Human Solutions Group — a Germany-based provider of 3-D body dimension data, ergonomic simulation and other fit technology — has developed a contact-free bodyscanner to take people’s measurements in 3-D.
The bodyscanner features a fully automatic process based on 3-D depth sensor technology and uses optical triangulation — featuring infrared light and 12 sensors — to scan a person’s body and create a scanatar whose body dimensions match exactly those of the person being scanned. The scanatar may then be virtually dressed using Human Solutions’ Vidya simulation software.
According to Human Solutions, scan time is only one second; and the scanner system itself is compact, taking up only 3 square meters of space and weighing 30 kilograms. The company reports the bodyscanner is particularly suited for virtual try-on by customers in retail apparel stores.
May 20, 2014
Human Solutions Develops New 3-D Bodyscanner
Martex Fiber Completes Spartanburg Plant Expansion
Martex Fiber Southern Corp., Charlotte, has completed the expansion of its Spartanburg Fiber Division plant. The company has installed a fiber reclamation line that will produce additional value-added fibers for use in automotive, upholstery and yarn applications. The expansion is part of Martex Fiber’s No Fiber Left Behind program in which it strives to send zero textile waste to landfills by recycling all textile waste it purchases.
“The expansion increased Spartanburg’s plant capacity by over 20 percent, further expanding our ability to create valuable outlets for the over 160 million pounds per year of pre- and post-consumer cotton and cotton-polyester textile waste that Martex Fiber keeps out of landfills,” said Jamie Jarrett, general manager, Martex Fiber Southern Corp.’s Fiber Division.
The company also is expanding its Brownsville, Texas, manufacturing facility as part of the No Fiber Left Behind program. That expansion will increase capacity by 11 million pounds per year and is expected to be completed in the second quarter of this year.
May/June 2014
Rennovia, JM Davy Team To Promote Biobased Technology
Biobased chemical production process developer Rennovia Inc., Menlo Park, Calif. , and chemical process technologies developer and licensor Johnson Matthey Davy Technologies Ltd. (JM Davy), London, have partnered to develop, demonstrate and commercialize catalytic process technologies for biobased glucaric and adipic acid production. Using Rennovia’s catalytic aerobic oxidation technology to convert glucose to glucaric acid, and catalytic hydrogenation technology to convert glucaric acid to adipic acid, the companies aim to develop and jointly license a technology package to enable commercial-scale production of the two chemicals.
Adipic acid, traditionally derived from petroleum, is used in the production of nylon 6,6 fibers and engineering resins, polyesters, polyurethanes, and other applications. Rennovia’s technology, using renewable carbohydrate materials, enables production of adipic acid at 20- to 25-percent lower costs than petroleum-based adipic acid, with an 85-percent projected reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
“With their extensive experience developing and licensing catalytic process technologies across a wide range of biobased and petrochemical markets, Rennovia considers JM Davy an ideal development and licensing partner for our renewable glucaric acid and adipic acid products,” said Robert Wedinger, president and CEO, Rennovia. “We look forward to working with JM Davy to deliver technologies to the marketplace that are scalable, less capital-intensive, and cost-advantaged over current petrochemical processes.”
May/June 2014
TenCate Advanced Armour To Supply Nexter Systems For Armoured Vehicle Requirement
VISSENBJERG, Denmark — May 16, 2014 — TenCate Advanced Armour Danmark A/S has won a contract for the supply of lightweight composite armour to Nexter Systems. The TenCate armour system to be supplied protects vehicle occupants against the effects of blasts, fragments, and projectiles. The solution is engineered to fit the Nexter vehicle platform. No financial details will be published.
Following this significant order from Nexter Systems to TenCate, on Thursday 15 May the French ambassador to Denmark, François Zimeray, visited the Ten Cate Advanced Armour facilities in Denmark. Upon a request from the French Embassy, TenCate was singled out by Nexter as an example of how Danish Industry stands to benefit from Nexter’s involvement in the armoured personnel carriers (APC) and artillery procurement projects currently being undertaken by Denmark.
Steen Tanderup, Managing Director TenCate Advanced Armour EMEA & APAC, states: ‘We are very happy to be selected as supplier for this project, and to develop further the good relationship between TenCate and Nexter Systems. Nexter Systems is a very interesting partner for TenCate with a wide range of vehicle platforms and a significant level of activity in export markets, thus representing a good match for the TenCate Advanced Armour global growth strategy’.
Mr. Alexandre Penley, Director International Affairs of Nexter Systems, states: ‘The order placed with Ten Cate Advanced Armour is a direct consequence of Nexter’s willingness to diversify its supplier base in a long term perspective and to use industrial cooperation as a preferred and essential means to deliver best value for money to our customers. From this perspective, TenCate Advanced Armour and Danish industry stands out as a reliable and valuable partner’.
TenCate Advanced Armour has facilities in Denmark, France, Netherlands, the UK and USA, sales offices in India, Dubai and Singapore and is a global provider of customised, lightweight ballistic protection solutions for the complete range of requirements, from personal protection through all vehicle types, helicopter and aircraft applications as well as naval platforms up to and including principal warships.
Posted May 20, 2014
Source: TenCate Advanced Armour
Rock Hill Distribution Represents ARISTO In The United States
Rock Hill Distribution LLC, Greenville, has been established to represent Germany-based large-format, computer-controlled flatbed cutter manufacturer ARISTO Graphic Systeme GmbH & Co. KG in the United States.
Rock Hill Distribution will supply Aristo’s precision cutting solutions, which are used in the textile, apparel, upholstery, digital graphics, packaging and gasket manufacturing industries.
“We’re excited to serve as the U.S. provider of ARISTO’s award-winning precision cutting solutions,” said Kevin Grabiec, president, Rock Hill Distribution. “We understand the unique capabilities of our manufacturing partners, and will utilize ARISTO’s innovative technologies to develop customized workflow solutions that will improve the way our customers do business.”
May/June 2014
Suminoe To Expand Gaffney, S.C., Facility
Automotive textiles producer Suminoe Textile of America Corp., Gaffney, S.C., is investing $5 million to expand needlepunch nonwoven carpet capacity and add 100 jobs.
The company, a subsidiary of Suminoe Textile Ltd., Japan, established its Gaffney operations in 2003, and expanded the facility in 2010. It now employs more than 400 people in Gaffney.
Needlepunched nonwoven carpet is increasingly being substituted for tufted carpet in automotive interiors because it is more economical to produce and offers benefits such as light weight, noise absorption and improved aesthetics.
May/June 2014
Interspare Develops Smartphone App For Ordering Spare Parts
Finishing lines manufacturer Interspare, Germany, now offers the iPhone-and Android-compatible Smartphone Smart Order System App to simplify spare parts ordering. A customer may photograph the machinery and required spare parts, and transmit the images via the app to Interspare, whose staff then identify the necessary spare parts and provide the part number, price and delivery timeframe to the customer. This time-saving process eliminates the need to search through parts catalogs to identify the correct part and part number before placing an order.
Customers may order spare parts for Krantz, BTM, Artos, Stentex, Babcock Famatex, Hacoba and Franz Müller ranges. Customers also may submit images of other tenter frame spare parts, particularly those manufactured by German companies, for evaluation and a price quote. Interspare will provide the required part if possible.
May/June 2014
Schlafhorst Unveils 2Impact FX Compact Spinning Unit
Germany-based staple spinning technology supplier Schlafhorst, a business unit of Saurer AG, Switzerland, reports its second-generation Zinser 351 2Impact FX compact spinning unit features a new air ducting system that offers a constant and turbulence-free airflow to ensure a consistent vacuum in the compacting unit, which in turn produces a uniformly bound fiber with guaranteed quality.
The company has modified the unit’s self-cleaning compact apron to feature inclined perforated slots that increase the apron’s life. Fiber residue and other dirt particles also are expelled out of the air openings at the apron’s deflection points using the milling effect, eliminating the need for rigid screening drums that clog with fiber residue and require periodic cleaning.
Schlafhorst reports the unit is automatically self-cleaning, designed for optimal aerodynamics, and equipped with its own controlled vacuum unit. These features enable increased annual production of up to 7,700 kilograms of yarn.
The compact apron on Schlafhorst’s second-generation Zinser 351 2Impact FX features inclined perforation.
May/June 2014
Dixie Group Acquires Atlas Carpet Mills
Carpet and rug manufacturer The Dixie Group Inc., Chattanooga, Tenn., has acquired commercial broadloom and modular carpet tile manufacturer Atlas Carpet Mills, Los Angeles, for $17.5 million.
“Dixie and Atlas have had a long relationship that goes back over 40 years,” said Dixie Group Chairman and CEO Daniel K. Frierson, adding that Atlas Founder Jim Horwich remains president of the company. Atlas Executive Vice President Mark Nestler and Vice President of Manufacturing Scott Price also remain with the company.
Commenting on Atlas’s “very strong sales force and excellent brand equity,” Dixie COO Kennedy Frierson stated that “this strong market position has been created by the superior design and styling of their product offerings.” He noted that Atlas’s Saybrook tufting, coating, inspection and shipping operations will continue as before; as will administrative, product development and sales operations. Dixie will consolidate Atlas’s dyeing operations into its own Susan Street facility in Santa Ana, Calif., and many of the associates from the Atlas facility are expected to move to the Santa Ana facility.
Atlas reported sales totaling some $53 million in 2013 and has stayed profitable over its 44-year history. Atlas remains a distinct brand within Dixie’s portfolio, joining the Fabrica International, Masland Carpets, Dixie Home, Masland Contract and Avant brands.
Dixie sales totaled some $345 million in 2013, compared with 2012 sales totaling $266 million.
May/June 2014
Tex Tech Acquires Chapman Innovations
Tex Tech Industries, Portland, Maine — developer of Core Matrix Technology™, a patented protective material — has acquired CarbonX® thermal fabric solutions developer Chapman Innovations, Salt Lake City.
Tex Tech supplies engineered, high-performance fabrics to the aerospace, defense, law enforcement, industrial and sporting goods industries. The company manufactures fire-retardant and thermal acoustic insulation for major commercial aerospace platforms, and also produces tennis felt.
CarbonX nonflammable fabrics and apparel feature a blend of high-performance fibers and are used in protective industrial safety, construction, welding, molten metal, utilities, pulp and paper, oil and gas, firefighting, motorsports and tactical/police applications.
May/June 2014
