With the introduction of the High-Production Card DK 903, Trutzschler, Germany, has once
again set new standards for carding machines.The high-production card DK 903 is the further
development of Trutzschlers most successful card, the DK 803. More than 5,000 DK 803s have been
installed in spinning mills all over the world since its initial introduction at ITMA 95.The new DK
903, with its additionally implemented high-tech features, will improve carding quality even more.
All technological and production factors considered, the DK 903 is the most exciting short-staple
fiber card we have seen being introduced in this century. Profile Of A BestsellerEven though
visually unnoticeable, the DK 903 adds a long list of new and improved features compared to the DK
803. However, most of the core elements that made the 803 such a sales success remain (almost)
unchanged.The 803 offered, as the first card, an integrated direct feeding system that consisted of
the chute, the integral feed plate Sensofeed and the three-licker-in mat preparation system
Webfeed. Further, on all main functions AC servo drives were installed, aluminum flats which are
guided by toothed belts were a first in carding, and on-line quality monitoring was integrated.The
new features of the 903 are mainly concentrated in following areas: Improvements in setting the
card to closest tolerances for carding; Reduction of maintenance and adjustment times; Significant
improvement of quality on-line monitoring; and Integrated sliver drawing zone
(optional). Powerhouse DK 903Feeding of the fibers starts with Directafeed, the tuft feeder
that is an integral part of the 903. From there the Sensofeed, a 10-segmented feed plate releases
the fibers to the first licker-in of the Webfeed opening rollers.The Webfeed three-roll system
consists of three relatively small opening/licker-in rollers, which are not by design
revolutionary, but because of their small size and tangential extraction force they can imply. This
results in better trash and small particle removal.This three-roll configuration allows a gradual
acceleration of the fibers towards the high surface speed of the main cylinder by simultaneously
orientating the fibers properly and removing impurities effectively. Therefore, the transfer of the
fibers from the last licker-in roller to the cylinder through a pre-prepared fiber mat is better
than trough conventional one-licker-in systems.The fibers then travel past the up to 10 Twin Top
stationary carding segments, pass the suction supported mote knives and enter the revolving flat
section.This is the area where the 903 really shows several new technology
features. Flats/Cylinder InteractionThe optimum interaction of cylinder and flats is the most
important factor for cleaning and nep reduction. The new Trutzschler Flatconcept takes this into
account.The individual flat bars are made of aluminum profiles, light and at the same time
extremely rigid. They are guided by two toothed belts without special fastening elements; the flats
are basically just simply laying on the belts. A full flat exchange can be done by only one person,
and in less than an hour. There is no oiling or greasing, and the whole flat area remains clean and
maintenance-free.Stepless controllable drive allows the exact adaptation of the flat speed to the
processed material. The new flat cleaning device allows extended service intervals.The most
important setting on a card to target the sliver/yarn quality is the precise distance of the flats
to the cylinder. The Flatcontrol FCT was designed for objective distance measurement. A flat with
electronic measuring devices measures exactly the distance to the cylinder to the flats, static or
in motion. The computer print-out of the measurements of the Flatcontrol system is a very useful
tool for effective quality management.The Precision Flat Setting PFS is a new and patented system
from Trutzschler to set flats with high-precision, reproducible, and without tools. The 903 is
equipped with a manual centralized flat-adjustment mechanism, or, the customer can order the
motorized option. Either way, the adjustments that took hours before can be literally executed in
seconds.Also new is the Precision Flat Grinding System PCS for technologically correct touch-ups of
the flats. Trutzschler emphasizes that this procedure is far away from the conventional grinding
process and only used to make small touch-ups when the quality control system indicates this. This
ensures optimum performance of the card over the entire card-wire life.Actual quality control
during production is achieved with the optional nep sensor Nepcontrol NCT that Trutzschler offers
as an alternative to off-line laboratory testing. NCT monitors the card web for neps and trash
during production with reports on on-line quality, instead of random laboratory sampling. NCT works
on an optical/visual measuring principle that delivers meaningful data to Trutzschlers SliverNCT
can be permanently installed on each card, or, for cost saving reasons, it can be used as a
transferable unit within card groups.On the 903, all dedusting and cleaning points are under direct
and continuous suction. This guarantees best possible trash removal with constant cleaning
efficiency and keeps the environment clean. The 903 also features a high-speed can coiler/changer
KHC that was developed for speeds up to 400 m/min.Brand new for the 903 is the optional Integrated
Drawframe IDF. It is especially promising for specific open-end yarn applications.Trutzschler
emphasizes that not every final yarn application has been tested so far. However, initial results
show that elimination of one drawing process is possible, the overall machinery investment is
lower, and the space savings reflect investment cost positively. And, there are many other positive
effects that will make spinning mills look very carefully at the IDF system in the future.Needless
to say, the 903 offers all the bells and whistles of ocmputer control through its Cardcommander.
The Cardcommander collects production data and monitors all function groups of the machine. An
on-line display can retrieve machine settings, quality data, statistical data and much
more. Success With GuaranteeBased on the sales success of the DK 803 Trutzschler is almost
certain that the DK 903 will continue its success story.Trutzschler officials confirmed that
customers all around the world show great interest in this new card. Achievable mill productions
are claimed to be beyond 100 kg/hr. (~220 lbs./hr) The quality consistency, the cost savings and a
fast return on investment will almost guarantee the success of the Innovation Award winning DK 903.

November 1999

 Datacolor International
For Its Colorite System 

Datacolor Internationals Colorite system offers the worldwide textile industry a new faster
color development process called Digital Sampling. For the first time, the conventional method of
developing color through physical samples and multiple lab dips can be replaced by a streamlined
process that uses a digital standard.By communicating digitally through e-mail or by computer
network, colors can be visually assessed immediately on the computer screen without the cost and
time involved in shipping physical samples. Standards and batches can be electronically stored and
quickly retrieved for permanent archiving. From Swatches To CurvesThe key to streamlining the
color development time is to replace physical samples, usually a swatch of cloth, with digital
samples that can be electronically transmitted between computers. More than just a color image is
transferred. Numerical color data including a spectral curve and a digitized substrate image is
also sent. The curve, not the swatch, is the standard now.Once the dyehouse receives this
information, they can use computerized color-matching systems to make predictions about how closely
they can match the color on a given substrate. These predictions in the form of a spectral curve
can be sent back to tell the retailer what is possible before the first laboratory dyeing is even
made.For this system to work each computer monitor must show exactly the same color. Datacolor
accomplishes this using its Colorite calibration technology.The Colorite technology allows users to
calibrate computer monitors to a precision of less than 0.5 average Delta E. This calibration is
device independent and calibrates the monitor using CIE coordinates. The system uses a low-cost CRT
probe to measure the screen and provide data for calibration.All Colorite products are available on
the standard Windows platform, allowing for easy integration into existing PC
configurations. Colorite Users MultiplyColorite systems are currently in use in the textile,
apparel, food and cosmetics industries in the United Kingdom and the United States. Customer
reaction has been very positive, and Datacolor can point to a growing number of major companies who
are Colorite users.Bali Company, a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of intimate
apparel, and its major suppliers have reached an agreement with Datacolor to implement an
electronic color communication system that will shorten the sampling process and assure that every
product matches the designers original specifications. With Colorite, Bali can more quickly and
accurately manage its shade approval process via computer screen, which numerically and visually
assesses the color to be reproduced.Burke Mills is using Colorite technology from Datacolor to
communicate with customers and has placed a system in one of its larger customers. This technology,
which delivers true “on-screen” color, replaces the need for physical samples with digital samples
and significantly reduces the cycle time for color approval.Fruit of the Loom has chosen a complete
suite of color communication, computer color matching, and color quality control systems from
Datacolor. Fruit of the Loom’s design and development center, main dyehouse and production plants
will all be linked using Colorite to replace physical sampling with digital sampling.
November 1999

 Xorella
For Its Contexxor Compact LTC-S Yarn Conditioning System Xorella AG, Wettingen,
Switzerland, tops its success in the industry with the introduction of its award-winning Contexxor
Compact LTC-S yarn conditioning system, a revolutionary cubical design that deviates from any other
design on the market. There were not always such easy times, when one listens to Fredy Wanger,
founder of Xorella. There was a lot of skepticism when Xorella presented its first yarn
conditioning system to the textile industry, and there was negative publicity from individuals who
either did not understand what yarn conditioning can do, or from competitors envious that they had
not thought the principle in the first place.Today, if any weaving or knitting mill wishes to
achieve optimum production efficiency, there is just no way around a well conditioned yarn. Xorella
does not have to prove the principle anymore; its the mills themselves who have seen the positive
differences first-hand on ever faster running textile machinery. Compact LTC-S

The new generation of Compact LTC-S type Yarn Conditioning System Contexxor has been
developed based on the conventional Xorella system that is successfully in operation in several
countries around the world. Xorella is the founder of the cold saturated steam technology by
applying a state-of-the-art treatment processes for high yarn pallet conditioning. Together with
significant energy savings the new ECO-system offers reduced production cost based on lowest
possible energy consumption for waxed and unwaxed yarns, and natural and synthetic yarn
qualities.The Compact LTC-S line provides absolutely new dimensions in yarn conditioning and
heat-setting for very high pallets up to 13 package layers. The main advantages are: optimal
utilization of inside space; smaller outside space requirements shorter processing time; treatment
temperature up to 110 degree Centigrade; and lowest energy consumption ever. Yarn Conditioning
At Its BestThe Contexxor cold saturated steam conditioning system is the backbone for highest
knitting and weaving efficiencies.Xorella emphasizes that a large percent increase in mills is not
a rarity. In knitting this is achieved through reduced yarn unwinding tension, and reduced needle
wear through softer yarn. Contexxor conditioned yarns usually show up to 10-percent higher
strength, up to 30-percent higher elongation, and a 1.5 to 4-percent increase in moisture level.In
any application, much better friction values can be observed from start to finish of the package.
This reflects a more even loop formation during knitting. In weaving the size pick-up can be much
more equal and often no additional humidification is required.Further, electrostatic is practically
eliminated and up to 40-percent less fiber-fly and lint accumulation is the result. An
Industry PacemakerWanger and the Xorella team did it once again, proving that a square yarn
conditioning system will be more efficient than a round one. This is just another example of
Xorella setting the pace for yarn conditioning.

November 1999

WestPoint Stevens Inc., West Point, Ga., has announced that its board of directors has approved the
repurchase of up to 4 billion additional shares of the companys common stock. This brings the total
aggregate number of shares remaining to be repurchased under the existing stock repurchase program
to approximately 6.4 million shares or 12 percent of the 55 million outstanding shares. The
repurchases shares will be acquired for general corporate purposes.WestPoint Stevens also reached
an agreement with its bank lenders to amend the companys bank revolver to permit the company to use
up to $100 million of available funds in support of the expanded stock repurchase program. The
board of directors has authorized the repurchase of these shares because it believes the stock to
be an attractive investment at this time. The company continues to enjoy substantial growth in its
home fashion business, and we remain positive about the outlook for the future, said Holcombe T.
Green Jr., chairman and CEO, WestPoint Stevens.The company also announced that its board of
directors approved the companys filing an application to list the companys common stock on the New
York Stock Exchange.

November 1999

GenCorp., Fairlawn, Ohio, reported a third-quarter earnings improvement in 1999. Earnings were at
$0.53 per diluted share, compared to $0.42 per diluted share in the third quarter of 1998.Sales for
the third quarter totaled $459.4 million as compared to $443.1 million in 1998. Operating profit
totaled $43.9 million for the third quarter of 1999. This is a 22-percent increase from $36 million
in 1998.For the nine months ended August 31, earnings were at $1.56 per diluted share. This is an
increase of 24 percent over the $1.26 per diluted share in 1998. Sales for the nine months totalled
$1.39 billion, a 16-percent increase from $1.2 billion in 1998.With unusual items, earnings for the
third quarter totaled $0.48 per diluted share. This included the $2.8-million expense related to
the spin-off of the companys decorative and building products and performance chemical business
units into a separate publicly traded company, OMNOVA Solutions Inc. (See Dyeing,
PrintingandFinishing News, in this issue.)JPS Industries, Greenville, S.C., has announced the
results of the third quarter and nine months ended July 31, 1999.For the third quarter, net income
was $3.5 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, on sales of $69.5 million compared to a net income of
$939,000, or $0.09 per diluted share, on sales of $74.7 million for the third quarter of fiscal
1998.For the nine months, the company reported a net loss of $22.9 million, or $2.29 per diluted
share, on sales of $212.1 million compared to a net income of $5.5 million, or $0.55 per diluted
share, on sales of $249.1 million for the first nine months of 1998.NedGraphics Holding N.V., the
Netherlands, recently reported that net profits increased to EUR 769 thousand in the first half of
1999. This was a 48.7-percent increase from EUR 517 thousand in 1998.Revenue for the first half
1999 was EUR 9.7 million as compared to EUR 6.6 million in 1998. Gross margin increased by 61.9
percent to EUR 7.7 million. For the first half of 1999, earnings per share were EUR 0.41, an
increase of 32.3 percent from 1998.Speizman Industries Inc., Charlotte, N.C., recently reported the
results of its fourth quarter and its fiscal year, ended July 3, 1999.Revenues for the fourth
quarter were $30 million compared to $24.4 million in the fourth quarter of 1998.Earning for the
quarter totaled $610,000, or $0.19 per basic and diluted share. This is a decrease from $686,000 or
$0.21 per basic and $0.20 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 1998.For the fiscal year,
revenues were $101.4 million as compared to $90.9 million in the prior fiscal year. The company
lost $253,000 or $0.8 per basic and diluted share. This was a decrease from earnings of $1,933,000
or $0.59 basic and $0.56 diluted per share.

November 1999