Itema to exhibit weaving innovations at ITMACH India

Gujarat is, in fact, one of the largest textile regions in India with several textile manufacturing companies and with the biggest cotton production in the country. From the weaving technology point of view, the Itema team will deeply illustrate to ITMACH visitors the latest novelties and advancements implemented by the company.

On the airjet weft insertion side – which is the most diffused weaving technology in the region – Itema launched its airjet model, the A9500-2, on the market during ITMA 2019 in Barcelona.

The A9500-2, the second generation of the Itema airjet A9500 and A9500p, sums up all the best features of its predecessors and further enhances machine performances, cost savings and textile efficiency.

The main machine innovations are: a) New and optimised pneumatic platform – the weft insertion cycle is significantly improved leading to a quicker system response when handling air load and pressure, thus guaranteeing minimised vibrations and higher structural reliability; b) Revised machine structure to increase the air tank capacity ensuring superior textile performances even at the highest speeds; c) The brand-new bi-power stretch nozzle which ensures perfect weft catching pick by pick, air consumption reduction and increased fabric quality by keeping the weft perfectly straight in the fabric; d) The brand-new heald frames Skyframe, an Itema exclusive proprietary technology made of aluminium and carbon and designed by Itemalab in cooperation with Lamiflex, thanks to the superior lightness and sturdiness, allows to run at the highest speeds without compromising reliability and resistance.

Gujarat Region is famous for the high concentration of denim weaving mills, and Itema provides specific and unique-in-the-industry features to weave denim on its airjet machine.

The popular recent trend to weave stretch and super stretch denim fabrics with dedicated weft yarns inspired Itema to create and patent the innovative BLC – Brush Lycra Clamp – nozzle to weave elastic weft yarns. Due to the BLC nozzle, the weft is held without movable parts to ensure superior fabric quality and reliability. The device is simple and yet ingenious: the BLC is fixed into the main nozzle performing the valuable task of keeping the elastic weft yarn avoiding defects due to the continuous air flow.

The Itema iReed - developed by Itema in cooperation with Schoch (an Itema Group company) – is considered as the benchmark by the industry and significantly reduces the air consumption whilst guaranteeing a higher efficient weft insertion. The new reed tunnel shape and new position of the relay nozzle, optimise the air flow in the reed channel for a higher efficiency weft insertion. The saving is also due to a reduced air pressure and the single hole relay nozzle, which, at the same time, greatly reduces the need for maintenance of the Itema airjet weaving machine.

The Itema A9500-2, featuring these advanced innovations, ensures the weaver the possibility to weave faster, producing better fabrics and with a smarter usage of resources.

On the rapier side, Itema is nowadays leading the denim market production on rapier weaving technology thanks to the prowess of its R9500-2denim. Unique in the industry, the R9500-2denim is equipped with: a) iSaver - the Itemalab mechatronic marvel which completely eliminates the weft and warp waste on the left-hand side of the fabric. iSaver establishes a new benchmark in sustainable weaving thanks to a reduction of raw material wastage and guaranteeing significant money saving; b) The denim-dedicated SK UltraLight Weft Transfer System ensures maximum textile efficiency and extended components lifetime; c) iBooster package is designed to literally boost the machine’s performances, without compromising reliability. When running extremely fast, key rapier insertion system components are subject to considerable stress. Thanks to a deep materials study made by Itemalab, in close cooperation with Lamiflex, Itema succeeded in developing new reinforced tapes, sprocket wheels and micro smart coolers to ensure extended lifetime. Moreover, a revolutionary detection system through sensors and digital intelligence allows a real-time control of the components health status.

Many more weaving solutions – both on airjet and rapier technology and covering the whole range of fabrics – will be deeply discussed by Itema’s team during the exhibition days.

Moreover, ITMACH will be the first formal platform to introduce to the Indian textile industry stakeholders the new partnership between Itema and Schoch, the leading producer of reeds and accessories for textile looms headquartered in Italy and in India, of which Itema recently acquired majority stakes.

Following the acquisition of majority stakes in Lamiflex completed in 2017 and the recent agreement reached with PTMT (ex Panter) finalised to the establishment of Itematech (Itema Technical Textiles Division), the agreement signed with Schoch group represents a further significant step for the synergic development of key weaving machine’s accessories as well as a remarkable reinforcement of Schoch commercial network.

India represents one of the most interesting textile industries in the world, featuring numerous textile districts throughout the country and producing a wide range of woven fabrics. Over the years, the evolution of Indian weaving mills has been remarkable, due to the increasing introduction of the most modern and advanced weaving machinery and the ability to produce ever-more sophisticated fabrics, including technical textiles.

Itema is a trusted partner of many Indian weaving mills, from large textile conglomerates to smaller textile manufacturers, providing the most advanced and user-friendly weaving technology and real-time assistance, from the initial negotiation stage and throughout the whole machine life cycle.

Itema is present in India with a fully-operational branch since 2002, counting more than 50 employees, with sales and after-sales teams, technical support and advanced repair centres in Mumbai, Coimbatore, New Dehli and Ichalkaranji to ensure the highest possible standard of weaving solutions, with a complete offering and range of services to its valuable customers in the Indian market.

Itema is the only manufacturer in the world to provide the top three weft insertion technologies: rapier, airjet and projectile, with an ample product portfolio and a commitment to continuous innovation and technological advancement of its weaving machines.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (PC)