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Technologies meet demand for digitally printed fabric products

As the digital fabric printing industry matures, the machines are faster, the inks are more vibrant, and the most important color in the spectrum is green. By Janice Kleinschmidt The marketing phrase “new and improved” has been slapped on every kind of product at one time or another, with—on occasion—dubious results. Sometimes “improvements” are merely [...]

By |2009-01-01T00:00:00-06:00January 1, 2009|

Narrow fabrics manufacturers use technology to innovate

The future is high-tech if you’re planning to stay ahead of the game. By Jamie Swedberg There’s nothing particularly predator-like about narrow fabrics designers and manufacturers. By and large, they’re helpful folks, always working with their clients to create webbings and ropes with the perfect color, thickness, width and performance characteristics. But they’re still a [...]

By |2008-12-01T00:00:00-06:00December 1, 2008|

Nanotechnology provides more function with less space

By Barbara Ernster Nanotechnology, the engineering of functional systems at the molecular level, is all about getting more function on less space. Next-generation nano materials have already hit the textile market in the form of nano-enhanced fabrics with antimicrobial properties able to kill germs, viruses and “superbugs” that come into contact with the surface of [...]

By |2008-10-01T00:00:00-05:00October 1, 2008|

Digital printing offers diverse opportunities for awning makers

Awning makers use digital printers to adapt to changing industry By Janice Kleinschmidt In the natural world, the strength of a species lies in its diversity. In the business world, the strength of a company lies in its ability to serve customers. Like living organisms, diverse companies adapt to a changing environment in order to [...]

By |2008-09-01T00:00:00-05:00September 1, 2008|

Modern technology helps small fabricator shops

When you walk the aisles of a trade show, it’s hard not to be dazzled by all the newest high-end equipment. There are systems available with truly remarkable capabilities: high-ply CAD-driven cutters with vacuum compression tables; room-sized fabric welders; vision-guided robotic sewing machines. But these devices seem to be far removed from the day-to-day reality [...]

By |2008-08-01T00:00:00-05:00August 1, 2008|

Technology gives fabrics the power to act and react

Adapting shoes to weather conditions Special superabsorbing fleece from BASF inside the new innovative ventilation element Vayu Verde makes it possible to adapt shoes to different weather conditions. Photo: IQTEX. Wet feet? Never again. German companies IQTEX and BASF have jointly developed a unique, intelligent system that adapts shoes to suit weather conditions. [...]

By |2008-07-01T00:00:00-05:00July 1, 2008|

Chism uses technology to improve business

Photo: Mark Greenberg “You’re only as fast as your slowest person or procedure,” says Roy Chism, president of The Chism Co. Inc. in San Antonio, Texas, who doesn’t seem to have a “slow” speed in his process improvement strategies. Since 1988 when he purchased an automated plotter cutter with the serial number “007,” [...]

By |2008-07-01T00:00:00-05:00July 1, 2008|

Molecular manipulation to change the textile industry

Would you like to have shirts that don’t get dirty? What if the milk that spilled in your minivan never smelled? Wouldn’t it be convenient if the seats in your boat couldn’t mildew? And imagine the value of a surgical mask that actually kills germs, rather than simply preventing them from being inhaled. As futuristic [...]

By |2008-07-01T00:00:00-05:00July 1, 2008|

Marine shops sail with CAD systems

Speed. Accuracy. Replication. This is what you hear when you talk to marine fabricators about CAD (Computer-Aided Design) systems. The time from concept to finished product is faster than ever before. Modification is minimal, if not completely eliminated. Fit is perfect the first time, repeating a product requires little or no preparation, and there is [...]

By |2008-05-01T00:00:00-05:00May 1, 2008|

Flame-resistant fabrics: Examine your options

Offer better customer service with information on the latest in FR qualities and regulations. By Holly O’Dell In many environments today, fire retardancy and flame resistance (FR) qualities are required for fabrics; in other cases, it is a desirable quality, at the least. For commercial and hospitality applications—for example, an awning used on an office [...]

By |1970-01-01T00:00:00-06:00January 1, 1970|
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