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification, that ensures that AEC narrow fabrics have been tested to be free of harmful levels of more than 300 potentially harmful substances. AEC manufactures a broad assortment of knitted and woven narrow fabrics for apparel, home textiles, medical, automotive, marine, and commercial applications. The Asheboro, N.C.-based company has operations in the United States and Central America with global distribution. The OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification was issued for products made at AEC’s facilities in El Salvador and Honduras, Central America.

“The OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification is an important element of our overall quality assurance and product safety programs,” said Charles Adams, president of AEC Narrow Fabrics. “This voluntary certification is recognized and respected by our customers around the world, especially by those who are OEKO-TEX certified themselves.”

By securing the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification for products made in its El Salvador and Honduras manufacturing facilities, AEC products made there can be used without concern in other OEKO-TEX certified products. The modular nature of the OEKO-TEX certification allows manufacturers to take credit for their suppliers’ certifications when applying for certification for their own products, therefore saving time and expense.

“Our customers appreciate us for our quality, service, and innovation,” commented Adams. “Now with OEKO-TEX certification, we’re giving them another reassurance that our products are made with respect for the wellbeing of our associates, our customers’ associates, and the consumers who ultimately use the products that include our narrow fabrics.”

The OEKO-TEX Standard 100 list of concerning chemicals includes residual pesticides, carcinogenic dyestuffs, phthalates, heavy metals, and formaldehyde. The OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 is updated annually and reflects the latest advances in textile chemistry, up to date medical knowledge, and the current state of textile product safety regulations.

Posted July 12, 2016

Source: OEKO-TEX® Association

PolyOne Introduces Wilflex Epic™ Rio Non-Phthalate Ink Mixing System

CLEVELAND — July 11, 2016 — PolyOne today announced the launch of non-phthalate Wilflex™ EPIC™ Rio, a new color mixing system for textile inks. Based on cutting-edge pigment technology and formulated for excellent color strength, these inks are PANTONE® approved and boast an extended color range of 18 finished ink mixing components. The end results are a perfect balance of color accuracy, vibrancy and opacity for peak press performance and color design.

As the most opaque color system in the Wilflex range, EPIC Rio maintains color precision and flexibility, and can help screen printers save ink and money by achieving color on press quicker, even with fine mesh-counts. The increased opacity of EPIC Rio also offers greater processing flexibility with regard to mesh screen selection, print strokes and direct print capability, all while maintaining accuracy to Pantone color standards.

Kevin Romine, Wilflex product manager, commented, “EPIC Rio’s color matches to Pantone color standards are spot on, and they strike a perfect balance between color vibrancy and opacity. These new inks will allow textile screen printers to improve opacity and really up their game on color design because the increased color accuracy and strength add a significant ‘wow’ factor.”

The inks are creamy and smooth right out of the bucket and remain that way throughout production runs. Press-ready EPIC Rio inks also give consistent, exceptional results for large or small runs.

Designed for ease of printing on a manual press without tiring the press operator, EPIC Rio inks are also appropriate for larger production runs with an automatic press. They perform well over a wide range of mesh sizes and press parameters, so printability for either manual or automatic textile screen-printing is outstanding.

Posted July 11, 2016

Source: PolyOne

Dyneema®: The Greenest Strength™

The Netherlands — July 11, 2016 — DSM Dyneema, the manufacturer of ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber branded as Dyneema®, produces the world’s strongest, highest-performing fiber. And it does so with the lowest possible carbon footprint. But the company isn’t stopping there.

DSM Dyneema has set corporate sustainability goals to further reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 40 percent, energy consumption by 20 percent and water use by 15 percent, all by 2020. It constantly strives to reduce its emissions, as well as the amount of energy and water it uses during production. Through continuous R&D, they aim to further enhance the performance and durability of Dyneema, resulting in solutions that require less material without compromising on performance and with a minimal environmental impact. The company also works closely with clients and industry partners, investing in initiatives that contribute to a circular economy.

Real-world examples are plentiful: Seismic survey vessels using ropes made with Dyneema have shown 15 percent fuel savings while reducing the amount of material used by half. Denim wear made with the fiber offers a 30 percent carbon-footprint reduction across its life cycle. Heavy-duty chains made with Dyneema use 85 percent less material compared to steel. Airplanes equipped with lightweight aircargo nets made with Dyneema have been shown to consume 10 percent less fuel and yield a 40 percent lower carbon footprint. Driven by increasing societal needs, the company is also working with its partners on a circular-economy initiative for mooring ropes.

Three factors combine to make Dyneema “the greenest strength”: the continuous improvement in manufacturing, ongoing R&D to further improve the unique properties of the fiber, and finally industry partnerships to explore a contribution to a circular economy. Dyneema® means there is no need to compromise between high performance and sustainability. Now or in the future.

Posted July 11, 2016

Source: DSM Dyneema

Fashion Positive Introduces Materials Collection, An Online Portfolio Of Cradle To Cradle Certified™ Materials For The Fashion Industry

SAN FRANCISCO — July 7, 2016 — Fashion designers looking for certified circular materials for their next collection can now look to the Fashion Positive Materials Collection. As of July 1, 2016, designers can access these materials online and browse a portfolio of materials that are Cradle to Cradle Certified™ or have received a Material Health Certificate, which at higher levels of certification ensures safe materials suitable for circular design.

Fashion Positive is an initiative of the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute, which aims to transform fashion one material at a time. Together, with a community of pioneering brands, designers and suppliers, Fashion Positive identifies and certifies key building blocks of the fashion industry — creating a growing collection of “positive” materials available through the Materials Collection. The goal is circular materials that can be perpetually cycled. Some materials are further along that pathway than others, so each material has been assessed and improved based upon five categories: material health, material reuse, renewable energy and carbon management, water stewardship and social fairness. A Basic, Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum Certification indicates where the material falls.

The new Materials Collection allows apparel companies and designers to search for textiles and other materials—like dyes, buttons and labels—for apparel and accessories. Each entry includes detailed material specifications; available colors, sizes and weights; and information about stock and custom ordering.

“For many brands, designers and suppliers, it’s a long journey to circular fashion. Fashion Positive meets our members wherever they are on that path and provides the leadership, the vision and methodology to assist our partners in the transition to circularity; the Materials Collection is a big step in that direction. Materials are also assessed against our Standard, so not only are they potentially circular, they are also making a positive impact right now. To obtain Cradle to Cradle Certification materials are assessed against requirements in five standard categories ensuring holistic environmental quality that goes beyond circularity,” says Lewis Perkins, the President of the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute.

Currently, 14 Cradle to Cradle certifications and 12 Material Health Certificates cover a total of 39 materials for fashion.

Some of the materials included in the new Fashion Positive Materials Collection include:

  • Lauffenmühle’s infinito® toolkit (elastic bands, buttons, sewing thread, woven labels,
  • woven ribbon, interfacing, monofilament for 3D printing)
  • DyStar dyes (reactive, vat and disperse dyes for wool, cotton and polyester)
  • Maiyet’s FAIR cashmere (cashmere and cashmere/silk yarns)

“Being a part of Fashion Positive’s Materials Collection is huge for us. The assessment process was thorough and incredibly rigorous, which is why we’re proud that our dyes received a Material Health Certificate at the GOLD-level,” says Fanny Vermandel, Vice President, Global Marketing Coloration, DyStar Colours Distribution GmbH.

Posted July 8, 2016

Source: Fashion Positive / Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute

Safe Reflections Granted Patent For Brilliant® Color Reflective 

ST. PAUL, Minn. — July 7, 2016 — Safe Reflections has received a new U.S. patent for its Brilliant® Color Reflective line of colorized reflective materials.

This patented technology provides superior reflectivity and unmatched wash durability, making Brilliant Color Reflective the first high-brightness color reflective for designers who are serious about incorporating visibility and style in the same offering. A previous patent was granted in 2014 for the manufacturing process behind Brilliant; this second patent is for the reflective product itself.

“We are using Brilliant Color Reflective from Safe Reflections on more and more New Balance designs each year,” said Danielle Regan, Global Apparel Senior Trim Developer for New Balance. “The high-brightness reflectivity and the range of colors enable our designs to incorporate reflective for increased visibility in a discrete way.”

Designers and manufacturers in the active wear and work wear categories are already seeing first-hand how Brilliant Color Reflective adds a new dimension of color, style and safety to their finished products. Danielle went on to say “Safe Reflections is helping us bring a perfect combination of safety, comfort and visual appeal to New Balance activewear designs.”

The new patent also includes a recent innovation within the Brilliant product line: Brilliant Stretch Color Reflective. The reflective material is not only colorized and with high-brightness, but it also has high-stretch. Using Safe Reflections’ adhesive and patented colorizing technology, Brilliant Stretch Color Reflective is designed for use on today’s performance fabrics that are driving growth in the high-end activewear market.

“We’re thrilled to receive another patent for our Brilliant Color Reflective technology, as it provides further proof that this innovation is truly unique and applicable for a wide variety of garments,” said Safe Reflections CEO Chuck Gruber. “Brilliant is changing the way the apparel industry thinks about reflective material, and this patent reinforces the technology’s role as a critical element in the future of reflective apparel. Garment designers and manufacturers are already embracing Brilliant and delivering a higher level of safety and visibility to both the consumer activewear apparel and commercial uniform markets. We’re confident the patent will spark even greater adoption of the technology.”

Product attributes for Brilliant Color Reflective include:
•>300 Brightness (cd/lux/m2 reflectivity)
•Colorfast durable in over 50 home washes
•Tonal color match capable
•Hundreds of different colors available
•Brand and Industry Restricted Substance List compliant
•U.S. patented invention – (No. 8,470,394 B2 and No. 9,248,470 B2) with several other US and global patents pending.

“The recent growth of fashion-forward activewear trends has been explosive, with nearly every segment of the market seeking trendy, yet functional designs focused on lifestyle flexibility,” Gruber said. “We are seeing that the Brilliant Color Reflective line is just what designers want and need to differentiate their offerings and appeal to today’s increasingly safety conscious consumers.”

Learn more about Safe Reflections, including its breakthrough technologies and proprietary products like Brilliant® Color Reflective by visiting www.safereflections.com for complete product specifications and ordering information.

Posted July 8, 2016

Source: Safe Reflections, Inc.

SHIMA SEIKI To Exhibit At Première Vision New York

WAKAYAMA, Japan — July 8, 2016 — Shima Seiki Mfg., Ltd. will exhibit at the Première Vision show in New York in July 2016. It will participate in the new “Manufacturing” area dedicated to technical and logistical manufacturing solutions as sole machine technologist with a machine exhibit.

On display will be the SWG091N2, the largest in the SWG-N2 line of compact WHOLEGARMENT® knitting machines. Featuring Shima Seiki’s original SlideNeedle, the SWG-N2 series offers great flexibility with the capability to produce a variety of accessory items such as gloves, socks, leggings, hats and mufflers as well as childrenswear and even technical textiles. Its versatility makes the SWG-N2 series ideal for a range of applications from production in large-scale knitting factories to sampling in design studios as well as R&D and educational facilities.

Also exhibited is the latest version of Shima Seiki’s SDS-ONE APEX3 3D design system. At the core of Shima Seiki’s “Total Fashion System” concept, APEX3 offers comprehensive support of the entire process of knitwear production from planning and design to production and sales promotion, as well as its capability for Virtual Sampling. Ultra-realistic simulation capability allows Virtual Sampling to minimize the costly time- and resource-consuming sample-making process while enhancing presentation quality. 3D simulation allows evaluation of knitwear from all angles. 3D modeling, 3D mapping and 3D fitting simulation of multiple coordinate items are possible as well. APEX3 also supports design and simulation in a variety of other industries such as circular knitting, weaving, pile weaving and printing.

SHIMA SEIKI will also exhibit knitwear produced on its latest line of computerized knitting machines, including revolutionary seam-free WHOLEGARMENT® knitwear that features superior fit, comfort and draping characteristics.

Posted July 8, 2016

Source: Shima Seiki

Lectra Announces The Opening Of Its Subsidiary In Vietnam

PARIS — July 7, 2016 — Lectra is pleased to announce the opening of its subsidiary Lectra Vietnam on July 1, 2016.

Lectra has been present in the country for over 20 years and represented by its agent Ly Sinh Cong Trading Service Company (LSC) for the past twelve years. The new subsidiary will take over LSC’s team and assets.

With the opening of the Vietnam subsidiary, Lectra is continuing its development plans in Asia. “Thanks to 5.5 percent growth in the first quarter of 2016, Vietnam is one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic economies. It is a top choice for manufacturers who focus on production costs and brands seeking to diversify supplies. The transpacific agreement signed in February 2016 will reinforce the attractiveness of the country, where Lectra has many customers, including very large Asian companies,” declares Daniel Harari, Lectra CEO.

“Lectra Vietnam’s objective is to help Vietnamese companies implement Lectra’s technologies that have demonstrated their worth in Asia and across the globe, and to accompany locally established foreign groups in the country. This opening will boost Lectra’s expansion in Southeast Asia and reinforce synergy in sales with the company’s other subsidiaries in the region,” explains Yves Delhaye, Managing Director Asean, Autralia, South Korea, India.

The apparel industry is especially vibrant in Vietnam. Clothing exports reached $21 billion in 2014 and should grow by 8 percent, attaining $29.5 billion in 2016, nearly a third from local actors. Of the 6,000 textile and apparel companies, a large number are owned by Chinese, Hong Kong, South Korean, Japanese and Taiwanese companies operating out of Vietnam to take advantage of lower manufacturing costs.

“Thanks to twenty years of experience in Vietnam, Lectra understands the local industry’s fundamentals perfectly. I am pleased to develop even further the close ties that Lectra has with companies present in the country,” adds Yves Delhaye. “Several of our Chinese and South Korean apparel customers manufacture a portion of their production in Vietnam. They are very interested in innovative solutions to improve the quality of their products, the efficiency of their operations and the productivity of their factories. Moreover, a growing number of actors within the automotive industry are investing in Vietnam. Lectra will be there to help develop their production,” he underscores.

Posted July 8, 2016

Source: Lectra

ASTM International Relaunches Laboratory Directory

W. CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — July 6, 2016 — ASTM International has fully redesigned its International LaboratoryDirectory, the only directory in the world dedicated to helping manufacturers find the right labs to test their products.

Independent laboratories throughout the world rely on thousands of standards and test methods, including many developed by ASTM International.  By working with these labs, manufacturers can help ensure that their products meet key safety and performance criteria, which in turn sends a strong message to existing and potential customers.

The new International Laboratory Directory:

  • lists standards and test methods that each laboratory can perform;
  • provides locations of laboratories in countries throughout the world;
  • allows labs to improve search ranking by purchasing keywords that highlight industry-specific strengths and services;
  • allows manufacturers and other potential partners to compare laboratories; and
  • offers groupings for multiple laboratories that are part of one company.

Posted July 8, 2016

Source: ASTM International

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