#Weaving

2019-07-15

Perfect control of the weft at all times from 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.

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.

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.

Keeping products moving with Swedish automation at FILTECH 2026

At FILTECH 2026, taking place in Cologne from June 30th to July 2nd, members of TMAS – the Swedish textile machinery association – will highlight how the country’s engineering expertise is enabling filtration manufacturers to increase productivity, improve traceability and reduce dependence on labour-intensive manual processes.

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

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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.

ITMA ASIA + CITME 2026 Shanghai showcases intelligent and sustainable manufacturing

From 20 to 24 November 2026, the textile machinery industry will gather in Shanghai for ITMA ASIA + CITME 2026, Asia’s leading business platform for textile machinery, to be held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). The exhibition will occupy seven halls, with a total gross exhibition area of about 180,000 square metres. The exhibition has expanded by 10% over the last edition which reflects the continued industry interest in the region.

The new RJ 4/2 EL revolutionizes body mapping and expands creative possibilities – from smart lingerie to sporty athleisure designs

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Eco-design as the foundation of circular textiles

Based on the results of an extensive European analysis, the Erasmus+ project Skills4Circularity is currently developing three practice-based training modules covering recycling technologies, eco-design for the circular economy and sustainable manufacturing. This was preceded by a comprehensive company survey and a joint analysis conducted by the project partners under the leadership of IVGT. The results show that the greatest challenges lie not so much in a lack of technology as in skills gaps.

Usha Yarns secures growth equity investment from Fullerton Carbon Action Fund

Usha Yarns Limited (“Usha Yarns”), a producer of high-quality recycled yarns with advanced, well established production processes, announced a growth equity investment from the Fullerton Carbon Action Fund (“Fullerton”), a private equity strategy managed by Fullerton Fund Management that backs established mid-market companies across Emerging Asia to accelerate decarbonisation.