Preview 2022

Preview

Latest robotic and automation solutions for textile manufacturers

The latest innovations around robotic, automation and laid scrim solutions were explored in a webinar hosted by the VDMA, in preparation for Texprocess and Techtextil, 2022. The webinar, titled State-of-the-Art Robotic, Automation and Laid Scrim Solutions, saw Ontec, a Germany-based system provider of automation systems, plants and special machines, explore some of its latest robotic, automation and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions for textile manufacturers. Laid scrim machine The company offers a laid scrim machine titled Turbotex LS 2600. A laid scrim is a structure that appears like a grid; yarns are laid in a rectangular fashion and bonded by a chemical to hold the structure and stability of the scrim. The field of application for scrims include plastic sheets, packing materials, adhesive tapes, swimming pool sheets, fleece, glass fibre and more. According to company representatives, laid scrim machine technology is an efficient alternative to

traditional weaving processes. The machine has a production capacity that can amountto 11m sqm/year in a three-shift operation. It has a maximum weft speed of 4,000 wefts/minute and a production speed of 16 m/minute (comprising two threads/cm). Ontec notes that the Turbotex is a reasonably sized unit that requires 50% less personnel; 30% thinner fabrics due to the laid scrim process; 10% less elongation compared to a woven fabric, thus “assures a linear elongation [and] tear strength relation”; and the company claims it has up to a 1000% higher production output than a weaving machine producing a comparable product. More advantages include high production speed, high operation safety, low downtimes, low energy consumption and a closed process that covers yarn to final product in one process. Automated creel loading Elsewhere, the company explored an autonomous vehicle that automates

creel loading. Creels – a rack that holds bobbins or spools when spinning – are comprised of 600-1,600 bobbins which have to be continually replaced. Depending on the weight of the bobbins, this can be difficult manual labour. Additionally, as the textile & apparel industry digitalises, technologists highlight how manual tasks can impede reproducibility in the industry, in turn leading to customer dissatisfaction. Ontec’s RoboSmART, however, reportedly reaps reproducibility by automating the process. The technology comprises an omnidirectional vehicle that can turn 360 degrees on the spot. The vehicle is able to transport material and pick up bobbin pallets, direct and check bobbins of different sizes and weights as well as depalletize and load according to specific requirements. The RoboSmART can carry pallet weights of up to 1,000 kg and bobbin weights of up to 20 kg. It performs these tasks using a variety of technologies. Laser scanners at each corner of the vehicle mean there are no Continues on p. 20