Technology

Uster Technologies offers a flexible solution to upgrade fabric inspection from manual to automated. Integration in existing production lines is quick and easy, and the data flow also brings extra benefits. It means fabric producers can significantly improve their yield with fast, accurate quality monitoring.

Any change starts with a new thought and a clear intention – but sometimes it takes time to make it happen. That’s because issues might be expected during implementation. But that’s not the case when switching from manual to automated fabric inspection with Uster. This article presents the key points, and offers further options for total understanding: discussing the benefits with an Uster expert at the upcoming Techtextil or on another occasion; or taking part in a special webinar on April 11.

The path to automation
For maximum benefits – up to 50% lead time savings and 80% less waste – automated fabric inspection combines Uster EVS Fabriq Vision with Uster Fabriq Assistant. This integrates a reliable and sophisticated inspection system, delivering vital data, with practical analysis of that data to deliver the best results for users.

Prerequisites for automatic fabric inspection begin with a detailed evaluation of the current process, to identify the critical steps. Typical questions users will be asked include “what kind of optimization do you expect and what changes would you like to make to the production process?” Or “how does your final process step look before you ship the fabric to your customer?”

At the end of this analysis, the steps towards integration are planned, including the choice of the right hardware and software needed to achieve automation in the fabric inspection process.

The Uster Fabriq Vision inspection solution can be integrated into existing production lines – or used as an off-line inspection system. In both cases, the preconditions for optimal results from the optical system are the same: smooth and tension-controlled fabric flow, no creases in the fabric, stable light conditions in the inspection area and no dust or lint on the fabric.

The inspection cameras feature state-of-the-art technology, positioned at various detection angles. Sophisticated illumination makes defects visible and raises detection performance to the maximum. Uster EVS Fabriq Vision provides real-time alerts for operatives, showing all defects and automatically creating roll inspection charts. All detected faults are collected in a dataset and transferred to Uster Fabriq Assistant.

Data flow
Data generated by Uster fabric inspection systems feeds to Uster Fabriq Assistant, which creates statistics for quality and process improvement. Its automated features make Uster Fabriq Assistant more efficient and productive, as a reliable and tailored solution for processing, analyzing, and visualizing quality data.

Connecting data is no longer a big deal. The Uster solution offers an open interface to transfer data to the ERP system and to the Optimized Cut Control (OCC), allowing maximized yield. Uster recommends a customer workshop to discuss data requirements, key parameters, data flow in production and how to create a powerful infrastructure.

Additional benefits
OCC allows an increased fabric yield after inspection. It is a software tool using the defect map from inspection, enabling automated cut optimization to be installed on any existing debatching or cutting line. It automatically identifies the correct cutting position for maximum fabric yield according to the customer’s quality requirements, and makes the cutting process highly efficient.

Invisible synchronization marks (applied during inspection) indicate the position of defects and cut positions in a roll, so these are always under control, allowing the cutting table to run at maximum possible speed.

When color consistency is critical, Uster EVS Fabriq Shade supports fabric producers to deliver a constant shade in end-products. The system provides standard shade measurements with high accuracy and continuously qualifies shade variation, based on a set reference point. To ensure lots have optimal color uniformity, the system offers grouping according to shade, for best fabric yield. Combining Uster EVS Fabriq Shade and Uster EVS Fabriq Vision in one process provides all relevant quality data in a single operation and increases the efficiency of fabric inspection.
The change explained

Automated fabric inspection requires newly-configured logistics as part of the detailed set-up plan – including a clear and traceable data flow for a paperless production. Finally, the calculation of the ROI will assure customers that profitability – as well as efficiency and quality – will also increase.

Ingo Kiefer, Senior Textile Technologist for fabric inspection at Uster Technologies, takes participants through the transition from manual to automated fabric inspection at the upcoming webinar. Uster Technologies also invite interested parties to face-to-face discussions at Techtextil Frankfurt, from April 23 to 26, 2024. Meet their fabric inspection experts at the Elmatex booth D63 (Uster agent for Germany) in hall 12.

Amith Garment Services has been working since 1999 with the intention of serving the Indian textile industry and trade and ensuring quality of the final product. This is possible by controlling the incoming quality of fibre, yarn, fabric, garment accessories, chemicals and the quality of final product. They offer total-quality solutions at every stage of manufacturing. Since their inception, they have always grown exceptionally well year on year. This is the result of their dedication, perseverance, and efficient service. They want to ensure this growth rate and become leaders in the fields of textile testing and quality control equipment.

Amith Garment Services recently unveiled its Aqua Boy Moisture Meter. This Moisture Metre is imported from Germany. It is nominated by major buyers like M&S, TESCO, H&M, GAPP, JC Penney to name a few. It is a must-have tool to analyse and have good moisture management in all the textile materials. To determine the moisture content of textiles like cotton, polyester, viscose, silk, etc., there are some features of the Moisture Metre as mentioned below:

Features:
· Can measure moisture content in any form of textile like garments, fabrics, socks, cone, cheese, bales, loose fibre etc.
· Determine the residual moisture content in textile like Cotton, Polyester & Viscose materials in terms of percentage.
· Portable construction; economically designed
· Field calibration with the use of standard calibration Probe
· Multiple scale for direct readings for wool, rayon and cotton
· Portable, Battery-operated
· 0 to 100 scale for comparison tables used for other mater

Specifications:
· Measuring Ranges:
Wool: 8 to 24.5% moisture content
Rayon: 3 to 23% moisture content
Cotton: 2 to 12% moisture content
Comparison measurement: 0-100 Scale

· Power: 9V Battery
· Weight : 400 g
· Dimension : 200 × 250 × 70 mm (L × W × H)

Complete Kit:
The TEM-1 is supplied as a complete kit with leather carrying case, electrode with holder, Electrodes 205, 207 and connecting cable 200.

Mimaki Engineering Co., Ltd. specializing in industrial inkjet printers, cutting plotters and 3D printers, is pleased to announce the launch of “TRAPIS”, environmentally and people-friendly next-generation textile printing system, which is a commercialized version of the “textile pigment transfer printing system” that was exhibited at ITMA in June 2023. Prior to its product launch, it will be exhibited for the first time in the world at the FESPA Global Print Expo 2024 to be held in March 2024 (venue: Amsterdam, the Netherlands) where it will propose “Textile Printing made Incomplex” that can cut wastewater amount by about 90% (compare to conventional method), “easily operated by anyone” and “Installable in any locations”.

“TRAPIS” is the company’s pigment transfer textile printing system, whose name is derived from the words “Transfer”, “Pigment”, and “System”. The system consists of ur inkjet printer, dedicated ink, dedicated transfer paper, and a dedicated transfer machine made by a European manufacturer recommended by us.

The conventional textile dyeing method (Figure.2) generates a large amount of wastewater mixed with chemical substance (about 14.5 liters per square meter in the case of digital dye printing*1) due to pre- and post-treatment of textile, which is considered an environmental problem, In addition, the dyeing process is complex, requiring specialized skills and knowledge, and the investment of dyeing equipment requires large-scale wastewater treatment facilities, limiting the location where they can be installed.*1 Digital dye printing generates significant amount of wastewater by textile printing conveyor belt washing and fabric washing after dye fixation (steam) (by our original research)

In the TRAPIS, a design printed on a special paper is transferred to the fabric using a heat transfer machine to complete the textile printing process. Therefore, the process generates almost zero wastewater (only water in the waste ink generated by printer’s automatic maintenance), and even including wastewater generated in the transfer paper manufacturing process, wastewater is cut by approx. 90% compared to conventional digital dyeing systems. Since the system does not require a large space or wastewater treatment facilities like conventional system, it can be installed in a small space, and textile printing business can be conducted at the forefront of fabric supply distribution (store, design offices, etc.) (Figure.3)

In addition, since the process is simple that is completed by printing and transferring, and does not require specialized dyeing expertise and knowledge, anyone can easily initiate the operation.
Furthermore, in conventional textile printing, it is necessary to use different dyes (ink types) by types of textiles. TRAPIS, however, can print on a wide range of textile with one type of ink (Figure.4). Therefore, it is not limited to dyeing factories that specialize in textile printing, but enables dyeing business to operate in any locations, on a multi-variety of textile, in a short-run as required, thus adapting the global dyeing industry’s demand for sustainability.

TRAPIS will be compatible with the printing of each textile materials and is scheduled to go on sale in June 2024. We expect to sell 100 units per year (worldwide) in the textile and apparel market, including fashion apparel and home textile applications.

Mimaki Engineering Co., Ltd. with its management vision of “Something New, Something Different,” will continue to pursue new technological innovations to achieve the “beauty and speed” that our customers demand.

Through an innovative, patent-pending technology, Smart Foam minimizes natural resource consumption, making sustainable garment production easy and accessible.

Innovative
Smart Foam is a patent-pending technology, a result of collaboration from three leading companies across the garment finishing market.

To treat garments in any kind of washing machine, Smart Foam introduces foam as a new carrier of chemicals. It can be used to create everything from traditional finishes to unique fashion concepts and styles.

Sustainable
Smart Foam greatly reduces the consumption of water and energy.

Compared to traditional washing processes, the application of chemicals through Smart Foam allows savings of up to 80% of water.

All the treatments are performed at room temperature, therefore reducing the minimum energy required.

Smart Foam has been designed to make the technological investment accessible to any industrial laundry. This helps suppliers of any segment achieve their sustainability goals, to better serve the fast-moving fashion industry.

When combined with Garmon certified chemicals, Smart Foam can be used to perform treatments fully compliant with greenofchange® requirements.

Easy
Smart Foam has been designed to be the easiest and most affordable system to save water in garment finishing, providing solutions for any industrial laundry.

Compared to nebulization systems, Smart Foam loads chemicals in the washing machine up to 3 times faster, and doesn’t require sealed equipment, allowing technicians to interrupt finishing treatments and check garments with safety and ease.

Any type of washing machine – from the traditional to the advanced – can be utilized with the Smart Foam equipment and process.

Smart Foam is the result of:
1. Garmon’s tested and selected range of chemicals
2. Garmon’s special foaming agents
3. Foam generating equipment recommended by Garmon

The combination of these factors is what creates the patent-pending smart foam technology

#madewithsmartfoam
When developing the patent-pending technology of Smart Foam, we focused on how every customer, and every laundry, would use the machine day-to-day. As a result, we developed a technology that reflects both the technical and creative sides of the garment finishing process.

Compatible with more than 30 different types of chemicals, Smart Foam creates garments from the basic to the avant-garde: enzymatic washes, bleaching, resins and 3D effects, softening and even dyeing.

Bleaching with Smart Foam: any shade you like
Smart Foam allows saving water in every bleaching treatment performed with sodium hypochlorite or with Garmon’s sustainable bleaching agents like avol evanix. Through the right combination of bleaching agents and treatment times, you can achieve any blue shade of denim you want, from the darker tones to the fully bleached ones.

Compared to a traditional process, a bleaching performed with Smart Foam allows saving up to 41 liters of water on a single garment, which means a saving of 81%. And yes, compared to a nebulization system you can interrupt the treatment to easily check garments’ bleaching level.

Stone washing with Smart Foam: increased abrasion
Our tests prove that, with the reduced liquor ratio, some treatments like enzymatic washes with Smart Foam produce a better abrasion compared to the standard treatments.

This means that with a smart foam enzymatic washing with NO pumice, you can match the level of abrasion of a standard mild treatments requiring pumice stones.

Singer India Limited, a company with a 170-year legacy and a leading manufacturer of sewing machines and home appliances, announced the launch of its global bestseller – M 3330, with an iconic Blue color, exclusively on Amazon India.

The M3330 strengthens and adds value to the company’s strong fashion maker portfolio. Singer India is confident that the future growth of the fashion maker line will dominantly occur in the online space, with the new segment of customers who are essentially into crafting, sewing, and becoming DIY enthusiasts, wanting to make purchases for easy-to-use and good-looking products with easy and convenient payment options. The company’s fashion maker line has also been witnessing a steady growth in offline channels, especially in the southern market. To support the learning of the craft of sewing and stitching, which the company believes, is an important life skill just – it is offering, with every purchase of M 3330, complimentary online sewing classes valued at Rs. 2,500, allowing the customers to learn the craft anytime and anywhere.

The Singer M3330 offers a comprehensive sewing solution equipped with 97 stitch applications and an exceptionally powerful 70W motor enabling 800 stitches per minute. Its user-friendly design and advanced features ensure a highly customized stitching experience, making it convenient to be used by both beginners and professionals. In addition to its advanced features, the M3330 offers added value to customers. The machine can be purchased with easy EMI options and comes with a 2-year warranty, supplemented by after-sales services including a free home demonstration. Priced at Rs. 17,999 on Amazon India, M3330 will target the rising community of DIY enthusiasts, within a market projected to reach USD 979,880 million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 4.4%.

The launch on Amazon also highlights the strategic role that digital e-commerce will play in shaping the future trajectory of the brand. So far, select models of the fashion maker portfolio are available on two of the largest e-commerce players and the company has witnessed a steady increase in sales across the two channels.

Said, Rakesh Khanna, Managing Director, and Vice Chairman of Singer India, “Singer India is embarking on a journey of growth and progress, we are introducing global bestsellers and innovative machines very soon equipped with state-of-the-art technology to strengthen our market share. With our existing fashion maker line witnessing robust growth, the introduction of the M3330, which has done well globally, will add strength to our Indian portfolio and with this we have brought home a machine which has made sewing enthusiasts across key markets appreciate the ease and convenience of using the machine.”

He further added we are placing a strong emphasis on fortifying our digital strategy, with this launch; we have the confidence in reaching to a younger audience who are looking out for products which are designed well, are functional and easy to use. With its iconic blue color and an exclusive debut on e-commerce platform, we are confident that this will evoke a strong desire among the younger set of audience aspiring to embrace the art of stitching and sewing.”

As the first big launch for the year, Singer India unveiled the launch campaign with an exciting teaser on Instagram, Facebook, x, LinkedIn and Youtube followed by the official launch video on AmazonInstagram, Facebook, X, Youtube and LinkedIn. To further generate buzz and excitement which the machine has already managed to receive in India, Singer India plans to launch contest #TurnOldtoBold across their official Instagram, Facebook and X handles.

ColorJet, India’s leading futuristic textile printing solutions providing company, announced its participation in the Surat International Textile Expo (SITEX) from January 6-8, 2024, at the Surat International Exhibition and Convention Centre, Surat. ColorJet will unveil its innovative textile printers, VastraJet K2 and SubliXpressPlus during this textile expo.

Surat, renowned as the hub of the textile industry, holds significant importance for the company. The colorJet has installed over 100 digital textile-printing machines in the city. This achievement is not just a number it’s a trust and confidence of their customers have bestowed upon them over the years.

Speaking about this achievement and the importance of Surat in India’s textile geography, Arun Varshney, Vice President and Business Head, ColorJet Group, said, “As Surat’s Preferred Choice, ColorJet takes pride in having successfully installed more than 100 textile printing machines in the city. We express sincere gratitude to all our customers for their trust. We are a customer-centric brand, and this achievement underscores ColorJet’s unwavering commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction.”
He further added, “Surat is one of the oldest and most promising markets in India for the world. Their understanding of textiles is at par with global standards. Perhaps, it is one of the reasons ColorJetis the preferred brand over others. With our presence at SITEX, we are going to further strengthen this bond with the city and showcase the future of digital textile printing to the visitors.”

ColorJet sees SITEX Surat as an opportunity for industry professionals and enthusiasts to witness their advanced VastraJet K2, High Speed, High Quality direct to fabric printer and High-speed sublimation printer SubliXpress Plusin action. The expo will be an immersive experience, allowing visitors to explore the advance features and capabilities of these advanced textile printers.