#Nonwovens / Technical Textiles

2019-11-21

USTER® in-process inspection for tightly-spaced production lines

Seamless integration into any production line with USTER(R) EVS FABRIQ VISION N (c) 2019 Uster

Fabric manufacturers serving critical applications need quality that is both precise and secured. But in the typical nonwovens process line, space is always at a premium, making it tough to fit suitable automated inspection systems which deliver these requirements effectively. The USTER® EVS FABRIQ VISION N inspection technology solves the problem, with customized solutions designed to slot neatly into tightly-spaced production units – at the same time ensuring light conditions allow the best detection results and reliable data for optimal first quality yield.

Integrated quality assurance for nonwovens

USTER offers quality solutions suited to nonwovens premium segments. In textile applications from fiber to fabric, USTER expertise is already appreciated worldwide. Now the nonwovens community is recognizing what has been acknowledged in the spinning industry for more than 70 years. Expert knowledge in yarn quality – including controlling all kinds of contamination – is now extended to fabric and nonwovens quality assurance. This is based on the know-how of EVS, a world-leading high-technology supplier of automated vision inspection, acquired by USTER in 2018.

USTER® EVS FABRIQ VISION N fabric inspection now represents a second solution for nonwovens – along with USTER® JOSSI fiber cleaning systems – supporting the unique ‘Think Quality’ approach of USTER.

Automated in-process control

Consistently high rates of defect detection, to guarantee reliable quality, are required by fleece manufacturers. USTER® EVS FABRIQ VISION N ensures this, by using automated control during intermediate inspection. USTER® EVS FABRIQ VISION N locates any visible faults objectively and consistently. Defects in every roll are located and recorded, at normal line running speeds.

USTER® EVS FABRIQ VISION N stands for seamless integration of an inspection system into any production process – and ideally into nonwovens manufacturing lines – detecting holes, irregularities, contamination and any other defect. The installation is easy and flexible: a fixture bar bridges the full width of the process line holding as many spectroscopes as required for the application. The sophisticated spectroscopes offering best monitoring conditions for the inspection. To guarantee optimal defect detection in combination with the spectroscopes, various light sources are integrated in the installation – all customized and perfectly suited to mill light conditions.

The system may be slim and compact, but it delivers big-value benefits for the operator. USTER® EVS FABRIQ VISION N provides real-time alerts, showing all defects and automatically creating roll inspection charts. All detected faults are collected in an album review. Here, the operator can quickly mark faults and select which can be deleted. Users can set their own quality standards for different types of nonwovens, increasing the efficiency of the grading process – and finally delight the customers with consistent quality.

Optimized yield for manufacturers

“USTER® EVS FABRIQ VISION N offers manufacturers significantly improved first-quality yield, for all applications,” says John Belew, USTER Vice-President for fabric inspection. The combination of a full map of fabric defects and the cut optimization module means more first-quality rolls can be produced and bad quality taken out.

USTER® EVS FABRIQ VISION N leads to total fabric quality assurance, and major advantages for production security and profitability. “Our customers aim for confidence in delivering the right quality to strengthen customer relationships. With USTER® fabric inspection systems, they can guarantee quality compliance and protect their business,” says Belew.

Uster’s new Recycling Opening Index guides spinners to the perfect blend

Uster AFIS 6 now offers the key data for better decisions when blending recycled fibers. Process control is decisive in determining the quality and economic outcome. The new R Recycling Module of AFIS 6 introduces the Recycling Opening Index (ROI), so spinners can optimize their circularity credentials. It was officially launched at ITM 2026 in Istanbul, Türkiye.

Measure and control the fiber – optimize yarn quality

Producing consistent yarn quality is an everyday challenge – and a very difficult one. Detailed knowledge and understanding of the fiber raw material is absolutely critical to achieving the best possible quality in the yarn. To help spinners, Uster experts have put together guidelines for avoiding yarn irregularity claims, in a special edition of the Uster News Bulletin.

Uster presents novelties at ITMA Asia + CITME 2025

There’s news from Uster Technologies to be announced for the industry’s upcoming event in Singapore. The Uster 360Q universe is growing with new products, solutions and services. Innovation developments can also be recorded in the fields of man-made fiber testing and fabric inspection. Uster innovations address the industry’s trending topics as mill management and process control, optimization of delivered fabric quality and yield.

ANDRITZ sets focus on textile recycling and durable nonwoven production technologies at ITMA Asia 2025

International technology Group ANDRITZ will be presenting its innovative nonwovens production and textile solutions at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025 in Singapore, from October 28 to 31, 2025 (Hall 2, D106). ANDRITZ will showcase its MMCF production plants, textile sorting and recycling, bast fiber processing, needlepunch, airlay, and life-cycle service technologies, with a focus on sustainable solutions. Discover how these innovations can grow your business opportunities and support a greener future.

OUTLOOK™ 2025: Charting a sustainable and innovative future for the Nonwovens Industry

EDANA concluded its flagship event, OUTLOOK™ 2025, last week, marking it as a major success and addressing the biggest questions facing the industry. The three-day conference highlighted the urgent need for a unified approach to sustainability, regulation, and innovation in the absorbent hygiene and wipes sectors.

Global Nonwovens Alliance unveils Inaugural Board, advancing collaboration and growth worldwide

The Global Nonwovens Alliance (GNA), a tax-exempt federation jointly founded by INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, and EDANA, the Voice of Nonwovens, announces the appointment of its founding Board of Directors. This group of leaders represents some of the most influential executives across the nonwovens value chain and reflects GNA’s mission to foster global collaboration, innovation, and growth in the industry.

2026 general meeting of the Friends and Supporters of RWTH Aachen at ITA

The Friends and Supporters of RWTH Aachen e. V. (proRWTH) looked back on a successful year of support at their 2026 general meeting. The meeting took place at Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen and was combined with a joint session of the Executive Board and the Administrative Board. Before the general meeting began, participants were given a guided tour of ITA, providing them with fascinating insights into current research and development topics in textile engineering.

Cotton ConneXions Insight to Impact brings supply chain leaders together around cotton innovation

Cotton Incorporated’s Cotton ConneXions Insight to Impact brought together more than 300 industry leaders from 140 companies across 10 countries, including more than 45 top global brands and sourcing organizations, underscoring strong global interest in cotton-rich product development, sourcing and supply chain collaboration.

Footwear innovation enabled by warp knitting technology– insights from New Balance

The future of the athletic shoe is increasingly being shaped on warp knitting machines. For KARL MAYER, the footwear industry is one of the most important growth markets – and one of the sectors where innovative textiles can realize their full potential. In his keynote address at the opening of KARL MAYER’s TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER in Obertshausen in April, Vishnu Prakash Muthusamy, Senior Textile and Materials Engineer at New Balance, explained the opportunities that warp knitting technology opens up for performance, sustainability, and faster development processes, and why textile manufacturers are transitioning from suppliers to development partners.