Germany's PLEVA to display textile tech range at ITMA 2023

The new, advanced process control system Plevatec Pro allows an integration of a huge variety of process critical data with all information at one glance and optimal controls. It is designed to enhance and simplify operation even at complex production lines with different modules. Hereby, tolerances can be set as well as parameters saved and loaded within the integrated recipe management system. The customisable system provides solutions to a huge range of processes, e.g. a production line with foulard, coating, and stenter frame, PLEVA said in a press release.

Generally, it’s possible to integrate a variety of PLEVA devices to enhance the overall efficiency and quality of the process. These include the Exhaust Humidity FSX, which contributes to significant energy savings. The Fabric/Air Temperature TDS is designed for transparent drying and heat-treatment processes. Residual Moisture devices RR, RF/AF are utilised to improve fabric quality and efficiency. Moreover, the Application Moisture/Coating AF/MP is integrated for the savings of valuable chemicals. Finally, the Pick/Course Density CAM is incorporated for ensuring high-quality fabric.

Through the continuous process monitoring and control of the parameters, a significant optimisation of even very complex production processes is possible. And by having more stable processes, a constant, high quality of the goods is ensured. This means that there are no expensive adjustments or second-choice goods, which saves valuable resources.

The SL Smart is designed for knitted and woven fabrics with a plurality of solutions customisable to fit the individual customer needs. It includes options like fully integrated accessories for tension-sensitive fabrics, Industry 4.0 applications, and more. The heart of the SL Smart is the well-established traversing camera technology which is unique in weft-straightening.

The high-resolution camera captures more than 20 measuring points per metre of fabric width. This gives a complete overview of the fabric instead of few fixed positions. Finally, advanced evaluation algorithms ensure an ultra-precise distortion analysis which enable perfect straightening results quickly. With the weft-straightener SL Smart, only one round through the production line with the respective fabric is needed and the aimed result is directly produced. This, of course, also saves energy and enhances the production efficiency directly from the beginning.

For the assessment of quality parameters but also weft-straightening, precise detection and advanced image processing is the most important aspect. The brand-new CAM series 400 offers cutting-edge technology with many novelties for best results. Completely new lighting with increased brightness and special lighting possibilities allow detection of all kinds of fabric independent from density or colour.

This in combination with a four times higher calculation power, higher resolution with five-times more pixels, and revised algorithms for calculation of distortion and pick/course density makes it the leading technology in the area. On top, it is also designed as a retrofit for existing PLEVA systems with easy connectors and is fitted for even the harshest conditions thanks to an improved housing design.

Sizing is the crucial preparation for weaving and high-quality yarn. Therefore, sizing agents are applied with a squeezing unit to the warps. To be on the safe side, often 10-25 per cent more sizing is applied than required. This implies disadvantages like higher use of expensive sizing agents, more wastewater, unstable yarn quality, lower weaving efficiency, etc. To eliminate those disadvantages, measurement and control are needed.

The AS 120 measures the size add-on after the size box constantly. It includes a newly designed special construction with integrated protection against steam vapours and high temperatures as well as a faster, even more precise electronic. This enables reliable, continuous monitoring and control. As a result, 1.5–4 per cent higher weaving efficiency is easily possible and at the same time production gets greener.

Besides these new developments, PLEVA will also offer special versions of sensors for specific demands such as the TDS sensor for fabric and air temperature fitted for EX-zones, state-of-the-art interfaces like Profinet, and the PLEVA Remote Service for even faster support of production, added the release.

“ITMA is the place to be for textile production. Here you can see the technology of tomorrow and what possibilities there are to make processes more cost-effective, sustainable, transparent, and above all more efficient—which is nowadays more important than ever,” stated Dr. Ralf Pleva, managing director. “And that is exactly our claim. We enable textile producers to save large amounts of energy, improve product quality, and make even complex processes more traceable and reproducible by using high-end sensors and controls with the latest technology. In other words, we are unlocking the gateway to tomorrow’s production.”

PLEVA will be presenting all of its product highlights live in hall 11, booth A101 at ITMA 2023.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (NB)