Australia-based Wilcom International Pty. Ltd. — a computer-aided design/computer-aided management
and machine control solutions company —highlighted its recently introduced AutoTuft 3-D custom
rug-tufting machine at Domotex 2009 that took place this week in Hannover, Germany.
The 3-D AutoTuft creates sculpted and textured effects with intricate patterns in rugs and
wall hangings. The machine is highly automated and can switch between cut and loop pile without
operator intervention. Depending on the design, production speeds can reach 1,000 to 1,500
revolutions per minute.
The machine comes with Wilcom Mira Carpet and Rug Design software, which allows a designer
and the customer to view the 3-D design without the cost of sampling.
“The ability to design rugs with variable pile heights, mixtures of cut and loop pile as well
as 3-D sculpting effects really opens the door to fantastic new effects while maintaining high
productivity and automation,” said Bill Wilson, technical director, Wilcom. “We’ve received such
positive and excited reactions to this, and we are really just scratching the surface of what is
possible.”
January 20, 2009