Volume 12, Issue 2

Investigations (calculations) based on a warp yarn tension analysis on a warp knitting machine with multiaxial weft yarn insertion allow prospective reduced yarn tension differences in technical warp knits. From this a future opportunity is provided to substitute the subjective warp let-off adjustment by a model of tension control. The outcome of this is a higher reproducibility with associated increasing process reliability and rising product quality.

We report on a particular direction of currently conducted extended research on novel textiles with integrated thin metallic filaments made of an intermetallic shape memory NiTi alloy exhibiting functional behaviour such as superelastic deformation up to 10% and a thermally induced shape memory effect. Within this research direction we focus on development of single and multi-layered warp-knitted fabrics that are directionally reinforced with superelastic NiTi filaments. First, we describe the expected properties of such novel structures and their potential applications. Second, we present the functional thermomechanical behaviour of applied superelastic NiTi filaments. Third, we address questions related to the design and fabrication of warp-knitted fabrics with integrated NiTi filaments. Then, we describe experimental methods applied on novel functional textiles in order to evaluate their functional properties. Finally, we present and discuss results of experiments carried out on these novel functional textiles.

This paper focuses on the evaluation of thread interlacing and its influence on some of the end-use properties of woven fabric, especially its influence fabric thickness and roughness. Weaves and their interlacing structural models, different thread positions in the fabric, and thread compression in thread interlacing are important not only for final design but for final fabric properties. From the weave viewpoint, it is necessary to distinguish the specific interlacing in the longitudinal and in the transverse section as well as the dimension and design of the binding repeat.

This paper is a direct follow-up of the paper [1] describing in detail the VibTex equipment, which facilitates testing of textiles in a wide range of frequencies of their extension, as well as the determination of corresponding dynamic modules and loss angles. This equipment has been employed for testing polyester yarns of concordant fineness manufactured on ring and rotor spinning frames. At the same time, the material concerned has been subjected to a standard strength test. Therefore, the results of experimental measuring published in this paper allow us to assess the effect of the chosen spinning technology upon the mechanical properties of polyester yarns both at their static and dynamic loading. The introductory section of the paper contains a theoretical analysis of the effect of the chosen manner of spinning upon the mechanical characteristics of yarns. The experimental section indicates the results of measurements at static and dynamic loading, and the final section of the paper confronts the obtained pieces of knowledge with theory. This paper is part of a larger group of publications concerned with the behaviour of various linear textiles when exposed to dynamic loading (see [1], [2], [4], [5], [6]).

Textile reinforced concrete (TRC) is an eco-friendly material with a high freedom in design. As soon as complex curved parts are to be designed, the question of the drapability of the reinforcing materials arises. Different process parameters can be modified in the production of the reinforcing textiles which strongly influence the handling and the draping behaviour. To be able to choose a textile structure in the design stage which fulfils the requirements concerning drapability, a new test method was developed. This article describes this test method and shows results of a test series on different textile structures, including a brief discussion of the results. Finally, a transfer to a sample geometry is shown.

Micro-sized lines were inkjet printed on glass fibre fabrics using different droplet spacing. A conductive ink containing silver nanoparticles was used in this study. Glass fibre fabrics were differently pre-treated to avoid spontaneous spreading of the ink dispersion. The sample topography was examined using scanning electron, optical and confocal microscopy with a chromatic sensor. Printability conditions were discussed based on the results of topographic characterization and wettability measurements.

Key Performance Indicators help an organisation to improve productivity and to evaluate its success. Improved productivity is an essential part of increasing the value-added services that companies can offer to clients and hence their competitiveness. By using Key Performance Indicators, a company can establish baseline figures against a number of important areas. They can be considered like a health check on a company or a diagnosis of where a company can improve its performance. The definition of what they are and how they are measured does not change often, but Key Performance Indicators may change as the organisation's goals change. In this paper we present and discuss the way to establish Key Performance Indicators to evaluate the production effectiveness of garment companies. The KPIs are being tested in several garment companies in Albania and actually implemented in 25 companies.