Development of electronic yarns for medical textiles
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Dr. Zubair Bandukda,
Textile Consultant and Educationist from U.K, former
President of the Textile Institute of Pakistan (TIP)
presented a paper on research done by ENTELL FIBRES on
electronic yarn application for medical textiles. |
Electronic yarns for medical textiles are manufactured by
ENTELLL Fibres which represent latest innovation in fibre
technology. Dr. Tilak Dias, Head of WLIC has been granted patent
for this invention - new company called ENTELLL FIBRES was
floated in May, 2008 for business development and
commercialisation of Electronic yarns. These yarns can be
considered as the building blocks for the next the generation of
Smart Textiles. The vision entails the fabrication of
electronically active and sensor fibres which will be the basic
building blocks of the next generation ‘SMART’ fibrous
materials. Dr. Zubair Bandukda discussed the
integration of electronic with apparel and interface of apparel
manufacturing process. He also explained the WLIC development
involving use of “Technology Platform Feed System,”(TPFS).
Furthermore, research work on Micro-device Encapsulation
Technology, is also in progress at the laboratory stage.
Micro-devices are classified as electromagnetic chips, magnetic
devices, optical devices and thermal devices.
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Micro-device encapsulation technology |
Positioning of the µ-devices along the
length of the fibres is accomplished by means of ‘Resin
Injection, UV curing and finishing as shown in the schematic
diagram. The end-uses of Electronic yarns are in apparel,
footwear, leather goods and Medical Textiles.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
Technique has also been developed for future plans of work of
sensing fibres, Yarns and for Temperature Mapping Systems. The
RFID sewing threads in Apparel and leather products ensures
brand protection against counterfeit goods (clothing and
footwear). According to World RFID Markets a Retailer
Perspective, Frost & Sullivan (2007), revenue losses of US$10
billion (Europe) and US$250 billion (US) are reported every year
due to counterfeiting in clothing and footwear industries.
Another advantage of RFID sewing thread early integeration of
this technology in garment manufacturing process and supply
chain transparency directives, which are expected to amount as
US$11 billion industry by 2016. The RFID tracking system has
shown to improve logistics, increase productivity and reduce
cost.u
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