“We Learn from Our Turkish Customers about the Requirements of the Market “
Interview: Özge Çağıl Sütcü
Mahlo, the pioneer of high-quality automatic straightening systems and process control systems, has developed the Orthopac RXVMC straightening machine that removes distortions from textile fabric webs faster and more precisely. Mahlo will exhibit the Orthopac RXVMC machine, which significantly reduces energy and resource consumption, at ITMA Asia.
We interviewed Thomas Höpfl, Head of Sales, Mahlo GmbH + Co. KG, for our Dyeing and Finishing special file. Höpfl talked about the features of their straightening machines, their newly developed machines, their investment plans and the products they will exhibit at ITMA Asia. The highlights of the interview are as follows:
The Most Equipped Straightening Machine in the Industry: Orthomax RFMB-15
Mahlo means high-quality automatic straightening systems and process control systems for the textile industry. Our recipe for success is that we combine our nearly 80 years of experience with the latest technological developments.
In the textile industry, the name Mahlo stands for high-quality automatic straightening systems and process control systems. Our recipe for success is almost 80 years of experience paired with the latest technological developments.
Mahlo offers a wide range of straightening machines for distortion detection and correction, adapted to the respective application. Different products require different straightening mechanisms. An Orthopac RVMC-15 straightening system automatically detects and straightens distortions in almost all textile products, such as woven or knitted goods, carpets, towels and many more. The Orthofact RMB-15 is the classic mechanical needle wheel straightener. The straightening system Orthomax RFMB-15 rounds off the range of straightening machines. This fusion of optical straightener and mechanical needle wheel straightener can justifiably be called the most universal straightener on the market. Our firm also offers a large portfolio of different scanning systems for distortion detection. We are therefore able to select the system that is best suited to our customers’ specific needs.
“ Our Variety of Sensors Can Meet Almost Any Manufacturer’s Requirement”
At the same time, the Mahlo portfolio includes a wide range of process control systems and sensors for any application in the manufacturing or finishing process. In times of constantly rising costs for energy and raw materials, the topic of process control is continuously gaining in importance. The short payback times, high reliability and ease of use of process control equipment result in increased productivity combined with a noticeable reduction in scrap. Our variety of sensors can meet almost any manufacturer’s requirement. The modular design of our systems allows flexible adaptation to all applications. The system measures, logs and controls critical process parameters across the entire working width such as: Temperature, dwell time, residual moisture, exhaust moisture, yarn density, basis weight, coating thickness, fabric width, electrostatic charge etc.
The Orthopac RXVMC, Can Remove Distortions in Fabric Webs Faster and More Precisely
For many of our customers, the issues of quality, energy savings and return on investment play a major role. Our goal is always to combine all three points in our systems and thus optimise the customer’s production process.
The focus is therefore currently on the new X-Series concept for the forward regulation of knitwear with strong distortions. The Orthopac RXVMC straightening machine, which will be presented at this year’s ITMA Asia, can remove distortions in textile fabric webs even faster and more precisely. In this way, we guarantee first time right production as it avoids reruns and second grade fabrics. This has a very positive impact on the consumption of energy and resources. We all know: the cheapest energy is always the energy that is not consumed.
With the new straightening concept, special attention was paid to the straightening mechanics and their interaction with the analysis electronics of the distortion detection system. The control concept is also new. A detection system at the infeed of the straightening machine detects distortions even before they reach the correction rollers. This way, the rollers are brought directly into position and the fabric is corrected from the very first centimetre. A detection system at the outlet also detects possible residual distortion, which is corrected at the second straightening module. This enables an even more precise and faster response when it comes to reacting to rapidly changing distortions. The Orthopac RXVMC therefore shows its full strength when straightening knitwear and warp-sensitive fabrics.
“When we develop products, it is important for us to have a very close dialogue with our customers”
When we develop products, it is important for us to have a very close dialogue with our customers. Only if we listen carefully to our customers and include their problems and requirements in our development work will we actually be able to present systems for which there is a need in industry at the end of the process.
In the future, the use of artificial intelligence will become more and more important.
A lot of measurement data is constantly collected online with our sensors and used online to control the processes. At the same time, historical data is kept in our data management systems. Combining all this with artificial intelligence, it will soon be possible to implement self-optimising scanning systems and control algorithms in our machines.
At the moment, the textile industry is going through an extremely difficult phase. The pressure of rising costs cannot be passed on to consumers in the same way. At the same time, demand for textiles is falling. The overcapacity built up in many areas over the last few years is making the situation more difficult. Nevertheless, we are optimistic about the future. We see in this sitaution that there is a change in thinking. There is a demand for more high-quality textiles. In order to realise this, the textile industry will be even more dependent on monitoring its production parameters and implementing strict quality management. Our systems will certainly be able to make a major contribution to this.
“We will Further Develop and Improve Our Systems for the Benefit of Our Customers”
Sustainability is anchored in the DNA of the Mahlo company. Since Mahlo’s beginnings as a company, we have always been involved in controlling and optimising production processes. We are certain that we have already helped our customers to reduce the consumption of resources and optimise processes over the past decades. We will continue on our chosen path and further develop and improve our systems for the benefit of our customers.
The Turkish textile market is always on our agenda. We have thousands of installations going on there. As described above, we rely heavily on feedback from our customers regarding their needs. Every day we learn from our Turkish customers about the requirements of the market.
