ITMA ASIA+CITME 2024 will be held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) for five days from October 14th to 18th, 2024. This will be the second consecutive year that this exhibition will be held, following last year, and is the largest textile machinery exhibition in Asia. There are high expectations for the exhibition, and many Japanese textile machinery and machinery parts manufacturers, including their Chinese subsidiaries, will participate, exhibiting and demonstrating their latest models and products to showcase Japan’s technological capabilities.
Muratec(H7-E01) Demonstration of an Automatic Winder and Vortex Spinning Machine
Murata Machinery, Ltd. (Muratec) will introduce its latest models under the theme of “Right Choice, Bright Future” at ITMA ASIA+CITME 2024.
The Process Coner AIcone is a new automatic winder model introduced this year and will be demonstrated at this exhibition. The AIcone was developed in thorough pursuit of productivity, operability and energy efficiency. The design and functions achieved by utilizing the technology and know-how that Muratec has cultivated over the years, have received a great response, and this automatic winder has been highly acclaimed by companies that have introduced it. At ITMA ASIA+CITME 2024, the automatic winder on exhibit (bobbin-tray 12 drums) will be equipped with both drum and arm traverse units, as was the case last year, and both two units will be demonstrated with various yarn types and hardware. A presentation will also be given to convey the performance and ease-of-use of AIcone in an easy-to-understand manner, and the various advancements made on this automatic winder will be emphasized through the operation of the machine on exhibit.
The Vortex 870 EX spinning machine (16 spindles on exhibit) is a proposal that can lead to the realization of sustainability, which is considered an urgent issue in the textile industry. The yarns produced on the Vortex have various outstanding functions, including a structure that is resistant to fluffing, pilling, etc. Approximately 250 Vortex partners, spinners and apparel companies are utilizing this technology as a means of differentiating their products.
Sustainability is an important factor in the development of future applications, and Vortex yarns have the potential for sustainability in addition to its functionality. Vortex will enable the development of a variety of new sustainable yarns, such as the new Core Color melange yarns presented at last year’s ITMA ASIA+CITME. At the Muratec booth, samples of new fabric and final products made with various yarn types and yarn counts will be exhibited to provide hints for development. The demonstration of the Vortex 870 EX will showcase its excellent performance, spinning a blend of refined cellulosic fibers and cotton, a yarn type that is currently attracting great attention.
The Muratec Smart Support (MSS), an IoT solution currently used by 2,100 companies, will also be presented. At the booth, the latest solutions will be presented, such as demonstrating remote control of the VOS data management system of an automatic winder or Vortex spinning machine with the MSS, and a predictive maintenance approach using information acquired from various sensors.
Furthermore, Muratec will introduce peripherals that make the most of the ideas from the work floor, such as genuine parts for both the latest and old machine models, maintenance examples and sliver analyzers.
TMT Machinery(H7-E02) Promotional Videos to Introduce a New Draw-Texturing Machine
TMT Machinery, Inc. is a leading company of synthetic fiber machinery. The company supplies high-standard synthetic fiber machinery to countries around the world based on the concept of “The One & Only Technology”. It continues to meet the needs of customers in a timely manner with cutting-edge technology and engineering capabilities, with an aim to achieve further growth.
The new ATF-G1 draw-texturing machine will be introduced at ITMA ASIA-CITME 2024. The ATF-G1 retains the strengths of the conventional machine (ATF-1500) including high-speed processing and high productivity, while achieving significant functional improvements that directly benefit users. The innovations and high productivity will be introduced in a promotional video.
The Creel Robot + POY-Station and automated equipment will also be introduced in promotional videos. The Creel Robot + POY-Station is a system that automates the supply and storing of POY packages to draw-texturing machines. This system will enable a significant reduction in manpower while increasing work speed through full automation, as well as creating a continuous operating environment that does not depend on the time of day or night. As for automated equipment, an automatic POY threading robot will be introduced on a 100-inch monitor.
The company expects that Asia, especially China, will continue to drive the global textile industry. Asia has already established an integrated processing system from crude material refining to garment manufacturing in terms of production capacity. Since the growth potentials of Asian countries are overwhelming, as compared with other regions in terms of population growth, Asia is positioned as a dominant and promising market in terms of both supply and demand. In recent years, the capacity to develop production processes in the Asian market has improved remarkably. In particular, major users who are leading the market have the development capacity to create products with high efficiency, high value addition and new functions without losing speed in expanding their production capacities.
In order to continue meeting the high demands of customers, TMT Machinery is accelerating ongoing developments of next-generation machines as well as delving into customer needs.
In order to expand sales in China and Asia, a challenge is response to the fluidity of market needs. In recent years, competition in the development of high value-added and highly functional products has become more and more pronounced, and each company is accumulating its own know-how to ensure stable production of difficult-to-handle, delicate and highly functional fibers. TMT Machinery offers a lineup of DTY machines that can respond to the competition to develop high-value-added and high-performance products, and is undertaking the development of machines that can meet increasingly sophisticated needs.
Creating innovations is also an issue. Synthetic fiber producers are competing to improve their existing facilities. The most pressing challenge is how to develop innovative equipment and technologies that will fundamentally change existing production sites, and how to realize them in a way that will be accepted by the market and customers.
Based on this, TMT Machinery is undertaking developments that emphasize high efficiency, environmental friendliness and innovation.
Fukuhara(H4-Ð15)The Focus Is on User Interaction with No Knitting Machines on Exhibit
Fukuhara Industrial & Trading Co., Ltd., a circular knitting machine sales company, has an established reputation for its technical capabilities and after-sales service. The circular knitting machines manufactured by group company Precision Fukuhara Works, Ltd. are purely made in Japan. The company attaches importance to maintaining high quality by keeping the number of machines produced at a constant level. In 2023, a research and development center was newly established at Precision Fukuhara Works. Although some production equipment is still located there, the basic aim is to strengthen developments. The company also accepts tours and practical training from knitters, apparel companies, etc. This is also part of the company’s after-sales service.
At ITMA ASIA+CITME 2024, no circular knitting machines will be on exhibit, and Fukuhara will focus on listening to the requests of customers and displaying samples of sewn products and fabrics. The company is emphasizing interaction with users, and although it will not be exhibiting any circular knitting machines, there will be display panels of circular knitting machines so that visitors can recognize the Fukuhara booth.
According to the company, many knitters in China are still not back to their heyday, experiencing lower operation rates than before the coronavirus pandemic. Meanwhile, an emphasis is being placed on the development of circular knitted fabrics and various circular knitted fabrics have been developed, so Fukuhara hopes that this exhibition will serve as a catalyst for a market recovery.
While China is stagnant, the Asian market is vibrant. Recently, circular knitted filament fabrics have been increasing, and Fukuhara is also receiving more orders from markets unrelated to cotton-centered knitting centers. Accordingly, the company intends to respond to the requests of customers so as not to miss any orders, including the development of new markets.
As for the development of new models, Fukuhara is focusing on the development of special-type circular knitting machines that can knit specialized fabrics, and is also placing energy saving, cost saving and automation as important themes for circular knitting machines as a whole.
Kasen Nozzle(H7-D36) New Single Device for Inspecting and Cleaning the Holes on Spinnerets for Meltblown Nonwovens
Kasen Nozzle Mfg. Co. Ltd. manufactures and sells various key parts centering on spinnerets and dies for producing fibers, nonwovens, membranes, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, medical and plastic molding applications. The company has been supplying melt-spinning spinnerets, wet spinning spinnerets and wet and dry spinnerets to producers around the world for more than 70 years. It is making challenges to advance into new fields by making the most of its high-precision processing technology, mainly in machining, and the design know-how accumulated over many years.
At ITMA ASIA+CITME 2024, Kasen Nozzle will introduce some of its main products with photos, as well as the cross sections of company-developed bi-component fibers spun in test facilities. In the area of filtration membranes, the company will present spinnerets for producing hollow fibers for filtration membranes used in various applications, such as artificial dialysis, blood purification, gas separation and water treatment. The company has newly developed a single device that can inspect as well as clean the holes on spinnerets for producing meltblown nonwovens, and will show how it is used in a video.
The cross sections of company-developed bi-component fibers can be reproduced in complex shapes with a high degree of irregularity, and are expected to be used in various applications with different polymers. Spinnerets producing hollow fibers for filtration membranes are characterized not only by the precision of individual parts, the result of making the most of high-precision processing technology, but also by the high assembly precision (concentricity) of the core and sheath portions, which can be verified using in-house NIPS testing instruments.
A new product that is also attracting attention inspects and cleans the holes on spinnerets for producing meltblown nonwovens. In the past, inspection and cleaning were performed separately by dedicated equipment and devices, which were inefficient, required a large work space, were not universal because they were designed exclusively for their respective purpose, and were expensive.
The newly developed device is a single unit that can inspect and clean spinneret holes, and is designed to be movable and attachable to the meltblow spinneret itself. The device observes the holes and immediately cleans any bad spots. When installed on a worktable, the device can also be used for melt-spinning spinnerets.
The company’s sales in China have been sluggish for existing orders for conjugate fiber spinnerets, but demand is increasing for new development projects. Kasen Nozzle undertakes everything from designing spinnerets and spin packs to providing samples, and will continue to respond to demand and develop new products in the future.
As for the markets in China and Asia, the company intends to utilize to advantage its strengths in precision processing technology and long years of experience in new fields.
Yuasa Yarn Guide(H7-A49) Promoting Fitted Oiling Guides and Other Products
Yuasa Yarn Guide Engineering Co., Ltd. celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. Since its establishment, the company has specialized in the manufacture and sale of yarn guides, but as machines have become faster and yarns have become more diverse in recent years, the requirements for yarn guides and tension devices have increased. Even for the management of yarn guides and equipment, more users are clarifying the timing of replacement rather than using them until they are no longer usable, for the purpose of stabilizing the quality of yarns and fabrics by periodical replacements. In order to meet these needs, the company is developing new products, as well as obtaining yarns from customers to conduct various evaluation tests and propose optimal yarn guides and tension devices.
The company will exhibit at ITMA ASIA+CITME 2024 under the name of Ningbo Yuasa-Yarnguide Textile Chemical Fiber Technology Co., Ltd., its general sales agent in China, and Japanese staffers will also be on hand at the booth. In addition to exhibiting mainly products for winding spun yarns and yarn processing, the company will distribute new product catalogs (2024 edition).
The metal twist stop wheel (Chinese utility model patent: ZL201921650789.X) is approximately 20% lighter than conventional products, and starting torque and rotation torque are reduced. The yarn contact diameter has been increased by approximately 8% for longer service life. The material has been changed to stainless steel for improved corrosion resistance. The most suitable surface treatment and bearing type can be selected according to the yarn type and yarn standard. The fitted oiling guide (Chinese utility model patent: 201721171115.2) features a 50% reduction in running costs because the yarn guide can be replaced. New products will also be exhibited. When only the yarn guide is replaced, the cost is reduced by about 40% compared to conventional products. The number of days required for replacement can also be reduced. In addition, problems caused by gluing errors (oil leakage and defective yarns) can be eliminated. The guide can be easily replaced to match the yarn fineness, and trials can be conducted at low cost when considering the introduction of original guides.
In regard to expanding sales in China, several companies in Guangdong Province will begin manufacturing nylon filament, and Yuasa Yarn Guide will step up sales activities to ensure that its products are used in the equipment to be installed in the new plants. Sales activities toward synthetic fiber manufacturing companies in the Uyghur Autonomous Region, which many companies tend to avoid, will also be actively carried out. In Turkey, a contract was signed with a new distributor, and since the market is growing favorably (increases in variety and sales), Japanese staffers will make business trips to Turkey to strengthen relationships with customers. As India is a weak market for the company, it is looking for ways for a breakthrough. Yuasa Yarn Guide is keeping a close eye on Taiwan, which has a large but sluggish market.
Awa Spindle(H7- B21)
User-Friendly Design Stimulates Demand for Nozzle Replacement
Awa Spindle Co., Ltd. boasts making several achievements in the development and manufacture of migration and interlace nozzles for synthetic fiber spinning systems (POY/FDY). Backed by a history of utilization and accumulated development know-how, the company’s nozzles are used as standard by spinning system manufacturers, and its nozzles are also sold directly to users (fiber producers) for conversion and customization. It also has an established reputation for meeting the needs of customers with made-to-order designs, and its nozzles are supplied to 22 countries around the world, mainly in Asia, based on the strength of proposals that meet diverse needs.
At ITMA ASIA+CITME 2024, Awa Spindle will address the issue of “nozzles that both reduce flow rate and improve interlacing performance”, which is often requested by the market. A variety of nozzles achieving improved performance in both areas will be presented. These nozzles feature made-to-order yarn guides that meet the requirements of customers, and the air flow is optimized for each usage condition. The interlace nozzles also offer improved interlacing performance, and stable production is realized.
An example of development is the TA-2, which can be used as a migration or interlace nozzle. Its yarn guide has been designed to match the fineness used by users. By highlighting this achievement, the company will promote the superiority of its nozzles for conversion and strive to raise the recognition of its nozzles. In addition to the yarn guide design that matches the fineness of the yarn, this series offer three models in different nozzle sizes. The nozzles have a compact 4 mm pitch, which contributes to space saving, and workability is also improved with the addition of a threading device.
The AF series of interlace nozzles feature 20% higher interlacing performance (in-house comparison). The actual measured values of the improved performance are also disclosed to stimulate demand for refurbishment among customers in both China and India. The compact 4 mm pitch design allows for single- to multi-end applications, and the nozzles can be removed and attached without the use of tools, which contributes to improved workability during production variety changes and maintenance.
As the fiber and textile market slumps in China, fiber and textile manufacturers, who are its customers, are facing issues concerning energy saving and productivity improvement. Awa Spindle sees proposals to improve these issues as an opportunity for expanding sales of new products. The company is also aiming to increase the recognition of its products in India, which is expected to grow and become the second largest market after China.
Toyota Industries(H3-F0) Demonstration of the Latest JAT910 Air-Jet Looms
Toyota Industries Corporation is characterized by its advanced technological capabilities cultivated over many years and extensive after-sales service covering the entire world. At ITMA ASIA+CITME 2024, the latest air-jet loom model, JAT910 will be exhibited and demonstrated. Its advanced energy-saving and high weaving performance are appealing features to visitors.
The JAT910 boasts high-speed operation of multiple frames thanks to the company’s original electronic shedding E-shed, and high energy-saving performance with low air pressure as well as low air and electricity consumption.
Toyota Industries expects China and Asia to remain the world’s largest markets. Aggressive capital investments will probably continue, and the machines are to be used at a high level of factory management, thereby providing feedbacks that can be used in future product developments.
To expand sales in the Chinese and Asian markets, one of the challenges is to respond to the growing needs for energy and manpower savings. In addition, the company needs to differentiate itself from Chinese-made textile machinery, which is on the rise.
The company’s corporate philosophy, Vision 2030, is centered on supporting industrial and social infrastructures through “clean/zero emissions”, “safe/reliable, comfortable” and “smart”. The company will continue developments that can offer and disseminate solutions through the collective strength of the entire group and gathering user feedbacks from conscientious service activities.
Tsudakoma(H3-A64) Energy-Saving-Type ZAX001neo Plus Air-Jet Loom Revealed
Tsudakoma Corp. will reveal a new air-jet loom, ZAX001neo Plus, equipped with the new System S-Plus, which improves air usage efficiency, and System EOS, which improves driving energy efficiency.
SYSTEM S-Plus is a newly developed technology for air saving and lower pressure. This technology reduces air consumption by 10% and weft insertion air pressure by 15% compared to the ZAX001neo. System EOS is designed to improve the efficiency of loom power usage under the keywords of efficiency, optimization and saving energy. Compared to the ZAX001neo, System EOS achieves a 15% reduction in loom power consumption.
Tsudakoma has been developing looms over the past several years under the theme of “Smart Ecology – Ecology and Economy in Harmony”. China and India, the company’s main markets, have also been increasingly demanding quality and environmental friendliness (energy saving) from their pursuit of production volume. The ZAX001neo Plus is its best solution at this time for high quality and environmental friendliness (energy saving) while maintaining high productivity.