[pageLogInLogOut]

#JEC WORLD 2022

ITA demonstrates live robotic draping of reinforcement textiles at JEC World 2022 in Paris

Human and robot jointly drape reinforcement textiles Copyright: © ITA
The ITA Institut für Textiltechnik of RWTH Aachen University will present a collaborative robot (cobot) including tools for semi-automated draping of reinforcement textiles at JEC World 2022 in Paris. The cobot is used without additional safety measures such as protective fences or light barriers thanks to integrated sensor technology. It can thus collaborate directly with humans.

Added value through joint draping of humans and robots

ITA has developed tools that allow joint draping of textiles by humans and cobots. In addition to increasing draping quality and reproducibility, the focus in development was on occupational safety.

Other advantages of this new type of robot-assisted draping are that cobots are inexpensive to procure and easy to program. This results in great flexibility in manufacturing and the possibility to produce small to medium quantities in an automated way.

How can these advantages be exploited in the production of fibre composite components? This is what ITA is investigating, for example in the handling, draping and joining of the sensitive, limp textile material. At the JEC, visitors will have the chance to interact live with the cobot and experience collaborative draping first hand. Please contact Hannah.Dammers@ita.rwth-aachen.de for further information.

Test a live cobot interaction at our booth in hall 6 booth S50 (AZL joint booth) and experience collaborative draping first hand!


Demonstrator for mobile hydrogen storage

Another ITA exhibit is a demonstrator for mobile hydrogen storage in the form of a Type-4 pressure vessel made of fibre-reinforced composites (FRP). It is based on a specially developed liner concept and was manufactured using the multi-filament winding process with towpregs. The exhibit is additionally equipped with fibre optic sensors for strain and temperature monitoring. This enables condition monitoring through structural health monitoring. Please contact Oscar.Bareiro@ita.rwth-aachen.de for further information.

Background

ITA will be demonstrating its expertise in the field of composite materials at the joint stand of the Aachen Center for Lightweight Construction (AZL) in Hall 6, Stand S50. It will present innovations and research priorities in the production of reinforcing fibres, the textile processing of such high-modulus fibres and the impregnation of high-performance modulus fibres with thermoset as well as thermoplastic matrix systems. The ITA will show the entire process chain, from fibre production and processing to the finished component, and will thus be able to present and discuss promising innovations at all levels. It illuminates the issues of composite production and processing from the textile side. The institute's expertise lies in the characteristics of reinforcement and matrix materials, load-oriented textile processing and the manufacture of components made of continuous fibre-reinforced plastics.

The Aachen Center for Lightweight Construction (AZL) as a superordinate partner as well as the partner institutes and companies at the booth cover further topics of FRPs. These are, for example, the load-compliant design of components, plastics-side processing, and extensive testing of components.




More News from Institut für Textiltechnik of RWTH Aachen University (ITA)

#Research & Development

Pellet press enables thermomechanical textile recycling on a pilot scale at ITA

Since the end of 2025, the technical centre of the Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University has been equipped with a pellet press from the manufacturer Amandus Kahl GmbH & Co. KG, Reinbek, Germany. This press can efficiently compact shredded synthetic textiles at a throughput of up to 25 kg/h and process them into pellets with a diameter of 4 mm.

#Research & Development

Solid Air Dynamics wins second place at RWTH Innovation Award

On 30 January, RWTH spin-off Solid Air Dynamics was awarded second place in the RWTH Innovation Awards for its research in the field of aerogel fibres. Manufactured from renewable raw materials, aerogel fibres offer outstanding thermal insulation, are extremely lightweight and completely biodegradable, and can consist of over 90 per cent air.

#Research & Development

Award-winning research for sustainable carbon fibre cycles

Sustainable recycling of carbon fibres is possible through targeted electrochemical surface modification, which makes the sizing of carbon fibres resistant to solvolysis. ITA PhD student Sabina Dann was awarded the MSW Award from RWTH Aachen University for her master's thesis on this development. The award ceremony took place on 12 November 2025 in Aachen.

#Research & Development

Kick-off for the Textile Production of the Future: Establishment of a Textile Technology and Development Centre in Mönchengladbach, Germany

The Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University, together with its partners, is pleased to announce that it has received approval for its joint initiative, ‘Textile Factory 7.0’. The goal of the project is the establishment of a technology and development centre for the textile industry in Mönchengladbach.

More News on JEC WORLD 2022

Latest News

#Associations

European Business Coalition welcomes provisional application of EU–Mercosur Agreement and calls for Swift and full implementation

With the European Commission’s decision to provisionally apply the EU–Mercosur Interim Trade Agreement, a process spanning more than 25 years now moves decisively into its implementation phase.

#Recycled_Fibers

Selenis to double capacity in Portugal by Q3 2027 - Accelerating the Global transition to circular and low-carbon polyesters

Selenis, a global leader in high-performance specialty polyesters and part of the IMG Group, has announced a transformational expansion of its industrial headquarters in Portalegre, Portugal. This strategic investment is set to double the site’s production capacity by the third quarter of 2027, significantly accelerating the industrial scale-up of bio-based, medical-grade, and circular co-polyesters.

#Technical Textiles

Independent testing confirms no detectable PFAS in Milliken firefighter turnout gear fabrics

Independent laboratory testing has confirmed that Milliken fabrics used in the manufacturing of firefighter turnout gear contain no detectable PFAS, based on third-party analysis conducted by Forever Analytical, an independent laboratory specializing in screening products and environmental samples for the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

#Home Textiles

Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles returns in August as global sourcing hub and trend barometer for home textiles industry

Following the conclusion of Heimtextil last month, the flagship fair in Messe Frankfurt’s global home and contract textiles portfolio, Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Autumn Edition will return 18 – 20 August 2026 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). Building on the momentum generated in Frankfurt, the Shanghai fair will reinforce its position as the foremost home and contract textile platform in Asia – successfully bridging the gap between East and West, and connecting global product trends, supply-chain shifts, and buyer demand in one marketplace.

TOP