Products That Made News Products That Made News At ATME-I ’01Fourth in a series gives some details on products TW editors feel have immediate industry significance. 

Tandem head machine, Dotti, can produce 12-cut plain trim with its twin single system carriages working over a 79-in. wide needlebed. The computer operated machine features high and low butt needles and electronic needle selection. Vanguard. www.vanguardsupreme.com 

Winder, EcoWinder, is a low-cost machine for standard cloth winding operations. Unit sets up at the weaving machine and winding speeds adjust automatically to weaving machines. Roll width is nominal weaving machine width plus 100 mm. Machine uses a d-c motor and offers a maximum speed of 2 m/min. Neuenhauser (U.S. Rep: Hubtex) www.neuenhauser.de New replacement service replaces top or verge rings and sinker rings at its facility in Greenville. The company offers replacement cylinders for a variety of models including those form Orizio, Terrot and Vanguard. It also offers 46-cut cylinders for Terrot equipment, primarily for industrial uses, as well as cylinders for the recently introduced Charlotte seamless garment-knitting machine from Trustfin-Monarch. Mayer.www.smc-cylinder.com 

Selvage system, Propeller Leno, produces a full cross fabric selvage on a 2-thread basis. It affords the potential to pull of leno threads from large bobbins. The system enables speeds in excess of 1,200 ppm. Features include customized leno binding sequences, minimum number of movable parts, quick and easy installation using different adapters for respective weaving machines and low operating costs because of its resistance to wear. Components include cross leno cone creels with variable fastening devices for two bobbins, thread reversions with different fastening adapters for two threads and threading aids. Gebr. Klocker (U.S. rep: Grob USA).gebr.kloecker@t-online.de 

Four-way loader, Model W-EFY-ES, offers multi-directional handling of warp beams up to 10,000 lb without stabilizers or outriggers. Device has 4-wheel steering and beam carriage offers hydraulic width adjustment. Lift heights are to 236 in., and touch-pad steering allows 360-deg turning range. Williamson. (864) 848-1011. 

High speed industrial machine, 2SR2/VI, has a speed factor of 1500 and can take up a roll up to 42-ins. in diam. on its industrial frame. The rib unit was exhibited in a 19-in. diam, 14-cut model equipped with a Filter Flow lint cleaning system. It also features one track high-speed camming for the production of 1×1 rib. Vanguard.www.vanguardsupreme.com 

Beam truck, KHW-TSEF-III, has capacities up to 2,000 kg for full and twin beams up to 3,800 mm wide. Machines feature twin drives, power steering, electronic direction selection, steerable cross drive, electronic axial displacement. Hubtex.www.hubtex.com Warp sizing, Penflex 2, a line of products that significantly reduce or eliminate the need for binding materials such as PVA. Strong and flexible. Reduces sizing costs and improves weaving performance. Custom manufactured for each application. Process Chemicals, LLC. www.process-chemicals.com Batching motion, T-2000, requires low maintenance. Dust-tight, heavy steel-end housings, which provide sturdy structural integrity to the machine, enclose all drive components. Features include PermaCoat bed rolls, turning directional rolls, face-in or face-out winding capabilities, adjustable core guides, isolation transformer, high-voltage disconnect, separation of electrical/mechanical components and low power consumption. Options include fabric oscillator, power doff, DA-186 yardage sensors with or without digital readouts and non-lighted inspection stands. Alexander Machinery Inc.www.alexco.com Glove knitting machine, Model SGT, can knit two 14 gauge complete gloves in three minutes. The tandem single system carriages can operate at a speed of 250 rpm and are driven by servo motors. This is a compact computer operated machine available in 7-14-cut. The unit also features two microphones built into the machine to detect any abnormal noises and stop the machine when they do. It also has a vacuum system to clean the yarn trim. Matsuya. matsuya@quartz.ocn.ne.jp 

Warp thread tension control, Solex, meets varying weaving requirements on such fabrics as seat belts, airbag fabric selvages, elastic and filter ribbons, fabrics for medical care, etc. The system promotes higher efficiency through fewer thread breaks and machine stops. For higher warp thread tensionsmore than 40 kg per warp, for examplean alternative to the friction drive is available: a power connected drive. The needs come from different industry segments, but particularly tubular weaving. Willy Grob Ltd. 41 55-286-13-4. Wastewater treatment, GTV Size Recovery System, recovery rate of 85%. Reduction of dust emission in the mill. No enzymatic or oxidative pre-treatment for the desizing. Lower fresh water use and smaller wastewater discharge. Reduction of pollution load in the effluent by approx. 50-60%. Lower oxygen demand in aeration tanks. GTV GmbH (U.S. rep: Sourcing Services International). (864) 879-3650 

Three-end leno device operates mechanically from the weaving machine by a toothed belt. From the bobbin, the crossing threads pass, via the thread guide, in an almost straight line through high-quality ceramic eyes. This permits processing even brittle, e.g., glass, yarns. With the minimum deflection, you can draw in the crossing threads with the auxiliary needle. The three-end leno device is available in single and double version, for installation on the picking and receiving side of the weaving machine. Schmeing (U.S. rep: Southern Loom Reed). schmeig@schmeig.com 

Travelling cleaner, LT-2, is for weaving machines and features automatic sleeve reverse, 14 blowing sleeves, floor sweepers, automatic discharge with electromechanical drive activated by sensors, an alarm light and an individual traction motor. Unit has a 7.5 hp motor and blowing speeds up to 215 fps. Suction speeds are to 158 fps and filtering is 230,000 cfm. Travelling speeds are 36, 72, 92 and 112 fps. Electrojet (U.S. Rep: PSP Marketing)info.jet@electrojet.com Dispensing equipment, liquid and powder equipment, with storage tanks holding from 500-30,000 liters. Computer controlled Interface and Support Package (ISP), can be linked with several color and chemical dispense systems. Stock-control per location. Free programmable dissolving steps and methods. Overview of orders still to be dispensed. Vanwyk Systems. www.vanwyk.nl Drive, Ergodrive, is a servo-device for weaving machines main drive, take-up and let-off. Device offers wide power range and high performances in compact dimensions. Unit operates automatically with any yarn and features input for warp tension control. Communication capabilities allow synchronized weaving, and units are predisposed for remote control operation. Ergotron (U.S. Rep: Lang Ligon& Co.) www.ergotron.it 

Beam truck, EE-KHUR 30, handles up to 3,000 kg in 1 meter flange diameter or 2,500 kg in 1.1 m flange diameter. Supporting rollers prevent floor damage, and servo motors allow coupled steering. Electronic pulse control allows smooth starting and stopping, and electro hydraulics allow smooth raising and lowering of beam. Genkinger (U.S. Rep: SSI Sourcing International) www.genkinger.deOctober 2001

HOUSTON, Jan. 17 /PRNewswire/ — The KoSa Board of Directors has named Bill Caffey, Koch Industries
executive vice president, as its new chairman,effective Dec. 11, 2000. Caffey succeeds Isaac Saba,
KoSa’s first chairman,under a plan that rotates board leadership between the company’s owners every
two years. Also, Steve Feilmeier, Koch’s vice president for finance, has been named to the board
and will replace Joe Moeller, President of Koch Industries. KoSa, one of the world’s largest
polyester producers, is owned by Koch International Equity Investments B.V. and Koch Equity
Investments Inc., two subsidiaries of Wichita, Kansas-based Koch Industries Inc., and IMASAB S.A.
deC.V., a Mexican company owned by Isaac Saba. “I am pleased with how much KoSa has achieved since
being established in December 1998,” Saba said. “Our commitment to quality products, strong
customer service, and technological innovation has made us an industry leader.I look forward to
continuing to work with the KoSa board, management and employees to build on that foundation in
2001 and beyond.” KoSa produces commodity and specialty polyester products as part of five global
businesses: Intermediates and Polymers, Packaging Resins, Technical Filament, Textile Fibers and
Tirecord. With global headquarters in Houston,Texas, KoSa employs 10,000 people worldwide.SOURCE
KoSaCopyright 2001 PR Newswire

DEMAND FOR FLAG FAbrIC RISESU.S. flags have been in huge demand and retailers quickly sold out of their stocks following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Glen Raven is the largest manufacturer for fabric going into U.S. flags and the N.C.-based company has been meeting the demand.Glen Ravens Filament Fabrics makes nylon and polyester fabric which it sells to companies which print the stars and stripes on the griege fabric. A company spokesman says Glen Raven so far has met the increased demand with current fabric inventory. The company also produces a full range of fabrics for military uses.Most outdoor flags are made of either nylon or polyester or a blend.October 2001

Germany-based Deutsche Messe AG has announced that three trade fairs featuring products for the
home will run consecutively in January, enabling buyers to make one trip to cover each event.
Heimtextil, Domotex and the International Furniture Fair will take place between Wednesday, January
10, and Sunday, January 21.Heimtextile, held at Messe Frankfurt, opens the series and runs for four
days, January 10-13. About 3,000 exhibitors from 60 countries will show a broad range of decorative
fabrics for the home. The scope is all-inclusive, with special sectors for product groups. The
breakdown includes curtains, draperies, wall coverings, carpets, bedding and bed linens, table-top
and kitchen linens, ornamental cushions, upholstery, patio, and sun protection.A trend exhibition
will show what will be in fashion in the future. It will be backed up by display arrangement,
lectures and a brochure. It is anticipated that close to 75,000 trade professionals will attend
Heimtextile 2001.Domotex will take place in Hannover, January 13-16. It ranks as the worlds largest
forum for carpets, floor coverings, and related products and services. More than 1,000 exhibitors
from 50 countries will show in a display space of 94,000 square meters. Projections are that 40,000
visitors will attend this event in 2001.Display categories at Domotex include hand-made carpets,
machine-made woven carpets, textile floor coverings, fiber and yarns, and flexible floor coverings.
There will be 55 exhibitors from the United States. Some of those who will be showing include BASF
Corp. Fiber Products Division, Dixie Group, Lees Carpets and Mohawk International.Internationale
Mobelmesse, the final show of the season, will be held in Cologne, January 15-21. It is a major
trade fair for furniture. More than 1,500 exhibitors from 50 countries will show a variety of
products and styles. The range embraces tables and chairs, bedroom and living-room furniture,
upholstered furniture and lamps. Styles are rustic, period or avant-garde.

Since its founding in the 1970s by a family of entrepreneurs, the Cuvio, Italy, dyehouse Mascioni
has endeavored to strike a delicate balance between the demands of production and the issues of
safety, health and environment. Mascioni was founded during a politically sensitive time for
Italian manufacturers. Textile plants and other manufacturing concerns that indiscriminately
discharged waste into the formerly pristine rivers and streams of the Italian countryside were
coming under increasing pressure by government, environmentalists, outdoorsmen and others. The
conflict resulted in the passage by the Italian government of the Merli Act, which put in place
much more stringent wastewater requirements.We should still be grateful to and appreciate the
foresight of our predecessors in corporate management, said Dr. Carlo Mascioni, the companys
current managing director. While the environmental controversy was at its height, the Mascioni
facility was under construction. Company founders had already decided to invest in a wastewater
purification system significantly larger and more advanced than was the norm. This, says Dr.
Mascioni, turned out to be a tremendous strategic advantage for the companys
prosperity. Garnering Respect From The CommunityThe initial construction of the facility was
followed by the building of a cogeneration plant in the 1980s that, at the time, was without equal
in Europe. These two facilities, both of which feature state-of-the-art technology in terms of
environmental protection, have enabled us to foster the excellent relationship that Mascioni has
always had with both the regional administrative bodies and the residents of the area, many of whom
are working with us, Dr. Mascioni said. These persons are aware of the attention we pay to
safeguard the place where they live, and they repay this heed with their attachment to the company.
We believe this to be an extremely important factor so much so that it is one of the most crucial
elements we take into consideration when deciding new investments. 

It was in this light that Mascioni chose the Monforts Montex 5000 stenter. Mounted on the
Montex 5000 is a Koenig heat-recovery and fumes-purification unit.The line has been in operation
for less than a year and has resulted in sizeable operational and qualitative benefits, Dr.
Mascioni said. We are completely satisfied with it, he said. The results have exceeded
expectations, including the enhancement of the exhaust air quality.The fumes-treatment system by
Koenig has capability beyond the specific needs of the Montex 5000. It also recovers heat from an
older stenter installed in an adjacent room.The numeric evaluation of the operating economy is not
easy, Dr. Mascioni said, but we think we can anticipate a 30-percent savings in comparison with
previous installations. This enhances quality and allows a quick return on investment. Also, the
drying performance of the powerful Monforts stenter is considerable.Mascioni produces nearly 45
million meters of fabric (340 centimeters double width) per year. The company employs 450 people in
an 80,000-square-meter facility. The companys production program, which once consisted mostly of
printed cotton fabrics for household furnishings, is now diversified and includes technical and
apparel materials the result of research conducted jointly with customers. Approximately 70 percent
of Mascionis customers are outside Italy, with the majority in the United Kingdom, France and the
United States. New Machinery Improves EfficiencyNew production machinery has recently come
online at Mascioni, including a preparation and bleaching range, a hot-mercerization line, a modern
singeing machine, a two-phase development system and, of course, the new Montex 5000 stenter. The
plant runs 24 hours a day, five days a week, with three production shifts. The stenter is in
continuous operation. Before purchasing the Montex 5000, Mascioni carefully evaluated the units
running efficiency, quality, economy, reliability and environmental capabilities. The
seven-compartment machine operates at speeds ranging from 80 to 120 meters per minute (m/min),
depending on fabrics being produced, and has successfully replaced an existing 10-compartment
stenter, the speed of which reached only 60 m/min. In addition, it offers a series of technical
solutions, such as high operating flexibility, user-friendliness, very low consumption and minimal
maintenance. 

Worthy of mention, especially, is the great advantage of having an efficient automatic
cleaning filter, an independent air flow (of both upper and lower nozzles), an electronically
controlled process, with the guarantee of a perfect lot reproduction even after a long time, said
Fiorenzo Fumagalli, the plants production manager. The Koenig system has fully come up to our
expectations; we are really satisfied with it.Mascioni bought the Montex 5000 at ITMA 99 in Paris.
It began working at full production capacity in January 2000 and has been running trouble-free ever
since, according to Fumagalli. It operates my favorite way that is to say, install it and forget
about it.

January 2001

Supply SideBy McAllister Isaacs III, Editorial Director At 30, Tekmatex Readies For Industy ReboundFlowing with the highs and lows of U.S. textiles, Charlotte-based Tekmatex anticipates ‘return of textiles.’ At Tekmatex, there may be a lull in business right now, as the Charlotte-based distribution firm quietly reaches its 30th birthday. But it isnt just sitting around waiting for something to happen. No, the company is gearing up for what Yuji Wada, president, describes as “a return of textiles to the United States.”

Left to Right: Danny Barrett, general manager, Weaving Division, and Yuji Wada, presidentWada says, “I firmly believe that the textile industry will return in the United States, perhaps with a different structure. But it will come back in the future after structures of apparel, textile industries and textile retailers are reorganized and connected under common value chains with QR systems thus eliminating inventories just as the relationship between automobile assembly makers, parts and components makers.”Tekmatex, located in the heart of the U.S. textile industry in Charlotte, has witnessed a number of peaks and valleys in this industry in its 30-year history.The company opened its doors in 1971 in downtown Charlotte while it awaited the completion of its building, at its current site on Performance Road. Ironically, with American Dornier a nearby neighbor, back then Performance Road was known as Picanol Road. Needless to say, at least two of the current residents on the street pushed for a renamingand got it. Thus, it is now Performance Road.In 1971, Tekmatex began its U.S. history as the sales representative for Nissan water-jet weaving machines and Toyoda open-end spinning machines. Nissan opened its own U.S. office in 1977 (recently purchased by Toyota). Today, of course, Tekmatex handles U.S. sales for Tsudakoma weaving machines, preparatory machines and Toyota spinning systems.Danny Barrett, general manager, Weaving Div., supervises the sales and service of the Tsudakoma weaving machines and preparatory machines. Barrett said day to day contact with textile companies by the companys two regional sales managersLuther Lingle covering part of the Carolinas and all points north and Gary Hinkle covering part of the Carolinas and all points south have advanced Tsudakoma machinery sales to over 12,000 machines. Furthermore, Barrett said close contact with current customers by Tekmatex technical service managersSonny Burr and Alan Reeves has ensured our customers learn of new developments to remain competitive.Ron Wilson, sales manager, Spinning Div., as well as the Woodworking Div., joined Tekmatex 12 years ago and supervises the sales and services of the Toyota yarn-making products.Barrett, a 20-yr veteran at Tekmatex has certainly been witness to the evolution of air-jet weaving from a machine with a highly limited applications capability in its early days to one that has captured the hearts and minds of most weaversespecially in the U.S. With over 12,000 air-jet weaving machines in the U.S., Barrett is certainly well qualified to discuss that evolution.”In the early days,” he says, “most air jets produced plain weave fabricsfrom common yarns, making common products. A lot of folks were making shirtingsoxfords, broadcloths. Machines were all 190-cm wide, except, of course, the 150- to 170-cm machines for glass fiber fabrics. In the beginning, it was all crank shedding.”Over the years, several things happened to change all that:1) Machines became wider.2) Machines were beefed up to produce different and more difficult fabrics.3) Filling insertion evolved to include multiple feeders and capabilities for diverse yarns.Sheeting provides an excellent example of the use of wider air jets. Denim is an application where beefing up the machine generated new use. In fact, where denim was once the sole province of projectile machines, hardly a yard is woven today on anything other than an air-jet machineat least in the U.S. And, of course, its not uncommon to find eight filling feeders with dobby or jacquard shedding on todays air jets.Barrett says, “Tsudakoma has more machines on sheeting than any other manufacturer.”Moreover, in a fabric few ever thought possible, Tsudakoma has more air jets on terry than any other manufacturer, according to Barrett. The company is also producing 230-cm water jets, the widest on the market for the growing automotive airbag market.As for Tekmatex itself, it is owned neither by Tsudakoma or Toyota. Marubeni America corp. owns 80% of the Charlotte-based facility. The Marubeni Group in Japan owns the other 20%. Moreover, The Marubeni Group owns Marubeni America Corp.Wada says the Marubeni Group is one of the largest trading companies in the world. It deals in 30,000 different items such as steel, automobiles, ships, plant construction, power stations, housing, IT, logistics, finance, petroleum, energy, chemicals, food, textiles and machinery, including textile machinery. It has facilities in 150 countries and districts all over the world.In the U.S. the company has the Tekmatex Inc. operation in Charlotte and Swift Spinning Mills and Marubeni Denim in Columbus, Ga, and Wateree Textile in Camden, S.C., in the textile field.

President Yuji Wada firmly believes that “Textiles will return to the United States, perhaps with a different structure.”Wada, himself, has served the parent company with two different stints at the Charlotte operation. He first worked at Tekmatex Inc. from 1976 to 1983. He returned in 1998 as president and has been at the helm ever since. Tekmatex Inc. actually has five divisions. The table shows these divisions with their current and new products. Each division has sales personnel, service technicians and a full complement of spare parts to service each division and more importantly our customers. The bottom line on Tekmatex is over the last 30 years, the company has been through the up and down cycles side by side with its partners in the textile community and plans to remain a leader in the sales and service of its products.October 2001

Chemical TreatmentandFinishingBy Edward J. Elliott PE, Ccol, FSDC How To Prevent Metal Bits In Finished ApparelUltra sensitive magnetic metal detectors help preserve the health, safety and well being of garment sellers and buyers. 

Magnetic detection had a burst of development during World War II when the search for land mines caught everyones attention. Since then, the concepts initiated during those war years have been honed with the sophisticated use of electrical engineering principals coupled with computer science to produce metal detectors which have important applications in todays industrial world.Dr. Mike Randall, chairman and Graham Millward, export sales manager, Lock Inspection Systems Ltd. hosted TEXTILE WORLDS visit to the companys manufacturing facilities in Oldham in Lancashire, England. The U.K.-based firm also operates a production plant in Fitchburg, Mass. Randall explained that one of the largest applications for metal detectors is in the textile industry. Initially it might seem that textile applications would center around finding metal in fabric as a protection to the numerous rubber/composition squeeze rolls used in wet processing. Although these areas are important, the need to detect metal in finished garments is more significant to retailers. Randall says, “We are able to detect metal bits as small as one millimeter in diameter on a continuous production line. Of serious concern are the small bits of a broken sewing needle that gets entwined within the stitches and/or seams during the sewing phase of garment assembly. Although youd like to believe that conscientious sewing machine operators would stop when a needle broke and remove fragmented pieces from garments, it isnt that simple. In many off-shore sewing plants, the operators are more concerned with productivity since it relates directly to personal earnings.” Metal detection has an important application in the food and pharmaceutical industries where metal bits can be a serious safety, health and legal problem if ingested with food or medicine tablets. Lock is able to detect minute quantities of metal fragments based on its sophisticated combination of electrical/magnetic skills and leading edge software that can significantly magnify the detector sensor signal. Lock has developed a technique that can ignore non-ferrous metallic items that are an integral part of the garment design.Millward says, “Many garment designers are using non-metallic components to assure the efficacy of the metal detector to find unwanted broken metal pieces. We now see plastic zippers, plastic or bone-like buttons, etc., all aimed at enhancing the metal detectors ability to find unwanted metal.” The specter of a mother helping a child don a new garment, only to hear fierce screams and appearance of blood from scratched parts of the childs head and body may be isolated events but are certainly real when they occur. Moreover, such an incident is “made-for-TV and the media.” Although the personal damage may look worse than it actually is, the dramatic impact of a crying toddler, a harried mother and a blood-spattered garment is more than a retailer bargains for. Its natural that retailers faced with avoiding liability for metals in foods and medicines would be the driving force behind the use of metal detectors in textiles/garments.The ability of Lock to detect 1-mm metal pieces is a result of its awareness that when a sewing needle breaks, it snaps at or below the weakest part of the needlethe eye opening where the thread passes. Usually only the pointed tip gets trapped in the seam. Normally you dont find a complete needle, since the shank is still in the sewing machine. So accuracy in finding very small metal pieces is critical.In pharmaceuticals the powders are screened to assure uniform particle size. But the stainless-steel screen-sifting wires can erode and eventually break, inserting small bits of metal into the powder. Additionally, when powders are tabletized, the tablet press must be perfectly aligned otherwise minute metal shavings can enter tablets. If either or both of these untoward conditions occur for even a short time, the need for a sensitive metal detector becomes obvious.Such innovation is proof that textiles recognizes progress made in other industries and can accept the positive thrust that gained from accurate and sensitive metal detectors. The cross-pollination between industries is a major contributor to the health, safety and well being of the textile industry and its consumers.Randall says, “Our continued R and D efforts are focused so we can apply a positive(+) influence on a potentially negative (-) problem.” October 2001