Technology

Aeoon Technologies was founded in the hometown of Angelo Schiestl, Schwaz in Tirol – CEO and founder. His philosophy to treat all employees, distributors, clients and partners like family has created strong, successful and life-long partnerships. It is of utmost importance to Aeoon Technologies to be known for building the best DTG equipment in the world, offer second to none service and support and build strong and long-lasting rapport with their new and current family members. Aeoon Technologies showcased its wide range of technologies: Hybrid 3.0 series, Compact & Compact PLUS Series on booth H7-E305 at ITMA Milan 2023.

Hybrid 3.0 Series – For demand-oriented textile printing

Let your creativity unfold! The Aeoon Hybrid 3.0 printer combines DTG and screen-printing in one machine. With the whole process in one printer, you get all the advantages of both printing techniques.
· Cost savings per print for multicolor designs
· Creating special effects and textures
· Ideal for single or smaller jobs
· Printing without pre-treatment
· Printing on garments that have low cotton content

Compact & Compact PLUS Series – For versatile digital printing production
· High-end print quality
· Low printing costs with high output
· Kyocera industrial print heads
· Easy connection to an automated production workflow
· Smarttouch central control unit
· Huge selection of pallets
· Little space required
· PLUS highlight: integrated heat presses

Textile printing technology pioneer Epson announced the revolutionary Monna Lisa ML-16000/Hy that can uniquely digitally create any type of special effect on fabric. The hybrid printer has been developed to reproduce the most sophisticated effects for modern printed fabrics with gold, silver, and glossy tints.

The continuously evolving textile market requires increasingly sustainable and efficient solutions in order to deliver unique results and low-impact productivity. The Monna Lisa ML-16000/Hy is the ideal printer for companies that need to optimise the production of complex prints and offer the market more creativity.

With the latest portfolio addition, the Monna Lisa series – already known for its print quality, ink optimisation, extreme flexibility, and sustainability – can reproduce special effects on any fabric without requiring any subsequent steps. These range from glossy lacquer through to gold and silver metal and opaque white.

The combination of the Monna Lisa ML-16000/Hy’s 8 colour inkset, 16 PrecisionCore printheads and 64 nozzles, finally enables the digital printing of special effects, previously the exclusive preserve of conventional screen or cylinder printing.

Its Genesta water-based inks guarantee colour accuracy and resistance in fabric prints, while pastes developed and produced by Epson Como Printing Technologies create the special effects.

PrecisionCore printhead technology guarantees the exceptional quality for which Epson is renowned while delivering the high speeds necessary for commercial and industrial printing. At the heart of this technology is the MicroTFP next-generation printing chip. PrecisionCore technology perfectly embodies Epson’s goal of delivering unrivalled levels of value and performance to the widest possible customer base.

The Monna Lisa ML-16000/Hy is proof of how Epson’s research and development team always has its eyes on the future. With the latest evolution of the Monna Lisa series, and the ability to produce 100% of printing effects with digital technology, the needs of several markets – from fashion to home textiles, swimwear to sportswear – can be met at the same time.

“At Epson, we know how crucial it is to respond quickly to a market in perpetual motion,” commented Paolo Crespi, Commercial Director of Epson Como Printing Technologies. “Today, with the Monna Lisa ML-16000/Hy, we have reached a new milestone and completed a journey that began 20 years ago with the birth of the Monna Lisa project: the coverage of 100% of printing requirements with digital technology.”

He further added: “In order to facilitate the work of our customers, our primary goal is to ensure the maximum flexibility of our solutions. All the printers in the Monna Lisa series allow us to organise and combine our printing processes in the best way, extremely quickly, and with as little waste as possible of resources. Shorter processes, fast response times to market demands, and extreme versatility have therefore always been core qualities of the Epson product range.”

Monna Lisa ML-16000/Hy – Main features:

· Printheads: 16 Epson PrecisionCore printheads. PrecisionCore printing technology is the evolution of Epson’s proprietary Micro Piezo printing technology. The next-generation MicroTFP print chip combines quality, precision and speed
· Nozzles: 64 nozzles
· Resolution: up to 1200 dpi
· Width: 180 cm
· Ink colours: 8 Genesta colours accompanied by special pastes
· Special effects: glossy lacquer, metallic gold and silver, glue for metallic foil, opaque white
· Ink types: Genesta inks and special pastes developed and produced by Epson. Genesta’s water-based inks guarantee superb quality on any type of fabric
· Fabrics supported: all
· Epson at ITMA 2023. Creativity and innovation: a bridge to sustainability

All the benefits of Epson’s Monna Lisa series were presented during the ITMA, the world’s most important exhibition for textile machines, in Milan from 8 to 14 June.

Mimaki USA, a leading manufacturer of wide-format inkjet printers and cutters, introduces two revolutionary technologies in textile printing while at ITMA 2023: a Textile Pigment Transfer Printing System and the Neo-Chromato Process. These innovations are showcased for the first time, and ahead of commercial availability, at the exhibition in Milan, Italy, solidifying Mimaki’s leadership in sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions for the textile printing industry.

A Better Way to Print: Textile Pigment Transfer Printing System
Hearing a demand for more sustainable and environmentally friendly ways to print, Mimaki has developed a Textile Pigment Transfer Printing System. Traditional methods of dyeing natural fibers with dye and pigment produce nearly 2 billion tons of wastewater, accounting for almost 20% of all industrial wastewater.* This water contains chemical substances generated from pre and post-dying processes worldwide. In addition to this negative environmental impact, large-scale dying facilities are responsible for high CO2 emissions from their production and the overseas transportation which is usually required.

Mimaki’s Textile Pigment Transfer Printing System uses nearly zero water for printing and significantly reduces CO2 emissions due to its on-site capabilities and small-scale structure (Figures 1 and 2). This smaller system makes it more affordable than conventional textile dye printing methods (Figure 3). It allows small-scale textile production to be done outside major textile-producing countries, reducing CO2 emissions attributed to overseas transportation.

The Textile Pigment Transfer Printing System comprises three parts: Textile Pigment Ink, Textile Transfer paper, and Transfer System. The textile pigment ink is currently undergoing bluesign® certification, with an anticipated approval in September 2023.

Evaluations are currently being conducted on the compatibility of these elements with the fiber materials needed for apparel, home goods textiles, and soft-signage applications. Mimaki plans to officially launch The Textile Pigment Transfer Printing System in fall 2023.

Reducing Waste with Reused Textiles
Another debut at ITMA 2023 is Mimaki’s unique Neo-Chromato Process, revolutionizing the reuse of colored polyester textiles. By removing the color from polyester textiles that have been dyed using dye sublimation technologies, this innovative process allows materials to be re-printed or dyed immediately, contributing to a smaller environmental footprint. There is no limit to how often reused polyester can be treated with the Neo-Chromato Process, which minimizes water usage and pollution.

Colored polyester textiles typically have short-term uses for products like banners, backlit signs, and tablecloths. These applications, along with fast fashion apparel and sportswear made of colored polyester, frequently find themselves incinerated after use, while only a small portion is recycled. According to our research, polyester textiles account for approximately 60% of the 92 million tons of wasted textiles worldwide. The Neo-Chromato Process eliminates the need for incineration and recycling by reusing these polyester textiles, making it a sustainable technology for the textile industry.

These two announcements align with Mimaki’s commitment to bringing new innovations to the print market that are sustainable and minimize environmental impact. Listening to customers’ needs worldwide, we feel that it is our responsibility to actively collaborate with industry patterns to explore the full potential of these new technologies.

ITMA 2023, the world’s leading trade fair for textile machinery, taking place in Milan, is once again marked by a significant presence of VDMA member companies. The 110 exhibiting VDMA members cover nearly all different machinery chapters with a focus on spinning, nonwovens, weaving, knitting, warp knitting, braiding and finishing. They are part of a strong German presence with a total of around 200 German exhibitors – including non-machine manufacturers – on approx. 17,700 square metres, covering 15% of total space.

How are leading VDMA members contributing to the transformation of the global textile industry? On the occasion of the VDMA press conference at ITMA, themed “Transforming the World of Textiles: efficient – digital – circular”, five renowned VDMA member companies presented their innovative solutions on sustainability, circular economy, digitalisation, efficiency enhancement and resource saving.

André Wissenberg, Chairman of the exhibition and marketing committee of VDMA Textile Machinery and Vice President, marketing, corporate communications and public affairs at Oerlikon Polymer Processing Solutions Division, presented a world premiere at ITMA in form of the EvoSteam process. This process enables, for example, annual water savings of up to 10 million litres. With regard to digitalisation, he highlighted Oerlikon’s digital Ecosytems, a solution to provide real time alerts, condition monitoring, machine learning, predictive maintenance and to steer all plant shopfloor operations. Wissenberg stated: “At Oerlikon, we contribute with our innovative technologies shown at the ITMA Milan 2023 for resource-saving use in almost all manmade fiber spinning mills in the world. Our promise for the future is to continue to expand the zero-waste production approach, being more efficient, digital and circular, and thus take care of achieving our customers’ and our own sustainability goals.”

Dr. Uwe Rondé, member of the Board of VDMA Textile Machinery and CEO of Saurer Group, emphasised the efforts of Saurer to dress the world sustainably by offering spinning and twisting solutions for yarns made of mechanically recycled or chemically regenerated fibres. At the press conference Dr. Rondé said: “Saurer has driven the transformation of the textile industry for more than 170 years. We support the textile industry in the areas of sustainability, digitalisation, and automation. As a trendsetter we anticipated early the need for processing short fibres. Today we already have a portfolio optimised to spin and twist recycled or regenerated yarns.”

Wolfgang Schöffl, Lindauer Dornier, head of the product line weaving machines and member of the extended management stated: “The challenges of the textile industry are driving the machinery building industry to new dimensions to fulfill very much related targets such as a constant increase in productivity, quality, innovation in a very dynamic and fast changing environment with regard to digitalisation and at the same time to secure the highest good, the life of human being and to preserve our natural habitat. These are the targets to whom Dornier is very much committed for now over 70 years, serving successfully our customers all around the world.”

Dr. Janpeter Horn, Chairman of the VDMA Textile Machinery Association and managing director of August Herzog Maschinenfabrik, showed that textile machines are enablers of CO2-neutral energy production. “Herzog, as the worldwide market and technology leader for braiding, winding and rewinding equipment, is at the forefront of transforming the textile world efficiently, digitally as well as circularly for braided applications. More than just developing braiding and winding technology taking this transformation into account, Herzog also enables the development of braided products which are needed for a circular, CO2-free economy such as extra-long and strong ropes replacing steel-wire strength-members for wind energy and deep sea exploration”, he said.

How circularity is addressed in the dyeing process, explained Verena Thies, vice-chairperson of VDMA Textile Machinery and managing shareholder of company Thies. She highlighted the Signature Series of Thies that enables an advanced after treatment process: “Thies is opening a new chapter in fabric coloration: Signature’s innovative ultra-low liquor ratio significantly enhances dye effectiveness, resulting in up to 20% decrease in dyestuff consumption. By combining Thies’ cutting-edge advancements, water usage is minimized by 52%.”

Digital Networking Demonstrator

The digital networking of machines paves the way for a variety of possible applications, such as a central overview of the status of all machines, order management and the exchange of process information. At the press conference, Dr. Harald Weber, managing director of VDMA Textile Machinery, presented a web-based demonstrator for digital networking of machines using the OPC UA standard. Standardised interfaces facilitate the integration of different devices. In a first project, the VDMA Textile Machinery has developed the interface specification called OPC UA for Textile Testing Devices. At ITMA, devices from exhibiting companies, among them the VDMA member Textechno, will use this specification to send live data to a demonstrator.

Investment in the future

ITMA is traditionally an event for junior engineers. With financial support of VDMA and under the guidance of their lecturers, 320 students from nine technical universities take the chance to see high tech live in Milan. “Our financial support in the amount of €95,000 is an investment in the future of our industry. Highly qualified engineers are the precondition to develop marketable technologies for the textile industry”, said Dr. Weber.

X-Rite Incorporated and Pantone LLC, global leaders in color science and technology, will showcase cutting-edge color measurement and 3D visualization solutions that facilitate a sustainable textile workflow at ITMA, June 8-14, in Milan, Italy. In Hall 4, Stand E201, X-Rite will highlight the benefits of digital color workflows for textile manufacturers. The solution will help manufacturers streamline color development, create digital material twins, efficiently formulate dyes, and improve overall color quality throughout the production supply chain of dyeing, finishing, and assembly partners. This results in minimized waste, reduced rework, and establishes of a more sustainable workflow.

“As the textile industry transitions to sustainable practices, a great place to start making changes is within the color workflow,” said Matthew Adby, Product Management Director, X-Rite. “At the X-Rite booth, ITMA attendees will learn how moving to a digital color workflow makes it easier to approve and produce colors quickly, accurately, and with little waste, water, and energy consumption.”

At ITMA, X-Rite will display color measurement solutions for every stage of the design to textile production process.

Design and Specification – Build digital color palettes and create digital color standards to share across a global supply chain. Learn which X-Rite spectrophotometer is best for your textile or digital printing application and how to digitally communicate color and appearance characteristics between designers, brands, dye houses, and OEMs.

Virtual Prototyping – Create virtual prototypes or digital material twins using spectral and imaging data to render original color and texture onto 3D models. to create digital material twins and virtual prototypes. See how X-Rite PANTORA™ software empowers brands and textile suppliers to digitally visualize color and appearance characteristics to expedite product development and reduce oversampling.

Color Formulation – Remove subjectivity from color formulation and increase color match rates by 50 percent. Learn how Color iMatch advanced formulation software enables dye houses to optimize initial color matches, reuse leftover materials, and reduce wasteful formulation attempts.

Production and Quality Control – Measure, maintain, compare, and analyze production color against the standard to ensure it stays intolerance. Learn how X-Rite color measurement solutions can capture spectral data on a variety of textile materials, including patterns, textures, performance fabrics, accessories, and other hard-to-measure samples.

Digital Textile Printing – Calibrate and profile production print equipment for accurate color. See how i1Pro 3 Plus can assure print quality on a wide variety of textile materials used by digital wide format and industrial printers for dye sublimation, direct-to-fabric, and roll-to-roll fabric.

For the first time, Stratasys is showing its advanced 3DFashion™ direct-to-textile 3D printing technology at ITMA 2023 in Milan, Italy, 8-14 June. The solution combines advanced materials with the J850 TechStyle™ 3D printer and enables textile and garment manufacturers to reimagine what’s possible by adhering full-color, translucent, rigid, and flexible materials directly onto textile and garments.

The technology is designed to open up a range of new fashion applications and drive profitable growth. As a result, textile manufacturers working on behalf of high-end fashion designers and brands in key sectors like automotive and haute couture are granted the power to differentiate their service offering with limitless creations and unparalleled flexibility.

The 3D printed materials also now include Stratasys’ VeroEco™ Flex resins, which meet stringent industry RSL standards.

Stratasys will also provide a preview of two technologies under development. The company’s conceptual direct-to-garment tool is designed to inject new creativity into existing garments to extend their longevity. This additional feature of the J850 TechStyle is set to enable 3D printing of a specific design directly to existing garments mounted on a dedicated tool, including trousers/pants, shirts, and jackets, to offer a ‘second life’ or new personalized style.

In addition, Stratasys will provide an early look at a 2D to 3D software tool that will enable J850 TechStyle printer users to easily adjust the height, colors, and textures of 2D images and transform them into 3D printed elements. Visitors will be able to submit a 2D logo that Stratasys will convert into a 3D printable image on textile samples during the show.

Hear directly from Stratasys within the Innovator Xchange Platform ITMA will also see Ofer Libo, Senior Product Manager at Stratasys, deliver an informative presentation as part of the event’s official educational conference programme. Entitled, “Innovating Textile and Garments Manufacturing with Stratasys 3DFashion Direct-To-Textile 3D Printing Technology”, this insightful session will take place on Monday 12th June at 15.35h in Hall #3.

“Textile printers are having to work harder than ever to push the boundaries of creativity and achieve true product differentiation, but we believe that 3D printing holds the key for such users to directly meet both of these needs,” says Enrico Toson, Marketing Manager, Stratasys.

“As our showcase at ITMA will demonstrate, Stratasys is ushering in a new era of textile printing that puts 3D printing technology directly in the hands of this community, opening up unlimited possibilities for them to introduce entirely new attention-grabbing added-value applications within their offering and drive new revenue streams,” concludes Toson.

Examples of the various 3D printed textile projects accessible to manufacturers will be on display on Stratasys’ stand. These will include stunning dresses and handbags from leading designers, as well as vibrant footwear.