From 17 to 21 October 2005 Singapore is hosting the second edition of the International  Exhibition of Textile Machinery. Picanol will be present with six weaving machines, including its newest generation of airjet weaving machine: the OMNIplus  800. This machine was only recently introduced in Europe and was on display for the first time in Asia at Shanghaitex in June. 

The Asian textile and garment industry is gearing up to meet the challenges of a more competitive market environment. In major manufacturing hubs, the pro-business leadership is refocusing on the industry as the key economic drive. Hence, the stage is set for a surge in demand for machinery.

ITMA ASIA 2005 is expected to attract some 1,000 participating organizations. It will be the first exhibition to use the expanded Singapore Expo exhibition facility. The new halls add another 40,000 sqm to the former 60,000 sqm in anticipation of an increase in demand for more space. ITMA ASIA is the first mega exhibition to benefit from the venue expansion.

Apart from its new OMNIplus 800 airjet weaving machine, Picanol will also present Olympica at ITMA ASIA, its airjet weaving machine with the best price/performance ratio. Also the GamMax and GTXplus rapier weaving machines will be on show. The latter is based on the proven GTX technology, completed with full electronic monitoring and control, and it meets the investors’ objective of maximizing their return on investment with rapier technology.

OMNIplus 800 4 P 190 airjet weaving machine
4 colors, cam motion, 190 cm reed width, weaving a shirting article

WEFT:    
Yarn Count:     Ne 50/1   
Material:          Cotton
Density:           26 picks/cm

WARP:    
Yarn Count:     Ne100/2                  
Material:          Cotton
Density:           48 ends/cm

DRAWING-IN WIDTH:   170 cm

SPECIAL FEATURES:

·         PSO: with the optional Prewinder Switch Off (PSO) system, the machine continues weaving if a filling break occurs on a package or a prewinder, as the system automatically switches to another prewinder running the same filling material.

·         Easing motion: tension differences caused through shed opening and closing in a weaving cycle are countered with the easing motion, which maintains consistent tension on the warp during the weaving cycle. As the shed opens, the easing motion moves the feeler roll towards the weaver's side of the machine. As the shed closes, the easing motion moves the feeler roll away from the weaver's side.

OMNIplus 800 2 P 340 airjet weaving machine
2 colors, cambox, 340 cm reed width, weaving a satin striped sheeting

WEFT:    
Yarn count:      Ne 80
Material:          Cotton
Density:           4x28 picks/cm

WARP:    
Yarn count:      Ne 50                               
Material:          Cotton
Density:           52 ends/cm

DRAWING-IN WIDTH:   330 cm

SPECIAL FEATURES:

·         4-pick insertion

·         PSO: with the optional Prewinder Switch Off (PSO) system, the machine continues weaving even if a filling break occurs on a package or a prewinder. This option can only be used when the machine is running the same filling material in at least two prewinders.

·         Air Tucker for selvedges (ATI): To tuck a filling it is cut at a set distance and is turned over and inserted in a following shed. The ATI does not have moving parts but works completely pneumatically, with only the cutter having an electric motor.

·         interactive-display with touch screen:  On the interactive touchscreen, several article settings can be stored locally on the machine. A transponder card gives immediate access to the machine settings, which can be transferred from the microprocessor to a computer or vice versa using USB memory sticks. The Ethernet connection enables the machine to be integrated into the corporate network, opening the door to Internet applications.

GamMax 8 R 340 rapier weaving machine
8 colors, dobby, 340 cm reed width, weaving an upholstery article

WEFT:    
Yarn Count:     fancy yarns (from 78 dtex to Nm1)
Material:          Polyester
Density:          variable pick density

WARP:    
Yarn count:      167 dtex                               
Material:           Polyester
Density:           66 ends/cm 

DRAWING-IN WIDTH:   330 cm

SPECIAL FEATURES:

·         Free Flight rapier with raceboard: Free Flight means that the rapier tape is no longer guided by hooks, so the yarns cannot be damaged by hooks diving into the warp yarns. The machine has a covered raceboard for gentle treatment of the warp yarns during beat-up.

·         Sumo main motor with Optispeed: Optispeed enables variable speed control of the Sumo drive. Speed variations in increments of 1 revolution/min. can be entered on the terminal. The setting can be carried out both during a machine stop and while the machine is running. On a running machine, the speed immediately changes when the new setting is entered. Optispeed also offers the possibility of having a speed pattern based on the type of weft yarn or the shedding pattern.

·         WPS programmable pick density and speed pattern: allows different pick densities and speeds to be programmed in a pattern. The ETU electronic take-up motor varies its speed according to the densities required.

Olympica 2 P 190 airjet weaving machine
2 colors, cam motion, 190 cm reed width, weaving print cloth

WEFT:    
Yarn count:      Ne 40/2
Material:          Polyester/Rayon (65/35)
Density:           21 picks/cm 

WARP:    
Yarn count:      Ne 40/2
Material:          Polyester/Rayon (65/35)
Density:          39 ends/cm

DRAWING-IN WIDTH:   172 cm

SPECIAL FEATURES:

·         ETU electronic take-up: cloth take-up system with electronic control. It is fitted as standard on the machine. The pick density can be programmed on the microprocessor keyboard as desired, so that pick wheels are no longer necessary, affording great time saving.

·         ELO electronic let-off: the electronic link between let-off and take-up is an additional tool to avoid fabric marks.

·         Sumo main motor: drives the weaving machine directly, without clutch and brake. The machine speed is controlled electronically, which considerably reduces the setting time. The electronic settings make it easy to obtain the highest industrial speed in function of the quality of the yarn, the number of frames, and the fabric construction. 

GTXplus 4 R 190 rapier weaving machine
4 colors, dobby, 190 cm reed width, weaving a shirting fabric

WEFT:    
Yarn count:      Ne 80/2                              
Material:          Cotton
Density:           39 picks/cm

WARP:    
Yarn count:      Ne 80/2                               
Material:          Cotton
Density:          46 ends/cm

DRAWING-IN WIDTH:   184 cm

SPECIAL FEATURES:

·         ETU electronic take-up: cloth take-up system with electronic control, affording great time saving. It is fitted as standard on the machine. The pick density can be programmed on the microprocessor keyboard or the Jacquard control unit as desired, so that pick wheels are no longer necessary.

·         ELO electronic let-off: the electronic link between let-off and take-up is an additional tool to avoid fabric marks.

·         Quickstep filling presenter: The Quick Step filling presenter operates with independent modules, each consisting of an electronically controlled stepper motor with a presenter needle. At the highest speed of the filling during insertion, the needle is presented in the most convenient position to reduce tension build-up.

·         Stäubli electronic dobby

GAMMAX 8 J 190 on the Stäubli booth
This rapier is equipped with a jacquard mechanism and is weaving an upholstery article. 

WEFT:    
From fine yarns (Lurex) to coarse yarns (Nm 1 fantasy yarn)                                        
Density:     50 picks/cm  

WARP:    
Yarn count:      167 dtex                               
Material:           Polyester
Density:           66 ends/cm  

DRAWING IN WIDTH:   150 cm

SPECIAL FEATURES:

·          Free Flight grippers with raceboard: The Free Flight GamMax version has been specially developed for weaving delicate fabrics. Free Flight means that the rapier tape is no longer guided by hooks, so the yarns cannot be damaged by hooks diving into the warp yarns. The machine has a covered raceboard for gentle treatment of the warp yarns during beat-up. The Free Flight version of GamMax is especially useful for production of lining, voile, curtains, upholstery fabrics, industrial fabrics, high-twist crepe, airbags, computer ribbon, spinnaker (sail cloth), glass and Kevlar.

·          Sumo with Optispeed. With Sumo, the machine speed is controlled electronically, which considerably reduces the setting time. The electronic settings makes it easy to obtain the highest industrial speed in function of the quality of the yarn, the number of frames, and the fabric construction. Optispeed enables variable speed control of the Sumo drive. Speed variations in increments of 1 revolution/min. can be entered on the terminal. The setting can be carried out both during a machine stop and while the machine is running. On a running machine, the speed immediately changes when the new setting is entered. Optispeed also offers the possibility of having a speed pattern based on the type of weft yarn or the shedding pattern.

·          The programmable pick density and speed pattern or WPS allows different pick densities and speeds to be programmed in a pattern, enabling maximum flexibility in design. The ETU motor varies its speed according to the densities required.