INDEX™ 2023 Exhibitor Preview: Trützschler Nonwovens, Trützschler Card Clothing And Voith

EGELSBACH, Germany — March 20, 2023 — The nonwovens industry will meet in Geneva again from April 18th to 21st. At booth 1641 Trützschler Nonwovens, Trützschler Card Clothing and Voith present efficient manufacturing of fiber-based nonwovens. We will demonstrate latest developments in pulp-based CP (Carded-Pulp) and WLS (Wet-Laid/Spunlaced) technologies, T-SUPREMA needle-punching solutions combined with T-ONE, our digital working environment to boost nonwovens production in terms of productivity, quality and ease of use.

Trützschler Nonwovens and Voith displays new opportunities of paper-grade pulp as raw material for hydroentangled, biodegradable, single-use nonwovens. Since energy efficiency manufacturing is on everybody’s agenda, find out about our solutions for reducing energy and other resource consumption. Our cooperation partner Voith and its subsidiary Toscotec will be available for in-depth talks about wet-laying machinery. Voith provides highly innovative solutions for manufacturing textiles and nonwovens that offer economic and ecological benefits. As a full-line supplier, Voith achieves optimal fine-tuning of nonwoven products by focusing on long-term partnerships.

Trützschler roller cards for CP, spunlacing, needle-punching and thermobonding processes are all equipped with high performing Trützschler card clothings. At the booth Trützschler Card Clothing will present latest innovations and the extensive, worldwide avaiiable service offers that secure continuous high running performance.

With T-SUPREMA, needle-punching becomes as easy as never before. Trützschler Nonwovens’ key partnership with Texnology s.r.l. already proved our concept. We show solutions for both durable nonwovens used in technical end uses and disposable nonwovens for hygiene purposes.

An integral part of all T-SUPREMA lines is the T-ONE software package. This working environment integrates AI-based algorithms to simulate line behavior for easily optimizing line efficiency, resource consumption or nonwoven quality. Moreover, the software digitalizes major production-related working processes such as quality control or recipe management and constantly monitors product data, machine parameters and line performance.

Meet Trützschler Nonwovens, Trützschler Card Clothing and Voith at booth 1641, the focal point for all parties interested in carded and wet-laid nonwovens production. We are looking forward to meeting you

Posted: March 20, 2023

Source: Trützschler Nonwovens

Italian Textile Machinery At ITMA 2023: Sustainability And Digitalization A Winning Asset For Italian Technology

MILAN — March 18, 2023 — After a positive 2022, the Italian textile machinery industry looks with optimism to the current year. In 2023, after eight years, ITMA, the most important trade fair in the sector, returns to Milan. It is an opportunity to highlight the excellence of Italian technology and stimulate new investments in the textile industry.

Promoted by ACIMIT, the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers, a press conference was held on 15 March at Villa Frua (Stresa, Italy) to unveil Italian participation in ITMA, the leading textile machinery exhibition, scheduled from 8 to 14 June at Fiera Milano – Rho.

During the event, Alessandro Zucchi, President of ACIMIT, showed the preliminary figures for 2022. Both Italian production and exports of textile machinery increased by more than 10% compared to the previous year. The production value exceeded 2.6 billion euro. Of this value, 87%, or around 2.3 billion euro, was realised abroad. Italian exports went mainly to Asia and Europe. Overall, the two areas absorbed 79% of foreign sales. China, Turkey, India and the United States of America were the main destinations of Italian sales abroad in 2022.

Alessandro Zucchi: “The positive results do not, however, cancel out the obstacles that companies still face in this period. The critical issues following the Covid-19 pandemic have been amplified by the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Even in this early 2023, unfavourable conditions to business still exist, such as high inflation, constraints on the functioning of value chains, and energy commodity prices above the average of recent years. However, forecasts prepared by our Economic Office show an improvement in the second half of the year and in the 2024-26 period, which gives us hope”.

With these forecasts, ITMA 2023, the leading trade fair for the textile machinery industry, to be held in June in Milan, could be the driving force able to stimulate investment in the textile sector, not only the Italian one. Zucchi commented: “Our manufacturers are very confident about next June’s event. As shown by the figures on the Italian presence at the event: almost 400 Italian exhibitors, about 36,000 square metres, with an increase in the occupied surface area of over 20% compared to the previous edition held in Barcelona. 30% of the total exhibition area at ITMA 2023 will be taken up by Italian machinery manufacturers”.

During the press conference, the various initiatives that ACIMIT, with the support of – Italian Trade Agency (ITA), has put in place to promote Italian participation in ITMA were announced. Roberto Luongo, the General Director of ITA, stated: “The Italian textile machinery industry represents one of the leading production sectors for our country due to its strong projection on international markets. Our textile technologies are considered to be of a high quality level, and for us at ITA this represents an element of great pride and satisfaction, which pushes us to support Italian companies in an increasingly convinced and decisive manner, through an effective collaboration, now consolidated and tested, with ACIMIT. ITMA is a unique opportunity for the Italian textile machinery industry, due to the high number of exhibitors and the tens of thousands of visitors it usually attracts.

As ITA we have therefore prepared, in accordance with ACIMIT, an extensive project aimed at promoting the Italian textile machinery sector through the enhancement of the three drivers that distinguish it: technology, digitalization and sustainability. We will have an incoming of 140 top foreign buyers from 25 different Countries; this will be accompanied by an intense and widespread communication campaign in Italy and abroad that will significantly contribute to increasing the presence at the event of professional operators from all over the world. There will be several training events, focusing mainly on the innovations presented by Italian companies at ITMA 2023, with a special focus on sustainable technologies and digitisation processes. And then there will be the Italian Textile Technology Awards, organised by ITA and ACIMIT.

Prizes will be awarded to the 18 most deserving students from textile universities in those Countries where Italian Textile Technology Training Centres are active or are being set up: Bangladesh, India, Mongolia, Pakistan, Peru and Vietnam”.

The promotional campaign through social and traditional channels was also particularly significant. The concept that distinguishes ACIMIT communication activities towards ITMA 2023 is SHAPING THE FUTURE. “The Italian textile machinery sector, explains the president of ACIMIT, has shown in recent years that it knows how to look ahead to create innovation and strengthen a technological leadership that is now established and recognised internationally. Shaping the future is a concept that aims to show how Italian manufacturers are key players in the development of the entire textile supply chain, able to outline virtuous paths that testify to the proactive nature of the entire sector and that enable the future of the sector to be shaped through the three pillars, technology, digitalization, and sustainability, which are also the key themes of ITMA 2023”.

At the Milan edition of ITMA, a trade show that has always been characterized by the high level of innovation of its technological proposals, sustainability and digitalization will be the main topics of discussion. Alessandro Zucchi: “The textile supply chain is moving towards increasingly competitive production processes, where the reduction of production costs, through lower consumption of water, energy and raw materials, is combined with attention to the environment. Equally important is the ongoing digital transformation of companies, a process that will enable technology suppliers and their customers to operate more and more constructively and efficiently”.

During the conference on the topic of sustainability and digitalization, five ACIMIT member companies also spoke, bringing their company experiences: Flainox, Itema, Marzoli, Salvadè, Sperotto Rimar. Their contributions highlighted the validity of the projects that ACIMIT has been pursuing for some years now in the field of sustainability and digitalization, namely the Sustainable Technologies project, with the Green Label as the core of the initiative, and the digital certification called ACIMIT Digital Ready. Both projects testify to the commitment of Italian manufacturers in two areas of strategic significance to consolidate the leadership of Italian textile technology also in the future.

With the Green Label, certifying the environmental and economic performance of textile machinery, member companies undertake to reduce the CO2 emissions of their machines through constant technological improvement. With Digital Ready, on the other hand, the aim is to standardize the production and management data of Italian textile machines and their ability to be digitally integrated at the customer’s plant. Alessandro Zucchi concluded: “We believe that the future of textiles that we want to shape lies in a sustainable and digitised technological supply”

Posted: March 18, 2023

Source: ACIMIT, the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers

Specialty Textiles Manufacturer, Tex-Tech Industries, To Invest $24 Million In Winston-Salem, NC Expansion

RALEIGH, NC — March 15, 2023 — Tex-Tech Industries, a manufacturer of specialty textiles, will create 49 new jobs in Forsyth County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest more than $24.8 million to build a new manufacturing center in Winston-Salem.

“North Carolina’s leadership in textile manufacturing helps companies like Tex-Tech stay on the cutting edge of innovation,” said Governor Cooper. “This expansion builds upon the company’s success in Forsyth County for 60 years, affirming that North Carolina is a great place to do business.”

With headquarters in Kernersville, North Carolina, Tex-Tech business is focused on textile research, development and manufacturing of high-performance fabrics and coatings. Serving the aerospace, automotive, defense, medical and protective apparel industries, the company’s innovative and proprietary materials are developed for demanding applications. Tex-Tech will increase its manufacturing operations with a new 170,000-square-foot building.

“Expanding in Forsyth County was the best decision for our company,” said Kelly Moore, Chief Financial Officer of Tex-Tech Industries. “Being centrally located on the East Coast and having access to a growing advanced manufacturing talent pool were some of the differentiating factors for our decision to grow here. “

New positions include managers, operators, technicians, and sales personnel. Salaries will vary for each position; however, the overall expected average annual salary is $67,918. Forsyth County’s average annual wage is $57,351. These new jobs have the potential to create an annual payroll impact of more than $3.3 million for the region.

“It’s no surprise that Tex-Tech continues to see the value of doing business in our state,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders. “North Carolina’s reputation for textile research and development woven with the largest nonwovens workforce in the nation and strong textile supply chain, make our state a great choice for Tex-Tech’s expansion.”

A performance-based grant of $125,000 from the One North Carolina Fund will help with Tex-Tech’s expansion. The One NC Fund provides financial assistance to local governments to help attract economic investment and create jobs. Companies receive no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment targets to qualify for payment. All One NC grants require matching participation from local governments and any award is contingent upon that condition being met.

“We are excited to welcome Tex-Tech to Winston-Salem,” said N.C. Senator Paul A. Lowe, Jr. “The company’s increased investment is a strong vote of confidence in the workforce and manufacturing economy of our region.”

“Forsyth County has a rich textile legacy,” said N.C. Representative Kanika Brown, “Our location, infrastructure, and existing industry will continue to support the company in its next phase of growth.”

In addition to the North Carolina Department of Commerce and Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, other key partners in this project include the North Carolina General Assembly, North Carolina Community College System, Forsyth Tech Community College, Forsyth County, City of Winston-Salem and Greater Winston-Salem, Inc.

Posted: March 17, 2023

Source: North Carolina Office of the Governor

Specialty Textiles Manufacturer, Tex-Tech Industries, To Invest $24 Million In Winston-Salem, NC Expansion

RALEIGH, NC — March 15, 2023 — Tex-Tech Industries, a manufacturer of specialty textiles, will create 49 new jobs in Forsyth County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest more than $24.8 million to build a new manufacturing center in Winston-Salem.

“North Carolina’s leadership in textile manufacturing helps companies like Tex-Tech stay on the cutting edge of innovation,” said Governor Cooper. “This expansion builds upon the company’s success in Forsyth County for 60 years, affirming that North Carolina is a great place to do business.”

With headquarters in Kernersville, North Carolina, Tex-Tech business is focused on textile research, development and manufacturing of high-performance fabrics and coatings. Serving the aerospace, automotive, defense, medical and protective apparel industries, the company’s innovative and proprietary materials are developed for demanding applications. Tex-Tech will increase its manufacturing operations with a new 170,000-square-foot building.

“Expanding in Forsyth County was the best decision for our company,” said Kelly Moore, Chief Financial Officer of Tex-Tech Industries. “Being centrally located on the East Coast and having access to a growing advanced manufacturing talent pool were some of the differentiating factors for our decision to grow here. “

New positions include managers, operators, technicians, and sales personnel. Salaries will vary for each position; however, the overall expected average annual salary is $67,918. Forsyth County’s average annual wage is $57,351. These new jobs have the potential to create an annual payroll impact of more than $3.3 million for the region.

“It’s no surprise that Tex-Tech continues to see the value of doing business in our state,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders. “North Carolina’s reputation for textile research and development woven with the largest nonwovens workforce in the nation and strong textile supply chain, make our state a great choice for Tex-Tech’s expansion.”

A performance-based grant of $125,000 from the One North Carolina Fund will help with Tex-Tech’s expansion. The One NC Fund provides financial assistance to local governments to help attract economic investment and create jobs. Companies receive no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment targets to qualify for payment. All One NC grants require matching participation from local governments and any award is contingent upon that condition being met.

“We are excited to welcome Tex-Tech to Winston-Salem,” said N.C. Senator Paul A. Lowe, Jr. “The company’s increased investment is a strong vote of confidence in the workforce and manufacturing economy of our region.”

“Forsyth County has a rich textile legacy,” said N.C. Representative Kanika Brown, “Our location, infrastructure, and existing industry will continue to support the company in its next phase of growth.”

In addition to the North Carolina Department of Commerce and Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, other key partners in this project include the North Carolina General Assembly, North Carolina Community College System, Forsyth Tech Community College, Forsyth County, City of Winston-Salem and Greater Winston-Salem, Inc.

Posted: March 17, 2023

Source: North Carolina Office of the Governor

Machina Labs Awarded U.S. Air Force Contract For Robotic Composites Manufacturing

LOS ANGELES — March 16, 2023 — Machina Labs today announced that the United States Air Force (USAF) has awarded Machina Labs $1.6M to advance and accelerate the development of its robotic technology for manufacturing of metal tooling for high-rate production of composites.

Higher vehicle production rates in comparison to current rates is anticipated as experts project that the airline industry will need to triple its fleet to about 60,000 airplanes over the next 20 years. With respect to military applications, there is a similar drive towards balancing mission agility, sustainment, and vehicle cost; giving rise to emerging air vehicle concepts like the Low-Cost Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACP) program where there is a higher tolerance over limited life and loss of vehicles during operations.

In addition, Advanced/Urban Air Mobility (AAM/UAM) vehicles have received considerable commercial traction in recent years. These highly automated, on-demand passenger and air cargo vehicles are anticipated to have production rates in the tens to hundreds of thousands per year. Lightweight, high-strength composite structures are a key enabler for achieving these goals. As such, the factory throughputs of advanced composite structures have to be increased and their production cost lowered.

Machina Labs’ AFWERX Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) contract will be focused on metal tooling for a fast-cure, out-of-autoclave (OOA) composite processing route. Through its previous contract with the Air Force Research Laboratory, Machina Labs has validated that its tools have vacuum integrity, are dimensionally stable once thermally stabilized, and are thermally more responsive than conventional metal tools.

Composite tooling, depending on the materials selected and the tool size, could cost more than $1 million per tool and require 8-10 months of lead time. These costs and lead times for composite tooling do not support referenced increased manufacturing goals.

“Machina Labs has demonstrated that its large-envelope, two-robot, incremental sheet metal forming technology can be used for manufacturing of metal tooling for composites resulting in dramatically reduced tool costs and time-to-market of composite parts,” according to Craig Neslen, Manufacturing Lead for the ACP Program at AFRL. “At the same time, given that no part-specific hardware is necessary for manufacturing of the sheet metal tools, it is possible to not only fabricate the tools expeditiously, but to quickly accommodate design changes when necessary.”

Machina Labs uses robots the way a blacksmith uses a hammer to creatively manufacture different designs and material, introducing unseen flexibility and agility to the manufacturing industry. The company’s manufacturing platform combines the latest advances in robotics and AI so great ideas can quickly and affordably turn to reality and businesses can benefit from rapid iteration to bring more innovative products to market, faster.

“We are pleased to advance our work with USAF in order to advance composite tooling for a wide variety of applications,” according to Babak Raeisinia, Co-Founder and Head of Applications & Partnerships at Machina Labs. “Keeping inventory of tooling is expensive. I believe technology will free up capital and allow organizations such as USAF to transition to an on-demand tooling model.”

Machina Labs combines the latest advances in AI and robotics to deliver finished metal products in days – not months or years – and gives customers unprecedented time to market and competitive advantage. Robotic sheet forming is the first process enabled by Machina’s patented manufacturing platform. Using material- and geometry-agnostic technology, the platform outperforms traditional sheet forming methods that rely on custom molds or dies.

Posted: March 17, 2023

Source: Machina Labs