#Dyeing, Drying, Finishing

2021-11-25

The new and smart way of weft-straightening | PLEVA SL smart

A high quality fabric is an essential requirement for any finisher who intends to ensure a consistency in quality and resource-efficiency. A particularly important quality criterion in this respect is fabric with straight weft and course. In order to achieve this in an optimum manner, the automatic straightening machine StraightLiner SL smart by PLEVA offers an extremely high level of efficiency which makes it possible to correct distortions over the shortest length of fabric.

Overview of key features

The straightening machine SL smart is designed particularly for knitted and light woven fabrics with a plurality of new design solutions. SL smart is customizable to directly fit the individual customer needs and all at the most efficient cost. According to PLEVAs many years of expertise in the textile industry, the focus of the product is on individual processes and fabrics with their specific needs. To optimally address these needs of the respective applications, several options for customization like fully-integrated accessories for tension-sensitive fabrics, Industry 4.0 applications and more are possible.

The heart of the SL smart system is the well-established advanced traversing camera technology which is unique in weft-straightening. The universal high-resolution camera captures up to 20 measuring points per meter of fabric width. Advanced evaluation algorithms ensure an ultra-precise distortion analysis which enable perfect straightening results in a blink of time.

To get the most out of the ultra-precise distortion detection, PLEVA also offers an innovative solution for the positioning drives. This enables customers to get perfectly straight results out of the fabrics.

To further enhance the production process, a new customizable user-interface was designed. It displays all important information at one glance, so customers can work more efficiently and stress free.

Meet the highest standards of sustainability and efficiency

Nowadays, products have to meet economical as well as ecological standards. Thus, the new PLEVA weft-straightener SL smart not only helps customers to get the best quality out of their goods, but also improves the sustainability of production.

Due to the first-time-right-principle, the customer only has to go one round through the production line with the fabric and produces directly the aimed result. This saves energy and valuable resources. In addition, due to the higher quality of the goods, there are no more costly readjustments or wasted fabrics and complaints can be reduced drastically. This is not only good for textile producers and customers, but also for the environment.

Finally, a modular control system (PLEVATEC smart) can be directly integrated into the machine. This allows to measure, control, visualize, and protocol the critical parameters of the specific process, for instance:

- Exhaust humidity (FSX)

- Fabric temperature (TDS)

- Pick/course density (CAM)

- Residual moisture (RR)

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

SETEX turns dyeing and finishing data into daily production control

At ITM 2026, SETEX will show how textile mills can use machine, recipe, quality and energy data for more reliable daily production decisions — not as another reporting layer, but as part of the running dyeing and finishing process. With OrgaTEX X3 MES, E390x/C390x controllers, CamCOUNT and FabricInspector Portable, SETEX connects planning, machine execution and fabric-related quality insight within existing mill structures.

Tradition and Innovation – Phoenox Textiles Ltd. relies on state-of-the-art carpet back-coating line from Brückner

For more than 70 years, Phoenox Textiles Ltd. has been synonymous with quality, reliability, and inno-vation in the textile industry. Founded in 1954 in Huddersfield (Yorkshire, UK), a region with a long tradition in textiles, this family-owned business has continued to evolve without losing sight of its roots. Today, in its fourth generation under the leadership of the Mosley family, Phoenox successfully combines decades of experience with a clear, forward-looking corporate strategy.

Monforts sees growing potential for technical textiles in Türkiye

For many years now, Türkiye has been one of the most important markets for textile finishing, coating and continuous dyeing equipment, making ITM 2026 from June 9-13 a key event for Germany’s Monforts. At the Istanbul exhibition at stand 1117D in Hall 11, the company will put the emphasis on its machines which continue to lead the field in conventional dyeing and finishing, and also highlight the strong opportunities for Turkish textile manufacturers in the growing field of technical textiles.

The future of textiles, the power of trade, and the summit of technology come together at ITM 2026

ITM 2026 International Textile Machinery Exhibition, one of the most prestigious organizations in the textile technologies sector, opens its doors to visitors between June 9-13. Expected to break records in terms of both exhibitor and visitor numbers, as well as the technological vision it presents, ITM 2026 will transform into a global trade hub with machine sales, and new business collaborations.

ATCO Hygienics, Uzbekistan, orders baby diaper production line from ANDRITZ

International technology group ANDRITZ has received an order from ATCO Hygienics to supply a new baby diaper production line for its plant in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The order is included in ANDRITZ’s order intake for the first quarter of 2026. Commissioning of the production line is scheduled for the end of 2026.

Nico Pedretti appointed as Managing Director Graf Group

As of June 1, 2026, Nico Pedretti has assumed the role of Managing Director Graf Group. With more than 20 years of international industrial experience and extensive expertise in Operations, Supply Chain Management, Finance and Controlling, he brings a broad range of leadership and business experience to support Graf’s continued success.