X-Rite Pantone Announces New Ci7860 Benchtop Spectrophotometer At K 2016

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — October 18, 2016 — X-Rite Inc. and its subsidiary Pantone LLC will debut the new Ci7860 benchtop sphere spectrophotometer at this week’s K 2016 in Düsseldorf, Germany. The newest member of X-Rite’s Ci7x00 family of benchtop spectrophotometers, the Ci7860 is the industry’s most advanced color measurement instrument. It reduces the margin of error when communicating color specifications for plastics, coatings or textiles across the supply chain and ensures the highest level of color accuracy and control throughout the entire production process.

X-Rite created the Ci7860 in response to feedback from consumer brands seeking a new level of color consistency. These companies have recognized the growing importance of color in consumers’ purchasing decisions. Visible variations in the color of products and packaging can impact both consumers’ perceptions of quality and retail sales. In response, brands are establishing stricter standards to minimize color variation in their products. Achieving these standards consistently, however, can be a challenge.

A typical production workflow includes many potential opportunities for color errors. Variations in the production process itself, from the composition of raw materials to the environmental conditions under which a product is produced, are one source of error. Differences in color measurement procedures are a second source. Inter-instrument agreement – the accuracy and consistency with which various color measurement devices read a color sample – can also contribute to error, particularly in workflows where the first two sources have been carefully controlled. The Ci7860 was specifically designed to minimize the contribution of inter-instrument agreement to color variation, ensuring the most accurate and consistent color control.

The new Ci7860 has an inter-instrument agreement specification of 0.06 average Delta E*; this represents a 25 percent improvement over other sphere spectrophotometers.  As a result, the Ci7860 enables brands to create the most precise master color standards and communicate these digitally, in place of physical samples, to supply chain partners. Suppliers can use the Ci7860 or other devices in the Ci7x00 family to verify that both samples and the final product are achieving customers’ strictest color tolerances.

“Color errors can occur at any stage of the design and production process and can quickly add up to put your final product out of specification, creating significant production delays, waste or rework,” said Chris Winczewski, Vice President of Product Marketing, X-Rite Pantone. “The improved inter-instrument agreement of the Ci7860 ensures a higher rate of accuracy throughout the production process, reducing a key source of potential color error. By using Ci7860 benchtop spectrophotometers, brands and their suppliers will achieve the ultimate in color measurement accuracy and repeatability.”

In addition to improved inter-instrument agreement, the Ci7860 provides:

  • A complete audit trail, allowing users to record and reference all measurements as well as the temperature and humidity conditions under which measurements were taken.
  • An on-board camera captures images of every sample along with details of the settings and time of measurement allowing process control professionals to easily audit for invalid measurements and sample defects.
  • Support for legacy data to ensure that the Ci7860 fits seamlessly into existing operational environments.
  • Calibrated UV to help measure and control optical brighteners used in paper, textiles, plastics and paint and coatings.
  • Four aperture sizes for measuring total transmission of translucent and transparent samples. Four standard plus one optional 3.5mm aperture sizes for measuring reflection of opaque materials.
  • Conformance with industry standards including CIE No 15, ASTM D1003, ISO 7724/1.

The Ci7860 is on display at K 2016 in the X-Rite booth located in Hall 8b, Stand H65.

Posted October 18, 2016

Source: X-Rite

W. L. Gore & Associates Announces New Distribution And Manufacturing Partnerships For Gore® FR Apparel

ELKTON, Md. — October 18, 2016 — W. L. Gore & Associates announces new North American distribution and manufacturing partners for the recently launched GORE® FR Apparel with GORE-TEX® PYRAD® fabric for the oil and gas market. GORE FR Apparel is a new line of FR foul weather outerwear products designed to meet the demanding needs of oil and gas workers.

Tyndale USA, Wayne Enterprises, Apparel Solutions International, and The Coverall Shop will be the exclusive distributors of GORE® FR Apparel for the 2016 launch into the North American market. Product is immediately available through each of them to meet Fall/Winter demand.

“These distributors represent tremendous customer service and significant reach in alignment with our objectives for the brand,” said Sean McDearmon, market development champion. “We are confident in their ability to solidify GORE FR Apparel with GORE-TEX PYRAD fabric as the new standard in foul weather outerwear throughout North America.”

In addition to these distributors, Gore has added two key manufacturing partners to their oil and gas portfolio. Building off of their recent success with GORE-TEX® PYRAD® fabric offerings for the utility market, Lac-Mac and National Safety Apparel (NSA) will be adding styles specifically focused on the oil and gas worker.

“These partners reflect the values and integrity that Gore products represent to the end user. We are excited to grow these product lines with them,” said Eric Gaver, Business Leader – NA Energy Market.

GORE FR Apparel and other products featuring GORE-TEX PYRAD fabric will be on display at the National Safety Council Congress & Expo (NSC) Show in Anaheim, Calif., October 17-19, 2016, and the OSHA Oil & Gas Show in Houston, November 29-30, 2016.

Posted October 18, 2016

Source: W. L. Gore & Associates

IBS Filtran Selects DuPont™ Zytel® To Replace Metal With Plastic In The New Daimler NAG3 Automatic Transmission

GENEVA — October 18, 2016 — At K show 2016, DuPont Performance Materials (DPM) and IBS Filtran demonstrate a new production-ready oil pan made of a high grade glass-fiber-reinforced material which is being used in Daimler’s state of the art nine-speed automatic transmission.

DuPont collaborated with IBS Filtran, a leading supplier of oil filter systems for transmission in the automotive industry, to optimize production and processing of Daimler car oil pans in nine speed automatic transmission. The NAG3 (new automatic transmission) uses a thermoplastic polymer from DuPont’s Zytel® nylon resin portfolio(Zytel 70G35 HSLRA4) for the multifunctional lower shell. Replacing metal with Zytel reduces cost by saving on weight (1,3kg versus a metal oil pan), providing design freedom without compromising on performance.

“We have had a strong relationship with DuPont for many years which invites the type of collaboration necessary to create revolutionary transmission systems addressing regulatory and consumer trends. This oil pan is an example of how working with the supply chain can produce cost-effective solutions that our consumers desire. With DuPont’s help, we developed an oil pan which links the need for core design and reduced manufacturing and assembly costs with energy efficiency”. – Wolfgang Stausberg (CTO, IBS Filtran)

Drawing on the significant expertise of IBS Filtran in filtration and plastic module design, the two plastic oil filters are fully integrated into the oil pan housing to meet the highly demanding specifications given the restricted installation space. “Replacing sheet metal is only possible via a full integration of anything which can be integrated,” said Franz Spitznagel, senior development programs manager, DuPont Performance Materials. “Working closely with IBS Filtran enabled us to use Zytel for this project and produce this unique highly integrated oil pan.”

The use of these types of thermoplastic polymers creates a significant opportunity for further functional integration of the oil pan with the rest of the transmission. This grade of Zytel combines low warpage, easy processing and laser weldability. It has an excellent balance of stiffness and toughness over a wide range of temperature, and in combination with a special rib design it withstands stone impacts of up to 200 km/h. For all this, its transmission oil resistance and creep resistance at 150 degrees, this grade of Zytel is the perfect fit for this kind of application.

Besides, the integrated filter system uses the SmartMedia® technology from IBS Filtran, where different filter media types are combined to significantly improve the filter performance on the suction side of the pump. Whereby an additional pressure filter could be avoided.

DuPont™ Zytel 70G35 offers the right blend of strength, stiffness and fatigue resistance to stand up to the load and stress such a demanding use calls for. It is the ideal material to use in this new transmission, which sets the trend for the future.

Posted October 18, 2016

Source: DuPont Performance Materials

Hexcel Showcases Portfolio Of Multiaxial Reinforcements At Composites Engineering 2016

LEICESTER, England — September 2016 — Hexcel will showcase its HiMax™ range of multiaxial reinforcements at Composites Engineering 2016 in Birmingham, November 2-3. HiMax fabrics are widely used in the automotive, wind energy, marine, sports and industrial markets and can be specifically tailored for each customer’s individual application.

HiMax multiaxial reinforcements, or non-crimp fabrics (NCF), are made up of multiple plies of parallel fibrer, each laying in a different orientation. These layers are typically stitchbonded to form a fabric. HiMax reinforcements allow composites manufacturers to process multiple layers of unidirectional fibers in a single fabric and offer several advantages over traditional forms of reinforcement. A selection of products will be on display at Composites Engineering, including carbon, glass and aramid multiaxials, hybrid fabrics, fabrics optimized for infusion, and recycled materials.

HiMax carbon multiaxials are available in a wide range of fiber types from 3k through to 50k, including both PAN and pitch fibers. Fabrics with weights from 50 g/m2 up to 1600 g/m2 can be produced, in widths of 25 mm through to 1600 mm. The range includes unidirectionals (UDs), +/- 20 biaxials, +/- 60 multiaxials of 75 g/m2, 0/90 biaxials, triaxials and quadaxials.

Hexcel’s glass fibre range includes UDs, +/-45 biaxials, 0/90 biaxials, triaxials and quadaxials. Fabrics are available in weights of 250 g/m2 up to 6000 g/m2 and widths of 25 mm through to 2540 mm. Chopped fibre mats and other substrates can be employed to create materials optimized for customers’ projects.

Hexcel has developed a full range of fabrics specifically for customers which use infusion. In addition to modifying the construction of standard fabrics to enable, higher and more consistent infusion rates, the range encompasses fabrics that include different infusion cores within the structure including polypropylene, polyester, natural fibre and glass fabrics. Hexcel has also developed a number of ‘multi-stack’ fabrics that are ideal for infusing large monolithic structures in fewer layers. To aid the development of the ideal fabric architecture for each application, Hexcel offers a series of comparative test methods for determining the relative infusibility of fabrics as well as the quality of the laminates produced.

Hexcel acquired the Formax multiaxials business in January 2016 to advance dry reinforcements technology for future aerospace applications and provide scale for growing industrial markets.

Posted October 18, 2016

Source: Hexcel 

AmeriPride Services Adds 20 CNG Vehicles To Its Fleet In Vancouver

MINNEAPOLIS — October 18, 2016 — AmeriPride Services has announced the receipt of the first of 20 compressed natural gas (CNG) step vans at its Vancouver branch. The company will incorporate the additional CNG delivery trucks into its fleet over the upcoming weeks and months as a part of its ongoing effort to reduce its carbon footprint and lead the industry in environmental sustainability.

“AmeriPride is absolutely committed to the environment and expanding our alternative fuels program across the company,” said Bill Evans, President and CEO of AmeriPride. “The company has a strong track record of piloting and incorporating new technology into our delivery operations. We are setting a new standard for clean operations in our industry and continue to invest resources to leverage and help advance green technologies.”

Compressed natural gas is a cleaner burning fuel that is produced almost completely in North America. It produces less carbon emissions and lowers exposure to fuel price rate increases. The CNG vehicles are expected to result in 24 percent less carbon emissions as compared to comparable diesel vehicles.

The company’s new CNG vehicles are manufactured by Freightliner Custom Chassis and Morgan Olson with the conversion completed by Green Alternative Systems. The vehicles are powered by a General Motors 6L engine and the tanks have 52 usable gallons of capacity.

AmeriPride chose the Vancouver market for this initiative based on incentive funding provided by FortisBC that assisted with the costs of CNG conversion for the vehicles. In addition, FortisBC made upgrades to their local CNG fueling infrastructure.

“We are extremely excited to be adding these CNG trucks at our facility,” said Kris Groom, General Manager of the Vancouver branch. “I look forward to incorporating the vehicles into our delivery operations and taking advantage of the many financial and environmental benefits of this new technology.”

Once the new CNG trucks are incorporated into its fleet operations, AmeriPride will have a total of 36 CNG trucks, 16 propane trucks and 2 electric vehicles in operation across the company, with more to come in the upcoming year. AmeriPride has received recognition for its efforts including TRSA’s ‘Clean Green’ Award, Heavy Duty Trucking’s ‘Top 50 Green Fleets’ Award and Fleet Technology Expo’s ‘Top Tier Light and Medium Duty Efficient Fleet’ Award.

The alternative fuel vehicles program is a part of a larger companywide effort to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Other fleet initiatives the company has implemented include trailer skirting and double-decker semi trailers; fuel efficient sedans for the service team and the installation of telematics technology and route optimization software to reduce mileage and increase efficiency. The company is also piloting solar power and installing heat reclamation systems in its plants. More details on AmeriPride’s efforts can be found in the company’s Corporate Responsibility Report that outlines key initiatives across the company.

Posted October 18, 2016

Source: AmeriPride Services

Lectra Continues To Conquer Fast-Growing Airbag Market In East Asia

PARIS — October 18, 2016 — Lectra is pleased to announce that South Korean automotive component supplier Dual has purchased a FocusQuantum® laser airbag cutting project for its multi-ply airbag manufacturing plant in Jiangyin, China.

With a proud tradition of world-class research and development, Dual strives to meet evolving customer needs by offering innovative new auto interior materials and manufacturing technology. The supplier’s airbag cutting business serves the needs of Hyundai Motor Group, which is currently undergoing growth in the strategically important automotive manufacturing region of mainland China.

Due to its OEM customer’s anticipated rise in production volume requirements as of 2017, Dual began looking into significantly increasing capacity. When the company first approached Lectra, it was equipped with Lectra Focus® laser airbag cutters. Impressed by the high level of cutting quality and productivity demonstrated by the next-generation FocusQuantum—following testing at Lectra’s R&D campus in Bordeaux-Cestas, France—Dual signed to purchase a brand-new FocusQuantum for its facilities in China.

The complete airbag manufacturing project includes the support of Lectra Professional Services to accelerate ramp-up, guarantee smooth integration into the manufacturer’s processes and ensure optimal performance of the cutting process.

The quality and breadth of Lectra’s customer support services were a major reason behind Dual’s final decision to acquire a FocusQuantum integrated solution. FocusQuantum Support coverage includes automatic real-time alerts and detailed reports compiling updated maintenance records and system status, including that of the laser source.

As a mature organization with a full customer support structure in place, including a call center, an extensive field service engineering team, senior airbag business consultants and spare parts inventories, Lectra helps airbag manufacturers achieve maximum machine availability and productivity through quick intervention.

“Dual maintains its leadership position through continuous technology development and quality improvement, with consumer safety and comfort as high priorities,” notes Yong Woo Park, CEO, Airbag Business Unit, Dual (IHC). “Acquiring a state-of-the-art FocusQuantum will enable us to not only increase our production capacity, but also achieve the very highest level of quality.”

“We are pleased that Dual has decided to gain a competitive edge with our game-changing FocusQuantum laser airbag cutting solution,” states Céline Choussy Bedouet, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Lectra. “In addition to benefiting from the highest level of airbag quality at the lowest possible cost per unit, Dual can operate with confidence knowing that Lectra maintains a strong local presence in China, with Professional Services teams based in in Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing.”

Posted October 18, 2016

Source: Lectra

TRESU Group Introduces Printing Unit For Branding Non-Woven Sanitary Napkins Inline During Manufacturing Process

KOLDING, Denmark — October 13, 2016 — Danish flexo technology provider TRESU Group has developed a multi-color flexo printing unit for applying patterns to nonwoven disposable sanitary napkins. Developed following a collaboration with leading global personal care brand owners, the printing unit applies patterns on the inside of the product, and performs seamlessly alongside other converting processes on the napkin production line.

Customized to the specifications of the production line, the printing unit comprises up to four water-based colors, a hot air dryer and, at the embossing point, a register guidance camera. It is capable of printing on non-woven materials between 15 and 22 grams per square meter, especially pre-perforated PE polymers. The unit also offers a compact footprint and an operator-friendly design.

Located at point of embossing, the register guidance system ensures synchronization of the printed pattern with the crease in the centre of the napkin, at speeds of up to 400 meters per minute (approximately 2,000 pieces per minute). Using the converting machine interface signals as point of reference, the control module influences the servo motors to ensure accuracy is maintained on-the-fly throughout the production run. Servo drives ensure automatically controlled, precise print speed and ink flow, so that operation without in-house flexo experience or handling is possible.

Allan Sander, vice-president, TRESU Solutions, said: “Consumers are increasingly seeking assurance about the quality of their products, and research has shown that there is stronger loyalty to napkin brands with recognisable printed designs such as icons or logos  printed on the fabric. TRESU’s customised printing integration system enables the personal hygiene industry to achieve this, while maintaining a cost-controlled, flexible, single-pass operation.”

The integration unit includes TRESU’s F10 iCon ink supply system with automatic cleaning, to constantly feed the printing units and maintain optimum viscosity, temperature and pressure. Sealed, pressure-controlled chambered doctor blade systems enable direct, foam-free transfer of ink or coating to the anilox rollers, ensuring a consistently clean printed image.

The system is optimized for fast job changes. A control system stores and, in the case of repeat jobs, instantly recalls job recipes, so no re-entry of ink and calibration data is needed.  At the installation stage, the TRESU technical team works with the customer to build a unique database of recipe settings for each job, including, among others, impression settings, print levels, flow rate, air velocity, temperature and register coordinates.

The ability to seamlessly integrate the printing operation into the existing converting and assembly line means that customers can avoid the costs and lengthy lead times associated with outsourcing.

“TRESU collaborated closely with the customer’s research and development division at every step from the concept stage, to customize the machine to suit production requirements and skills levels,” stated Mr. Sander.

“The projects have been a large success for the customers, with integrations of our high level printing technology into a large number of hygiene converting lines at locations in Europe, USA and Mexico. From TRESU’s perspective, we are proud to have developed the requested solution on time despite demands on safety, process technology and a tight time frame.”

Posted October 14, 2016

Source: TRESU Group

ITMA Asia + CITME 2016 Exhibitor Preview: SPGPrints

BOXMEER, the Netherlands — October 14, 2016 — In addition to its inkjet machine and ink innovations at ITMA Asia + CITME 2016, SPGPrints will also highlight rotary screen printing and imaging technologies that enable textile printers to optimize uptime, drive quality, and print on the widest range of fabrics (booth H5D01, National Exhibition and Convention Center, Shanghai, October 21-25).

smartLEX laser exposing system: top-quality screen imaging

SPGPrints’ laser exposing systems are a productive, cost-efficient way of imaging nickel rotary screens to outstanding levels of quality.

The company’s smartLEX 7043 laser exposing system contains the company’s unique multi-beam diode technology, that combines long life, high productivity and resolutions of up to 2540dpi. Using an intuitive Smart-GUI, smartLEX 7043 exposes screens between 300mm and 3500mm length, in exposing cycles as short as 12 minutes.

smartLEX has proven to be the market standard in the competitive textile market, with dozens of new installations in this year only. The machine not only sets the quality standard in the market, but also provides the customers the best value for money.

Comprehensive Rotary Screen Textile Printing Solutions

SPGPrints maintains its position as the world’s leading rotary screen provider, with more than 50 years of research and innovation. The company offers tailored, high-performance solutions for every stage in the workflow, including complete printing lines, equipment upgrades and electroformed nickel rotary screens, in addition to direct laser engraving and exposing systems.

SPGPrints’ electroformed seamless nickel screens are renowned for their strength, durability, stability at high print speeds, and the potential for high mesh-counts.  The company’s screen programme is suitable for numerous effects and fabrics.

NovaScreen® screens offer the optimum in print quality and productivity for printing all kinds of fabrics, ranging from cotton, polyester and viscose, to silk, rayon and heavy materials like car upholstery. The high mesh count with streamlined bridges between specially shaped holes maximises paste transfer.

Additionally, the 155XT screen offers excellent printing and handling stability, and is easy to fit and strip. The high mesh count offers smooth tonal gradations. Its 13 per cent open area is almost 10 per cent larger than that of the standard 155 mesh screen. Also exhibited, RandomScreen®, with stochastic hole arrangement, suppresses moiré effects in halftones.

Inkjet highlights on the SPGPrints stand, as announced in early October, will include the first demonstration in China of the JAVELIN® digital inkjet printer for medium and large capacity requirements, plus the complete new range of NEBULA® inkjet inks that offer superior runnability, sustainability and an increased colour gamut.

Posted October 14, 2016

Source: SPGPrints

EconCore And Fynotej Enter Into A License Agreement For Production Of Honeycomb Sandwich Panels

LEUVEN, Belgium — October 13, 2016 — After preliminary development work, EconCore and Fynotej have entered into a license agreement for ThermHex honeycomb technology. The license focuses initially on honeycomb sandwich panels made of polypropylene thermoplastic material and the application field of automotive interiors.

EconCore’s licensees in Europe and Japan have already entered the automotive market with the honeycomb technology. Fynotej, a well-established nonwovens and industrial carpets manufacturer and a supplier to the automotive industry, based in Mexico, is the first North American licensee of EconCore focusing on automotive applications. By acquisition of the know-how and rights to the technology for continuous production of thermoplastic honeycomb panels, the company puts itself in a market leading position — the production of rigid panels integrated with in-line lamination of decorative and functional carpets allows for a unique efficiency of production of finished automotive interior elements.

“This license agreement is very much in-line with the market’s trends” – says Tomasz Czarnecki, COO of EconCore – “We have observed the shift of the European automotive and transportation industries from heavier and often moisture sensitive material solutions to much lighter polypropylene honeycomb panels and parts. With the new fuel economy and carbon-emission regulations of the American market, calling for weight savings and environmental care, we are confident that a similar change, which has already been started in America, will continue with high momentum. The cost efficiency of EconCore’s process and the high performance of the honeycomb product should be the key ingredients ensuring dynamic developments.”

Posted October 14, 2016

Source: EconCore

Fashion SVP Collaborates With Partners On New Show Feature

LONDON — October 14, 2016 — Fashion SVP organizer IDEX has teamed up with Fashion Enter and the Ethical Fashion Forum to present an innovative new feature at the show to be held at Olympia London, November 15-16, 2016, “Fashion Made Better”, demonstrating the life cycle of fashion production, from design to the finished garment, and offering up to the minute advice on best practice in ethical and sustainable fashion sourcing.

Fashion Enter, the social enterprise organization which encompasses a state of the art production facility in North London, making for leading fashion brands, and an acclaimed academy offering design, sourcing and production training, will be collaborating in presenting the multi-dimensional feature. This will comprise high-end designers and designs, production machinery with operatives demonstrating fabrication and stitching, pattern cutting and fabric selection, and an advice clinic on training and development paths available.

The Ethical Fashion Forum, the global industry body for sustainable fashion, will also be providing the very latest information, advice and tips on sourcing ethically and sustainably through drop-in consultancy on-site.

Buzz Carter, Event Director of Fashion SVP, said: “As the UK’s unique fashion sourcing and production event, at Fashion SVP we’re delighted to be working with the enthusiastic and innovative teams from Fashion Enter and Ethical Fashion Forum. Show visitors will benefit from learning and seeing fashion ideas and designs brought to life in the live environment of the show, and can also find out how how they can develop and maintain high ethical sourcing standards.”

Jenny Holloway, CEO of Fashion Enter, said, “Credit to Fashion SVP for taking yet another innovative approach to sourcing.  We shall be setting up a live stand where we can showcase the highly skilled talents of our machinists and host interactive workshops where you can ask those burning questions regarding what exactly is quality of make and ethical production. With the advent of Article 50 being triggered in March 2017 every brand should now be forging closer links with UK manufacturers now; for quality fast track and transparent production the only way forward is Made in the UK.”

Tamsin Lejeune, Managing Director and founder of Ethical Fashion Forum, added: “Ethical and sustainable production is becoming a license to operate, and the key to success, in today’s fashion industry. We’ve seen a burgeoning interest from fashion professionals across the supply chain in how to build businesses that are sustainable across three dimensions – commercial, social, and environmental. It’s the future.”

Posted October 14, 2016

Source: Fashion SVP

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