The overall impression of ITMA 2011 was that it seemed to be bigger and busier than its
predecessors in Birmingham, United Kingdom, and Munich, Germany. In the spinning area, the exhibits
tended to be well-attended by visitors, and there was significant interest in the offerings of the
major machine makers. One general observation was there seemed to be a lot of use made of iPads by
agents in the various booths. These were used to provide illustrations and animations to explain
operation of various machines and components. As with every ITMA, there were the first showings of
machines, which were new to most people, and naturally these seemed to attract the attention of the
largest number of show attendees. Additionally, most manufacturers made reference to energy
efficiency either by use of more efficient drives or by using machines that required less space for
the same production. There was significant use of individual drives to run components in
multiple-position machines, which offers not only flexibility, but also improved energy efficiency.
Opening, Cleaning And Blending
It has been clear that there has been a growing interest among various machine makers about
how to address the issue of foreign fibers. The broad approaches are as follows:
- Tackle this at the earliest stages in the blowroom.
- Address the problem during processing — for example, during drawing — by identifying offending
fibers in the web or sliver. - Eliminate the unwanted components during clearing in winding, or on the spinning machine.
Out of these options, the first seems to be the best approach because it removes the
potential for larger impurities to be broken up and more widely distributed throughout the batch.
The Jingling 6 Sorter from
Jingwei Textile Machinery Co. Ltd., China, uses four cameras to detect foreign
fibers, and a system of 16 valves for their elimination. The system is claimed to be capable of
removing polypropylene (PP), flax, hair, white and colored threads, as well as fabric and plastic
pieces. A similar system is the Vision Shield Inspect 4 from Jossi Systems AG, Switzerland, which
uses four imaging spectroscopes to detect colored fibers. Use of the VTect system adds the ability
to detect optically brightened fibers and the optional MagicEye detects all plastic materials.
Jossi claims that its optimized air nozzles minimize the amount of good cotton ejected.
A major attraction on Germany-based
Trützschler GmbH & Co. KG‘s stand was the Securoprop
SP-FPU foreign parts eliminations system, which was displayed with a matrix containing 15
broad types of contaminants and an assessment of the negative impact of each on product and process
quality. This system, in common with those above, uses different types of sensors for different
impurities. In this case, these are referred to as modules, including:
- Color Module — using multiple cameras to detect colored fibers and yarns as well as white
PP; - P Module — using polarized light to detect transparent and semi-opaque PP; and
- UV Module — utilizing ultraviolet (UV) light to isolate brightened fibers such as PP and
polyester.
The timing of the ejection jets, which blow out the impurities, is obviously critical and is
efficiently achieved by having sensors that determine the speed of tufts in the duct. Thus, the
delay between sensing and extraction can be controlled.
An additional feature promoted by Trützschler for use on the Cleanomat units is the
Wastecontrol system. A similar system was previously shown working on the waste from the taker-in
on the cotton card, but significant advantages were claimed for the present system. By analyzing
the trash removed, such as fibers and trash components, it is possible to optimize trash removal
while minimizing the fiber components. This is reported to offer significant potential savings in
material costs.
Carding
It was interesting to view the developments by the major players in this sector, and
particularly the various claims as to who had the largest carding area and who offered the highest
production.
- Germany-based
Rieter Group‘s C70 High-Performance Card is labeled as “the card with the maximum
active carding area.” - Trützschler’s TC 11 is claimed to have “the largest carding section in the world.”
- Italy-based
Marzoli S.p.A.‘s Galileo Card C701 makes claim to “the greatest carding surface of
the world market today.”
The main issues leading to these conflicting claims are associated with card width and
working surface of the cylinder. Trützschler introduced the idea of making greater use of the
cylinder by reconfiguring the machine with more stationary flats at the previous ITMA, and this
approach has also been adopted by Marzoli. Rieter has used a 1.5-meter (m) working width for some
time, and this has also been adopted by Marzoli, whereas the TC 11 has a working width of 1.28 m.
While larger 1.3-m cylinders are retained by Rieter and Trützschler, a smaller 1-m cylinder is used
by Marzoli. Another difference in the cards is that Marzoli only offers a single feed, whereas the
other two manufacturers also have multiple feeds.
Rieter’s J20 air-jet spinning machine requires minimal space while offering flexibility and
maximum productivity.
Drawing And Combing
The trend in draw frames seemed to be more oriented toward quality, ease of machine use and
efficiency, rather than increases in production speeds, which were around 1,000 to 1,100 meters per
minute (m/min), with lower speeds for combing applications. Obviously, machines were automated and
optionally equipped with autoleveling systems.
Marzoli-Vouk showed a new Draw frame-DF1 (DFR1) with pneumatic loading of top
rollers. As with other manufacturers, draft is electronically controlled, airflow around the
machine is managed for dust minimization, and efforts are made to avoid the impact of trash buildup
in the feed to the coiler.
Rieter’s new RSB-D 45 draw frame has a production capacity of 10 metric tons per day, with
improved autoleveler quality. Rieter also offers the SB-D 45 draw frame without autleveling.
Significant effort has gone into maintaining the quality of the sliver when it passes through the
coiler, and this is an issue for both cotton and man-made fibers. Improvements have been realized
by optimizing the coiler surface and angling the feed-tube.
Trützschler’s TD 8 draw frame with autoleveling utilizes a new drafting system and filter.
The drafting system is easily set, for ratch and draft, and the newly developed input sensor Disc
Leveller for short-term autoleveling is claimed to offer measuring accuracy and long-term
stability. An additional feature of the draw frame is the possibility of measuring the drafting
force in the back drafting zone. By measuring the force for a range of back drafts, it is possible
to optimize the back draft for different batches of fibers, in order to improve sliver quality.
Trützschler also offers the TD 7 draw frame without leveling.
Caipo Automazione Industriale S.r.l., Italy, exhibited its fancy sliver machine,
which combines different-colored long- or short-staple slivers into one sliver resembling a
space-dyed or mélange product. The sliver can be fed to almost any spinning frame to produce fancy
yarn.
Combing machines were shown by
Lakshmi Machine Works Ltd., India, which presented its Comber LK69 model; and
Marzoli, which presented its Comber CM 600 — both having a maximum speed of 600 nips per minute.
One interesting feature in roving production was Switzerland-based
Rotorcraft AG‘s new RoCoR 3.10 compacting system for use on the roving frame. The
compactor is a guide that condenses the drafted fibers and which is held in position against the
front bottom roller by magnetic force. The advantage is that the roving is less hairy and bulky,
and potentially greater lengths can be wound on the roving package. Additionally, because of the
compactness, it is claimed that the twist in the roving can be reduced by 20 percent, leading to
production benefits.
Ring Spinning
Ring spinning is still the most significant system worldwide, and as expected, there were
several manufacturers showing their latest offerings. In general, machines are equipped with
autodoffing and the potential of link-winding. The ability to produce slub yarns and incorporate a
core, such as an elastomer, was available on many machines as standard option or a retrofit, with
units available from companies such as
Amsler Tex AG, Switzerland, and
Pinter S.A., Spain. Similarly, most manufacturers offered the potential of compact
spinning, which is very popular in Asia, and this was either a feature of the new machine or could
be added as a customization with components available from companies such as Germany-based
Spindelfabrik Suessen GmbH, which offers the EliTe® and EliTwist® systems; or
Rotorcraft with its RoCoS 1.21 short-staple and 2.21 long-staple systems.
Marzoli showed its MDS1 electronic ring frame, which is equipped with multi-motor drive and
up to 1,824 spindles. The machine has an integrated slubbing device and also offers a new approach
to producing compact yarns — so-called mac 1 technology, which involves the use of a secondary
small, 17-millimeter front roller with a suction nozzle between it and the normal front roller. The
manufacturer claims this system gives less hairy yarns than competitors’ systems.
Japan-based
Toyota Industries Corp.‘s RX300 ring frame is available in either the R300G
gear-driven draft system or the RX300E electronic draft control. The latter version also offers the
option to produce slub yarns by accelerating the back roller and decelerating the front roller. The
machine is also available with a perforated apron compact spinning device, which has a dedicated
fan for each 48 spindles.
Oerlikon Schlafhorst, Germany, announced the Zinser 351 Impact FX compact spinning
frame for short-staple fibers and 451 for long-staple, with claims that the improved control over
suction along the frame ensures improved and consistent quality across all spindles on the machine.
Rieter exhibited its well-established K45 Compact Spinning Machine and was thus the only
company showing all major spinning technologies: ring; compact; rotor; and jet/vortex.
Rotor Spinning
The three major players in this sector each had machinery on show, while Suessen publicized
the various rotor spinning components that it supplies.
Savio S.p.A., Italy, showed its FlexiRotorS 3000 machine, which utilizes the
Suessen SC-S SpinBox. Savio was an early promoter of flexibility in rotor spinning, starting with
the possibility of spinning different yarns on either side of the machine. At ITMA, the exhibition
machine was set up to spin Ne24 viscose at 135,000 revolutions per minute (rpm) (233 m/min) on one
side; while the other was spinning Ne12 cotton at 130,000 rpm (212 m/min).
Rieter’s new fully automatic R60 is offered in up to 540 positions per machine, with the
option of independent machine sides for flexibility of production. The machine can be supplied with
up to four high-speed robots and can be equipped with an integrated slubbing device supplied by
Amsler Tex. The claims for the machine are efficiency and quality and the use of the Twistunit,
consisting of the nozzle, channel insert and twist stop, enables rapid lot changes without the need
for tools. The maximum speed for the machine is 170,000 rpm. At the show the machine was spinning
Ne12 polyester at 90,000 rpm (170 m/min) and Ne21 cotton at 145,000 rpm (222 m/min).
One of the highlights of the show in the spinning sector was the new Autocoro 8 rotor
spinning frame from Oerlikon Schlafhorst. While this machine had several new developments, the
biggest impact was the fact that part of the machine was demonstrated running at 200,000
revolutions per minute using a 23-mm rotor. The machine has up to 480 independently driven
positions and can process five different lots at one time. The winding system has been improved to
yield much better-built packages with up to 20-percent more yarn than packages from other machines.
Additionally, each position has its own integrated piecing unit. The manufacturer claims the
machine is already a success in industry, with India being a prime market.
Vortex And Jet Spinning
While it has been generally known that Rieter had a commercial jet spinning machine, with
installations in Turkey and Indonesia, and indeed, ComforJet® yarns made on the machine had been
available for a while, for most people, this year’s ITMA was the first opportunity to see the J20
air-jet spinning machine. With this machine, Rieter offers spinners an alternative supplier to
Murata Machinery Ltd., Japan, in the jet/vortex fasciated yarn arena. The major
advantage claimed for the J20 is that it offers “maximal productivity with minimal space
requirements.”
The immediate visual impact of the machine is that, unlike the Murata Vortex® Spinner,
Rieter’s J20 machine is double-sided and the cans of feed sliver are positioned underneath the
machine, in the same manner as for a rotor spinning frame. The second difference is that the sliver
passes up through the 4/4 drafting system, and the final yarn is wound at the top of the machine.
As the immediate future of jet spinning is for finer yarns and, hence, lighter slivers, the shorter
distance from feed can to drafting system would seem to be advantageous. Additionally, it is
possible to have each side of the machine working independently, providing greater flexibility.
Indeed, during the show, one side of the machine was spinning 1.3-decitex (dtex), 38-mm rayon into
Ne30 yarn from 4-kilotex (ktex) sliver at 400 m/min. The other side was producing Ne50 yarn at 380
m/min from 2.8-ktex combed extra-long 38-mm combed cotton sliver.
The 120-position machine can be equipped with four robots — two per side, with a robot
management system integrated into the frame. The use of individual drives is claimed to afford
better potential for higher speeds and longer machines. An issue with this technology is that there
is a significant amount of fiber waste produced. Figures given were 0.2 to 0.4 percent for
polyester, 3.0 to 3.5 percent for combed cotton with 10-percent noil in combing, and 4.0 to 5.0
percent for cotton.
Murata showed its third-generation Murata Vortex Spinner (MVS), the Vortex III 870. This
single-sided machine, which is available in up to 96 units, has a maximum speed of 500 m/min. The
company claims to have made several improvements aimed at value, vantage and versatility; and a
significant breakthrough has been the use of a Spinning Tension Stabilization (STS) System. This
system is based around the replacement of the yarn withdrawal nip rollers with a special friction
roller and is claimed to give consistent and reliable yarn quality. Closer examination of the
machine indicates that the system is an adaptation of the Tension Ruler, which acts like a yarn
accumulator between the withdrawal roller and the take-up unit. While this is not new, it is
surprising that similar systems have not been adopted by other machinery makers. The machine at the
exhibition was demonstrated running Ne40 at 500 m/min from a blend of 50-percent combed cotton,
40-percent 1.3-dtex white modal and 10-percent 1.7-dtex black modal.
Other Yarn Machines
As with every ITMA, there was a group of manufacturers offering novelty machines making
yarns for niche markets. Several manufacturers showed twisted chenille machines, and
Macart Textiles (Machinery) Ltd., United Kingdom, exhibited its S300 integrated
self-twist spinning and bulking machine.
Caipo showed its Colorpiú injection color slub system, which essentially controls
the feed of two rovings per spindle on a ring frame. The rovings can be fed alternately, thus
maintaining the count but changing yarn color; or one can be run continuously and the other
intermittently, thus creating slubs.
There was another group of machines that combine a drafting system with a small circular
knitting unit. The drafted fibers are embedded into the knitted structure, which could be wound or
twisted, and this gives a very bulky and extremely soft yarn. Italy-based
Pafasystem S.r.l.‘s machine is called Air-Jet because air is used to control the
incorporation of the drafted staple fibers into the knitted base structure.
This approach in fancy yarns segues into a novelty of the show, Germany-based
Mayer & Cie. GmbH & Co. KG‘s spinitsystems machine — which was not
available for viewing by the majority of show attendees. The system is a circular knitting machine
that is fed with rovings. The rovings are drafted by three roller drafting systems, and the output
passes through an air jet before being knitted into a fabric. As the fabric is claimed to contain
parallel fibers, the air jet is probably functioning as false twister, and thus, the fabric
parallels those made decades ago from twistless yarns.
While it is not officially spinning but more correctly testing, there is no doubt that the
new Uster Quantum 3 clearing system from
Uster Technologies AG, Switzerland, will have a major impact on yarn manufacturing
and subsequent systems. The new unit uses two sensors and can thus detect and remove foreign
fibers, but the strength is the software support that goes with the sensor. Not only does this
potentially enable yarns to be better cleared, but also the clearing can be achieved more
efficiently. This system will have immediate application in winding and clearing, but it will also
have spin-off uses in high-speed spinning machines such as jet and rotor.
This issue of
Textile World Asia features reviews of staple-spinning; and dyeing, printing and
finishing technology shown at ITMA 2011 in Barcelona.
TW Asia
‘s ITMA technology coverage will continue in the January/February/ March 2012 issue with
reviews of the knitting, weaving and nonwovens sectors.
October/November/December 2011