From Energy Efficient Fibres Test Bench to Recyclable Carbon Parquet and Eco-Mobile Cases

The Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University presents its research expertise with the following machines and exhibits. Furthermore, ITA in collaboration with the RWTH International Academy is offering a new international Master degree, the M.Sc. in Textile Engineering. The degree is supposed to impart in-depth knowledge in the development of textile machinery and components, new materials and production processes, as well as manufacturing and processing natural and synthetic fabrics. Test bench – energy-efficient pneumatic transportation

In spinning mills and nonwoven productions fibres are usually transported by airflow from one process stage to the next. Pipe systems can measure up to 200 m depending on the production facility’s size. To guarantee process reliability for all materials, the fans and blower have to be overdesigned up to 30 %. Furthermore, it has been estimated that ventilation usage in a spinning mill costs 13.000 € per year approximately (assuming an electricity price of 10 Cent/kWh). Preliminary studies reveal that today’s fibre-transport-systems offer potential for energy saving from 20 to 30 %. The Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA), Aachen, is currently working on reducing energy consumption.
For instance, ‘Ziel2.NRW Project Effect’ has the goal to decrease the energy consumption in fibre transport systems. The fibre transport is designed more energy efficient through online feedback control system for air and materials.
The exhibited test stand offers an opportunity to regulate the airflow in a transportation tube online to directly affect the loose fibre transportation. At the test stand the airflow velocity and the differential pressure between blower and channels are recorded. Additionally a high speed camera system is used. The camera system records the motion of the fibre flocks and enables conclusions about transport conditions in the locating channel.

Recording of the transport states help to minimize the energy added to the blower, to guarantee optimal continuous fibre transportation.
To emphasize the functionality of measurement technology is the reason the issued test stand holds a loose fibre flock of any size in floating state (Picture 1 ‘Test bench´, source: ITA). For further information please contact marko.wischnowski@ita.rwth-aachen.de.
Advanced Tailored Non-crimp Fabric (T-NCF)

The advanced T-NCF is a tailor-made multiaxial non-crimp fabric, where a carbon fibre T-stringer is placed on glass rovings. The T-stringer is then warp knitted in a single step with the glass fibre layers. By this the T-stringer is connected with the lower layers of glass fibres.
Therefore strengthening parts are able to be inserted in the right spot and location which results in a high quantity of waste reduction. Due to the connection with the lower layers, the produced T-NCF shows a good

T-NCF is especially interesting for high performance applications where high mechanical requirements are desired for example in the aircraft composite parts or for wind turbine rotor blades (Picture 2 `Glass fibre non-crimp fabric with carbon T-stringer´, source: ITA). For further information please contact marcel.haeske@ita.rwth-aachen.de.

Carbon parquet – individual designable and adaptable

Carbon as a lightly and resilient material is currently used for automotive and aerospace industry. With the exhibition on the Techtextil in Frankfurt/Main ITA goes one step further, to win new industries for this material. Carbon parquet connects a sophisticated wooden look with the advantages of a solide fibre reinforced composite material. It can be used for furniture making as a decorative element and in the architecture as floor covering
(picture 3 ‚Carbon parquet‘ and picture 4 ‚Sideboard with carbon decorative element‘). Integrated light conducting fibres make the surface of the carbon parquet glow. The numbers, size and layout of the light spots are individual designable. Furthermore the material can be produced in many optional colors.

With regard to colour, grain, patterns and geometry there are no limitations,
because several materials can be combined. This enables a customized product design. For further information please contact mesut.cetin@ita.rwth-aachen.de

 

 

 

 

I-Phone-Cases made from natural fibre composites

The I-phone-cases have been developed from 100 percent renewable raw materials e.g. Hemp, Polylactide (PLA). They protect I-phones against accidents and abrasion. The mobile cases are interesting for the following target groups: Nonwoven producers and suppliers, composite producers and suppliers, natural fibre suppliers, PLA-producers and –suppliers.
ITA produces the nonwoven manufacture and develops composites and mold to demonstrate new applications for renewable raw materials (Picture 3 ‘Mobile cases made from natural fibre composites’, source: ITA). For further information please contact sangeetha.ramaswamy@ita.rwth-aachen.de

Textile Electrodes – Lumbar bandages

The lumbar bandage is a bandage with moss embroidered electrodes for electro stimulation. The textile electrodes are integrated in garments. The lumbar bandage can be used without prior manual placement of adhesive electrodes on the skin.
Furthermore the 3D-Surface of the moos embroidery enables a good skin contact and a pleasing haptic. Thus this therapy has not only a high degree of mobility and comfort, but is also user-friendly.  This lumbar bandage appeals to a broad target group, for athletes, patients suffering acute pain or for chronically ill patients. ITA is responsible for the development of the moss embroidered electrodes and renders possible the process ability of moss embroidered electrodes obtained with silver coated yarn. For further information please contact melanie.hoerr@ita.rwth-aachen.de.

T-Profile made out of Textile Reinforces Concrete (TRC)

The textile T-profile represents a novelty in the field of textile reinforcement for concrete structures. This textile T-profile is made with an automated manufacturing process in the research area ‘TRC’.
All types of profiles play an important role in building structures. The new composite material ‘TRC’ allows construction of especially thin-walled and structural components. The company Garter GmbH has developed a production process to automatically manufacture open mesh textile reinforcement profiles. ITA coated this new reinforcement profiles with epoxy resin and used this new profiles for reinforcement of concrete profile.

The T-profile could be interesting, especially for manufacturers of technical textiles, TRC manufacturers or institutions. It offers new reinforcement options, inter alia, as shear reinforcement in sandwich panels (for example the InsuShell façade at INNOTEX building at ITA).
ITA specializes in the design of textile reinforcement and coating of the textiles – a know-how that in addition to the manufacturing know-how of Gerster GmbH can yield results for product development of textiles. A joint research project is planned (Picture 5 ‘T-Profile TRC’, source: ITA). For further information please contact udit.gohil@ita.rwth-aachen.de.

 

Furthermore, ITA is offering a new international Master degree starting in winter semester 2015/2016:

International degree programme ‘Master of Science in Textile Engineering’ by  RWTH Aachen

University

The Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University is offering a new international Master degree programme in Textile Engineering, starting in the winter semester 2015/16. The degree is supposed to impart in-depth knowledge in the development of textile machinery and components, new materials and operations and production processes, as well as manufacturing and processing natural and synthetic fabrics.
The degree aims at international engineers, who already finished their undergraduate studies and gained first practical industrial work experience, and who now wish to continue their education. With the help of its bilingual concept (English and German) it also aims at winning experts for the German industry and research community. Please find more information regarding the curricula and application procedure on the following website:
http://master-mechanical-engineering.com/content/msc-textile-engineering, k.heck@academy.rwth-aachen.de