CITME 2002
TW Special Report CITME 2002Increases in visitors, exhibitors and exhibition area at CITME 2002 reflect the successful expansion of China’s textile industry. Since its first edition in 1988, the scale of the China International Textile Machinery Exhibition (CITME) has been increasing steadily in terms of exhibitors, visitors and exhibition area. China is the top producer and exporter of textile and apparel products worldwide, and its installed capacity is represented by 34 million short-staple and 3.6 million long-staple spindles.But the future success of China’s textile industry is strictly connected to its capacity for renovation, in terms of both organization and technology. The entry of China into the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the signing of the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing imply a complete liberalization of the textile market by 2005.At CITME 2002, about 90 Italian textile machinery producers exhibited in an area measuring 1,700 square meters. Asia once again is the main destination for Italian textile machinery, as is confirmed by its 37-percent share of total Italian exports. The Italian presence at CITME is part of an active global promotional program that the Italian Association of Textile Machinery Producers (ACIMIT) and the Italian Trade Commission (ICE) have been carrying out for many years.The French Textile Machinery Manufacturers Association (UCMTF) also was present at CITME 2002, promoting the products of such companies as Asselin, Laroche S.A., Superba S.A., Thibeau and N. Schlumberger & Cie. Fiber Preparation & SpinningGermany-based Trützschler GmbH & Co. KG offered its installations for spinning preparation, from bale to sliver. The product range includes the Blendomat® BDT automatic bale opener, which provides a gentle uniform opening and processes up to 1,500 kilograms per hour (kg/hr). The Securomat SCFO foreign part separator, used directly after the bale opener, protects the cleaning line from damage, detects metal parts and separates the parts into a waste carriage. Trützschler’s Multi-mixer MCM mixing system offers an optimal solution for any textile manufacturer, and for any mixing task in the field of one-component staple fiber mixes. The high-production card DK 903, representing a further development of the DK 803, has been designed to improve carding quality even more.Rieter Spun Yarn Systems, Switzerland, presented its new and innovative rotor core yarn system, Rotona®. Rotona rotor core yarn, a novelty in the yarn market, combines the advantages of a rotor yarn with the numerous possibilities of a core yarn.
Heinrich Trützschler (left), managing director, Trützschler GmbH & Co. KG, and Xu Kunyuan, CITME Rotona core yarns have a stable structure in which the rotor yarn is wrapped around the core. The yarns also exhibit low yarn unevenness and reduced hairiness. New features offered on the Rieter BT 903 and BT 905 include a machine length of up to 320 rotors and rotor speeds of up to 100,000 revolutions per minute (rpm). Also, the spinning units can now be equipped with a new type of rotor in conjunction with an enhanced external suction device. Another Rieter highlight was its new R40 rotor spinner, a result of the successful cooperation that started last year with the Germany-based Suessen Group. The R40 combines the machine and transport automation concept of Rieter’s R20 with Suessen’s SC-R spin box technology. Rotor speeds of up to 150,000 rpm and delivery speeds of up to 235 meters per min (m/min) underline the high productivity potential of the R40.Suessen already has modernized more than 50,000 ring-spinning frames and roving frames with HP top arms, roller stands, bottom rollers with bearings, top rollers with cots, bottom apron guide bars, cradles and aprons, among others. The Compact SC 2-M SpinBox has been specially designed for spinning synthetic fibers.In the Chinese market, Suessen’s HP-A 310 Top Weighting Arm for short-staple spinning has enjoyed great success, with a few hundred thousand positions sold and installed. Improved yarn quality has been the decisive argument for customers.
Schlafhorst’s Autocoro 312 automatic rotor spinning machineAs a member of the Switzerland-based Saurer Group, W. Schlafhorst AG & Co. was present at CITME, along with Zinser Textilmaschinen GmbH, Saurer Czech A.S., Barmag AG, Barmag Spinnzwirn and Neumag. Schlafhorst presented its latest developments in the fields of rotor spinning and yarn winding, including the Autocoro 312 automatic rotor spinning machine. The Electronic Vacuum Adjustment (EVA) ensures a constant, automatically controlled level of the spinning vacuum. For the Corobox SE 11 of the Autocoro, Schlafhorst has developed the Magnetic Rotor Positioning System (MRPS), an innovative rotor thrust bearing with permanent magnets. The user-friendly Autoconer 338 type RM (with circular bobbin magazines) — for winding high-twist wool yarns, elastic core yarns and combed cotton yarns — uses innovative winding technology and has unique performance characteristics. WeavingCITME was a great success for Switzerland-based Sulzer Textil Ltd. The company reported the sale of a substantial number of projectile and rapier weaving machines. In addition to these sales, Sulzer established numerous new contacts with key decision-makers in the Asian textile industry.The company exhibited for the first time in China its new P7300 projectile weaving machine, the new terry version of the G6300 rapier weaving machine and the revolutionary M8300 multi-phase weaving machine.Features of the P7300 include new, groundbreaking hardware and software for machine control; new engineering design with improved shed geometry; and a browser-ready terminal for direct Internet access and integrated help function.The G6300 combines robust engineering design, leading-edge electronics and superior terry technology with unparalleled economic efficiency, according to the company.The M8300 has a weft insertion rate of up to 5,500 m/min. Its present performance potential is already many times higher than that of conventional single-phase high-speed weaving machines.Germany-based Lindauer Dornier GmbH demonstrated its rapier weaving machine with eight filling colors, dobby and on-the-fly pattern changes during production. The machines — suitable for a wide variety of applications including household, apparel and technical textiles — were shown using varying speeds, filling densities and yarn materials. Filling yarn loads have been held at the lowest level for mechanical filling yarn systems despite speed increases in the new generation of Dornier rapier weaving machines.Picanol NV, Belgium, exhibited its Gamma-4-R 220 rapier weaving machine equipped with a Stäubli 2670 dobby. It was shown weaving a fabric of 74/2 wool and silk. The machine offers a choice of various reed widths, shedding motions, selvages and filling insertion colors, making it suitable for weaving an extended range of articles — including fashion fabrics, shirting, denim, and industrial or furnishing fabrics — in one to eight filling colors or yarns, with a maximum weight of 500 grams per square meter (g/m2). Picanol also exhibited the OMNIplus air-jet and the Terryplus air-jet weaving machine for terry fabrics. Italy-based Promatech S.p.A., a member of the Itema Group, promoted its most recent development, the Somet Alpha series weaving machine, designed to combine technology, versatility, reliability and low running costs. The Alpha rapier weaving machine is available in 15 different widths; in single-beam, twin-beam or upper beam models; and also in a dobby version (with the Fimtextile 3080 or the Stäubli 2670) or an electronic jacquard version.
Picanol’s OMNIplus Other machines offered by Promatech include the Vamatex Leonardo negative rapier weaving machine, the Super Excel rapier weaving machine, and the Mythos air-jet weaving machine for the manufacture of high-quality fabrics.Switzerland-based Jakob Müller AG, Frick Maschinenfabrik, exhibited CAD systems consisting of pattern design and programming software for knitting (Mücard®) and for jacquard weaving (Mücad®, Mücad Mini, and Mücad Micro). A Chinese-language version of the Mücad system made its debut at the show.One highlight among the company’s narrow fabric needle looms was the NG2 S with optical-electronic weft thread monitoring and positive rubber transport. Other novelties included the NF53 8/27 needle loom for the production of elastic velvet ribbons, and the 16-shaft Varitex V5Ni 6/30 for the production of simple elastic and non-elastic narrow fabrics. KnittingMemminger-IRO GmbH, Germany, focused on its new-generation MPF-L positive feeder, which has a highly functional and ergonomic design, as well as a newly developed spool body and an integrated anti-filamentation system.The new MSF-AI combined feeder has been developed to manufacture and feed air-interlaced yarn on knitting machines; and the Digi One yarn tension regulating feeding system has been designed for socks, hosiery and seamless machines. Germany-based Mayer & Cie. offered its InterRib 4-2.4 QC circular knitting machine, with the performance of a high number of feeders coupled with the application versatility of a four-needle machine — interlock, eight-lock structures or rib — adjustable from the outside. The facility to adjust cams from the outside cuts down on costly resetting time and allows faster achievement of production targets.Italy-based Santoni S.p.A. exhibited its TOP 2, SM8 and SM9 machines, and organized a seminar related to its innovative seamlesswear technology.Kern-Liebers, Germany, featured its line of G-Sinkers with fully rounded edges that function even in the most delicate sinker throats. The extremely smooth, highly polished surface of the sinkers, allows a perfectly even loop formation and easy processing of elastic yarns and multifilament yarns.
Orizio Paolo manufactures a variety of circular knitting machines.Orizio Paolo S.p.A., Italy, offered its range of jersey machines, electronic jacquard machines and double-knit machines, including the JOGN circular knitting machine for three-cam-track basic jersey structures; the FIHN/C model for the production of three-end fleece; the JBE/C model for four-cam-track basic structures with electronic strippers; the MJM/C minijack single-knit circular knitting machine, with 2.4 feeds per inch; and the MJD/CE double-knit circular knitting machine, with electronic needle selection. Dyeing & FinishingBrückner Trockentechnik GmbH & Co. KG, Germany, offered its complete finishing lines for woven, knitted and technical textiles, including the Colortherm Thermosol lines and the new Opti-Shrink compressive shrinking ranges. Other machines manufactured by the company include Curima curing machines, high-capacity pre-dryers, nonwoven production and finishing lines, and heat recovery and exhaust-air purification systems for the textile industry.Hong Kong-based Fong’s National Engineering Co. Ltd. exhibited its Ecotech series of dyeing machines, which offer shortened dyeing cycles, and use less water and energy, thus minimizing direct production costs and the impact on the environment.The Fong’s ECO-6 high-temperature fabric dyeing machine and the ECO-38 atmospheric-temperature fabric dyeing machine both have the unique U-type chamber design, which guarantees a maximum loading capacity of each chamber of up to 250 kg with a liquor ratio as low as 1:5 for 70 to 100 percent loading capacity.Fong’s ECO-8 high-temperature fabric dyeing machine has a unique L-shaped dual chamber per tube design, which allows a maximum loading capacity of up to 550 kg per tube with an extremely low liquor ratio of 1:6 for 70 to 100 percent loading capacity.Switzerland-based Santex AG presented its Santaset thermosetting machine for the pre- and final heat-setting of tubular knitted fabrics, especially cotton/elastane, as well as man-made fibers and their blends. Special features include tensionless, relaxed fabric guidance from feed to take-off, and intensive treatment zone with bypass arrangement in case of brief machine stoppages.Other machines offered by Santex include: the single- or multi-stage Santableach bleaching plant; the Tubowash high-performance washing machine; and the Formalux mercerizing plant.Italy-based Lafer S.p.A. offered its new Microsand® dry sueding machine with the Carbosint special abrasive emery system that confers a particular “apricot effect” and gives fabric a very soft hand without surface hairiness. The sueding uniformity is assured by the multiple action of the rotating drum configuration, which has 24 sueding rollers. The drum can rotate in both directions with adjustable speed, and the sueding rollers are divided into two alternate groups that also can run at adjustable speeds.Loris Bellini S.p.A., Italy, offered its RBNO horizontal dyeing system, which operates with interchangeable modular carriers for flexible response. The RBNO is a high-temperature, high-pressure dyeing apparatus with horizontal autoclave and modular yarn carriers fitted with vertical spindles, for processing all types of yarns dyed in conventional machines.The RBNO can be loaded between 30 percent and 100 percent at an almost constant liquor ratio by load reducers. Dyeing liquor ratio varies from 1:4 to 1:7 according to package density, reducing water, energy and dyeing chemical usage; as well as waste water pollution.The Robodye 2000 is an integrated robotized installation for dyeing, hydroextraction and drying of yarn on bobbins.Spain-based Argelich Termes y Cia S.A. (ATYC) exhibited its Technodye dyeing machine for high-temperature rope dyeing (140°C). The machine features storage chambers with capacities of 150, 225 or 250 kg; single size fabric booster; intelligent regulation 3, a system that constantly synchronizes the speed of the reel with the actual fabric speed, eliminating friction; microcolor control system for the total control of all functions, including an automated dye kitchen; and a fully programmable Modatyc exponential dosing system for the addition of chemicals and dyes.Germany-based Eduard Küsters Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG presented its machines and complete ranges for the wet finishing sector, as well as calenders and ranges for the nonwoven and textile industries. The company announced more than 20 continuous wet processing ranges have been delivered and set into operation in the Asian region. In China, Küsters has delivered five new ranges for singeing/desizing/bleaching, mercerizing washing, washing after CPB dyeing and continuous dyeings. Equipment And AccessoriesLuwa AG, Switzerland, a division of the Zellweger Luwa Group, unveiled its LoomTravClean® (LTC), a new intelligent traveling cleaner for weaving mills. The LTC improves productivity by decreasing thread breakage caused by fly, according to Luwa. It helps reduce operational costs by eliminating machine downtime for manual loom cleaning and personnel involvement in machine supervision, according to the company. Luwa also supplies Total Air Control® (TAC) systems for air conditioning designed for ring spinning machines, open-end spinning machines and weaving machines. The systems supply air 100 percent from the ceiling and return it 100 percent through underground channels.
Introduced at CITME 2002, Luwa’s LoomTravClean® is a new, intelligent travelling loom cleaner for weaving mills. TexParts GmbH, Germany, offers parts for spinning machines, including integrated bearing units ready for installation, with precise running behavior and minimum outer diameter at maximum bearing capacity; PK 3000 weighting arms, a convincing drafting system concept with complete pneumatic loading for short-staple spinning processes; and CS 1 spindle bearings for high-performance spindles.Spain-based Electro-Jet showed its high-performance LS-GR cleaning unit model, adapted to the specific needs in the spinning room. Having a traveling speed of up to 92 feet per minute (ft/min), the unit has independently controlled guide wheels; is driven by individual motor; is protected by magnetic thermal relay; and has adjustable air flow direction to specific cleaning points.The LT-2 traveling cleaner for weaving machines has automatic reverse in the sleeves, 14 blowing sleeves, floor sweepers, automatic discharge with sensor-activated electromechanical drive, alarm light, independent direction of its four wheels, and individual traction motor. The LT-2 can reach a traveling speed of up to 112 ft/min.
January 2003