[pageLogInLogOut]

#Weaving

Perfect control of the weft at all times from IRO AB

(c) 2019 IRO AB
Following significant investment in the R&D capabilities at its base in Ulricehamn, Sweden, IRO AB introduced a range of new Industry 4.0-ready weft yarn feeding and tension control innovations for weaving looms at the recent ITMA 2019 in Barcelona, Spain.

IRO AB, a Vandewiele company, has been the market leader in this field for many decades, supplying systems to the majority of the leading weaving machine manufacturers, as well as advanced new products for retrofitting to working mills around the world.

The new Blue11 EasySet airjet feeder for the latest Picanol OMNIPlus Summum airjet weaving machines, for example, allows the pick length of weft yarns to be set in millimetres from the loom panel at the start-up of a new style and to be fully adjusted while the machine is running. Automatic calculations and perfect synchronization between the spool body and the oscillating fingers of the Blue 11 result in reduced and simplified settings on the weaving machine.

(c) 2019 IRO AB
(c) 2019 IRO AB


The new PosiFlex weft tensioner system, meanwhile, is now an integral part of the Chrono X3 weft feeder and is currently available for use on Picanol OptiMax-i rapier machines. Allowing perfectly reproducible and transferable settings for complete weft insertion cycles, it is equipped with an integrated electromagnet controlling a specially-developed and self-cleaning flex brake which ensures the correct tension at all times.

In the field of advanced tension control, the constantly-regulating new ATC-W unit has been designed for use with Luna X3, Chrono X3 and XD X3 weft feeders. It automatically maintains consistent yarn tension at a pre-determined level, unaffected by variable external factors such as bobbin size or yarn quality.

(c) 2019 IRO AB
(c) 2019 IRO AB


(c) 2019 IRO AB
(c) 2019 IRO AB


 For X3 weft feeding systems, the TED is a new tension display unit that allows weft tension settings to be easily transferred from one machine to another, while the Wi-Feeder is a wireless access point for mobile phones, tablets and PCs allowing remote access to X3 feeders. The Wi-Feeder is a useful tool for troubleshooting and maintenance, providing easy access to key data during the weaving process.

The Super Elf S3 weft feeder for air and water-jet looms benefits from the latest optical sensor technology based on the principle of “signal reflection”, for reliable reading of very fine yarns down to 7 denier. It ensures accurate measurement of the weft insertion length, with a double check sensor for both Z and S winding directions. Real time control of the yarn take-off point by a reserve sensor ensures the yarn flight time is as fast and consistent as possible.

“The response to these new innovations at ITMA 2019 was much better than we expected, particularly since overall business in the weaving sector is currently going through a downturn,” said IRO AB Sales and Marketing Manager Pär Hedman. “We are now anticipating a pick-up in business as a result of the interest in our new products that was shown in Barcelona.”

IRO AB is a member of TMAS – the textile machinery association of Sweden.


More News from Textile Machinery Association of Sweden

More News on Weaving

#Knitting & Hosiery

Groz-Beckert at Igatex 2026

From October 15 to 18, 2026, Groz-Beckert will present its latest innovations and solutions across the product areas of Knitting, Weaving, Sewing and Spinning at Igatex in Pakistan (Hall 1, Booth A-1-08).

#Composites

Fewer pores, greater impact tolerance: Peter Dornier Foundation Prize 2026 honours material research on fibre-reinforced composite components for aerospace industry

Microscopically small pores that form during manufacture, or barely visible impact damage, can severely impair the load-bearing capacity and service life of fibre-reinforced composite components. Two young researchers have presented groundbreaking work in this field and will both be awarded the 2026 Peter Dornier Foundation Prize: Dr.-Ing. Benedikt Neitzel from the Technical University of Ilmenau for his doctoral thesis on pore minimisation in the RTM process, and Johanna Buschmann, M.Sc., for her master’s thesis, completed at the German Aerospace Centre, on the improved impact tolerance of 3D fabrics compared to 2D laminates.

#Weaving

Itema reaffirms its commitment to the Syrian textile industry at NasTex 2026

From July 18th to 21st, Itema will exhibit at NasTex at the Damascus Fairground (Hall 11 – Stand C02), marking its return to one of the Middle East’s historically significant textile markets. Itema will showcase advanced weaving technology designed to support the competitiveness and technological evolution of Syrian manufacturers and announces a new partnership with Growfast Agency as the sole agent of Itema in Syria.

#Weaving

Itema manufactures the first Projectile Weaving Machines “Made in Italy” at its Colzate Headquarters.

Itema proudly announces an important industrial milestone: in early May, the first Itema projectile weaving machines manufactured in Italy were successfully produced at the Group’s headquarters in Colzate.

Latest News

#Heimtextil 2027

Heimtextil expands Bed, Bath & Living with new ‘Comfort & Connect’ area

Heimtextil is expanding its product range for Bed, Bath & Living in a targeted manner: ‘Comfort & Connect‘ is creating a new meeting place in the foyer of Hall 5.1 for high-quality bed, bath and lifestyle collections. Following on from ‘Sleep & Meet‘, this is now the second area where Heimtextil is further refining its offering for exhibitors and buyers. The new area brings together established brands, high-profile returning exhibitors and international buyers in a central location with easy access.

#Associations

Business situation weakens slightly, but the industry stays cautiously optimistic

The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) has published the results of its 39th Global Textile Industry Survey (GTIS), conducted from 14 to 22 July 2026 among companies along the entire global textile value chain. Worldwide, 10% of participants rated their business situation as good, 53% as satisfactory and 37% as bad — a balance of -26pp, down from -17pp in May but still well above the 2023 lows. All regions are now in negative territory, from South Asia at -3pp to North & Central America at -58pp.

#Man-Made Fibers

Ministry of Industry Delegation visits NatureWorks’ second global manufacturing site at Nakhon Sawan Biocomplex

NatureWorks Asia Pacific Limited welcomed a high-level delegation led by Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Industry, to its manufacturing site at the Nakhon Sawan Biocomplex (NBC). The visit follows the successful inauguration of the site on April 29, 2026, and highlights the role of public-private collaboration in advancing Thailand’s sustainable industrial development and bioeconomy ambitions.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Indorama Ventures advances circularity tthrough PETValue Philippines' “Zero Waste to Landfill Partnership” with Republic Cement

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited, a global sustainable chemical company, is advancing the circular economy through a new Zero Waste to Landfill initiative at its recycling site PETValue Philippines, further demonstrating how collaboration across industries can maximize resource efficiency and reduce waste.

TOP