Textile machine consortium


 
Textile production monitored by a 'space eye'
 
 
15 February 2005
 
An artificial eye developed for Earth observation has been used to develop the Coltex textile colouring machine. By using its 'space' eye this new machine can recognise very precisely colour variations in dyed fabrics, a very critical element of textile production.
 
This should lead to significant cost reductions in this industrial sector and less discarded material. The machine will also decrease the amount of dyeing agents and solvents that need processing before they can be released into the environment.

The Coltex textile colouring quality assurance machine was financed under the EU's Fifth Framework Programme CRAFT. ESA made available innovative space technologies through its Technology Transfer Programme (TTP).

The following five European companies formed the project group:

  • IRIS DP: Italian company for research and development of leading edge technology for the textile sector and prime contractor for the Coltex machine development
  • D'Appolonia: an Italian company and technology broker, part of ESA's Technology Transfer Programme's network
  • CITEVE: the Technological Centre for the textile and garment industries of Portugal
  • SPECIM: a Finnish company producing spectrographic systems
  • MS MacroSystem: a Dutch company specialising in data processing and lightning solutions
  • DV: an Italian technological laboratory that develops and produces spectroscopical and laser instruments for scientific and industrial applications
     
     

    More information

     •  Space ‘eye’ for textiles (http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMJJ2YEM4E_Benefits_0.html)

    Related links

     •  ESA's Technology Transfer Programme (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/TTP2/index.html)
     •  Technology Transfer - Down to Earth (http://www.esa.int/esapub/br/br175/br175.pdf)
     •  Technology Transfer Spin-off Successes (http://www.esa.int/esapub/br/br152/br152e.html)

    Industrial Partners

     •  IRIS DP (http://www.irisdp.com)
     •  D'Appolonia (http://www.dappolonia.it/)
     •  CITEVE (http://www.citeve.pt)
     •  SPECIM (http://www.specim.fi/)
     •  MS MacroSystem (http://www.msmacrosystem.nl/)
     •  DV (http://www.dvoptic.com)