Developed from an existing conventional mechanics, a 3D braiding machine was digitised and rebuilt according to industry 4.0 standard. This enables the prototyping and production of three-dimensionally reinforced ceramic components. As a virtual micro factory, the processing of very sensitive or brittle fibre materials can be simulated in an appropriate software environment. Subsequently, the process data is generated and the production is mapped in the real machine, said a press release from ITA.

The process stability is thus almost doubled, the machine speed could be increased by 150 per cent. The location-independent simulation and control software (open source) allows extremely flexible process planning and control of the process chain with a mobile terminal – in its application for the production of a textile preform for a ceramic component in turbine construction.

The exhibit on one hand will demonstrate the successful digital retro-fitting of analogous machines and on the other hand the holistic (virtual and real) process design for the processing of sensitive fibre materials, which are used in highly efficient energy conversion as lightweight construction materials.

Training and qualification of new and existing employees are important prerequisites for a company’s success, especially for machine and textile manufacturers. The ITA has developed a learning environment based on a 3D model of a wide loom using mixed-reality technology.

The 3D model of a wide loom is presented to the employee in the room for illustration using mixed-reality technology. Mixed reality glasses transfer step-by-step work instructions for setting up the machine to real machine components. Now the employee can interactively correct a process error that led to a machine standstill on the 3D model without any further assistance being required.

A new feature of the model is the interaction of real and virtual machine parts within an application using mixed-reality technology. The target groups for this learning environment are in particular textile and textile machine manufacturers as well as textile training institutions. (PC)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India