February 2010 — Research and development of high-tech textiles is one of the main research
activities of the Textile Research Institute Thüringen-Vogtland, TITV, in Greiz, Germany.
The production of advanced textile fabrics, for example for the medical industry, technical
applications, smart textiles, and multi-layer textiles, has little to do with the mainstream
textile and apparel weaving industries and requires new manufacturing methods.
That’s why the TITV recently commissioned a new weaving system consisting of a Dornier rapier
weaving machine and a Stäubli UNIVAL 100 Jacquard machine. The UNIVAL 100 is the world’s first and
only Jacquard machine that features individual motorized control of each warp thread. The UNIVAL
100 at the TITV is configured with 6144 motors, so called “Jactuators”, and moves the same number
of warp threads by means of a Jacquard harness.
This weaving system leaves no wish open regarding technical weaving possibilities, especially
in influencing the shed geometry. Shedding parameters such as shed opening profile, shed symmetry
close of shed, variability, and the height of the stop point can be individually optimized for each
article and are reproducible at any time.
As a result, there remains hardly any limit to textile development, whether special weave
structures or the application of new and special materials. Thanks to the high flexibility provided
by the UNIVAL 100, weaving parameters can be experimentally studied at will and new textile
constructions brought to the market.
About Stäubli
Stäubli is a mechatronics solution provider with three dedicated divisions: Textile
Machinery, Connectors and Robotics. With a workforce of over 3000, the company generates annual
turnover exceeding 1 billion Swiss francs. Founded in 1892, Stäubli today is an international Group
with its head office in Pfäffikon, Switzerland. Stäubli is active on all 5 continents and oversees
14 industrial production sites. Including the companies Multi-Contact and Schönherr, the Stäubli
Group is present in 25 countries through its sales and customer service subsidiaries. The network
is completed by agents in 50 countries.
Stäubli Textile has been developing and producing high-quality systems for the weaving
industry for over a century. The company holds a strong market position in textile machinery, a
position earned through continual pursuit of customer satisfaction.
Posted on February 23, 2010
Press Release Courtesy of Stäubli Textile
