ITMA 2003 Exhibitors

Compiled ByJennifer Dennard,Assistant Editor,and Rachael S. Dunn,Managing EditorITMA 2003
Exhibitors
Textile World has put together an expanded ITMA 2003 exhibitor list with a preview of some
of the products that will be on display at the show. The listings were compiled from responses to a
questionnaire and were organized using ITMA-defined product categories arranged in chapters. Use
the chapter links below as a guide to find some of the technologies on display at this years ITMA.
See the October issue of
TW for additional listings.
Chapter
1: Spinning
Chapter
2: Nonwovens
Chapter
3: Weaving
Chapter
4: Knitting
Chapter
5: DyeingandFinishing
Chapter
6: Other MachineryandAccessories
Chapter
7: Making-up Equipment
Chapter
8: TestingandMeasuring Equipment
Chapter
9: Pneumatic Equipment, Air Handling
Chapter
10: TransportationandHandling
Chapter
11: Recycling
Chapter
12: Software
Chapter
13: Technical Information Sources
Chapter
14: DyestuffsandChemicals
Chapter
15: Associated GoodsandServicesSpinningIn the area of fiber and yarn manufacturing, A.B. Carter
Inc., Gastonia, N.C., will display various spinning equipment and accessories. Hall 3, Stand
SP3-4E. Andar Holdings Ltd., New Zealand, will exhibit its Basolan 88 applicator for improved yarn
handling, and its Total Easy Care value-added process that enables fibers to stand up well after
multiple machine washings and tumble dryings. Primary stand contact: Grant Watson. Hall 1, Stand
SP1-19A.Argus Fire Control, Charlotte, will feature its fire suppression systems, the AD-50
metal/spark diverter and the EMT-101 dry chemical system. Hall 2, Stand SP2-12B.Arratex S.r.l.,
Italy (Centro Ricerche Tessili Inc., Charlotte), will demonstrate its versatile twisting machine,
false twisting machine, and cabling machine for embroidery yarn. Primary stand contact: Arturo
Ratti. Hall 2, Stand SP2-13J.Ascotex Ltd., England, will show its polycrystalline sapphire ceramic
yarn guides for micro and super-micro yarns, as well as its latest spin finish applicators and
twist stops. Primary stand contact: James Ashworth. Hall 3A, Stand SP3A-2C.Ashton International
Pvt. Ltd., India, will highlight its lattice conveyor system, synthetic rubber aprons for condenser
cards, condenser tapes, nylon sandwich belts, conveyor belts, flexible card clothing and raising
fillets. Primary stand contact: Ashwani Bindal. Hall 4, Stand SP4-7D.BarcoVision, Belgium, will
display the blow-room Cotton Sorter contaminant detection and removal system; SliverWatch detection
system for draw frames; ABS foreign fiber detection unit for open-end (OE) spinning machines, and
polypropylene (PP) detection sensor for OE spinning machines; Barcoprofile optical yarn measurement
system for air texturing, air entangling and sewing thread machines; Optispin spindle monitoring
system for ring-spinning machines; Optitwist real-time twist and speed control system for twisting
machines; SpinMaster plant-wide monitoring unit; KITMaster sliver information system; and the
OEMaster monitoring system. Hall 1, Stand SP1-13A.Binsfeld Engineering Inc., Maple City, Mich.,
will feature its TempTrak Digital Temperature Transmitter for the improvement of godet temperature
control. Primary stand contact: Michael Binsfeld. Hall 3A, Stand SP3A-10D.Biotti S.r.l., Italy
(Rebtex Co., East Greenwich, R.I.), will feature flexible card clothing, metallic card clothing and
raising fillets. Primary stand contact: Alfredo Margarini. Hall 3A, Stand SP3A-3A.Emil Broell
GmbHandCo., Germany, will exhibit its Broell Spirit-Family of new navels for OE spinning, and OE
rotors. For texturing, LF-rollers and ultra-smooth rollers, twist stop for very fine to coarse
textured yarns, and the conTEX friction disc-set will be on display. Hall 3A, Stand SP3A-7A.Cason
S.p.A., Italy (Fi-Tech Inc., Richmond, Va.), will exhibit manual and automatic bobbin strippers
that allow yarn residuals to be removed from any kind of tube without damaging the tube surface.
Primary stand contact: Giovanni Cama. Hall 2, Stand SP2-13D.

Cason S.p.A. will exhibit bobbin strippers.Cetex Chemnitzer Textilmaschinenentwicklung GmbH,
Germany, will present Cetex-3D textiles that have near-net-contour and air-conditioning properties,
and are recyclable; and retrofitting sets for special spinning processes. Primary stand contact:
Katrin Luther. Hall 4, Stand SP4-7C.Cezoma BV, The Netherlands, will exhibit the CE1187 tube
winder; CE3287 cone winder; CE1387 automatic and manual kingspool winder; CE1487 pre-wound bobbin
winder without flanges for sewing thread, embroidery and dental floss; CEF1487 pre-wound bobbin
winder with flanges; CEP87 snapspool winder; and CE1587 bi-conical tube winder for the braiding
industry. Hall 3, Stand SP3-8C.Cognetex S.p.A., Italy, a member of the Finlane Group, will showcase
a variety of products, including the IDEA-E-73L COM4WOOL® Compact Ring-Spinning Frame with
electronic head-stock; and the new touch-screen Finlane Dialoguer machine now fitted on all Finlane
products. Primary stand contact: Alessandra Bronzini. Hall 1, Stand SP1-16A.Giuseppe Crespi S.a.s.,
Italy, will showcase its latest-generation sliver cans. Primary stand contact: Oreste Crespi. Hall
2, Stand SP2-1C.Danley Engineering Services, England, will exhibit the Model 4 automatic yarn
stripping machine. Primary stand contact: G. Wolstenholme. Hall 11, Stand W11-6J.DuPont Polyester
Technologies, Wilmington, N.C., will exhibit in Hall 3, Stand SP3-5B.E-Hwa Co. Ltd., China, will
present information on its spare parts for texturizing, knitting, weaving and winding machines; and
ceramic yarn guides. Primary stand contact: C.C. Chiang. Hall 1, Stand SP1-4A; and Hall 5, Stand
K5-16B.Ekoteks Tekstil A.S., Turkey, will showcase Ekorit ceramic yarn guides for yarn machines.
Primary stand contact: L. Nalbant. Hall 3, Stand SP3-23B.Electro-Jet S.A., Spain (PSP Marketing
Inc., Charlotte), will offer its traveling cleaners, bobbin cones and automatic transport systems,
Rovematic ADR roving frame, palletizing machines and automatic packing lines; as well as automatic
sets to clean, classify and lay spinning tubes. Primary stand contact: Jerry Perry. Hall 3, Stand
SP3-7A.Epic Enterprises Inc., Southern Pines, N.C., will display its replacement parts for various
cablers, twisting machines and carpet yarn heatsetting machines; and its Epi-Mark colored yarn and
fabric markers. Hall 1, SP1-14E.Fehrer AG, Austria, see Chapter 2: Nonwovens. Hall SP4, Stand
SP4-3C.FA.NI. S.a.s., Italy (Burnett Machine Co. Inc., Gastonia), will introduce a variety of
monitoring sensors and monitoring software including the SC1 capacitive sensor for monitoring ends
on ring-spinning frames, and Archimedes JMonitor software for spinning preparation machines.
Primary stand contact: Andrea Ceriolo. Hall 3A, Stand SP3A-18C.Fibre Extrusion Technology Ltd. and
Colormatrix Europe, England, will show a multidosing system for the controlled addition of liquid
base dispersions for instant on-line color matches. Primary stand contacts: Richard Slack and Phil
Winrow. Hall 1, Stand SP1-7E.Galan Textile Machinery S.L., Spain, will exhibit its new MULTI
modular ring twister featuring 100-percent independent modules, independent spindle twist, direct
spindle drive, electronic module ring holder, simple extension, and auto-doffing system. Hall 3,
Stand SP3-15B. GBS Commerciale S.r.l., Italy, will showcase its grinding machine for flexible card
clothing, automatic vacuum card cleaning plants, a mouthpiece guide unit and sharpening machinery.
Primary stand contact: Stefano Pazzaglia. Hall 2, Stand SP2-13E.Gieseken-Export, Spain, will show
its accessories for spinning machinery. Primary stand contact: Hans-H. Gieseken. Hall 2, Stand
SP2-13A.Giesse S.r.l., Italy (Otex Inc., Greenville), will highlight its fancy yarn machine and
chenille machine with remote control. Primary stand contact: Andrea Maier. Hall 3A, Stand
SP3A-18B.GigliottiandGualchieri S.p.A., Italy, will have on display chenille machines with full
electronic control, and flexible and versatile fancy-yarn machines. Primary stand contact: Renzo G.
Mammoli. Hall 3, Stand SP3-17D.Gneuss Kunststofftechnik GmbH, Germany, will feature the RSFgenius
fully automatic, process-constant filtration system for man-made fiber spinning. Hall 3A, Stand
SP3A-4B.Gold Hsing Industrial Co. Inc., Taiwan, will exhibit its line of rubber aprons and cots, as
well as other parts for textile machines. Primary stand contact: Richard Chuang. Hall 3, Stand
SP3-11B.Goulston Technologies Inc., Monroe, N.C., will display its fiber lubricant technology. Hall
3, Stand SP3-23A.Gualchierani Textile Automation, Italy, will offer its GSA-A bale press and Yarn
Defects Control (YDC) bobbin yarn fault detection device. Hall 2, Stand SP2-8B.Hacoba Spultechnik
GmbH, Germany (Symtech Inc., Spartanburg), will exhibit in Hall 3A, Stand SP3A-11B.Heberlein Fiber
Technology Inc., Switzerland (Heberlein North America, Greenville; Fi-Tech Inc.), will feature the
HemaJet® A series for microfilament yarn processing; the AirSplicer V-17 for technical applications
and texturing; the SlideJet-2, a new HemaJet housing for the Taslan® air-jet texturing process;
DetorqueJets for on-line detwisting during false-twist texturizing; a variety of air-interlacer
jets for spinning; Lufan® yarn-lacing devices; and, in cooperation with Karl Mayer GmbH, Germany,
the TwistJet® integrated texturing unit with MultiJet interlacing. Primary stand contact: Andreas
Weber. Hall 2, Stand SP2-15B.Hills Inc., West Melbourne, Fla., will exhibit glow and metal core
fibers, fibers with 600 islands, spunbond islands-in-the-sea fabric, and man-made canvas from a
spunbond substrate. Primary stand contact: Arnold Wilkie. Hall 1, Stand SP1-10G.H.K. Industries,
Pakistan, will present rubber aprons and cots, and pressure rollers. Primary stand contact:
Khurshid Ahmed. Hall 1, Stand SP1-10E.Hollingsworth Inc., Greenville, will exhibit in Hall 2, Stand
SP2-5B.Huber + Suhner AG, Switzerland (BVO Corp., Monroe, N.C.), will exhibit its latest Berkol®
automatic cot grinding system, a long-lasting top apron and new sleeve-fitting system for the wet
finishing sector. Primary stand contact: Peter Bornhauser. Hall 3A, Stands SP3A-7B and
SP3A-7C.Huitong Polyester Technique Co. Ltd., China, will show production lines for man-made fibers
and spinning frames. Primary stand contact: Sun Jin. Hall 2, Stand SP2-4C.Industria Meccanica
Applicata (IMA) S.r.l., Italy, will highlight spinning and metering pumps, and spin packs. Primary
stand contact: De Luca Leonardo. Hall 1, Stand SP1-3C.Inventa-Fischer GmbHandCo. KG, Germany, will
display elastic fiber melt-spun technology based on its newly developed spinning equipment. Primary
stand contact: Mr. Janzen. Hall 2, Stand SP2-16C.

Jossi’s Vision Shield foreign-matter removal systemJossi Systems AG, Switzerland, will
display the Vision Shield foreign-matter removal system for the spinning process, accompanied by
the new PolyTect modulated ultraviolet light source and advanced image-processing software. Hall 1,
Stand SP1-15C.Kanai Juyo Kogyo Co. Ltd., Japan (FeilandDavidson, Greensboro, N.C.), will introduce
Centurymat rings for compact yarn and high-speed, fine-count spinning, as well as a variety of
other rings, travelers, metallic card clothing and top flats. Primary stand contact: Setsuo Banba.
Hall 2, Stand SP2-13B.Leesona Industries, Burlington, N.C., will have information on its rewinder
for technical yarns; and a completely redesigned take-up winder for tapes, multifilaments or
monofilaments. Primary stand contact: Jim Arrington. Hall 3, Stand SP3-12E.Loepfe Brothers Ltd.,
Switzerland (Symtech Inc.), will exhibit in Hall 1, Stand SP1-13E.Loptex S.r.l., Italy, will show
the Optosonic system for the on-line detection and elimination of colored and colorless
contamination. Primary stand contact: Renato Gerletti. Hall 3, Stand SP3-10A.Mariplast S.p.A.,
Italy, will display cones, tubes and cylinders for spinning and dyeing. Hall 2, Stand
SP2-8C.Marzoli S.p.A., Italy, will exhibit in Hall 1, Stand SP1-16B.Mesdan S.p.A., Italy (Mill
Devices Co., Gastonia), will feature products from both its splicers/ knotters and testing
equipment divisions, including Jointair solutions. Primary stand contact: Daniela Messa. Hall 3A,
Stand SP3A-2A.Mino Corp., Japan (Consolidated Textile Services Inc., Gastonia), will present its
line of winding drums. Primary stand contact: N. Nomura. Hall 2, Stand SP2-18A.Murata Machinery
Ltd., Japan, will exhibit the Murata Vortex Spinner and the No. 21C Process Coner. Hall 3A, Stand
SP3A-11A.Neuenhauser Maschinenbau GmbH, Germany, will show the latest developments in off-loom
fabric winding technology, including the CenterWinder ZW, in addition to its automated products for
spinning can transportation to package handling and packing. The company also will highlight a new
automatic doffer for bulk continuous filament yarns and the latest version of its Checknflow
package quality test station. Hall 2, Stand SP2-2D; and Hall 12, Stand W12-1A.Nippon Nozzle Co.
Ltd., Japan (FranklandThomas Inc., Greenville), will showcase strip jets for water entanglement of
spunlaced nonwoven fabric, meltblown dies, and spinnerets with capillaries 16 microns in diameter.
Primary stand contact: Shinsuka Ota. Hall 4, Stand SP4-2D.Nippon Selen Co. Ltd., Japan, will
present information on yarn-break detectors, yarn-length measuring devices and yarn clearers.
Primary stand contact: Y. Makimo. Hall 3, Stand SP3-16C.The NSC Group, Fibre to Yarn Division,
France, comprised of N. SchlumbergerandCie and Thibeau, will feature its long-fiber processing
lines including the new model CA 7 card from Thibeau and a brand-new combing machine from
Schlumberger. Other products on display include stretch breakers, chain gills, blender defelters,
the FMV 40 vertical rubbing frame, and the CF 50 and CF 60 ring-spinning frames. Hall 4, Stand
SP4-3B.Officine Gaudino S.p.A., Italy (Dawson Textile Machinery, Greensboro), will offer its
worsted ring-spinning frame with mechanical compacting system. Primary stand contact: Roberto
Gaudino. Hall 3, Stand SP3-10B.Omatex S.r.l., Italy (A.B. Carter Inc., Gastonia), will present
polivel pickers, spindle tape, cutters, brooms and spindle oil-changing equipment. Primary stand
contact: Maria Vittoria Vavassori. Hall 4, Stand SP4-16C.O.M.M. Meccanotessile S.r.l., Italy, will
exhibit its new R-Type covering machine and new BVE-R spooling machine for flanged spools with
constant tension take-up. Hall 3, Stand SP3-19A.Otalo otto kuhnen, Austria, will show its line of
synthetic rubber aprons and cots. Hall 2, Stand SP2-D1.Piovan S.p.A., Italy (Piovan Canada,
Canada), will highlight its solutions for polyester, polyamide and PP fiber and yarn manufacturing
including a range of dehumidifying dryers, crystallizers, masterbatch and liquid color dosing
units, gravimetric blenders, hopper loaders, mould dryers, water chillers, and SuperVising System
software for the supervision and management of whole fibers manufacturing plants. Primary stand
contact: Francesca Soprano. Hall 3, Stand SP3-14B.Power-Heat-Set GmbH, Germany (Belmont Textile
Machinery, Mount Holly, N.C.), will exhibit a new pristuffer box, a new supervising and controlling
system with process control, the GVA yarn heat-setting system and the Sewimatic E15 linked steaming
machine. Primary stand contact: Peter Resch. Hall 3, Stand SP3-13E.Precision Rubber Industries Pvt.
Ltd., India, will show the latest in its line of Precitex aprons and cots. Primary stand contact:
G. T. Dembla. Hall 3, Stand SP3-3A.Retech AG, Switzerland, will present its Plug and Run godet
range, ATQ – light yarn tension monitoring system and TEX2000 spin draw texturizing machine. Hall
2, Stand SP2-15C.RI.TE S.p.A., Italy, will feature the ARD/L model assembly winder and RRP/L model
cone-to-cone winder. Primary stand contact: Alberto Negro. Hall 3, Stand SP3-15C.Rosink GmbHandCo.
Maschinenfabrik, Germany (MSS Services Inc., Dalton, Ga.), will exhibit a quad can changer/coiler,
drafting unit with autoleveling, service machinery for roller and card clothing workshop, and
stainless steel rollers. Primary stand contact: Martin Schoolkate. Hall 3, Stand SP3-12A.Georg Sahm
GmbHandCo. KG, Germany, will exhibit in Hall 1, Stand SP1-11A.Sanal Plastik, Turkey, will highlight
plastic tubes for spinning, cones for dyeing, and metallic spare parts for frames. Primary stand
contact: Ahmet Sanal. Hall 3, Stand SP3-3B.SantAndrea Novara S.p.A., Italy, a member of the Finlane
Group, will showcase a variety of products including the Millennium Rectilinear Combing Machine,
the RF5 Double Rubbing Vertical Finisher, and the new touch-screen Finlane Dialoguer machine now
fitted on all Finlane products. Primary stand contact: Alessandra Bronzini. Hall 1, Stand
SP1-16A.Sapru Machines Pvt. Ltd., India, will display its Jari Rubber Covering, 60-millimeter (mm)
POT TFO machine, 110/160-mm TFO machine, 350-mm TFO machine, Creep TFO machine and air-covering
machine, and other spinning machinery. Primary stand contact: C. Sanjiv. Hall 3, Stand
SP3-21B.Savio Macchine Tessili S.p.A., Italy, a member of the Itema Group, will exhibit in Hall 2,
Stand SP2-1A.N. SchlumbergerandCie., France, see NSC Group, Fibre to Yarn Division, Chapter 1:
Spinning. Hall 4, Stand SP4-3B.Seydel GmbH, Italy, a member of the Finlane Group, will showcase a
variety of products including the Type 873 Stretch Break Converter, and the new touch-screen
Finlane Dialoguer machine now fitted on all Finlane products. Primary stand contact: Alessandra
Bronzini. Hall 1, Stand SP1-16A.Simet S.r.l., Italy, will have information on its electronic
winders, assembly winders, winders with double positive yarn feeder, and winders for picking from
bulking machines. Primary stand contact: Federica Anceschi. Hall 3, Stand SP3-6F.SML
Maschinengesellschaft mbH, Austria, will feature a variety of technologies for polyolefin cast film
extrusion, multilayer sheet extrusion, breathable film and MDO equipment, extrusion coating and
laminating, PP multifilament spinning and continuous melt filtration. In addition, the company will
highlight its new modular spinning plant with two different spinning processes in one machine, as
well as its Austrofil HT2x2C compact spinning line. Hall 1, Stand SP1-11A.

SML will show its latest developments in multifilament spinning.Sohler-Neuenhauser GmbHandCo.
KG, Germany, will display its complete range of traveling cleaner products, including: the Uniclean
for spinning mills; TEXPRO 2 for cleaning spinning, winding and twisting frames; Textra automatic
roving bobbin transport system; Top Duct 2 cleaner with integrated track-channel system; and a new
central vacuum system. Hall 2, Stand SP2-2C; and Hall 12, Stand W12-1A.Sossna GmbH, Germany, will
offer spinnerets and spin packs for bicomponent spinning, and spinnerets for multifilament- and
staple-fiber spinning with different cross sections. Primary stand contact: S. Gicklhorn. Hall 3A,
Stand SP3A-4A.SPT Technical Services Ltd., England, will offer information on the MBS 60 automatic
skein-winding and labelling machine. Primary stand contact: B. Wright. Hall 4, Stand SP4-11A.SSM
Schr Schweiter Mettler AG, Switzerland (Symtech Inc.), will introduce for the first time at an
exhibition its Thread Prince 850 C machine and lubetex lubrication system for sewing thread
finishing processes, as well as a new automatic parallel winder for flange bobbins. SSM also will
feature Uniplex spun yarn technology, jointly developed with DuPont; and present information on its
line of control systems and components for rewinding, dye package winding and assembly winding.
Hall 3A, Stand SP3A-11B.Stewarts of America Inc., Simpsonville, S.C., will exhibit in Hall 2, Stand
SP2-12G.Otto Stuber GmbHandCo. KG, Germany (ESS Automation Inc., Kings Mountain, N.C.), will have
on hand a variety of electronic yarn-break detectors and electrical yarn cutters. Primary stand
contact: G. Stuber. Hall 3, Stand SP3-14C.Superba S.A., France (American Superba Inc., Dalton),
will display the TVP3 yarn heat-setter without steam, the B401-BH401 winder, the HEP yarn steamer,
AHD handling device and MF3 friezing machine for carpet yarns; the Multi color dyeing machine
(MCD); and the UNIVAP yarn steamer for knitting yarns. Primary stand contact: J.P. Ummenhover. Hall
2, Stand SP2-3A.Super Tex Industries, India, will showcase its line of soft cots for fine and
super-fine cotton counts, pre-glued skived aprons, special cots and aprons for air-jet spinning,
and aprons for glass fiber processing. Primary stand contact: Jugal Kishore. Hall 4, Stand
SP4-2A.Techniservice, Kennett Square, Pa., will display its yarn texturing machines. Hall 4, Stand
SP4-16E.Temco Textile Machine Components GmbH, Germany, will feature a variety of Temco and Dienes
technologies for man-made fiber production, including Active Cooling yarn texturing technology,
roller bearing products, interlacing jets, spindles, texturing twisting units, godets, the DMC
modular control system, and WinOLT and WinOLT Statistics software packages for texturing process
and data evaluation. Hall 1, Stands SP1-14A and SP1-14B.S. Textravellers Pvt. Ltd., India, will
offer the following new products: Textra-1000 rings for the reduction of yarn hairiness and end
breakage; and the Glider Ring Traveler for burn reduction and increased traveler life, among other
properties. Primary stand contact: Sandeep Shetty. Hall 3, Stand SP3-14D.Trutzschler GmbHandCo. KG,
Germany, will unveil a new high-production card. Hall 2, Stand SP2-5A.Usha Industrial Corp., India,
will offer such products as sliver cans, plastic ring tubes, simplex bobbins, perforated and plain
cones, OE and TFO tubes, cheese winding tubes, parallel tubes and jumbo cones, among others.
Primary stand contact: Amit K. Shah. Hall 3, Stand SP3-2D.Ph. Welker GmbH, Germany, will exhibit in
Hall 2, Stand SP2-14B.Wetzel AG Sisseln, Switzerland (G/K Sales, Greenville), will present
spinnerets for all types of fibers and filaments, specially complicated shaped holes, and spin
packs for bicomponent fibers. Primary stand contact: S. Chalishajar. Hall 1, Stand SP1-9A.Xorella
AG, Switzerland, will introduce the Contexxor® Plus steaming and conditioning system featuring the
new Fox controller and Eco Plus, an improved energy-saving system. In addition, Xorella will
demonstrate the Mini-Contexxor laboratory unit for development and research purposes. Hall 1, Stand
SP1-17C.Yamauchi Corp., Japan (Yamauchi [U.S.A.] Corp., Charlotte), will demonstrate its soft cots
for spinning machines; and aprons, cots and PU disk for texturing machines. Primary stand contact:
H. Usami. Hall 3A, Stand SP3A-13C.The Zenith Pumps Division of Parker Hannifin, Sanford, N.C., will
exhibit its spinning pumps, among other products. Hall 2, Stand SP2-1B.Zimmer AG, Germany, will
present equipment for the manufacture of man-made filaments and fibers. Hall 3, Stand
SP3-9A.NonwovensIn the field of nonwovens, Cavitec AG, Switzerland, member of the Santex Group,
will introduce the Caviflex modular hotmelt coating machine. Hall 4, Stand
NW4-8A.DellOrcoandVillani S.a.s., Italy (Stellamcor Inc., Harrison, N.Y.), will exhibit weigh pan
blending systems and Dynamix continuous blending systems. Primary stand contact: Sergio DellOrco.
Hall 4, Stand NW4-12B.Oskar Dilo Maschinenfabrik KG, Germany, will highlight high-capacity needle
looms such as the Hyperpunch, and Spinnbau latest-generation high-capacity cards. To illustrate
Dilos engineering work, a ready-to-work installation also will be on display, equipped with Temafa,
Trutzschler, Autefa, Mahlo and Wiessner components, and other examples of alternative line
configurations. Hall 4, Stand NW4-14A.

Oskar Dilo will highlight high-capacity needle looms at ITMA 2003.Fehrer AG, Austria (Batson
Group Inc., Greenville), will show its latest machinery developments, including fully operational
needle-punching machines and DREF friction-spinning machines. Primary stand contact: Alois
ollinger. Hall 4, Stand SP4-3C.Fleissner GmbHandCo., Germany (Fleissner Inc., Charlotte), will show
the AquaJet-Spunlace System for hydroentanglement of nonwovens, through-air dryers and other
high-performance lines for nonwovens; man-made fiber production lines for spinning, can-laying,
washing, finishing, drawing, heating, heat-setting, drying, crimping, plaiting, cutting, dyeing,
winding and bailing; a wool program for raw wool scouring and shrinkproof finishing; the RT
thermosol dyeing line and Rotoswing tumbler for woven and knitted goods; and machines for dyeing,
washing, heat-setting and drying tufted carpets. Primary stand contact: Sascha Berck. Hall 4, Stand
NW4-3A.Groz-Beckert KG, Germany, will show its felting and tufting needles for nonwovens use. Hall
4, Stand NW4-4F.hastem Transportber GmbH, Germany (Fi-Tech Inc.), will introduce the CC25GN slat
transport apron with grained surface and overflow-free surface, as well as the AB series of
transport aprons specially developed for the nonwovens industry. Primary stand contact: Stefan
Hastem-Muller. Hall 4, Stand NW4-4G.Laroche S.A., France, will display a textile waste recycling
system for OE spinning and nonwovens, an airlaying machine for nonwoven mats, an opening and
blending line with continuous weighing control, NAPCO technology developments, the Hermann Process
a compact line for semi-cured resinated moldable felts, and the Minitrim HSP high-speed edge-trim
opener. Hall 4, Stand NW4-8B.Nowo Textile Machinery, Finland, will exhibit the Nowo Q, a new
synchronized quilting line designed for every stage of the quilting process including a bale
opener, volumetric feeding device and SmartCard. Hall 4, Stand NW4-9E.

NSC Nonwoven’s X-Ray Scanning Gauge uses X-ray technology to measure weight distribution in
the machiner and cross directions of the final products.The NSC Group, Nonwoven Division, France,
comprised of Asselin and Thibeau, will launch the CA12 and CA14 carding machines designed for a
wide range of products, and the X-Ray Scanning Gauge to measure weight distribution. The recently
introduced Ouat!sys® patented system for condensing card webs while maintaining line production
speed also will be shown. The Ouat!sys can be retrofitted onto existing Asselin Profile and Dynamic
crosslappers. Hall 4, Stand SP4-3B.Santex Nonwoven, Switzerland, will highlight the Santex
Wavemaker vertical lapping machine for nonwoven webs. Hall 4, Stand NW4-8A.Schaetti AG, Switzerland
(Schmid Corp., Spartanburg), will present a live display of the TLM-V flat-bed laminating line,
hotmelt machine with engraved roller system, and powder scatter machine with an operating width of
up to 5,200 mm. Primary stand contact: Sibylle Schneider. Hall 4, Stand NW4-5C.Struto International
Inc., Oak Brook, Ill. (Wise Industries Inc., Kings Mountain), will display a vibration lapping
device for vertically lapped structures. Primary stand contact: Terry Saunders. Hall 4, Stand
NW4-3F.Technoplants S.r.l., Italy (Allertex of America, Cornelius, N.C.), will showcase a special
band saw cutting machine for high-loft wadding. Primary stand contact: Jorn Lahr. Hall 4, Stand
NW4-4D.Trutzschler GmbHandCo. KG, Germany, see Chapter 1: Spinning. Hall 2, Stand SP2-5A.Wise
Industries Inc., Kings Mountain, will exhibit in Hall 4, NW4-3F.WeavingAmong manufacturers of
weaving equipment, David Almond Ltd., England, will show its Venor range of bench-type tufting
machines for bathmats, rugs and mops. Primary stand contact: M. H. Lord. Hall 10, Stand W10-6A.BAG
KFT, Hungary (Probity Products, Kernersville, N.C.), will exhibit spare parts for micro projectile
weaving machines. Primary stand contact: Tibor Tak. Hall 9, Stand W9-12A.Bonas Machine Co. Ltd.,
England, will demonstrate the MJ modular electronic jacquard product line and IBJ+ jacquard with
enhanced electronics. Hall 9, Stand W9-11A.CCI Tech Inc., Taiwan, will show warping and weaving
machines for samples. Primary stand contacts: Alvin Chan and Kevin Chung. Hall 12, Stand
W12-12D.Cobble Blackburn Ltd., England (TMC, Dalton), will introduce new machine developments
including the five-pile-height scroll and Sculptor multi-pile-height machine. Primary stand
contact: Ian Beverly. Hall 12, Stand W12-8F.Cortex S.A., France (Jerry ValentaandSons Inc.,
Hawthorne, N.J.), will showcase its Loomprinter on-loom warp-printing machine and Speeder on-loom
warp heat-treatment machine for thermoplastic warps. Primary stand contact: Mr. Corbi. Hall 10,
Stand W10-1D.Dokaksam A.S., Turkey, will highlight its weaving reeds. Primary stand contact: Erkut
Erguler. Hall 9, Stand W9-6F.Lindauer Dornier GmbH, Germany, will introduce a variety of
innovations including the type AS air-jet weaving machine, ServoTerry air-jet weaving machine, a
wide air-jet weaving machine with EasyLeno technology for PP carpet backing production, a patented
contact-free magnetic mounting for reducing overall fabric load during continuous processing, and
the EcoSqueeze circular squeezing machine. All air-jet weaving machines on display will run with
the ServoControl pressure regulation system, and will be fitted with the AirGuide air cushion
guide. Information on Dorniers CAN Bus and VGA color display both of which support internal and
external control, regulation and monitoring processes on air-jet and rapier machines will be
available. Hall 12, Stand W12-4A.Ekoteks Tekstil A.S., Turkey, will present its Ekowire line of
jacquard weaving loom accessories. Primary stand contact: L. Nalbant. Hall 10, Stand
W10-9C.EL&M S.p.A., Italy (Batson Group Inc.), will display the Supervega automatic drawing-in
machine. Primary stand contact: Filippo Ciani. Hall 11, Stand W11-2H.

Just Whistle


W
 ith the current anti-manufacturing bias of US policy makers — in addition to US trade
policies directed by global politics rather than sound economics — the textile industry, and US
manufacturing in the broadest sense, are struggling for their very existence. For those — and there
are many — who feel textiles is an old, low-tech industry, maybe a trip to ITMA 2003 in Birmingham
would provide an education. US plants and mills around the world are poised to see the latest
developments in textile technology that not only increase the productivity and flexibility of the
manufacturing process, but also illustrate the potential for new products and innovation.

In a recent business commentary, the author pointed to innovation in the United States as a
remedy for the flight of jobs to low-cost countries — with the finance and banking sectors holding
the keys to the future of the US economy. In general, however, there is a sense that influencers of
current policy have never spent a working day in the modern manufacturing environment, and simply
dismiss it with a sense that manufacturing is both beneath them and simply unimportant to the
future of the United States. This elitist attitude is disrespectful of the tremendous strides US
manufacturers have made over the years in labor, workplace safety and environmental sensitivity,
not to mention innovation in both product and process.

The language the anti-manufacturing choir chooses places anyone seeking fairness,
enforcement and structural awareness (for example, of currency foolery) in the corner of
antiquated, protectionist thinkers. This simply is not the case. Most manufacturers today are
globally aware, heavily invested companies with interest in partnerships and global growth.
However, systemic cheating undermines the ability of foreign and domestic manufacturers that play
by the rules to forge these relationships based on sound business practices.

Globally, there are firms in every corner of the world worthy of the respect and admiration
of their industrial peers. Very few US textile industry executives hold anything less than respect
for these companies. It appears the responsibility for enforcement, however, doesn’t fall to the
private sector — unfortunately, it’s the US government’s job. Even if a sense of competitive
fairness is achieved through US policy, it is enforcement that makes it happen.

Any game can have good rules, but without a referee who is not afraid to blow the whistle,
the game, its competitors and the outcome are not done justice. With that in mind, one wonders if
the current administration has the fortitude to enforce the rules, or has it simply lost its
whistle?

September 2003

Sunbelt Acquires Specialty Yarn & Thread

York, S.C.-based SunBelt Thread &
Packaging Inc. has purchased Greensboro, N.C.-based Specialty Yarn & Thread Inc. SunBelt now is
one of the largest suppliers of leno and selvage threads to the textile industry, according to
David P. Riggins, president, SunBelt.

The acquisition brings together the sales and management teams from SunBelt and Specialty.
SunBelt now offers increased technical expertise and customer support, as well as expanded product
offerings to the customers of both companies.

Rich Winslow, former president and owner of Specialty, has been named vice president of
thread sales at SunBelt. Pittman Breece continues as vice president.


August 2003

Hubtex Partners With Motrec

Spartanburg-based Hubtex North
America has entered into a partnership with Quebec-based Motrec Inc., whereby Hubtex will sell and
service Motrec’s line of industrial vehicles. Hubtex also will provide technical assistance and
training services for Motrec products.

“We are pleased to be associated with Motrec,” said Markus Heinis, president, Hubtex. “
Representing their very diverse line adds a whole new dimension to the material handling solutions
we can offer the textile industry.”

The line includes tow tractors, vehicles for yarn and roving transport, personnel carriers,
heavy carts and toolboxes, trailers and other vehicles. Heinis noted that Motrec can customize
vehicles for specific requirements.


August 2003

IT3 Earns ISO Registrar Accreditation

Greenville-based ITT Technologies
Inc. (IT3) has received accreditation through the Registrars Accreditation Board and American
National Standards Institute National Accreditation Program (ANSI-RAB NAP) to offer certification
to the ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems Standard.

IT3, a for-profit subsidiary of the Raleigh, N.C.-based Institute of Textile Technology that
provides services and solutions to the textile industry, also expects soon to be able to offer
certification to the ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems Standard.


August 2003

Single-Step Spinning

A prototype of the Uniplex machine as it will be shown at ITMA 2003 in the SSM AG booth.
Licenses are available from DuPont for the Uniplex spun yarn process technology.Developments in
staple fiber spinning are characterized by the idea that natural fibers such as cotton and wool, as
well as man-made fibers, can be processed using the same technology. This forms the basis for the
production of blends, in addition to 100-percent man-made or natural fiber spun yarns.Such
production requires processes that adapt man-made fibers in terms of fiber length distribution,
force/elongation ratio (modulus), fineness and crimp as closely as possible to the natural fiber
characteristics endowed by nature. These factors further define major processing parameters and
yarn properties. Yarn irregularity, the number of fibers in the yarn cross-section and the yarn
count are further defined by these parameters. In this case, man-made fibers are merely components
for blends with natural fibers. Up until now, cotton has been by far the most processed fiber in
the world. Staple fiber yarns provide hitherto unique end-product aesthetics. A specifically
desirable degree of functionality for example, ease of care is achieved by engineering specific
blends.The goal of shortening man-made fiber processing has been apparent for some time. In order
to avoid the roundabout route via carding for fiber orientation and parallelization, filaments are
sometimes processed into suitable fiber lengths by cutting or tearing, and formed into a sliver
immediately afterwards. Then comes spinning by the conventional process of drawing, roving
production and consolidation by means of true twist. Actual yarn production and consolidation by
true twist are the most cost-intensive portions of the entire process. They have led to the
well-known development of unconventional spinning processes such as rotor, friction and air-jet
spinning. These highly productive processes have shortened processing times, where a directly
further processable bobbin is produced from sliver in which yarn quality is 100-percent checked.
Ring spinning also has improved its economics by way of advances in automation and the linking
process. Filament technology consistently follows the idea of continuously producing as far as
possible a directly processable continuous yarn. Advances in texturing have led to a broad market
for these yarns. Filaments dominate today, especially in the industrial filament sector. Here,
filament costs are determined largely by fineness, as production per spinneret decreases with
fineness. If one considers the blended yarn production route in man-made fiber processing, and
concentrates on the production of 100-percent man-made fibers of specific functionality, new,
unconventional direct staple fiber yarn production processes are possible. The obligation to adapt
staple lengths to those of natural fibers is eliminated. This means that refinement does not have
to be achieved using conventional drawframes, and staple lengths, which are considerably longer
than those used today, can be processed.Uniplex Direct Spun Staple Fiber Yarn ProductionDeveloped
by Wilmington, Del.-based DuPont, Uniplex spun yarn technology is a new, single-step process that
converts filament yarns into spun yarns. The starting point of the process is a filament supply
that is four to 10 times coarser than that used in classic filament yarn production. This is a
significantly more economical aspect of the direct staple fiber yarn process. The raw material
basis for low orientation, partially oriented and fully oriented yarn production is correspondingly
more cost-effective because of the higher productivity of the primary spinning process. Supply
bobbins are doubled four to 10 times, producing a similar effect with regard to thorough blending
to that achieved in the classic drafting process (See Figure 1).


The ProcessThe filaments are continuously drawn in a drafting zone by means of heated godet
wheels, followed by a relatively long break zone. Technological problems consist of continuously
tearing the individual capillaries without breaking the sliver as a whole. Clamping in the break
zone must be reliable. The speed ratio of the clamping rollers at the entry and exit of the break
zone must be adjusted to the fiber modulus, and must significantly exceed fiber elongation at
break. The fibers then are further shortened definitively in a rebreaking zone with simultaneous
refinement to produce the required final yarn count. The length of the break zone and the
downstream rebreaking and refining zones largely determine the fiber length and fiber length
distribution of Uniplex-spun yarns. It is clear that both mean and maximum fiber lengths are far
longer than the fiber lengths usually processed today using drawframes. Perhaps only in jute, flax
and hemp spinning are longer fiber lengths used. These yarns are coarse, with fiber fineness
correspondingly coarse as well. Individual fiber fineness is usually 1 decitex (dtex) or finer for
the new, unconventional direct staple fiber yarn production process, resulting in a coefficient of
fiber fineness approximately 10 to 20 times higher than is the case with natural fibers. The
coefficient of fineness is a function of the fiber length/fiber thickness ratio. A specific
coefficient of fineness must be maintained in the case of conventional fibers because of carding
capability. The coefficient of fineness figures obtained with the new process would not permit
fiber carding. For this reason, only an on-line direct process would be worth considering. The
absolutely parallel fibers must be consolidated into yarn after passing through the breaking zones.
True twist processes via mechanical twist-imparting elements like rings and travelers must be
excluded on the grounds of their lower achievable take-off speed. Consolidation using two-spinneret
air-jet false-twist technology is achieved on the basis of existing know-how and experience of
diverse air-jet spinning processes at the Institute of Textile Technology and Process Engineering
(ITV), Germany. Experience has shown that good strength values can be obtained with man-made
fibers. In the case of new direct staple-fiber yarn production processes, consideration must be
given to the fact that fewer free fiber ends are available for pneumatic wrapping. On the other
hand, due to the high interlacing figure in the woven fabric, the long staple length ensures woven
fabric strengths that inevitably are determined by polymer substance strength. Therefore, yarn
strength is not, as with all air-jet false-twist yarns, directly decisive to woven fabric strength.
The yarn strength and elongation behavior of a 230-dtex polyester yarn demonstrates that the
coefficient of strength variation for air-jet false-twist yarns is higher than for comparable
ring-spun yarns. With a clamping length of 0.8 meter, a mean fiber strength of 19.4 centinewtons
per tex is achieved with a small number of wrapping fibers. This is significantly higher than the
strength of comparable 100-percent polyester (PET) rotor or air-jet false-twist yarns. The minimum
values from 10,000 break trials on a Tensojet also reveal that the process leads to a yarn with
uniform wrapping over considerable lengths. Structural photographs clearly show the wrapping fibers
and the parallel-lying fiber core (See Figure 2).The delivery speed of the process as a whole
is determined by the efficiency of the air-jet wrapping process, with the geometric arrangement and
the pressure conditions in the injector and twist nozzle playing a decisive role. Depending on yarn
count, delivery speeds of 500 to 600 meters per minute are realistic. Yarn strength must largely
guarantee perfect further yarn processing behavior in weaving. Special requirements in the
end-product in terms of pilling and abrasion resistance can be met by additional twist. Trials
reveal that low real twist (100-200 turns per meter) can greatly change end-product
characteristics.When the yarn is inserted in the warp, additional twist is essential because of the
skim-back resistance required. In the end-product, the yarns produce a markedly different fabric
appearance compared with products produced from filaments. Greater roughness is always attributed
to air-jet false-twist yarns. This provides noticeably greater woven fabric slippage resistance
compared with filament.


Figure 2: Structural photograph of a 230-dtex polyester Uniplex yarn clearly shows wrapping
fibers and the parallel-lying fiber core.Functionality Of Uniplex Spun YarnsA wide variety of
polymers can be processed into fine yarns using Uniplex spun yarn technology, including:extremely
high-strength fibers; highly elastic fibers;flame-resistant fibers;low-friction fibers;
andmicrofibers.End-product functionality is determined by the polymer employed. It is possible to
mix or combine functionalities using Uniplex technology. Maximum-strength yarns with a high degree
of elasticity are possible by combining para-aramid with elastic fibers in the process.The Uniplex
spun yarn process has strong potential. Both speed and application of the targeted use of these
yarns open up a wide field for optimization. The technology is extremely flexible in terms of yarn
count. Success will be determined by the additional functionality of the yarn in the
end-product.Editors Note: Peter Artzt, Ph.D., is head of Staple Fiber Technology, and Anette Arnold
is a scientific associate at the Germany-based Institute of Textile Technology and Process
Engineering (ITV). Glen E. Simmonds is a senior research associate with Wilmington, Del.-based
DuPont.

August 2003

Liz Claiborne Signs Licensing Agreement

New York City-based Liz Claiborne Inc. recently entered into a licensing agreement with Chelsea
Design Group, also based in New York City, whereby Chelsea will design and manufacture intimate
apparel under the Liz Claiborne, Liz Claiborne Woman and Villager labels. The first lines will be
launched to the trade in August, and will be available at retail in Spring 2004.

August 2003

Quality Fabric Of The Month: Boundless Variation

For the second year in a row, Shaw Contract — the broadloom division of Dalton, Ga.-based Shaw Industries Inc. — and Dallas-based interior architecture firm lauckgroup have joined forces to create a carpet product worthy of the Best of NeoCon® Gold Award. The flux systems program, a broadloom carpet collection offering large-scale architectural imagery and including a coordinating modular component, won the award in the broadloom category at this year’s NeoCon interior design
show in Chicago.

The flux program offers a systems approach to design. Multiple patterns can be used together to create what Shaw calls “carpet without boundaries.” The company takes advantage of ground-breaking technology offered by Chattanooga, Tenn.-based CMC/Card-Monroe Corp.’s Infinity Machine to manufacture the collection. The machine poses no limitations on pattern width or length and offers virtually unlimited pile heights, according to Reesie Duncan, director of development, Shaw Contract. “We’ve pushed the machine to its limits to maximize its potential,” Duncan said.

qfom_Copy_3

Patterns in the flux program echo nature’s

rhythms and offer gradations of color and value.

Various patterns can be seamed together side-to-side or end-to-end to provide transitions between areas, allowing designers to create macro-imagery that echos nature’s rhythms and carries gradations of color and value across the entire floor. Shaw says such design is particularly
appropriate for the open, flexible spaces found in the corporate workplace.

Duncan worked with lauckgroup designer Charlie Kane throughout the entire flux development process. “Carpet should be a design tool,” said Kane. “It should enrich the experience of the end-user, and it should add to the emotional experience of a space. This allows the designer to
create compositions of shifting rhythm and color throughout a space.”

The flux collection is made with Solutia Ultron® Color bulked continuous filament nylon 6,6. Broadloom styles use Shaw’s Ultraloc Pattern® backing system, in which high-performance, enriched latex is laminated to a woven secondary backing. The collection’s coordinating modular style, Pulse, uses Shaw’s environmentally sustainable Ecoworx® backing system, which recently won the Environmental Protection Agency’s Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award. Ecoworx is a
100-percent PVC-free, recyclable, thermoplastic polyolefin compound with a fiberglass reinforcing layer.

“Shaw Contract strives to be an industry leader in a number of areas including design, technology and environmental sustainability,” said Brenda Knowles, vice president of marketing, Shaw Contract. “The flux systems program that we created with lauckgroup is an excellent testament to our collaborative creativity. We think designers are going to appreciate this innovative approach to carpet.”


For more information about flux, contact John Stephens (706) 275-3665.


August 2003

Encouraging Signs


D
 espite recent sluggishness, there’s now some hope of a modest business pickup by fall,
which sooner or later should translate into better apparel and household furnishings sales. In any
event, economists, citing new stimuli, now predict better second-half growth. One survey of 54 top
analysts sees the gross domestic product growing at a 3.5-percent annual rate over this period — a
lot faster than the 1- to 2-percent pace of the first half. And for the first six months of 2004,
these same economists look for an even bigger 3.8-percent advance.

One factor behind this new optimism: US households will have an additional $47 billion in
cash to spend over the second half, thanks to the recent tax cuts. A somewhat more buoyant stock
market and improving business profits also should help. Ditto, consumer reluctance to spend on
big-ticket items like autos, leaving more money available for purchases of less expensive items
such as apparel.

p18_Copy_5


Impact Of Textiles

What does all this mean for hard-pressed textiles? While nobody is predicting a dramatic
turnaround, the hemorrhaging of the past few years should end — certainly with no repeat of the
past 24 months, during which US textile production tumbled 10 percent. Best bet: a flattening out —
with even some fractional gains, but that should be about it. Given the current competitive climate
— exacerbated by soaring Chinese imports — it would be unrealistic to expect any really substantial
bounceback. A lot could depend on how the United States plays the Chinese import card.

The American Textile Manufacturers Institute sees three import-slowing solutions: imposition
of China textile safeguards that would restrain that nation’s shipments when all quotas are removed
in 2005; World Trade Organization action on the ministerial level to retain quota controls; and
pressure on China to abandon currency manipulation, export tax rebates and state subsidy
programs.


Pricing Problems Will Persist

There’s no indication of any meaningful price relief anytime soon. Indeed, despite a weak
dollar, which eventually could make imports more expensive, foreign price competition remains as
strong as ever.

China again is the glaring example of this. Last year, a study of 29 Chinese apparel
categories showed tags slipping a hefty 46 percent. The trend has continued into early this year,
when these same quotes fell another 2 percent.

Today’s more-than-ample domestic supply is another price depressant. US mills are operating
at only around 70 percent capacity. That’s a rate that tends to reinforce already-strong price
competition, as mills push to keep their facilities operating at economically viable
levels. 


An Early Look At 2004 And 2005

New projections by the Global Insight economic consulting firm provide some hints about the
longer term — notably 2004 and 2005. In 2004, the firm sees industry revenues basically unchanged
from this year. But that’s still a lot better than the 9.6-percent, 3.6-percent, and estimated
6.2-percent declines for 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively. For 2005, Global Insight analysts
anticipate some fractional gains, expecting revenues to inch up 0.6 percent. If these numbers
materialize, it would be the first meaningful gain in eight years. And with little overall change
in material and service input costs, these revenue gains are expected to drop down to the bottom
line.

Specifically, Global Insight sees gross operating profits up for both years. Ditto, the gross
profits/sales ratio, estimated at 19.4 percent and 20.1 percent for 2004 and 2005, respectively.
That’s significantly better than the 18.2-percent estimate for the current year. These profit gains
are pretty much across the board — shared by broadwoven fabrics, knitting mills, and carpets and
rugs. 


Statistical Note

As promised last month, the employment data shown in the table below have been revised and
expanded to reflect the replacement of the Standard Industrial classification system with the North
American Industry Classification System. The industry has been split into two sectors — Textile
Mills and Textile Product Mills — with the items covered by each shown in the table footnote.


August 2003

 

Air Filtration Trends

In a modern textile mill, filtration is very important, and with government regulations lowering
the dust level in the production area, it becomes even more so.In order to maintain a 133-microgram
per cubic meter (µg/m3) dust level in the production area, it is necessary to have a 20- to
50-µg/m3 dust level on the clean side of the filter. These dust levels are based on a particle size
of 15 microns 0.0006 inch or smaller. These are the particles that can get into peoples lungs and
cause the infamous brown lung disease. However, 15-micron particles are not the stuff one can see
flying around in a textile mill. The important and dangerous dust that needs to be taken out of the
air stream is four to six times smaller than a 50-micron human hair. It takes a good filter media
to accomplish this, especially considering the large amount of dust a textile mill produces every
day.

LTG Inc.’s Versadrum Filter VDF-16, shown with the filter media installed (above left) and
without the filter media installed (above right), is an example of a space-saving filtration
system.Choosing A Filter MediaWhat affects the quality of filtration The answer is: mainly, the
filter media. There are a lot of different filter media on the market these days. As a general
rule, the tighter the media, the more dust it will retain. So why isnt every textile mill using the
best filter media available The reason is a tighter media, which has smaller openings for air to go
through and has a higher pressure drop, precipitates higher operational energy costs.Reducing the
velocity through the filter media can compensate for the higher cost. In addition, a lower velocity
will help to improve filtration efficiency because fewer particles will be pulled through the
media. However, in order to lower the velocity, a larger filter is required for the same air
volume. The filter will be more expensive and will use floor space that could be used for
production.Another disadvantage of the tighter media is that it is more difficult to clean. Many
existing filters cannot be improved just by changing the media from an average media to a better,
tighter filter media. The stripper system of the filter cannot clean the new media. Therefore, it
is important to ask some key questions when buying a new filter. What will the dust level be on the
clean side of this filter Can the filter operate with any type of filter media, or does proprietary
media have to be usedA lot of mills have started using a nonwoven-type media that improves
filtration efficiency compared to the traditional media. A standard nonwoven media has an
efficiency of 99.99 percent for 6-micron particles. This efficiency can be further improved with
modifications to the standard media. But the media has a high pressure drop, and so the price to be
paid is higher energy costs. However, if the velocity through the media is kept at around 100 feet
per minute or lower, which is the velocity through most filters in opening and carding, the energy
used is not significantly higher. And compared to using two filters in series to clean, as is
customary in some textile mills, it is definitely a bargain.As already mentioned, reducing the
velocity through the media will require an increase in the filter size. A larger filter requires
more floor space, which is therefore lost for production. Most manufacturers of filter equipment
for the textile industry now offer a compact alternative to the large drum filters. These smaller
filters use half, or even less, floor space than the conventional drum filter.In production areas
that generate a lot of larger waste particles, a prefilter or preseparator is required. For a long
time, most textile mills and contractors used a condenser. Nowadays, the prefilter disc a rotary
disc with a plastic mesh and a suction nozzle has replaced most condensers, saving textile mills
valuable floor space and energy.Another trend affecting filtration is the reduction in air volume
and the increase in waste quantity. This is mainly true in opening and carding operations, and it
is a direct result of technology improvements by the machine manufacturer. In these areas, the
suction air volume per machine has increased only slightly over the years, but the machines
production capacity has increased dramatically. This means a filtration system can handle much more
material coming with the same amount of air. A textile mill in the process of buying a new
filtration system must make sure the filter can handle the increased waste.Different
RequirementsBecause different areas of a textile mill have different filtration requirements,
different types of filter media can be used in these different areas to achieve the same result. In
opening and carding, the best media usually operates with a velocity of 80 to 120 feet per minute.
In spinning and winding, the filter is usually smaller and uses less energy, because the media has
a lower pressure drop.Manufacturers of filter media for the textile industry have been, and still
are, working hard to develop new solutions to help the industry stay competitive and be ready for
tomorrows challenges as well as possible new workplace health and safety laws and regulations. The
trend is definitely towards better filtration using less floor space, while trying to make it
easier for plant personnel to maintain the equipment in the harsh plant environment in which it is
operating.Editors Note: Gerhard Seyffer is president of LTG Inc., Spartanburg. Born and educated in
Germany, Seyffer has been employed with LTG for more than 15 years in various locations and
positions.

August 2003

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