Textechno Enhances its Composite Testing Technology with ITA Reinforced Partnership

Carbon Fibres

Textechno is pleased to announce its ITA Reinforced Partnership. Textechno will be working in close collaboration in the ITA Reinforced partnership to drive innovation in composite testing and to further advance excellence in lightweight production.

Dr. Ulrich Mörschel, Textechno’s managing director: “The precise knowledge of key material parameters is the fundamental basis of the production of high-quality composite products. With its innovative composite testing instruments Textechno supports its customers to be more successful. Our ITA Reinforced partnership will further help us to contribute to the advances of the composite industry.”

Dr. Stefan Fliescher, Textechno’s assistant managing director:” Textechno’s strategic decision to apply our knowledge of textile testing technologies to the benefit of composite materials has by now led to the development of four dedicated testing instruments. These are applied by customers worldwide to strengthen their lightweight production and R&D. With FAVIMAT+ the most relevant characteristics of reinforcement fibres are tested, FIMATEST reveals the fibre/matrix adhesion, the drapeability of fabrics and NCFs is probed with DRAPETEST and ROVINGTEST measures the processing properties of rovings and yarns. We are looking forward to a close collaboration with ITA Reinforced to contribute to joint development and expert knowledge.”

International standardization of the DRAPETEST method as ISO 21765

Textechno’s DRAPETEST

Textechno proudly announces that the test method implemented in the automatic drapability tester DRAPETEST is now standardized on international level as ISO 21765.

This new standard “Textiles – Determination of fabric deformability by forced mechanical distension” results from a continuous development of the DIN SPEC 8100. The focus of this standard is on the formation of defects during the draping and forming process of standard- and non-crimp fabrics.

The test method of the new ISO 21765 allows for the first time an exchange of comparable and reproducible quality data for the drapability between customers and suppliers of standard- and non-crimp fabrics worldwide.

In addition to the classical application for reinforcement fabrics, the new standard also applies to fabrics used e.g. in furniture, automotive, filters, medical textiles and further applications.

Textechno establishes New Department for Composite Testing Services

Textechno establishes a new department for composite testing services. Besides testing basic fibre properties with FAVIMAT+, customers can also examine the fibre/matrix adhesion with the new FIMATEST system and the drapability of woven and non-crimp fabrics for composites with DRAPETEST. Through our services you gain easy access to award winning testing technology. Read more in our press release and our flyer on Textechno’s testing services.

Textechno receives the DIN Innovation Award

Textechno receives the DIN innovation award for DIN SPEC 8100 and its test equipment DRAPETEST serving the purpose of evaluating composite woven and non-crimp fabrics. The award ceremony took place at Hannover Messe in Germany on April 26th, 2016 in the framework of the DIN forum “standards for the world of tomorrow”.

The DIN SPEC 8100 “Automated drapability testing for woven and non-crimp fabrics used in continuous fiber reinforced plastics” was developped and implemented by Textechno in cooperation with DIN, as well as SAERTEX, the Bremen Fibre Institute (FIBRE), Groz-Beckert KG and FTA Albstadt.

The right fabric material for the appropriate composite

In the automated production of carbon- or glass fiber-based woven and non-crimp fabrics for the aerospace or automotive industry, a major problem consists in undetected errors as they occur during the three-dimensional deformation for the final component (draping). The method described in the DIN SPEC uses i.a. a high-resolution camera in conjunction with an image analysis, detecting imperfections while draping. This method provides values with which the properties of the textile fabric can be characterized and it ultimately helps selecting the right fabric material for the appropriate composite.

Dr. Ulrich Mörschel, CEO of Textechno explains: “With our products, we contribute to avoid conflicts between suppliers and end-users wherever possible. The development of the DIN SPEC has procured us a fast possibility to set a new and useful standard for the entire composite industry, where there are not yet many standards set.“

Dietmar Möcke, Technical Director at SAERTEX, a globally leading manufacturer of woven and non-crimp fabrics and co-initiator of DIN SPEC says: „DIN SPEC offers for the first time a standardized testing method. It allows us to provide our customers with comparable and reproducible measurement values regarding the draping characteristics of our products. Thus they get a standardized overview of the textile properties and the material’s performance”.

“Huge added value for the entire composite industry”

Dr. Michael Effing, CEO of AMAC and advisor for Composite Materials to Textechno adds: “The parameters generated by DIN SPEC 8100 represent a huge added value for the entire composite industry. This is to ensure that carbon- and glass fiber woven and non- crimp fabrics for applications in high-performance components like rotor blades or structural components in Automotive and Aerospace possess the required material characteristics.“

Textechno wins JEC Innovation Award in Singapore

Textechno has won the JEC Innovation Award for its DRAPETEST tester in the category “Test Control Machines”. The award ceremony took place at the JEC Asia in Singapore on June 26 2012. Present at the ceremony were Dr. Ulrich Mörschel (Textechno GmbH, 2nd from right), Dr. Andrea Miene (Faserinstitute Bremen, on the right) and Mr. Mirko Christ (Faserinstitute Bremen, 2nd from left).

JEC Innovation Award Ceremony

The DRAPETEST allows the measurement of draping effects like gaps, loops, folds, and fiber disorientation using an optical system. It was jointly developed with industry- and research partners within a public funded research project. Read more