TMAS members to showcase new developments at ITMA Asia + CITME 2024 in Singapore
The Swedish Textile Machinery Manufacturers Association (TMAS) will be exhibiting a range of exciting new developments at the upcoming ITMA Asia + CITME textile machinery exhibition in Singapore, scheduled for October 28-31, 2024. With a focus on sensor-based automation and resource efficiency, the latest technologies aim to enhance production processes while reducing reliance on manual tasks.
Accelerating Automation and Digitalization
According to Therese Premler-Andersson, the Secretary General of TMAS, “The push for automation, AI-driven production, and digitalization continues to accelerate as manufacturers seek to improve efficiency and reduce dependency on repetitive tasks for operatives.” This drive for smarter production systems is facilitating real-time quality monitoring and predictive maintenance, ultimately leading to more sustainable manufacturing practices.
Many TMAS members are already leveraging these advanced technologies to help customers reduce downtime, improve productivity, and meet environmental goals.
ACG Kinna Automatic’s Robotic Lines for Home Furnishings
ACG Kinna Automatic, located at Hall 6, Stand D106, will highlight its complete robotic lines designed for the home furnishings sector, specifically the production of pillows and duvets. These automated systems handle every step of the process—from filling material handling and fabric feeding to sewing, quality control, and packing. What was once considered an exciting possibility is now essential to stay competitive in the fast-moving textile industry.
Tomas Aspenskog, ACG Kinna’s Marketing and Sales Manager, explains, “Automation has become a must for a number of reasons. Product traceability, flexibility, local production, and new trade regulations are now driving the market.” ACG Kinna’s modular solutions allow for increased flexibility and faster adaptation to new demands, saving resources and boosting overall productivity.
In Singapore, ACG Kinna will also introduce the Hector industrial sewing machine. Designed for heavy-duty circular and point stitching of filled textile components, it is already used by major retailers such as IKEA and JYSK. The machine’s adjustable sewing arm accommodates thicker items, and it comes in three versions with varying arm lengths of 60, 100, and 120 centimeters.
Eltex’s EyETM System for Real-Time Tension Monitoring
Eltex, at Hall 2, Stand C203, will showcase its EyETM tension monitoring system, which has made a significant leap forward with the addition of electromagnetic brakes and advanced sensors. This system allows for real-time, automatic adjustments to tension variations in heat setting, tufting, warping, and winding sectors, which were previously made manually. The company’s ACT-R unit also reduces selvedge yarn waste in rapier weaving machines, improving quality and consistency while minimizing waste.
Michél Gamhov, Eltex’s Sales Engineer, highlights, “We’ve achieved fantastic results for weavers working with recycled yarns who have been amazed by the consistent quality and uninterrupted production.” The integration of these sensor-based systems is helping textile manufacturers reduce material waste, lower labor costs, and improve overall production efficiency.
Svegea’s High-Speed Collarette Machines for Tubular Components
Svegea, located at Hall 6, Stand D109, will demonstrate its EC 50 and EC 200 collarette machines, which are essential for high-speed production of tubular apparel components like cuffs, collars, and neck tapes. The company’s machines are known for their durability, energy efficiency, and user-friendly automation. Håkan Steene, Svegea’s Managing Director, points out that “Our customers in Asia are increasingly looking to automation to improve efficiency and achieve cost savings.”
Svegea’s versatile machines can adapt to a wide range of customer needs, offering high performance and energy savings with minimal waste.
Vandewiele’s Advanced Weaving Control
Vandewiele Sweden AB (Hall 2, Stand D301e) will present its X4 yarn feeders, which are designed for weft yarn feeding and tension control in weaving looms. These feeders are available in three versions, offering integrated tension display, active tension control, and quick-release features for seamless transitions between machines. The X4 feeders are an essential part of Vandewiele’s advanced weaving control systems, ensuring precise and efficient yarn management.
Tobias Sternfeldt, Division Manager at Vandewiele, emphasizes the company’s ability to offer bespoke customer solutions, saying, “Our size and flexibility mean that we can provide tailored solutions that many larger manufacturers find difficult to match.”
BW Converting’s Texcoat G4 Spray Technology
BW Converting (Hall 8, Stand B201) will unveil an exciting development in its Texcoat G4 finishing system. The automated spray technology, developed from the company’s offset printing business, has gained significant traction in the textile industry. While the company initially focused on Europe and the USA, it has seen growing demand in Asia, with 35 units sold in the past two years.
Rick Stanford, BW Converting’s Vice President of Global Business Development for Textiles, shares, “In the past two years, we have been very active in Asia. Many of our customers have been asking for technologies in related areas, and we’ll be saying more about this soon.”
A Platform for Innovation
ITMA Asia + CITME 2024 will serve as a platform for the latest developments in textile machinery, where TMAS members will continue to lead the way in automating production processes, reducing waste, and enabling more sustainable and efficient operations. From robotic lines for home furnishings to advanced tension monitoring systems, these innovations are shaping the future of the textile industry by providing manufacturers with the tools they need to thrive in a competitive market.
As the demand for automation and efficiency in textile production grows, these technologies will play a critical role in helping manufacturers meet new challenges and stay ahead of the curve.
