DUKINFIELD, England — June 30, 2016 —English Fine Cottons is set to start spinning and bring cotton yarn production back home to Britain.

The company has installed twenty-first century equipment at its Grade II listed Tower Mill, near Manchester, and is preparing its first batch of high-quality cotton for test production, due to start next month.

When fully operational later this year, English Fine Cottons will be the sole cotton spinner in Britain with the only plant in Europe producing superfine luxury cotton yarn using the very latest technology, from fibre preparation to spinning and winding.

The company is investing £6m in the venture. The first two containers of Supima – extra-long staple cotton from the US’s largest cotton farm in California — have already arrived on site.  And work on the construction of the state-of-the-art spinning equipment is nearing completion.

The 150 foot-long compact ring spinning machines occupy the whole of the third floor of four-storey Tower Mill, which has undergone an extensive programme of restoration and renovation to accommodate the plant.

In a renaissance of the trade that kick-started Britain’s industrial revolution more than 200 years ago, these ultra-modern machines will enable English Fine Cottons to produce 500 tonnes a year of fine combed cotton yarn.  With more spinning frames planned for next year, the ambition is to increase production to 1,000 tonnes by the end of 2017.

English Fine Cottons will source the world’s finest raw cotton – including Sea Island from Barbados, Suvin from India and Giza 45 from Egypt, as well as Supima.

General Manager, Andy Ogden, said: “There is a strong demand across the world for luxury goods with the ‘Made in Britain’ stamp, and our ‘raison d’etre’ is to produce the very finest luxury cotton yarn for UK designers and discerning garment manufacturers. To do so, we are creating a world-class facility that will enable us to deliver superior quality, efficiency and the highest process repeatability.

“Our priority is to give our customers an end-to-end service, by providing the best cotton yarns available and working with them throughout the supply chains, to deliver fabrics of the highest calibre that are steeped in history and provenance.”

Posted June 30, 2016

Source: English Fine Cottons

FAIRFAX, VA — June 30, 2016 — SkillsUSA, a national organization serving educators and students as they prepare to enter technical occupations, recently hosted the 52nd annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference Championship in Louisville, Kentucky. Not only were students able to show their talent to potential employers, but winners were honored with thousands of dollars in prizes — not to mention the hard-earned title of SkillsUSA National Champion.

“Because of their partnership, SGIA industry development initiatives dovetail nicely with the mission of the SkillsUSA organization in providing a skilled workforce. By investing resources in the Skills competitions, we are cultivating skilled workers for future workforce needs,” said Johnny Shell, SGIA’s Vice President of Technical Services. “Leading the Screen Printing Technology and Graphic Imaging — Sublimation competitions assures that competition standards align with the current industry.”

“I was pleasantly surprised to see these students trying to do this, and really caring. They had a drive that you normally don’t see in most people their age,” said Pierre Jamnicky of Blue Moon Promotional, Inc. and volunteer competition judge. “Just about any one of them would be at the top of the list when it was time to hire.”

Congratulations to the following student winners:

Screen Printing Technology — Secondary
1st Place: Kaitlyn Eichen, Capital Area Career Center (Springfield, Illinois)
2nd Place: Lauren Lahie, S&W Washtenaw Consortium (Saline, Michigan)
3rd Place: Jared Meineke, Austin High School (Austin, Minnesota)

Screen Printing Technology — Post-Secondary
1st Place: Tyler Philips, Illinois Central College (East Peoria, Illinois)
2nd Place: Morgan Hofheins, Salt Lake Community College (Salt Lake City, Utah)
3rd Place: Braylon Chatwood (Hot Springs, Arizona)

Graphic Imaging-Sublimation — Secondary
1st Place: Kalani Ferguson (Waynesville Career Center, Waynesville, MO)
2nd Place: Brittany Blundell (Autry Technology Center, Enid, OK)
3rd Place: Mattie Egly (Lawrence County High School, Lawrenceburg, TN)

Graphic Imaging-Sublimation — Post-Secondary
1st Place: Kelsey Fields, Illinois Central College (East Peoria, Illinois)
2nd Place: Edrene Montanez, Eagle Rock High School (Los Angeles)
3rd Place: Skylar Massey, Ozarks Technical Community College (Springfield, Missouri)

SGIA would also like to thank the following industry partners for their donations and support of the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference: BBC Industries, Condé Systems, Easiway Systems, Fimor North America, Freehand Graphics, GraphicElephants.com, Great Dane Graphics, International Coatings, M&R Companies, NEWMAN ROLLER FRAMES mfg. by Stretch Devices Inc., Ryonet, Sawgrass, StahlsTV.com and Vapor Apparel.

SGIA — Supporting the Leaders of the Digital & Screen Printing Community
“Specialty imaging” comprises digital imaging, screen printing and the many other imaging technologies SGIA members use, including those they’ll tap in the future. These are the imaging processes and technologies employed to create new products and to enhance existing products including point-of-purchase displays, printed electronics, membrane switches, signs, advertisements, garments, containers and vehicles. Make the most of your specialty imaging business.

Posted June 30, 2016

Source: SIGA

AHLEN, Germany — June 30, 2016 — The F.O.S. Group now sells an improved tester model under the trade name TX15. The new device is not only of interest to textile and paper manufacturers, but to all companies that need to determine the quality of textiles they use in their products and processes.

“This useful instrument makes it easy to determine the fibre density in a fabric,” explains Christian Reining, CEO of the F.O.S. Group. The TX15 measures the air permeability of a fabric, which is an important quality parameter. In essence, it measures the time required to suck a certain volume of air at a known constant pressure through a piece of the fabric. This value is used to determine a number of other parameters, such as contamination (for filter materials), ageing (important for fabrics such as parachute materials), cellulose density (in toilet paper or kitchen rolls) or dye distribution (in connection with dying processes).

Flexible and non-destructive testing

The air permeability tester is of a compact design for easy transport and can be operated without external power supply. The TX15 is thus a portable device for use anywhere along the production line or in the field. It allows for non-destructive testing of the finished product, so that there is no need to cut out test specimens. The TX15 caters for various air permeability tests across a wide measuring range performed in minimum time.

The tester returns accurate measurements within seconds. Operators can choose between more than 100 units of measure, doing away with time-consuming and error-prone conversions with a pocket calculator. The TX15 is a sturdy machine with a long service life designed for high accuracy air permeability measurement.

Apart from textiles, the TX15 is also suitable for use in the cellulose industry, by paraglider and parachute schools, or by sail and balloon envelope manufacturers.

F.O.S. has been using the instrument to test its filter materials. “We have always been very happy with this air permeability tester, and it has never let us down. When the manufacturing company HSL GmbH was wound up, we feared that the TX15 would no longer be available on the market. That is why we stepped in,” explains Christian Reining.

Data transfer to smartphone app

Together with Martin Hoppe, the son of the initial designer of the TX15, F.O.S. improved and upgraded the instrument. The measured values are for instance no longer displayed on the tester, but by a smartphone app.

F.O.S. based in Ahlen has not only taken over the production of the air permeability tester, but also all associated after-sales services. The first batch of the new TX15 is now ready for shipping at the F.O.S. warehouse.

Posted June 30, 2016

Source: The F.O.S. Group

ALBSTADT, Germany  — June 30, 2016 — On the occasion of the VDMA Textile Machinery Forum at the headquarters of the circular knitting machine manufacturer and technology leader Mayer & Cie. in Albstadt, Germany, the Foundation of the German Textile Machinery Industry honoured six successful young engineers. Peter D. Dornier, chairman of the Lindauer DORNIER Board of Management and chairman of the Walter Reiners-Stiftung (Foundation), honoured the laureates in the presence of more than 50 industry representatives. In his celebratory speech, Mr. Dornier underlined the high importance of practical orientation in research and teaching for German textile machine manufacturers with respect to the implementation of the Bologna Process, the support of which is a particular focus of the Foundation’s work.

Focus on lightweight construction and energy efficiency – Promotion prizes in the dissertation and master categories

This year, the promotion prizes in the dissertation category were awarded to Dr. Daniel Denninger, TU Chemnitz, and to Dr. Adil Mountasir, ITM Dresden.

With his work, Mr. Denninger creates the basis for the wider application of the braiding technology in the field of fibre composites.

The subject of Mr. Mountasir’s dissertation was development of a flexible weaving technology for the manufacturing of fibre reinforced components.

With their works, the award winners demonstrated practical relevance. The economical production of fibre composites is required for their comprehensive application, for example, in car body construction, for lighter vehicles and hence for lower fuel consumption.

The approach of Mr. Mario Gollasch, who was awarded the promotion prize in the category master thesis, was also to minimize consumption. In his work, which was written at ITA Aachen, Mr. Gollasch developed a weft insertion system for weaving looms, which allows up to 60 per cent of energy savings, unlike conventional systems.

Demanded creativity – rewarded with scholarships

Development of innovative technologies cannot be achieved without creativity. Therefore, the Foundation of the German VDMA Textile Machinery rewards clever inventions or creative engineer achievements in the form of seminar or semester papers with creativity prizes. The winners of the creativity prizes 2016 were Denis Gholami Bajestani, ITA Aachen, as well as Erik Dahrmann and Martin von Zuben, both from ITM Dresden. The creativity prize is endowed with a scholarship for two semesters; students who are about to finish their studies received an equivalent financial award.

Award-winners of the Foundation of VDMA Textile Machinery 2016

Creativity prize: (scholarship for 2 semesters)
Denis Gholami Bajestani, ITA Aachen
Selection of process models for the radial braiding process in terms of self-optimisation” (bachelor thesis)
Creativity prize:(scholarship for 2 semesters)
Erik Dahrmann, ITM Dresden
Development and improvement of an assembling step of a filament wound aerospace structure using vacuum assisted resin infusion (VARI) with the objective of successful introduction into serial production” (project thesis)
Creativity prize: (scholarship for 2 semesters)
Martin von Zuben, ITM Dresden

Development of technology demonstrator for fixation of stitch free multiaxial non crimp fabrics using adhesive application” (student research project)

Promotion prize category Master:(€3,000)
Mario Gollasch, ITA Aachen

Development of components for a magnetic weft insertion system for weaving looms” (master thesis)
Promotion prize category Dissertation (€5,000)
Dr. Daniel Denninger, TU Chemnitz,
„Process-oriented synthesis method using the example of the new laying technique “D-3F2” for over-braiding with three yarn systems” (dissertation)
Promotion prize category Dissertatio:n (€5,000)
Dr. Adil Mountasir, ITM Dresden

Development of a flexible weaving technology for integrated manufacturing of 3D woven preforms for fibre reinforced components with complex geometries” (dissertation)

Walter Reiners-Stiftung (Foundation) – Attracting and Promoting Talents

With the Walter Reiners-Stiftung, VDMA Textile Machinery Association is actively engaged in promoting junior engineers. Every year, the Foundation grants promotion prizes for outstanding dissertations and master or diploma theses as well as creativity prizes for clever semester and seminar papers. Students regularly gain an insight into practice with excursions to member companies and to the leading textile exhibition ITMA, which are financially supported by the Foundation. You can find more information about the occupational field of the textile machinery industry, the activities of the Foundation as well as excursion reports of the students on the homepage of the Textile Machinery Association http://txm.vdma.org/ingenieurnachwuchs

Posted June 30, 2016

Source: VDMA

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — June 29, 2016 — It’s often said that good things come in pairs. Phifer Incorporated’s new SheerWeave Style 7400 and 7450 interior sun control fabrics, featuring blackout and light-filtering options, are no exception.

With a face of subtle texture – emulating the look of natural fibers – and a unique foamed backing, SheerWeave Style 7400 is the latest addition to Phifer’s bustling range of blackout fabrics. From office settings to residential applications, this collection’s neutral color palette comprised of eight colors – Cotton, Parchment, Sesame, Pebble, Seagrass, Shale, Spice and Flint – is sure to complement any décor. Style 7400 is GREENGUARD Certified, PVC-free and flame retardant for commercial use.
SheerWeave 7450 is a complementary range of light-filtering fabrics that uses the face fabric of Style 7400. Illuminating interior spaces, Style 7450 provides privacy while allowing the function and beauty of natural light. With its rich texture, these fabrics provide an elegant option to meet your light-filtering needs.

Both fabric styles are constructed from 100% polyester for durability and ease of maintenance and available in widths up to 118 inches to maximize fabrication efficiency.

Posted June 30, 2016

Source: Phifer Incorporated

BECKET, MA —June 29, 2016 — The American Flock Association announced that its 9th triennial FLOCK SCHOOL covering materials, technologies and processing will take place August 3-5 on the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth campus.

The entire flocking process will be covered, from choice of flock, substrate and adhesive to coating and application techniques, as well as drying, curing and post treatments. Breakout sessions will address specific needs of the attendees.

Instructors are all seasoned veterans from the flocking industry.

This program is ideal for all levels of employees – from line operators to plant managers.  It is perfect for sales, technical, marketing and management personnel. This is a perfect chance to get a total overview of the flocking industry.

Posted June 29, 2016

Source: The American Flock Association