#Other suppliers

2020-02-05

James Heal launches WickView

Global manufacturer of premium textile testing instruments James Heal have launched their latest innovation, WickView, a state-of-the-art instrument that uses an advanced imaging system to track and record the transfer of moisture through fabric and other materials.

WickView helps garment and textile manufacturers in understanding how effective their materials are at dealing with moisture and in predicting real-world wicking behaviour.

A key feature of WickView is its ability to perform both vertical and horizontal wicking testing. Being able to rotate the instrument allows testing to occur in different orientations, providing a new level of understanding into wicking behaviour. Whether for example that fabric is used in elite sportswear (predominantly vertical), or nonwovens or linens deployed on a hospital bed (predominantly horizontal). This is a huge advantage over current market solutions and offers unrivalled insight into performance.

WickView’s water delivery system introduces moisture to specimens in an accurate, controlled way, regardless of whether the specimen is in horizontal or vertical position. Cutting edge high definition cameras are positioned on either side of the material specimen to record the movement of the moisture. These cameras give full visibility of the test, and use Ultraviolet and Infrared light to give a perfect view of the test process, regardless of specimen colour or pattern.

WickView is fully supported with a new version of James Heal’s intuitive TestWise software and shows the wicking process in detail, including a live video capture of the test, wet region boundary comparison and video playback of how the moisture spreads.

TestWise can calculate a range of 9 metrics including maximum wetted area, area boundary, y axis of spread and wicking speed. Outcomes can be presented visually or in graph format, and results templates can be applied to show the user information relevant to them. Analysis of results is easy with Testwise for WickView. Previous tests can be reloaded in to the software and viewed again. Several previous sample files can be compared on screen both visually and in reported results.

Neil Pryke, Innovation Director commented: “At James Heal we are constantly innovating, searching for ways to lead the field and constantly enhance our testing methods to deliver solutions for textile professionals. WickView is the latest innovation in our precision testing instrument range, and has already had a great reception with all of the top brands that have seen it in action. We have already received several pre-orders.

“WickView calculates and records results providing the user with an accurate representation of real life, in comparison to existing available testing methods. By examining the direction, shape, speed and actual wet area of fabric, WickView is accurately measuring how sweat and other liquids behave when in contact with a specimen. Whether being used in R&D to assess the performance of the latest fabrics, or in the supply chain to ensure compliance to standard, WickView has the flexibility and insight that industry professionals have been crying out for.”

For more information and a technical spec on WickView please visit:

https://www.james-heal.co.uk/instrument/wickview/

Asteks to meet the global market at ITMA ASIA + CITME Singapore 2025

Getting ready to take its place at ITMA ASIA + CITME Singapore 2025 with advanced grinding solutions and a wide range of aprons and cots, Asteks is expanding its target for the Asian market. The company, focusing on strengthening relations with current and potential customers, will highlight the “Made in Türkiye” label with its innovative and competitive products.

New impulses for the textile care industry: Texcare 2024 supporting programme

The focus of Texcare International 2024 (6-9 November) will be on the major challenges facing the textile care industry, including automation, energy saving, circular models and textile hygiene. Together with its partners, the leading trade fair has designed a supporting programme that can offer progressive impulses for the future of the sector.

Microfactory for filter bags developed in Sweden

After an intensive few years of development, ACG Kinna Automatic and ACG Nyström – members of TMAS, the Swedish textile machinery association –have delivered the first microfactory for the production of fully finished filter bags to a major international filtration industry customer, in cooperation with JUKI Central Europe.

SHIMA SEIKI brings new flat knitting technologies to FEBRATEX 2026

Leading flat knitting solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Brazilian representative BRASTEMA TECNOLOGIA TEXTIL LTDA., will exhibit at the Brazilian Textile Industry Fair (FEBRATEX 2026) this month. On display will be a roundup of SHIMA SEIKI computerized flat knitting technology, represented by WHOLEGARMENT® knitting machines, computerized flat knitting machines featuring a brand-new model with high productivity and excellent cost performance, a glove knitting machine and the latest digital solutions.

Lenzing reports improved half-year results and advances strategic transformation

Despite a persistently challenging market environment in the first half of 2026, characterized by volatile energy and raw material prices, subdued global consumer demand and intensified competition from Asia, the Lenzing Group significantly improved its financial performance. Net result after tax more than doubled to EUR 35.6 million, compared with EUR 15.2 million in the first half of 2025. Free cash flow increased to EUR 45.8 million, while EBITDA amounted to EUR 239.2 million. Revenue totaled EUR 1.27 billion, compared with EUR 1.34 billion in the previous year.

Trützschler’s latest spinning and card clothing innovations at CAITME 2026

From September 8 to 10, 2026, Trützschler will present its latest innovations in spinning and card clothing for state-of-the-art fiber processing at CAITME in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Visitors are invited to meet the experts at Pavilion 2, Booth D50 and explore solutions designed to increase productivity, streamline processes, and ensure consistently high yarn quality. Key topics include the next-generation card TC 30i, the integrated draw frame IDF 3, the high-performance comber TCO 21XL as well as Trützschler Card Clothing’s new flat top series STEELTOP®.