Technical Fabrics

Agro textiles Geo grids

Airbag and OPW airbag Heavy canvas / Filter fabric
Awning and light tent fabrics High-speed leno weaving
Carpet backing Industrial glass fibers
Car seats Light filament fabrics
Coating fabrics Para-aramids
Conveyor belts Tire cord
Gauze

Just because it’s

technical, you
weave it slower? Your machines
for technical weaving
are how old?

ENGLISH
His eagerness
to grow is our
benchmark.

Discover our vision in a video

by scanning the image
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Picanol weaving machines
for technical fabrics

Picanol develops, produces and markets high-tech Since 2002, all Picanol machines are fitted
weaving machines. Especially for weavers who want with the Sumo direct drive as standard.
to get the most out of technical fabrics, Picanol This direct drive reduces power consumption
weaving machines provide the right platform and maintenance requirements.
to stay ahead. Always.
This brochure gives an overview of some
Picanol supports these machines with the same of the most common technical textile segments
strong world-wide service organization that serves served by Picanol.
its machines sold for apparel and household
applications. Service stations are located at all New applications are added every year, so please
“gravity points” of the global textile industry. consult your Picanol representative to check out
the possibilities offered for your specific application.
Within the Picanol Group, the Technical Fabrics
Group (a specialized team of product managers For more information about the specific machine
and technicians) constantly strives to optimize types, see Picanol’s general machine brochures,
the existing solutions and to explore exciting available at www.picanol.be.
new applications (such as super-wide weaving
in the field of technical textiles).

Your fabric is so
special, only one
machine in the world So when you need
can weave it? technical support,
you have
nobody to call?
Picanol weaving Yarns
machines for processed
technical fabrics

∙∙ OmniPlus-i airjet weaving machine ∙∙ Spun, single, multiple

(widths: 190, 220, 250, 280, 340, 360 ∙∙ Multifilaments (twisted, entangled,
and 400 cm) without torsion, high-twisted)

∙∙ OMNIplus 800 TC airjet tire cord ∙∙ Cabled yarns

weaving machine (width: 190 cm)
∙∙ Tapes (flat, profiled, fibrillated, PP, PE,
∙∙ OptiMax-i rapier weaving machine PET, PTFE and PLA)
(widths: 190, 210, 220, 230, 250, 300,
320, 340, 360, 380, 400, 430, 460 ∙∙ Monofilament (PP, PE, PET, PA)
and 540 cm)
∙∙ Glass fiber (cabled, twisted,
voluminized, also basalt and quartz)
A special guided positive rapier execution
is available for the insertion of bulky, ∙∙ Glass rovings
or coarse wefts for the production of
technical fabrics S.A. carpet-backing For the exact range of yarns that can be
and agrotextiles. processed on Picanol machines,
please consult your Picanol representative.

OmniPlus-i. OptiMax-i.
The benchmark The benchmark
in airjet weaving. in flexible rapier weaving.

04
Airbag, including Awning and
one-piece-woven light tent fabrics
cushions
Depending on the application, OptiMax-i rapier For season-dependent production of awning fabrics,
can be offered and is also suitable for One Piece OptiMax-i rapier and OmniPlus-i airjets are ideal
Woven Cushions woven under Jacquard. thanks to the flexibility of the weaving system.
Free Flight rapiers have an advantage in that Both machines can run curtains or garden furniture
the warps do not necessarily need to be sized. fabrics as well, with minimal adjustments.
Also, the denser types of constructions can be OptiMax-i is preferred when a high number of
achieved more easily on OptiMax-i, without harnesses is to be used or when extreme densities
sacrificing much speed. The machine works are required. Both machines can handle slub yarns.
with reinforced backrest and reinforced cloth Temple rollers and full-width temples are easily
take-up as typical warp tensions might be at interchangeable. Knot-free weaving is available
a higher level than normal. The Picanol-type as an option.
full-width temple does not need to be cut to length.
Laser warp stop motions are offered as an option. Materials other than acrylics, such as yarn-dyed
polyesters, can also be processed with a high quality
throughput, thanks to the latest developments in air
insertion on OmniPlus-i airjet machines.

05
Car seats Coating fabrics
When weft variety allows it, car seats are best Picanol offers its high-speed Free Flight OptiMax-i
woven on the high-speed OmniPlus-i. Thanks to rapier machines in widths up to 460 cm for coating
the deployment of hybrid harness frames allowing fabrics. This rapier machine can handle T0, V0
top speeds on heavy dobby patterns maximum and T60 yarns in weft and warp, in single and double
production speeds can be reached. In case of insertion (up to 1100 dTex). Also monofil yarns up to
texturized weft yarns that can deposit spin finish 0.3 mm diameter can be woven with the standard
or oligomers, OptiMax-i rapier machines are set of grippers. The rapier machine can handle the
recommended. Where a broad range of fancier weft widest variety of yarn types, supplied by the widest
materials – such as flock yarns, chenilles range of yarn suppliers.
or monofils – need to be processed, OptiMax-i
rapiers will perform at highest efficiencies For very open constructions, a direct take-up roller
and high speeds. is fitted in order to safeguard the integrity
of the fabric. Knot-free weaving is available as
Thanks to a reinforced backrest and cloth take-up, an option. The cover of the fabric is always optimum
the appearance remains consistent over the width thanks to a small shed opening resulting in low warp
of the fabric. Temple rollers and full-width temples tension. The warp tension is controlled by
are easily interchangeable. Beams up to 1100 mm a precise warp tension meter. Temple rollers
are possible as well as fancy-beam arrangements. can be positioned outside the useful width
of the fabric so as not to distort the pick line.

06
Tire cord
The OMNIplus 800 TC is the most advanced tire cord Equipped with air tuckers, the OMNIplus 800 TC
weaving machine currently available. The basic reaches speeds of up to 900 rpm. Tuck-in lengths of
OMNIplus 800 airjet weaving machine is completed 20 to 45 mm are possible. Patents apply. Mechanical
with modules such as drawing-in device, special cloth tuckers (type 40 mm) are also available on request
take-up and weight-compensated batching motion. for special applications such as heavy viscose cords.
Picanol is unique in that the profiled reeds don’t have
Since reliability is paramount in conversion to be cut to width due to the mechanical tuckers. This
operations, Picanol has opted for integrated controls. greatly reduces the article change time.
Motors, drives, electronics and software are all
produced by Picanol. This reduces the number of Please also consult our OMNIplus 800 TC brochure
control boxes, cables, printed circuits and connectors for more details: see www.picanol.be for brochure
to a bare minimum (trouble-shooting becomes easier). downloads.

Double traction roll set-up in the drive section Warp tension egalisation

400

350

Creel 3 300
IN Rollers
250
OUT
200

150

2 100
grams/end

Tension 50
equalizing zone
0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
distance to lhs

Tension between rollers

Tension between creel and machine
Final warp tension

07 07
Gauze, flocking Industrial
backing, Osnaburg glass fiber
or tape backing The OptiMax-i rapier is available in widths from
190 cm to 360 cm. It is suitable for all types of glass
Picanol offers OmniPlus-i airjets for these types fiber yarns, including silica and basalt (although
of fabric. Very high speeds can be attained through for these yarns the machine specifications might
the use of positive cam boxes. The profiled reed be different).
does not need to be cut to length thanks to the
weft detector in front of the reed. In this way ∙∙ Split beams and top beam configurations
several widths of fabric can be processed without are possible.
having to change the reed. The automatic pick ∙∙ Multi-panel weaving is possible.
remover (PRA) enables the machine to reach very ∙∙ Small shed opening, wear-resistant grippers
high efficiency. Arrangements are available for and scissors, with the possibility to run with
elastic yarns, as well as to obtain special fabric very low warp tension.
constructions for plaster-reinforcement fabrics. ∙∙ Motor-assisted 3-end glass split motion.
When closed selvedges are required, high speed ∙∙ Optispeed for difficult-to-weave yarns woven
pneumatic tuckers (ATI) can be specified. in a pattern.
Tuckers are mostly needed for flocking backings ∙∙ Configurations for open weaving without
or Osnaburg fabrics. distortion and/or unidirectional fabrics are
available.
OptiMax-i rapier machines can also be used to weave ∙∙ Glass take-up with double chrome-plated
these open fabrics; they offer additional flexibility s.a. press rollers.
capabilities to weave high torsioned and elastic yarns ∙∙ For center and surface winders.
in warps and welt. ∙∙ Special prewinders with low-friction finish and
special programmable weft brakes.
∙∙ Can process wefts from 5 Tex up to 600 Tex
at high speeds.

Sumo direct drive (dust-tight construction) and

absence of setting points or grease points under
the warp line offer additional advantages for glass
weavers.
For certain fabrics, temples or even full-width temples
can be added.
Picanol advises the use of Burcklé reeds with the
right finish and hardness for glass fibers.

08
High-speed leno
weaving, OptiLeno
High-speed leno weaving is available Standard ends
on the OptiMax-i rapier machine.
A very wide range of yarns can be
processed in warp as well as weft Needle-bar
direction. These include monofil up
to 0.7 mm, PP tapes, multifilaments, Pilot-bar
glass fiber and spun yarns.

The “Steher” and “Dreher” ends do not cross in

Leno ends
the back shed, and thanks to the straight path of the
yarns through the eyelets it is possible to weave with
extremely low warp tension.

All parts in contact with the yarns are polished and Supporting
hardened. The leno system combines a Stäubli positive shaft-profile
cam box for the vertical component of the shed formation
with an electric motor for the selection.
Weft insertion is guaranteed thanks to the appropriate
rapier system.

For the production of crimp-free fabrics, a double-beam

solution is offered. The system is built to make drawing-in
and style changing user-friendly.

The high-speed OptiLeno leno system can be changed

over to standard harness frames in only a few hours,
thanks to its modular design. The harness suspension
elements stay in the machine, which saves time.

The OptiLeno is preferred by many customers when

heddle-based systems cannot be used due to quality
requirements such as wear particles accumulating in the
fabric or uncontrolled fiber damage spoiling the fabrics.

09
Let’s grow together with
the Guided Positive Gripper
on Picanol’s OptiMax- i machines!

The highly successful OptiMax-i rapier platform The machine comes as standard in 4 colors,
is designed to deal with all markets and in particular and can be equipped with one to four prewinders
the technical fabrics segment. It is therefore by simply connecting them to the CAN bus box
equipped with multiple sley drives, positioned over at no extra cost.
the width of the fabric in order to maintain a strong
and stable beat-up, independent of drawing-in width. A new backrest for super-wide weaving shows
no bending thanks to a new design that supports
The OptiMax-i equipped with GPG rapiers reaches the warp compensating element at several places
insertion speeds of 1500 meters per minute over the width of the machine.
and so is competitive with the latest wide projectile
machines in terms of performance. However, having Mechanical tuckers as well as hot-wire or electrically
flexible positive grippers enables new and exciting cut selvedges can be offered.
market segments to be explored.
Stäubli-type cam boxes and electronic dobbies as
The machine is fitted as standard with the Sumo well as the high-speed Optileno system – all of them
direct drive, offering onboard speed control without interchangeable – can be fitted in order
frequency convertors. Furthermore this direct drive to serve the most demanding applications.
is virtually maintenance-free, because clutches, Besides being able to weave existing types of fabrics
friction brakes, belts and chains are all eliminated. with a better price/performance-ratio compared
There are not even any cooling fans, as the highly to existing technologies, the OptiMax-i GPG rapier
efficient main motor is cooled and lubricated system makes it possible to mix completely different
by the closed oil circulation of the machine itself. types of wefts, such as monofil and multifilament,

10
or course-spun with a fine texturized yarn. the frames, more complicated leno fabrics such as
It is even possible to double-insert certain types anti-hail nets and geogrids can be woven at highest
of yarns, such as two 1100 dTex PES yarns, as often speeds and at moderate cost for the weaver.
seen in geotextiles, conveyor belting and coating
fabrics, something almost impossible to achieve The OptiMax-i equipped with Guided Positive Gripper
on projectiles. will soon become a new standard for a market looking
to go beyond what is possible today, with the very
GPG OptiMax-i machines can even handle stiff yarns best price/performance ratio.
such as polypropylene tapes up to 3 mm and monofil
yarns up to 0.7 mm, opening up many possibilities A new wasteless system in 4 colors, Introduced
in agro-textiles and the carpet-backing business. at ITMA Barcelona 2019 is called EcoFill 4C.
The LHC catch-cord is omitted and weft-waste
Multi- and monofilaments covered with PVC such as at the left-hand-side is eliminated.
found in outdoor furniture and sunscreens can be
woven successfully with GPG OptiMax-i machines,
at highest competitive speeds.

Fibrillated yarns and even bulky BCF yarns are well

within the range of this system and will open up some
interesting market segments in the near future.
As the OptiMax-i structure accepts Posileno frames
with levers positioned on top or at the bottom of

11
Light filament Heavy canvas /
fabrics, spinnaker, Heavy filter
parachute, execution
computer ribbon
Light filament fabrics are best woven on OmniPlus-i Thanks to a special reinforced backrest, S-TUBE,
airjet machines. The sensors in the prewinders and the reinforced cloth take-up, special asymmetrical cams
weft detectors are designed to deal with very fine mono in the Staubli cam box, reinforced reed and reed-holder
and multi-filament yarns being processed at very high and selected accessories, all existing types of heavy
speeds. canvas can be woven.

Thanks to the machine controls it is easy to avoid This execution reaches 15% higher cover factors
starting marks or weaving marks completely, compared to an already robust standard execution
by making maximum use of the possibilities of of OptiMax-i . The drawing inn width reaches
electronic let-off, take-up and Sumo direct drive. up to 250 cm.
When using the ARVD option, air consumption is
reduced to a minimum.

Picanol recommends the use of GTP hybrid harness

frames with heddle dampers for these fabrics.
Split beams can be used on double-width machines.

OptiMax-i with Free Flight rapiers can also be used

for these types of fabrics and is sometimes preferred
in mixed weaving operations due to the high flexibility
of the machine park.

12
Light- to medium- Para-aramids
weight conveyor belts or ballistics
Picanol offers its high-speed Free Flight OptiMax-i rapier Picanol’s OptiMax-i grippers can handle all para-aramids
machines in widths up to 360 cm for light- to medium- and mixes of aramids. The Free-Flight grippers make it
weight conveyor belts. Thanks to a reinforced backrest possible to weave with an extremely small shed opening,
and reinforced take-up gears, the OptiMax-i machine reducing filament damage in warp.
can handle fabrics up to EP 250 in typical width of 250
cm, or EP200 in widths of up to 360 cm. Picanol’s free A specially designed backrest, called Direct Warp
flight grippers offer the possibility Control (DWC), makes it possible to weave with very
to weave with a small shed opening, resulting in lower low warp tensions. The warp tension itself is controlled
warp tension. The warp tension is controlled by by a precise warp tension meter. To further reduce
a precise warp tension meter. Temple rollers can be the risk of filament damage, Burcklé reeds with special
positioned outside the useful width of the fabric dents are recommended.
so as not to distort the pick line.
The OptiMax-i machine offers a powerful beat-up thanks
The insertion of coarser wefts is secured by adapted to sley drives positioned directly underneath the reed
prewinders and programmable brakes. holder. On wider widths, extra sley drives are provided.
This results in a perfectly straight beat-up line, needed
Cam boxes as well as dobbies can be offered. to obtain stable fabric parameters.

An arrangement for weaving from creels can be offered, The weft insertion has been adapted to accommodate
including weaver platform. waxed yarns. The prewinders are therefore given
a special geometry, complemented by programmable
brakes. The result is a constant and low weft tension.

When single-pick fabrics are being woven, an EcoFill-4C

weft waste saver can be used, reducing the waste length
by more than 5 cm and leaving just a short weft waste
at the right hand side. When EcoFill is not used,
the machine is equipped with a secure EDC rotary
cutter. Both are interchangeable.

The fabric remains undistorted thanks to the use of

seamless rubber covering on the sand roller. Take-up
in the machine is usually specified even when
a batching motion is installed, so as to securely
take up samples that are too short to reach
the batching motion.

13
Built in the factory
of the future

Spare Parts
& WeaveUp
Weaving machines are one of your Moreover, timely replacement of
most important investments. Keeping original parts enables Picanol’s
them in optimal condition is essential customers to run their machines
to safeguard the high value of this asset in the most economical way.
and to remain competitive as a weaver
in a globalizing world. Regardless of the age of the machine,
the use of original parts will keep the
Use of original Picanol parts guarantees machine in top condition which has a
a continued high performance of the positive influence on the value of the
Picanol weaving machines. machine throughout its life time.

14
 Training is part of the
deal Picanol makes with
its customers
Well-trained employees are a real asset
to your company. Skilled staff make your
machines run at optimum performance,
producing excellent fabric quality and
resulting in superb plant efficiency.

We feel it is our duty to help your

employees to improve their skills and
knowledge. Hence, in 2015 we decided
to invest in a state-of-the-art Technical
Training Center in Ieper.

Three fully equipped rooms (each with

weaving machines, cut models, mini
workshop etc.) cover a total area of
270 m2. This new knowledge center
allows Picanol to train technicians from
customers around the world in optimal
conditions.

All facilities are there to give your

employees a warm welcome. If your
employees are not able to travel to one
of our training centers, our instructors
come to you and will organize training
at your premises.
Furthermore, to expand your weaving
range and/or increase your machine
performance, Picanol offers upgrade
packages for installed Picanol Scan the pictures of
machines. WeaveUp upgrades add the factory with the
state-of-the-art technology to your Picanol app and see
machines, which apart from the the factory come alive.
benefits in weaving equally increase
the value of your investment.

15
 Curious about
our upcoming news?
Download our new app on your mobile
phone or tablet and thanks to the news
notifications feature you will be the first
to know about all our innovations.
This app is updated frequently so keep
an eye out for new arrivals and updates.

You can also subscribe to our newsletter

at www.picanol.be/newsletter to be
the first to learn about our latest news,
updates and events.

Book your
training course
As already mentioned, training
is part of the deal Picanol makes
with its customers.

A full list of our training courses

can be found on our website:
www.picanol.be/training-services.

For more information, please contact

your local Picanol agent or Customer
Service Representative (CSR).
See www.picanol.be/agents
for contact details.

16
 We make it easier
Our calculators, freshly designed,
developed to make weavers’ everyday
lives easier.

Visit our website www.picanol.be and

discover our new integrated weaving
calculators online, or download the app
with the calculators.

Meet us around
the world
During the year, Picanol is present
at events and trade fairs around
the world. Thanks to the “Trade Fair”
function on our app, you can prepare
for your visit.

With the Picanol app you can discover

the machines and the features on show
at the main trade fairs, in preparation
for your visit. Download the app at
www.picanol.app.

Download
the app at:
www.picanol.app
SCAN THIS
or scan here
FOR APP for the app.

17
About Picanol
The Picanol Group is an international, customer-oriented group
specialized in the development, production and sale of weaving
machines, cast iron parts and controllers.

Its Weaving Machines division (Picanol) develops, manufactures and sells

high-tech weaving machines based on airjet or rapier insertion technology.
Picanol supplies weaving machines to weaving mills worldwide and also offers
to its customers products and services such as weaving frames and
reeds, training, upgrade kits and spare parts. For more than
eighty years, Picanol has played a pioneering role in the global
industry and is currently one of the world’s leading weaving
machine manufacturers.

The Industries division covers all the other activities

not related to weaving machines. Proferro comprises all
foundry activities and the group’s machining activities.

specifications may change as a result of developments in engineering and materials. EN 07.06.2019.

It produces cast iron parts for compressors and agricultural
machinery, and parts for Picanol weaving machines.
PsiControl designs, develops, manufactures and supports,

The illustrations and descriptions in this publication do not commit Picanol in any way:
among other things, controllers in various industries such as textile
machinery, compressors and fleet management. Melotte is a high-precision
producer of metal components, molds and reconditioned molds. It has also played
a leading role in the 3D printing of components for a number of years.

Next to the head office in Ypres (Belgium), the Picanol Group has production
facilities in Asia and Europe, linked to its own worldwide service and sales
network. The Picanol Group employs more than 2,300 employees
worldwide and has been listed on the Euronext Brussels exchange (PIC)
since 1966. Since 2013, the Picanol Group has also had a reference
interest in the Tessenderlo Group (Euronext: TESB).

Next to Ieper, Picanol has two first-in-class training centers located

in Suzhou (China) and Greenville (USA). All our training centers are
specialized in technical training on weaving machines for machine
operators, fitters and weaving managers.

Our team is always at your disposal for further information or questions.

www.picanol.be

@picanolweavingmachines
Steverlyncklaan 15, 8900 Ieper, Belgium
+32 57 222 111 - [email protected] @picanolgroup