Innovations from Oerlikon Schlafhorst Oerlikon Schlafhorst demonstrated its market and technological innovations in the manufacture of staple fibre

Oerlikon Schlafhorst spinning machines in the short staple range, set new milestones at the ITMA 2011. Visitors flocked to the Oerlikon Schlafhorst booth with its Autocoro 8, BD 448, Autoconer X 5 and Zinser ring spinning technology products that acted as a magnet for the public. The new machine concepts and intelligent drive and automation technologies from Oerlikon Schlafhorst were firm favourites on all exhibition days.

A glimpse of the new Autocoro 8 automatic rotor spinning machine was seen by 3,000 visitors. Gerard Küsters, head of Oerlikon Schlafhorst, said “This new technology is the biggest innovation in rotor spinning in the last 30 years. It has been possible to spin a yarn at a rotor speed of 200,000 rpm for the first time. This breakthrough is thanks to the single-drive technology in the Autocoro 8, which will usher in a new era in rotor spinning. I am filled with pride to think that Oerlikon Schlafhorst is setting this new milestone as a technological leader in rotor spinning.” On the Autocoro 8, every spinning unit is autonomous and individually automated. This new rotor spinning machine offers up to 25% more productivity and a level of flexibility. It paves the way for savings on production costs that will benefit spinning mills all over the world.

“Lower production costs and higher process reliability are key factors in the next few years even for ring spinning,” said Küsters. Zinser compact spinning technology sets the benchmark for quality and economic efficiency. Spinning costs can be reduced with the Zinser 351 Impact FX by the specific selection of raw materials.

Autoconer X5 with future-oriented PreciFX technology.

Oerlikon Schlafhorst is offering opportunities for the highest possible degree of automation in the ring spinning mill, adapted to individual customer requirements.

Starting with the speed frame, continuing with the ring spinning machine and ending at the Autoconer winding machine, the optimum degree of automation, process configuration and best product quality can be achieved thanks to functional automation units and intelligent organization of the flow of material.

In PreciFX, customers are investing in the winding technology of the future, but the system has already demonstrated its practicality and performance in many markets. “The keen interest in the winding variety, references and practical results presented prove to us that PreciFX constitutes the solution for challenges and customers: maximum freedom for maximum efficiency and quality in the winding process,” adds Gerard Küsters. For the Autoconer X5, the complete product spectrum for rewinding packages was shown fully functioning for the first time.

Customer Support presented itself as the specialist in optimization of existing systems. Fairly large modernization projects were discussed and concluded in the spheres of energy saving and cost efficiency in particular. Here Oerlikon Schlafhorst customers are investing in quality and original parts, e.g. Belcoro spinning components for the Autocoro 8 and all previous Autocoro generations.

Oerlikon Schlafhorst stand at ITMA Barcelona.

One of the highlights of the ITMA was the presentation by Andy Warlick, president and CEO, and Charles Heilig, executive vice president of Parkdale Mills Inc., USA, of the "Vendor of the Year Award 2011" to the American subsidiary of Oerlikon Textile. As one outstanding example in the modernization sphere, Customer Support for Zinser ring spinning machines is offering a retrofit of ImpactFX for the production of compact yarns entirely in line with the proven motto “We keep you competitive”.

Futher information can be obtained from Ralph Knecht, Head of Sales & Marketing Oerlikon Schlafhorst.