[pageLogInLogOut]

#JEC WORLD 2022

ITA demonstrates live robotic draping of reinforcement textiles at JEC World 2022 in Paris

Human and robot jointly drape reinforcement textiles Copyright: © ITA
The ITA Institut für Textiltechnik of RWTH Aachen University will present a collaborative robot (cobot) including tools for semi-automated draping of reinforcement textiles at JEC World 2022 in Paris. The cobot is used without additional safety measures such as protective fences or light barriers thanks to integrated sensor technology. It can thus collaborate directly with humans.

Added value through joint draping of humans and robots

ITA has developed tools that allow joint draping of textiles by humans and cobots. In addition to increasing draping quality and reproducibility, the focus in development was on occupational safety.

Other advantages of this new type of robot-assisted draping are that cobots are inexpensive to procure and easy to program. This results in great flexibility in manufacturing and the possibility to produce small to medium quantities in an automated way.

How can these advantages be exploited in the production of fibre composite components? This is what ITA is investigating, for example in the handling, draping and joining of the sensitive, limp textile material. At the JEC, visitors will have the chance to interact live with the cobot and experience collaborative draping first hand. Please contact Hannah.Dammers@ita.rwth-aachen.de for further information.

Test a live cobot interaction at our booth in hall 6 booth S50 (AZL joint booth) and experience collaborative draping first hand!


Demonstrator for mobile hydrogen storage

Another ITA exhibit is a demonstrator for mobile hydrogen storage in the form of a Type-4 pressure vessel made of fibre-reinforced composites (FRP). It is based on a specially developed liner concept and was manufactured using the multi-filament winding process with towpregs. The exhibit is additionally equipped with fibre optic sensors for strain and temperature monitoring. This enables condition monitoring through structural health monitoring. Please contact Oscar.Bareiro@ita.rwth-aachen.de for further information.

Background

ITA will be demonstrating its expertise in the field of composite materials at the joint stand of the Aachen Center for Lightweight Construction (AZL) in Hall 6, Stand S50. It will present innovations and research priorities in the production of reinforcing fibres, the textile processing of such high-modulus fibres and the impregnation of high-performance modulus fibres with thermoset as well as thermoplastic matrix systems. The ITA will show the entire process chain, from fibre production and processing to the finished component, and will thus be able to present and discuss promising innovations at all levels. It illuminates the issues of composite production and processing from the textile side. The institute's expertise lies in the characteristics of reinforcement and matrix materials, load-oriented textile processing and the manufacture of components made of continuous fibre-reinforced plastics.

The Aachen Center for Lightweight Construction (AZL) as a superordinate partner as well as the partner institutes and companies at the booth cover further topics of FRPs. These are, for example, the load-compliant design of components, plastics-side processing, and extensive testing of components.




More News from Institut für Textiltechnik of RWTH Aachen University (ITA)

#Research & Development

Small tolerances, big impact and a recyclable alternative to elastane

ITA Master's student Janne Warnecke investigated tension differences over the fabric width in the weaving process and thereby contributed to quality assurance; ITA Bachelor's student Jasmin Roos found a basis for the development of recyclable yarns and textiles. For these developments, they were awarded the Walter Reiners Foundation's Promotion and Sustainability Prizes on 27 November. Peter D. Dornier, Chairman of the Walter Reiners Foundation, presented the awards at the Aachen-Dresden-Denkendorf International Textile Conference (ADD-ITC) in Aachen, Germany.

#Research & Development

IRG Polymer Recycling wraps up productive 2025 project cycle

The Industry Research Group (IRG) Polymer Recycling has completed another successful project year. Last week, partners from across the textile value chain met at the Institute for Textile Technology (ITA) at RWTH Aachen University for the full-term project meeting.

#Research & Development

Aachen Summer School: Strengthening German-Korean cooperation in 4D and robotics

The Aachen Summer School has established itself as an important platform for promoting cooperation between RWTH Aachen University and Seoul National University. The focus is on practice-oriented research projects in the field of 4D and robotics technologies, which have been successfully implemented for years at the Institut für Textiltechnik of RWTH Aachen University.

#Research & Development

ITA postdoc Dr Leonie Beek is revolutionising oil filtration with a bionic textile

On various biological surfaces, oil is adsorbed from water surfaces and transported along the leaf. In her dissertation, ITA Postdoc Dr Leonie Beek transferred this effect to a technical textile using her Bionic Oil Absorber (BOA), which can remove up to 4 litres of diesel per hour from water at technological readiness level 4. For this development, Dr Beek was awarded the Paul Schlack Prize 2025 for her dissertation ‘Bionic textiles for oil-water separation modelled on superhydrophobic biological surfaces’ on 10 September 2025. The award ceremony took place during the opening event of the Dornbirn GFC Global Fiber Congress in Austria.

More News on JEC WORLD 2022

Latest News

#Spinning

First PA66 spinning plant with EvoQuench successfully commissioned

With the successful commissioning of a multi-digit PA66 spinning line for microfiber yarns, Chinese textile company Shandong Nanshan Fashion Technology Co., Ltd. has added yarn production to its textile value chain.

#Knitting & Hosiery

SHIMA SEIKI returns to ShanghaiTex

Leading flat knitting solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Hong Kong and Chinese market subsidiary SHIMA SEIKI (HONG KONG) LTD., will exhibit at the ShanghaiTex 2025 exhibition (Booth No.: Hall N3, Booth A20) held in Shanghai, China this month. This marks the return of SHIMA SEIKI to ShanghaiTex after a 14-year hiatus, its last exhibit at the show having been in 2011.

#Research & Development

Fraunhofer CCPE presents the “Monomaterial Design Set” – Innovative solutions for circular product design

Composite materials made from different types of plastic often extend the lifetime of products but make recycling more difficult in the circular economy. That is why Fraunhofer CCPE has developed the “Monomaterial Design Set”. This new approach helps to reduce the variety of plastics used in durable products and offers circular solutions for designers and product developers.

#Man-Made Fibers

arena introduces renewable LYCRA® EcoMade fiber in its latest swimwear collection

Italian swimwear specialist arena has unveiled a new collection that brings sustainability and performance even closer together. Launched on December 4, the line features swimsuits made from recycled nylon and renewable LYCRA® EcoMade fiber — the first time the bio-based spandex has been used commercially in swimwear.

TOP