Coatema partners with TechniTex to provide R&D solutions to the UK technical textile companies

Citation

Stylios, G.K. (2004), "Coatema partners with TechniTex to provide R&D solutions to the UK technical textile companies", International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, Vol. 16 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijcst.2004.05816caa.001

Coatema partners with TechniTex to provide R&D solutions to the UK technical textile companies

Coatema partners with TechniTex to provide R&D solutions to the UK technical textile companies

In the advancing world of technical textiles, coating of materials is necessary for providing performance and functionality and for enhancing product value.

From an exploratory investigation done last year there is a substantial number of companies involved with coating and lamination, some using traditional materials and others using new high-tech fabrics. There is a huge potential to try and develop newer hybrid product solutions for industries such as sportswear, medical, aerospace, civil and others. The TechniTex Faraday Partnership in technical textiles is running a project called “Engineering the Performance and Functional Properties of Technical Textiles” a component of which is specific to coating technology. The coating part of the project, which is led by Heriot-Watt University, is trying to optimise the coating process and to provide new understanding in the development of processes, which will enable companies to develop new products.

A deal has been made with Coatema to create an R&D machinery infrastructure necessary to undertake high-tech coating research. Part of this deal includes the provision of a continuous sample coating pilot system based on the company's Basecoater range and which will be installed at the university in February 2004. The Basecoater is a flexible machine with the capabilities and necessary controls of a production model. The machine has a working width of 220 mm and is a continuously running unit. The machine includes three different processes and companies can benefit by trying out new product ideas, by using the process of knife over roll air knife, impregnation and lamination. Different drying systems are also available, for example, IR or hot air drying (Plate 1).

Plate 1 Basecoater

The deal involves very close collaboration with the university and the machine maker, and aims to us the facility and expertise to promote the technology to technical textile companies. The management board of TechniTex is keen to see the facility being used for helping companies to trial new product ideas and to undertake R&D. The main capabilities that the Coatema Basecoater can offer to companies are:

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  knife over roll/air knife,

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  dipping unit,

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  laminating station,

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  electric drying and air circulation,

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  drying by hot air, IR, and

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  capability of add on systems.

Areas already benefiting from this project are products needing different coating microstructure with the dispersion and encapsulation of versatile function substances built-in on a nano or submicron scale such as antibacterial protection, liquid repellency, improved breathability, moisture wicking, drug delivery, and UV-resistance.

For more information about the project, please contact the editor, or visit the TechniTex Web site: www.technitex@hw.ac.uk

George K. StyliosEditor-in-Chief