Volume 12 (2012): Issue 2 (June 2012)

Investigations (calculations) based on a warp yarn tension analysis on a warp knitting machine with multiaxialweft yarn insertion allow prospective reduced yarn tension differences in technical warp knits. From this a futureopportunity is provided to substitute the subjective warp let-off adjustment by a model of tension control. Theoutcome of this is a higher reproducibility with associated increasing process reliability and rising productquality.

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

This paper focuses on the evaluation of thread interlacing and its influence on some of the end-use properties ofwoven fabric, especially its influence fabric thickness and roughness. Weaves and their interlacing structuralmodels, different thread positions in the fabric, and thread compression in thread interlacing are important notonly for final design but for final fabric properties. From the weave viewpoint, it is necessary to distinguish thespecific interlacing in the longitudinal and in the transverse section as well as the dimension and design of thebinding repeat.

This paper is a direct follow-up of the paper [1] describing in detail the VibTex equipment, which facilitates testingof textiles in a wide range of frequencies of their extension, as well as the determination of correspondingdynamic modules and loss angles. This equipment has been employed for testing polyester yarns of concordantfineness manufactured on ring and rotor spinning frames. At the same time, the material concerned has beensubjected to a standard strength test. Therefore, the results of experimental measuring published in this paperallow us to assess the effect of the chosen spinning technology upon the mechanical properties of polyesteryarns both at their static and dynamic loading. The introductory section of the paper contains a theoreticalanalysis of the effect of the chosen manner of spinning upon the mechanical characteristics of yarns. Theexperimental section indicates the results of measurements at static and dynamic loading, and the final sectionof the paper confronts the obtained pieces of knowledge with theory. This paper is part of a larger group ofpublications 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 complexcurved parts are to be designed, the question of the drapability of the reinforcing materials arises. Differentprocess parameters can be modified in the production of the reinforcing textiles which strongly influence thehandling and the draping behaviour. To be able to choose a textile structure in the design stage which fulfils therequirements concerning drapability, a new test method was developed. This article describes this test methodand 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 inkcontaining silver nanoparticles was used in this study. Glass fibre fabrics were differently pre-treated to avoidspontaneous 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 theresults of topographic characterization and wettability measurements.

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