Kasen Nozzle Introducing Original Cross Sections of Conjugate Fibers and Spinnerets for Hollow Fiber Membranes
Kasen Nozzle Mfg. Co. Ltd. specializes in the manufacturing of spinnerets for producing synthetic fibers and nonwovens, such as spunbonded and meltblown fabrics. Since its founding in 1948, the company has been manufacturing spinnerets with proprietary technology and supplying the spinnerets to manufacturers of synthetic fibers and nonwovens around the world. It also responds to customer needs that are requiring even higher precision and shorter delivery time year by year. In addition to fibers and nonwovens, the company manufactures and sells various parts, mainly nozzles and molds, for the sectors of membranes, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, medical care and plastic molding.
For more than 70 years, Kasen Nozzle has been supplying various types of spinnerets, such as those for wet, dry and melt-spinning systems, to customers around the world, including synthetic fiber producers and manufacturers of synthetic fiber production equipment. Furthermore, the company has a reputation for its high-precision processing technology, mainly machining. Combining the design know-how accumulated over many years, it is expanding into new fields other than textiles and nonwovens.
At ITMA ASIA+CITME, Kasen Nozzle is introducing various cross-sections of conjugate fibers, which were originally developed in-house using the company’s testing equipment. The company is also presenting spinnerets to produce hollow fibers for filtration membranes, which are used in various applications, such as artificial dialysis, blood purification, gas separation, and water treatment. In addition, some of the company’s main products are presented on display panels.
In its introduction of the cross sections of conjugate fibers, Kasen Nozzle explains how the use of special spinnerets manufactured by the company can reproduce highly modified complex cross-sectional shapes. The company is also promoting that with the use of different types of polymers, the fibers can be used in various applications.
Leveraging its high-precision processing technology, the spinnerets for hollow fiber membranes are characterized not only by the precision of individual parts, but also by the high assembly precision (concentricity) of the core and sheath parts. Verification is also possible with the company’s in-house testing equipment that uses the NIPS (Non-solvent Induced Phase Separation) method.
As for the company’s sales in 2023, orders for spinnerets for conjugate fibers have been sluggish, while demand has been growing for new development projects. Kasen Nozzle is involved in all stages from designing the spinnerets and packs to providing samples, and will continue to do so in the future as it moves forward with new product developments. The company is also endeavoring to develop new fields, leveraging its strength in precision processing technology and the know-how it has accumulated over many years.
In addition to manufacturing in Japan, spinnerets are produced at P.T. Kasen Indonesia, its Indonesian subsidiary established in 1996. In China, the company opened its Shanghai Office in 2004.
Yuasa Yarn Guide New Metal Twist Stop Wheel and Insertable Oiling Guide on Exhibit
Yuasa Yarn Guide Engineering Co., Ltd. specializes in the manufacturing of yarn guides. As machines are operating faster and yarns are becoming more diversified, the level of requirements for yarn guides and tension devices are also becoming higher. An increasing number of users are ensuring quality stability by regularly replacing yarn guides and implementing equipment management methods. In order to meet the various needs, Yuasa Yarn Guide is developing new products, as well as proposing the most suitable yarn guides and tension devices by conducting evaluation tests on yarns provided by customers.
At ITMA ASIA+CITME, Ningbo Yuasa Yarn Guide Textile Chemical Fiber Technology Co., Ltd., the general sales agent in China, is participating, presenting mainly products for spinning, winding and yarn processing. Japanese staffers are also on hand during the exhibition.
The twist stop wheel is a type made of metal. It is approximately 20% lighter than conventional products, and starting torque and rotation torque are reduced. Additionally, it lasts longer as the yarn contact diameter is increased by about 8%. Corrosion resistance has also been improved by changing the material to stainless steel. The most suitable surface treatment and bearing type can be selected according to the yarn type and yarn standard. The twist stop wheel has been granted Chinese utility model patent ZL201921650789.X.
Since the oiling guide is an insertable type, the yarn guide section can be replaced. This reduces the running costs by approximately 50%. In addition to eliminating gluing to the metal holder and drying time, it reduces waste (metal holder and adhesives), and there are no problems caused by gluing errors. The oiling guide is easily replaceable according to the yarn fineness, and users can conduct tests at low cost when considering introducing original guides. It has also been granted Chinese utility model patent 201721171115.2.
The situation of the company’s sales in 2023 is that sales have decreased for spinning, winding and false twisting machines for polyester fibers in China and other countries, while sales for nylon fibers have not declined sharply compared to the previous year. There were no large-scale capital investments for spandex products, and sales of spare parts occupy the mainstay of its business. Products for preparatory equipment and looms are also suffering setbacks. Since there are no plans for large-scale capital investments in 2024, the company currently expects it to be a difficult year.
Meanwhile, an increasing number of textile machinery manufacturers are acquiring intellectual property rights for yarn guides. If any problems occur due to the use of non-genuine products, they would not be covered under warranty, so Yuasa Yarn Guide is focusing on promoting the sales of genuine spare parts. A challenge for expanding sales is to have textile machinery manufacturers use its products as genuine parts on new models.
Another major challenge is cost reduction. While energy costs continue to rise, raw material prices are high, and the Japanese yen continues to depreciate, more companies are newly entering this business, and rival manufacturers are also expanding their product lineups, as well as reducing their prices.
Fukuhara A Special Two-Color Jacquard Knitting Machine Exhibited for First Time
Fukuhara Industrial & Trading Co., Ltd. sells circular knitting machines, and is reputed for its technical capabilities and after-sales service. The circular knitting machines manufactured by group company Precision Fukuhara Works, Ltd. are made entirely in Japan. The company focuses on keeping the production volume constant and maintaining high quality. Another strength of the company is that it is the only company in the world to carry out integrated production starting with knitting needles (manufactured by group company Fukuhara Needle Co., Ltd.).
This year, a new research and development center was set up at Precision Fukuhara Works. Although some production equipment was installed, the basic aim is to strengthen development. It also accepts tours and training from outside the company, such as knitters and apparel firms as also part of its after-sales service.
At ITMA ASIA+CITME, Fukuhara is exhibiting and demonstrating two models: M-SECPJJ (34 inches, 28 gauge) and MC-SDR (33 inches, 40 gauge).The M-SECPJJ is a patent-pending plain jersey electronic jacquard knitting machine. This is the first time that this machine is being shown at an exhibition. A plain jersey is knitted by aligning two yarns, and by freely changing the position of the two yarns inside the needle hooks, two-color jacquard knitting is performed. Unlike general two-color jacquard knitting, the front and back of the fabric can have a smooth texture similar to plain jersey.
The MC-SDR is a high-speed double-knit raceway machine. This model was originally developed for rib knitting, and while it is of 4-row cylinder specification, it is possible to change the amount of stitching in the upper 2 rows and lower 2 rows. At ITMA ASIA+CITME, Fukuhara is exhibiting a 40-gauge model that can knit a wider variety of fabrics and enables eight lock stitching. High-gauge knitting is also one of the company’s fortes, leveraging its integrated production starting from knitting needles.
In the first half of the current fiscal year that ends in May 2024, Fukuhara’s sales to China and Turkey remained sluggish. Slumping sales to Bangladesh began to show signs of a recovery, while strong sales to India recently leveled off. Sales to Pakistan were difficult. Nevertheless, the company expects that the economy as a whole is likely to enter a recovery from the second half of the fiscal year. A challenge is after-sales follow-up for machines which were delivered during the booming period that lasted up to last year. Until recently, the pandemic prevented the company to travel overseas, but this year it is dispatching its engineers to its customers overseas for actively carrying out adjustments and maintenance work. Many new models have been introduced during the past few years, and require fine tuning. Through after-sales service, Fukuhara is endeavoring to increase its reliability. This is one of the indications that the company is focusing not only on the development of finer gauges, energy savings and efficient production, but also on after-sales service.
Toyota Industries JAT910 Air-Jet Looms Being Promoted
Toyota Industries Corporation is presenting cutting-edge JAT910 air-jet looms. The JAT910 has been well received since its release in November last year, and the company plans to increase orders mainly in China and India.
The JAT910 was exhibited at ITMA 2023 held in Milan, Italy this June, and attracted considerable attention from visitors from West Asia, South America, Turkey and other countries. Inheriting the high-speed, low-vibration technology and weaving capabilities of the previous model, the JAT910 also supports improved environmental performance and more efficient factory management. The construction of the weft yarn blowing air-jet system has been improved, reducing air consumption by 20% and air pressure by 10% compared to the previous model. A new main motor and inverter reduce power consumption by 10%. This model is equipped with i-Sensor, which detects weft yarn insertion timing when the yarn is passing inside the warp yarns and automatically calculates the optimum air pressure and weft insertion requirements, for helping to improve weaving efficiency.
At ITMA ASIA+CITME, one machine is being exhibited to demonstrate the production of fabrics that meet the Chinese market. Other machines are shown on panel displays. Pod spinning is also being introduced on a monitor.
Tsudakoma Presenting Mainly ZAX001 Neo Air-Jet Looms
Tsudakoma Corp. is presenting mainly ZAX001 Neo air-jet looms at ITMA ASIA+CITME. The ZAX001 Neo is characterized by high-quality weaving of fine synthetic filaments. At the Tsudakoma booth, a loom of 230 cm reed width is weaving a women’s wear fabric.
Released in 2021, the ZAX001 Neo features a newly designed special frame structure, direct gear drive and new Neo valve system. The new modules significantly increase the working rpm, while reducing vibration by 30%. Air consumption can also be reduced by 20% compared to conventional looms. The new direct gear drive provides stability even during start-up, and achieves high-quality weaving even with fine synthetic filaments. Furthermore, the Neo Insertion System allows for easy settings and adjustments, improving operator convenience.
The situation of Tsudakoma’s loom sales in 2023 is that orders are steady as major Chinese companies as well as mid-sized companies have begun making upfront investment projects in expectation of a recovery. Although exports to India are patchy, inquiries are said to be steady as the country’s domestic economy is performing well. Deliveries of the ZAX001 Neo have increased to India, China and Indonesia. These three countries are expected to continue leading the way.
Shima Seiki Next-Generation WholeGarment Knitting Machines on Exhibit
Under the theme of “Shima Seiki Reborn”, Shima Seiki Mfg., Ltd. is exhibiting various flat knitting machines including the new next-generation SWG-XR WholeGarment knitting machines, along with samples of knitted fabrics. In demonstrations of DX solutions using the APEXFiz Design software, the company is presenting how to use them in combination with web services for yarn data and various digital data, such as the YarnBank digital yarn sourcing website and Shima DataMall digital content web service.
SWG-XR attracted considerable attention at ITMA 2023 held in Milan, Italy this June. At ITMA ASIA+CITME, Shima Seiki is exhibiting as a prototype the 22L type SWG-XR 124, which is an 18-gauge machine that produces high-quality articles. The four-bed configuration is equipped with original Slideneedles and the sinker system has been completely redesigned. This model features a compact, lightweight 4-cam carriage and auto yarn carrier, which improve efficiency by more than 25% compared to conventional machines. Knitting quality has also improved. By expanding the range of yarns that can be used and the types of articles that can be knitted, Shima Seiki is able to create more variations in product designs and silhouettes than ever before.
Baldwin Japan TexCoat G4 Precision Spray Application System Being Promoted
At ITMA ASIA+CITME, Baldwin Japan Ltd. is promoting the TexCoat G4 precision spray application system. The company is a Japanese subsidiary of Baldwin Technology Company, Inc. of the U.S. Baldwin Technology is exhibiting at ITMA ASIA+CITME, and representatives from Baldwin Japan are also stationed at the booth.
By using a precision spray application system, TexCoat G4 can evenly apply water or chemicals to one or both sides of moving objects, such as woven, knitted and nonwoven fabrics. This non-contact method of applying liquid to a surface is also very efficient and environmentally friendly, as it uses minimal water or chemicals.
The TexCoat G4 has attracted attention around the world including Japan, and numerous inquiries have been received. The company is confident that it will be able to steadily increase the number of installations in 2023. The TexCoat G4 was exhibited at ITMA 2023 held in Milan, Italy this June, and was well received.
In 2024, Baldwin aims to expand sales by focusing on follow-ups of likely users to whom the TexCoat G4 was proposed at ITMA 2023 and this year’s ITMA ASIA+CITME.
In the future, the company hopes to collaborate with textile chemical manufacturers for expanding the possibilities of precision spray application systems by sharing knowledge and providing technical cooperation, as well as linking these to an expansion of sales.
Baldwin Technology’s main business is the manufacture and sales of printing presses and printing automation and labor-saving equipment, and has a history of over 100 years as a pioneer in this field. Recently, the company is promoting sales by expanding into the field of textiles with the TexCoat G4, which was developed by applying these printing-related technologies.