TECHWATCH LANKA

ADVANCEMENTS IN TEXTILE TECHNOLOGY

“A vital link between global technology developers and the local technology practitioners”

Newsletter of the Technology Watch Centre (TWC), National Science Foundation

VOL. 6, NO. 1 AUGUST 2006 ISSN 1391-7897

Technology Foresight
Will needle and thread be demise by
seamless knitting and stitch-free
seaming technologies ?

Apparel with a seamless appearance is gaining

in popularity. The benefits - greater comfort and
durability, combined with reduced bulk - are
finding favour in different sectors of the apparel
market, including performance apparel. In the
performance apparel sector there are two main
reasons for the growing popularity of garments
with a seamless appearance. One is that close
To be continued to pg. 2.....

Clothing Science are and the V-Stitcher application. Available

Gerber Technology to convert 3D design exclusively to customers who purchase V-
models into 2D Stitcher from Gerber, the interface allows
pattern data to be created in AccuMark and
sent directly to V-Stitcher and back. In addition,
Gerber Technology announced the availability
when pieces are modified in AccuMark, the
of a new release of V-Stitcher™ 3D garment
garments displayed in V-Stitcher reflect these
design and visualization software which offers
changes in real time.
powerful, true-to-life modeling that enables
users to create a virtual garment from a 2D This new version of V-Stitcher offers, among
pattern over a 3D body image. other features, a new male personalized figure
(“avatar”) that offers unprecedented photo
V-Stitcher is the only commercial and proven
realistic quality. The new male avatar will allow
application for 3D design and visualization
for the creation of any extreme pose to enable
currently available on the market. As a
more accurate fitting of athletic, infant and
distributor, Gerber has developed a software
children’s apparel. The avatar also features
interface that enables seamless integration
realistic faces – even those of celebrities, actors,
between its AccuMark™ pattern design softw-
specific athletes, etc. – can be used – to add to
 Clothing Science
3D design to 2D.......
“STRIDE INTO THE FUTURE BEFORE
IT ARRIVES”
the realism of the figure. Creating two-
TECHNOLOGY WATCH CENTER (TWC) dimensional pattern pieces for a three
TECHNOLOGY DIVISION dimensional object can be a time-consuming,
National Science Foundation, No. 47/5, tedious, difficult and expensive process. But it
Maitland Place, Colombo 07, SRI LANKA.
does not have to be so.This newest 3D
Tel/Fax - 2676766
technology solutions for the apparel industry
E-mail : [email protected]
www.twc.nsf.ac.lk enables customers with a full 2D-3D-2D,
design solution that greatly simplifies and
TECHWATCH LANKA STAFF: streamlines the design process, and these
Manager - Technology Watch Centre -
features provide additional capabilities that will
Dr. Saman Fernando
enhance its usability.
Coordinator - Textile Technology
Mr. J.G. Shantha Siri 3D Direct, Gerber Technology’s 3D flattening
software solution, reduces the need for full-size
physical prototypes to derive flattened patterns.
Will needle and thread....... Using highly advanced computer algorithms, 3D
fitting active wear - such as running or cycling Direct automatically flattens three-dimensional
apparel - needs to feel as smooth as possible (3D) design models to produce two-dimensional
when worn next to the skin in order to minimise (2D) pattern pieces, accelerating and
the possibility of chafing. The other reason is streamlining the 3D-to-2D pattern design
that technical outerwear is becoming less bulky process. Easier to use than other 3D-to-2D
and more form-fitting while retaining the latest software solutions, 3D Direct interfaces directly
advances in waterproof and breathable with Gerber’s AccuMark System to eliminate
capability. Apparel which has a seamless the potential for loss of data integrity caused by
appearance is produced using two different data conversions, and allow you to quickly
approaches: seamless knitting, and welding. prepare your patterns for automatic cutting. 3D
Seamless knitting involves the production of a Direct will help one to take control of prototyping
whole garment in one piece on a knitting by enabling one to shorten development cycles,
machine such that little or no sewing-up is control costs and meet production deadlines.
required. Welding involves the fusing together
For more information:
of layers of fabric by applying heat and pressure Gerber Technology, USA
- using technologies such as ultrasonic heating [email protected]
or high frequency radiation.Using seamless
knitting or welding, a garment without any Modern laser technologies used for
stitched seams can be made. Some cutting textile materials
commentators are going so far as to predict the
gradual demise of the needle and thread. With modern laser technologies one can cut
multiple layers at once, yielding high production
For more information: levels and short setup times between cutting
Textiles Intelligence Limited, UK runs. One example could be the operation of
[email protected] cutting the material named Nylon 66, used to

2 http://www.twc.nsf.ac.lk TECHWATCH LANKA

 New textiles
manufacture automobile airbags. With laser national textile product, according to Blanton
technology, up to seven layers of Nylon 66 can Godfrey, Dean of the Textile College at North
be cut in one pass, which means high Carolina State University. While nonwoven
production rates on a single machine. An air manufacturers set output records, innovation has
bag must be precisely crafted as it is a piece of been sweeping through the “traditional” woven-
critical safety equipment that is built to very fabric sector.
high levels of precision in a mass production Odor-killing fabric
environment. Synthetic material used for
airbags, can also be cut by a conventional fixed In Greensboro, N.C., Burlington Industries is
blade system, but for a high production rate working on an odor-killing fabric treatment that
and long term low-maintenance, laser cutting could let hotels convert rooms from smoking to
is most suitable. Most systems are equipped nonsmoking without replacing the drapes and
with two material handling systems, which can bedspread. Burlington is now trying to
cut on one half of the table while the finished manufacture mattresses to meet tough fire-
product is being removed from the other half, retardant and self-extinguishing standards. The
and the new stock material laid out. The laser company has one solution: woven fabric bonded
system is reliable and adaptable to any flatbed- to a fire-resisting nonwoven that it buys from
cutting task. Computer controlled industrial others. That is fine for the side panels, but the
cutting and plotting machines are the latest feel is probably not soft enough for mattress
offerings from a well established and tops.
experienced industrial engineering company Spill-resistant upholstery fabric
that is dedicated to reduce cutting costs, and
boosting productivity in today’s competitive Burlington also provided spill-resistant
industrial machine tool market. In this way, just upholstery fabric for seats in the Houston
one machine can carry out a multitude of Rockets’ stadium. The upholstery is a sandwich
production tasks. of water-repellent cloth backed by a moisture-
For more information, contact: blocking nonwoven fabric. When Yao Ming
Prof. Dr. Claudiu Vasile brings the crowd to its feet, the cloth shrugs off
[email protected] the spilled drinks. This process has been
developed by David Soane, a chemical engineer
Weaving the future - Recent at Nano-Tex Company after he developed a
technological innovations way to graft minute hydrophobic “whiskers”
onto cotton molecules. The whiskers make
Textile manufacturers are alive and bubbling
cotton or blended fabric nonabsorbent without
with new ideas ranging from revolutionary
significantly changing its other properties.
bandages that are saving lives in Iraq to tennis
shirts that would not stink a week after being Fabric- altering brew
stuffed unwashed in a locker. It is true that
many U.S. garment plants have shut down or Nano-Tex now sells two other fabric treatments
moved abroad in recent years. The fabric, yarn, in addition to spill resistance, one that promotes
and fiber mills that supplied those plants have moisture wicking and one that makes polyester
also faced layoffs and closings. But apparel feel something like cotton. The company
accounts for one-third at most, of the gross provides the technology and chemicals for the

AUGUST 2006. VOL. 6, NO.1 TEXTILE TECHNOLOGY 3

 New textiles
fabric- altering brew to more than 50 mills porosity, and so on.
around the world. But be careful. Spill red wine
Non-woven or non- knitted garment
on your slacks, and it will bead up and roll off
onto the hostess’s new carpet. A clue that you might soon be wearing garments
Durable germ-free fabrics
that were not woven or knitted, is provided by
a new Freudenberg fabric called Evolon. The
It is introducing hospital linens that kill germs manufacturing process starts with a composite
with chlorine using a process devised by Gang fiber whose cross-section looks like pie cut
Sun, a polymer chemist at the University of ready to serve: Tranches of polyester are
California’s Davis campus. Although chlorine- separated by nylon segments that resemble
bleached sheets are germ-free when they come knife cuts.
out of the hospital laundry, the chlorine quickly
dissipates. Sun grafted a chemical stabilizer onto
Life saving shirt
cotton fibers. When the treated fabric is An undershirt has been devised that alerts the
laundered, chlorine bleach in the wash water fire chief if one of his team in the fire zone is in
locks onto the stabilizer. Each time the sheet is trouble.
washed, its chlorine content is refreshed.
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune
Life saving bandage
Textiles gain intelligence
A revolutionary new bandage has been
developed by HemCon to controls severe Advances in textile technology computer
hemorrhaging and seals wounds. The wound engineering, and materials science are
side of the bandage is a layer of freeze-dried promoting a new breed of functional fabrics.
chitosan extracted from shrimp shells. The Fashion designers are adding wires, circuits, and
bandage sticks to the wound because chitosan optical fibers to traditional textile creating
is a bio- adhesive, particularly in the presence garments that glow in the dark or keep the
of blood. wearer warm. Meanwhile, electronics
engineers are sewing conductive threads and
Some plants use staple fibers: short lengths of sensors into body suits that map users’
material made elsewhere. In others, polymer whereabouts and respond to environmental
pellets are melted into fibers and then spewed stimuli. The term ‘smart dresser’ could soon
out across the width of a fast-moving belt. One acquire a new meaning. An unlikely alliance
variation, spunbond, lays down a continuous row between textile manufacturers, materials
of filaments. Another meltbond, sprays out a scientists, and computer engineers, has resulted
high- velocity mist of polymers. The fibers are in some truly clever clothing. From self-
then locked together by penetrating the mass illuminating handbag interiors to a gym kit that
with mechanical needles (relatively slow) or monitors workout intensity, the prototypes just
firing jets of water through it (very fast). There keep coming.
are many ways to bond the material: pressure,
For more information:
heat, resins, or some combination. By varying
Materialstoday Journal
all these techniques, manufacturers can alter Volume 6, Issue 10
thickness, flexibility, feel, strength, stretchability,

4 http://www.twc.nsf.ac.lk TECHWATCH LANKA

Textile Wet Processing and Finishing
New on-line pick and course counter Model 7762A uses high speed digital signal
accurate to the nearest centimeter processing to perform an analysis of each and
every thread to produce accurate counts for
“Strandberg the most difficult fabric constructions, finishes
Model 7762A” and colors. Use the Model 7762A Pick and
is a new on-line Course Counter on tenter frames, compressive
pick and course shrinkage ranges, and compactors or just about
counter which anywhere one want to monitor pick and course
has been counts on line.
developed by For more information:
Strandberg Strandberg Engineering Laboratories, U.S.A.
Engineering E-mail: [email protected]
Laboratories, New optimised application systems for
U.S.A. functional textile coatings
It enables counting pick and course to the
nearest tenth per inch or centimeter on a big The optimized application systems for functional
LED display. Compressive shrinking, coatings fall into two main groups: Open
overfeeding, and compacting should be application systems with and without Magnet
controlled to maximize yield. First, these System, and closed application systems with and
processes must take up the stretch caused by without Magnet System. The Magnet System
pulling the fabric through the finishing mill. Then, offers an immense variety of application
they must apply just enough shrinking to avoid possibilities for liquids, pastes and foams, within
more than an agreed amount of further one single modular machine concept. At present,
shrinking when the fabric is repeatedly washed the modular machine-construction concept are
and dried. The Strandberg Model 7762A Pick divided into six application technologies, knife
and Course Counter fills the bill as an on-line coating; roller application liquid direct with paste
monitor. It has analog and RS-232 outputs for at 09:00-12:00 position; screen coating with
automatic controllers, PLC’s, chart recorders perforated sleeves at 09:00-12:00 position; and
and printers. It complements the Strandberg line transfer roller application. The so-called ‘closed’
of fabric width, areal density, moisture, and wet application systems for liquids, pastes and/or
pickup controls for finishing mill processes. foam can be divided into three groups: slot jet
squeegee, MagnoJet, and VarioPress. The slot
One of Strandberg’s precision displacement jet squeegees are for smaller working widths.
sensors accurately measures fabric length over The MagnoJet squeegee device can be used
the thread count interval to display picks and inside an open-mesh screen for full-surface or
courses to the nearest tenth per inch or designed application of foamed products. At
centimeter at speeds up to 200 yards or meters present, the VarioPress is considered as the
per minute. A microprocessor-controlled most precise, and at the same time the most
servomechanism automatically aligns the laser functional device for the application of foam on
beam slit to provide the optimal reflected signals any textile web.
off the rapidly passing threads. Conventional For more information:
thread counters simply count the threads. The International Dyer Journal
Volume 191, Issue 5, June 2006
AUGUST 2006. VOL. 6, NO.1 TEXTILE TECHNOLOGY 5
Textile Wet Processing and Finishing
Surface Modification of Polypropylene similar appearance by creating better quality and
Non-Woven Fabrics by Atmospheric- more advantageous manufacturing conditions.
Pressure Plasma Activation Followed by
Acrylic Acid Grafting The laser is a source of energy which can be
directed on desired objects and whose power
Polypropylene (PP) non-woven fabrics have and intensity can be easily controlled. Use of
been activated by an atmospheric-pressure the laser enables one to cut a great variety of
plasma treatment using surface dielectric barrier material from metal to fabric. Starting off from
discharge in N2 and ambient air. Subsequently, this point, it was thought that it would be possible
the plasma activated samples were grafted using to transfer certain designs onto the surface of
catalyst-free water solution of acrylic acid. textile material by changing the dye molecules
Surface properties of the activated and in the fabric and creating alterations in its colour
polyacrylic acid post-plasma grafted non-woven quality values by directing the laser to the
were characterised by scanning electron material at reduced intensity. There are
microscopy, Fourier transform infrared machines specially designed for making use of
spectroscopy, electron spin resonance laser beams to transfer pictures, figures as well
spectroscopy, surface energy and dyeability as graphics of desired variety, size and intensity
measurements. The grafted non-woven exhibit on all kinds of surfaces in textile manufacturing.
improved water transport and dyeing properties.
The plasma activation in nitrogen plasma gas In the designed system, computer-controlled
was more efficient than in air. laser beams are used to change the colour of
the dye material on the textile surface by
For more information, contact: L. Cernakova directing the laser beams at a desired wavelength
E-mail: [email protected] and intensity onto various textile surfaces
selected for application.
Improving the appearance of all textile
Developing new designs by using the computer
products with laser technology
and transferring the designs that are obtained
Denim trousers, commonly known as “blue on textile surfaces will not only increase and
jeans”, have maintained their popularity for facilitate the production in a more practical
many years. For the purpose of supporting manner, but also help to create identical designs.
customers’ purchasing behaviour and to address This means serial manufacturing of the products
their aesthetic taste, companies have been at a standard quality and increasing their added
trying in recent years to develop various values. Another advantage of this system is that
techniques to improve the visual aspects of it gives a richer look to the product by causing
denim fabrics. These techniques mainly include the surfaces to get wrinkled and become three-
printing on fabrics, embroidery and washing the dimensional by deformation as well as enabling
final product. Especially, fraying certain areas one to create pictures and patterns on leather
of the fabric by sanding and stone washing to and synthetic fabrics by means of heat.
create designs is a popular technique. However, For more information:
due to certain inconveniences caused by these Textile Engineering Department, Ege University,
procedures and in response to growing Turkey
demands, research is underway to obtain a Tel : 0 232 388 01 10
Fax : 0 232 339 90 90

6 http://www.twc.nsf.ac.lk TECHWATCH LANKA

 Process intensification in the textile Guar gum as an environment-friendly
industry: the role of membrane alternative Thickener in printing with
technology reactive dyes

Process intensification is a concept that was The future development of new products and
recently introduced in the chemical industry for technologies will be marked with respect to a
the purpose of reducing environmental clean and unpolluted environment. The principal
emissions, energy consumption and materials critical effects of reactive printing on the
consumption. The principle of process environment are the coloration of wastewater
intensification can be used in related industries and pollution with thickeners and urea. The
as well; textile finishing is an exemplary activity development of new dyes with a better fixing
where it may have a significant long-term added capability demands new, less hazardous and
value. Membrane technology can be a key more environment friendly thickeners.
factor in the recycling and reuse of energy, water Rheological and the technological behaviour of
and chemicals. different guar thickeners has been studied
during the printing process and compared with
The proposed process includes microfiltration the behaviour of other available printing pastes.
pretreatment of used finishing baths, followed It has been established from the analysis of
by a dual nanofiltration (NF) unit. These can waste waters that the guar thickeners are less
be operated at elevated temperatures so that harmful to the environment and quite as good
no further energy is needed for preheating of as alginates in terms of printing quality.
recycle streams. In the proposed treatment For more information:
scheme, the first of the NF units uses a loose [email protected]
nanofiltration membrane that retains most of the
Aplication of microwaves in textile
organic fraction but not the dissolved salts. The
finishing processes
second unit uses a tight nanofiltration membrane,
which produces a permeate fraction that can Planar microwave device for thermal treatment
be directly reused, and a concentrated brine that of textile material was constructed and tested
is fed to a membrane crystallizer. In this unit, at University of Zagreb, Faculty of Textile
salts are recovered and recycled for use in new Technology. The treated material, which is in a
dye baths. wide state, is horizontally passed through the
slots of the applicator. The feasibility of use of
The concentrate stream from the first NF unit the developed device for textile treatment was
is fed to a membrane distillation unit, where the tested on cellulose materials impregnated with
high temperature is advantageously used for different finishes: durable press, water and oil-
further concentration. The remaining fraction repellent and flame retardant. Obtained effects
is not reusable, given the fact that most dyes of microwave treatments were compared with
are hydrolyzed after exhaustion of the bath, but conventional drying and curing method and
has a significant energetic value, which can be significant improvements of physical and
utilized for compensation of energy losses and mechanical properties were found. This might
preheating of suppletion water, by using an pave the way towards the use of proposed
incineration process with energy recovery. technology in textile finishing field.
For more information: [email protected] For more information: [email protected]
AUGUST 2006. VOL. 6, NO.1 TEXTILE TECHNOLOGY 7
Waste treatment
Advanced treatment of textile nical properties of the fibres and increase the
wastewater for reuse using specific membrane surface of TFM modules.
electrochemical oxidation and membrane The phenomenon of fibres leaking did not occur
filtration during the experiment. Two testing sequences
of electrochemical oxidation and membrane
filtration were studied. The two processes
A research has been carried out by a team of
treated textile dyehouse wastewater samples
researchers in China to develop a method of
in turn. The results clearly show the feasibility
treating textile wastewater for reuse using an
of these two sequential processes.
electrochemical oxidation step combined with
Electrochemicals oxidation effectively removes
a membrane filtration. In this method, fibres
the colour of the wastewater while the
have been modified to increase the specific
membrane filter almost totally removes the TSS
membrane surface of Transfer-Flow Membrane
in it. This system will provide a more effective
(TFM) modules. In their study, performance of
method for recycling textile dyehouse
the arc-shaped TFM module has been
wastewater.
investigated to demonstrate these sequences of
electrochemical oxidation coupled with For more information, contact: Dr. Zhemin shen
membrane filtration processes. The results [email protected]
show clearly that fibres welded in an arc-shape
can enhance the mechanical properties of the Optimization and modeling of
fibres effectively and that electrochemical decolorization and COD reduction of
oxidation and membrane filtration as sequential reactive dye solutions by ultrasound-
processes are feasible. Electrochemical assisted adsorption
oxidation has a high removal of the chemical
oxygen demand (COD) of the wastewater
The treatment of wastewaters contained in
while the membrane filter can almost totally
dyestuffs is difficult and they require special
remove the total suspended solids (TSS) and
advanced treatment technologies. It is known
turbidity in it. After these two steps, all the
that adsorption is one of the methods commonly
wastewater indices decrease to low levels; in
and efficiently used for treatment of textile
particular, COD levels are reduced to 18.2 mg.l.
wastewaters. In this study, the removal of
The treated water can be reused in many
reactive dye rifacion yellow HE4R was studied
production areas of the textile dyehouse factory.
by using both ultrasound and combined
To take best advantage of this disposal system,
ultrasound/activated carbon. The effects of
the two processes should run in a rational
relevant parameters, namely; ultrasound power,
sequence, with membrane filtration following
temperature, time, activated carbon
the electrochemical oxidation process. With
concentration, dye concentration and initial pH
widely studied electrodes, this research offers
have been investigated on the decolorization and
a promising way for recycling textile
COD reduction by using the fractional factorial
wastewater.
design and the orthogonal central composite
The output of these investigations have shown
design. A model has been obtained among
that transfer-flow membrane modules with arc-
decolorization, COD reduction and relevant
shaped welded fibres can enhance the mecha-
parameters by means of variance analysis by

8 http://www.twc.nsf.ac.lk TECHWATCH LANKA

Technical textiles
using the matlab computer software, and the effective pipeline systems in chemical apparatus
obtained model was optimized. 80.62% construction with its typical range of
decolorization efficiency was accomplished by construction elements such as T-pipe pieces,
ultrasound. Afterwards, combined ultrasound/ angle pieces, reducing pieces or also pipe
activated carbon were applied to remove all dye pieces.
color and COD from synthetic textile
For more information:
wastewater. The efficiencies of decolorization
Journal of Materials Processing Technology
and COD reduction were accomplished at Volume 175, Issue 1-3, 1 June 2006
optimum conditions as 99.9% and 85.22%,
respectively.
Latest developments in stitching and
For more information:
braiding technologies for textile pre-
Chemical Engineering Journal
Volume 119, Issues 2-3 , 15 June 2006 forming

Over the past years big steps forward have been

Development of piping elements from
made in developing textile pre-forming
textile reinforced composite materials
for chemical apparatus construction technologies for cost effective manufacturing
of high performance composite parts. The
Advancing globalisation in apparatus and plant technology is more and more employed in
construction is leading to ever higher demands aerospace and automotive applications due to
being made as regards efficiency and its capabilities for automation, near net-shaping
performance on the many various components, and 3D reinforcement. Continuous
and in this respect on complex piping elements improvements are necessary to increase
in particular. These construction elements mechanical performances and the basic
usually need to resist not only the high internal understanding of material and structural
pressures and temperatures, but also the behavior. Some of the latest developments in
influence of aggressive media. Overcoming the the promising technology are in fields of single-
diverse technical demands connected with this side stitching, robot assisted braiding and
can often only be achieved by employing new embroidery based fibre placement. Examples
materials as well as by using corresponding are a new braiding process with advanced
construction techniques and manufacturing machine concept, optimised stitching heads for
technologies. Both a lightweight relevant as well single side stitching and advanced embroidery
as low cost alternative to conventional metals, techniques. All developments have shown a high
and the now well-established apparatus potential for reducing fibre damage and for
construction material of glass fibre-reinforced improving manufacturing speed and by this
plastics in wire-wrap technique, form the group optimised composite performance and
of novel textile composite materials, which apart affordability. Other examples of latest
from a very high design flexibility as regards developments are the pressure dome of the
shaping and the load-adapted reinforcing Airbus A380 and the energy absorbing
arrangement, specifically offer a considerable structures of the Mercedes super-sports-car.
cost-saving potential. This makes the plastic
For more information:
composite structures with requisite textile [email protected]
reinforcement, virtually predestined for cost-
AUGUST 2006. VOL. 6, NO.1 TEXTILE TECHNOLOGY 9
 Greater focus on eco-friendly textiles with flora and fauna. Teak is cultivated in many
countries such as Bengal, Assam, and in
Northern India. Teak grows on a great variety
The textile industry has to focus on the of soils, but requires perfect drainage, in dry
environmental factors in order to remain in the and hot situations. In the study, Teak leaves
competitive market. With the increased about to fall were plucked, shade dried and
awareness of the polluting nature of textile powdered. The silk was dyed with the teak
effluents, social pressures are mounting on leave extract. Fastness properties of dyed silk
textile processing units. Eco-friendly textile does were assessed.
not contain any hazardous or toxic substances
and are biologically degradable, so that they do For more information:
not cause any damage to the environment. A [email protected]
systematic scientific approach to achieve eco-
friendliness involves identifying and avoiding
harmful chemicals, minimizing the quantities of Textile chemicals for a cleaner world
restricted chemicals, and recycling wherever
possible. Some special processes have been A new approach to environmental acceptability
developed to reduce toxic releases of eco- is being pioneered by Crosfield Textile
friendly nature such as the enzyme technology, Chemicals (CTC), a firm based at Warrington.
foam technology, super critical carbon dioxide The CTC has launched an initial range of 12
dyeing, and the plasma technology. Application new wet processing auxiliaries, developed in line
of enzyme technology to textile represents a with a self-imposed Code of Practice that binds
more environmentally compatible process. CTC to use environment-friendly components
Foam technology is the eco-friendly process that wherever possible.
is being adopted by textile industry and is being
used in different areas like pre-treatments, According to senior executives of the CTC, the
dyeing, printing, and finishing. Plasma treatment first hurdle was to overcome the confusion
can be used for soil release and water-repellent surrounding the concept of ‘environmental
finishes in an eco-friendly manner. Plasma acceptability’. The different levels and
treatment does not involve handling of hazardous definitions of biodegradability, aquatic toxicity,
chemicals. and the profusion of test methods meant that
these terms were often misunderstood and
For more information: misused. CTC was trying to establish clearly
[email protected] defined guidelines for their claim of
‘environmental acceptability.’ Detailed and
painstaking research work has been carried out
Teak leave extract - a potential in establishing the Code of Practice by CTC.
eco-friendly dye According to CTC, it is essential to evaluate
Research have been carried out by a team of the raw material components of the chemical
researchers at Department of Textiles and products as well as test results on blends and
Clothing, University of Agricultural Sciences, mixtures.
India to investigate possibility of using Teak
Tightening environmental legislation will make
leave extract as a eco-friendly die. Pollution,
such products economical as well as ecological
ecology and environment are talked about both
necessity in the near future.
nationally and internationally. The increasing
awareness of these factors associated with
synthesis, processing and use of these dyes has For more information:
led to world wide interest in coloration of textile [email protected]

10 http://www.twc.nsf.ac.lk TECHWATCH LANKA

Future Trends

Asahi Kasei develops yellowing combines features such as exclusive pilecam

resistant spandex for fleece knitting, complete accessories for
single jersey conversion, and a motorized take-
Asahi Kasei Fibers Corporation has developed up system. Linker Co. of Korea manufactures
“Roica FW” as the seventh sub-brand yarn of computerized Links machine, meant for highly
its spandex yard. “Roica” “FW” stands for elaborate fabrics with the unique combination
“Fine white”. of special features. Hong Kong machinery
manufacturers have also introduced laser cutters
“Roica FW” extensively utilizing Asahi Kasei’s
and engravers for embroidery applications from
proprietary polymer design technology is the
next generation spandex with the function to Alpha Systems.
reduce yellowing of fabrics caused by various For more information:
polluting substances contained in air, water and Sona College of Technology, India
light. [email protected]
Textile products including conventional spandex
have the problem of fabrics discoloring to yellow Expect technical boost for knits
after being exposed to a different environment
from processing to manufacturing and from The importance of technical and medicinal
selling to consumption. textiles is expected to increase over the next
few years. The quantity of textiles used for these
“Roica FW” is capable of developing special
technical products is expected to rise to 23.6
functions to alleviate yellowing of spandex in
million tons by 2010, and the total value of
diversified surroundings. This new product can
contribute to an attractive appearance of finished products can reach $ 27 billion. Even
products and the improvement of quality. today, about one third of the total consumption
of textile raw materials is used to make these
For more information: technical products. Warp knitting plays the most
[email protected]
important role among knitted technical and
medical textiles, including Tricot, Raschel and
Shift in global focus to high-technology Crochet knitting. One major product of Raschel
knitting machinery systems machines is net which plays an important part
in therapy since it does not contain knots.
Knitting is one of the fastest growing sectors in
Modern nets can also be produced on the latest
the Indian and global textile industry and India
Raschel machines with extremely high
is confident of retaining its position in this sector
productivity and in very large widths. The
by keeping pace with high- technology knitting
application of circular weft-knitted fabrics for
machinery systems. The demand for advanced
technical purposes is also increasing, specially
textile machines has led to an increase in
due to the high productivity and pattern potential
expectations from Japan Intercultural Academy
of the machines. An emerging technology in flat
of Municipalities (JIAM), which has always
knitted technical textiles is the v-bed technology,
been a global launch pad for introducing new
which has the ability to produce fully fashioned
technology. There are a number of new knitting
pieces and three dimensional structures.
machines available from global manufacturers
with special technical features. Keum Sung, For more information:
[email protected]
Korea, has developed a knitting machine which

AUGUST 2006. VOL. 6, NO.1 TEXTILE TECHNOLOGY 11

 Nanotechnology - A boon to textile evolved version of its Microsand concept for
auxiliary manufactures dry sueding of woven fabrics by using Carbosint
diamond emery to give a sueding effect that is
Nanotechnology has made an impact in finishing very close to the results of sueding. The Xetma
industry in the form of high performance fibers Group, Germany has developed two new
and high performance textiles. It is being applied mechanical finishing machines that will cater
to natural fibers such as cotton, wool, and to new textiles based on its Multisystem
synthetics including nylon and polyesters. It equipment that gives the impression of a fabric
requires special type of machinery to convert surface of great density.
finishing agents into nano form and apply them
by the normal technique of padding. Nano Tex, For more information, contact:
Nano Care, Nano Pel, and Nano Touch are Mrs. Toolika Gupta
some of the performance nano finishing textiles E-mail: [email protected]
technologies developed all over the world.
Nisshinbo has incorporated silver particles in Booklets of advancements in the
minute nano size into the textile fiber through following areas published under
the use of latest nanotechnology. the “Techwatch Lanka” are also
Nanotechnology is also being widely used in available on request
other areas ranging from carbon nanotubes for
™ Biotechnology
computers to energy sector to medicine. ™ Aquaculture Technology
Scientists are trying to wrap nano particles in ™ Civil, Mechanical & Manufacturing
harmless coatings, so that they could be used Engineering Technology
to fight diseases or destroy cancerous cells. ™ Management of Technology
™ Food Science & Technology
For more information: ™ Information Technology
Colourage journal ™ Electronics & Telecommunication
Volume 53, Issue 1, January 2006 Technology
™ Rubber & Polymer Technology
™ Environmental Science & Technology
Latest development of surface finishing
machines Annual subscription fee of Rs.1000 will enable
you to recieve three issues of Techwatch Lanka
Many developments have taken place in the per year. Each issue contains four newsletters
area of mechanical finishing where innovations inclusive of your choice area (Textile
in surface effects are added to the value and Technollogy) plus Environmental science &
technology, Management of Technology and In-
product differentiation of textile products. The formation Technology per issue.
recent focus of these developments has been
on automation so that the fabric speed, drum For inquiries : Tel / Fax 011-2676766
speed, roller speed, and fabric tension at the E-mail : [email protected]
inlet and outlet are controlled by computer The TWC disseminates information on new tech-
softwares. Italian manufacturer Lafer has nologies with a view to upgrading the technology
developed a patented automatic minimum status of local industries. The TWC also provides
tension control system and a seam skipping suggestions, from the point of view of technol-
ogy management and will visit your factory with
system that detects and lifts the seam away the experts in the relevant field.
from the raising drums. It now offers a more

12 http://www.twc.nsf.ac.lk TECHWATCH LANKA