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VDMA: Mask production: Nothing runs without textile machinery (c) VDMA Textilmaschinen
21.07.2020

VDMA: Mask production: Nothing runs without textile machinery

  • Protective masks, everyday masks, disinfecting wipes and surgical gowns are goods in demand in times of corona.
  • In their manufacture, textile machines are at the beginning of the production chain.

The production of the textile raw material is the first step of the usually multi-stage production processes. Members of the VDMA Textile Machinery Association are at the beginning of this technological chain.

The production of protective masks starts with the manufacture of the filter material, which for surgical masks as well as FFP2 and FFP3 respirator masks consists of fine-pored nonwoven fabric to intercept coronaviruses. In addition to the systems, machines and components used for this purpose, measurement and control technology ensures the highest quality of important parameters such as basis weight and air permeability. Nonwovens used for respiratory masks have to meet the same high-quality requirements as the masks – to ensure the protection of the mask wearer.

  • Protective masks, everyday masks, disinfecting wipes and surgical gowns are goods in demand in times of corona.
  • In their manufacture, textile machines are at the beginning of the production chain.

The production of the textile raw material is the first step of the usually multi-stage production processes. Members of the VDMA Textile Machinery Association are at the beginning of this technological chain.

The production of protective masks starts with the manufacture of the filter material, which for surgical masks as well as FFP2 and FFP3 respirator masks consists of fine-pored nonwoven fabric to intercept coronaviruses. In addition to the systems, machines and components used for this purpose, measurement and control technology ensures the highest quality of important parameters such as basis weight and air permeability. Nonwovens used for respiratory masks have to meet the same high-quality requirements as the masks – to ensure the protection of the mask wearer.

Members of the VDMA Textile Machinery Association have reacted to the new market requirements in a very short time and developed new technologies for knitted, warp knitted as well as woven mouth and nose masks that can be produced without the need for sewing. For surgical masks, FFP2 respirators and social distancing masks, a wide variety of other materials and combinations of materials are used (nonwovens, woven fabrics, knitted or warp knitted fabrics and laminates thereof). Elastic bands are required to wear the masks and several association members provide technologies for their production.

Materials for masks can be treated with textile chemicals to make them antiviral and antibacterial. For this purpose, the VDMA member companies offer application systems which apply the corresponding chemicals to fabric webs. As already mentioned, quality assurance is extremely important for medical products. For this purpose, member companies of the VDMA offer software systems with which each mask can be traced through the entire production process.

VDMA members also offer solutions for the assembly of respirator masks, some of which were developed at short notice. These solutions enable respirators to be produced that meet the relevant standards and the highest quality requirements of customers and market surveillance. This applies to systems for the production of surgical masks and FFP respirators. At the end of the production chain, machines are used to pack masks in single or multiple packs.

In pandemic times, the demand for protective gowns (so-called surgical gowns) also increases. The same applies to disinfecting wipes. For these textile products, too, VDMA members manufacture tailor-made machines for production through to packaging. The quality of the products is ensured by means of measurement and control technology.

In the wake of the corona crisis, VDMA Textile Machinery has launched a new series of web events called "Textile Machinery Webtalk". Here, experts from up to four VDMA member companies present their innovative technologies on a specific topic in a maximum of 90 minutes and are available to answer questions from participants. The presentations are held in English. Participation in the web events is free of charge.
Topics of the first two webtalks were:
"Technologies for the production of melt-blown nonwovens for respiratory protection masks (FFP masks and surgical masks)."
"Technologies for the production of respiratory protection masks (FFP masks and surgical masks)."

The format is well received. Around 180 people from more than 30 countries took part in the first two webtalks. With this format, the VDMA reaches both textile and nonwovens manufacturers who already manufacture these products and companies that want to invest in new business areas.

The next webtalk will take place on 23 July 2020 from 14.00 to 16.00 (CEST) on the current topic "Technology solutions to produce fully-fashioned community face masks." Experts from KARL MAYER, STOLL by KARL MAYER and Jakob Müller will be presenting their technologies for producing everyday textile masks to an international expert audience. Interested parties can register here.

Source:

VDMA Textilmaschinen

vti Dr.-Ing. Jenz Otto, vti Dr.-Ing. Jenz Otto, Foto W. Schmidt
22.05.2020

vti fordert langfristige Abnahme-Garantien für heimische Produzenten von Gesundheitsschutz-Textilien

Seit Beginn der Corona-Epidemie im März haben rund 70 ostdeutsche Hersteller die Produktion von Mund-Nasen-Masken sowie von anderen dem Gesundheitsschutz dienenden Textilien aufgenommen.  

Seit Beginn der Corona-Epidemie im März haben rund 70 ostdeutsche Hersteller die Produktion von Mund-Nasen-Masken sowie von anderen dem Gesundheitsschutz dienenden Textilien aufgenommen.  

Dr.-Ing. Jenz Otto, Hauptgeschäftsführer des Verbands der Nord-Ostdeutschen Textil- und Bekleidungsindustrie e. V. (vti), sagte dazu: „Unsere Firmen haben sich in sensationell kurzer Zeit auf die Anforderungen eingestellt, die sich aus der Corona-Krise ergaben. Nun liegt es an Politik und Behörden, am einschlägigen Medizinfachhandel und an den Einkaufsentscheidern im Gesundheitswesen, diese Produkte zu ordern. Laut ertönte zum Höhepunkt der Krise, die sich ja auch als Versorgungskrise bei textilem Equipment für Klinik und Pflege erwies, der Ruf nach mehr Erzeugnissen aus heimischer Produktion. Wir hoffen und gehen davon aus, dass dieser Ruf noch bis weit in die Zukunft nachhallt. Denn Produzenten, die in spezielle Technologien sowie in kostspielige Tests und medizinische Zertifizierungen investieren, benötigen langfristig zuverlässige Abnehmer. Dabei muss jedem klar sein, dass Textilfirmen hierzulande unter ganz anderen wirtschaftlichen und politischen Rahmenbedingungen produzieren als die Konkurrenz in Fernost. Mit anderen Worten:  Unzumutbarer Preisdruck auf die deutschen Hersteller führt nicht zum Ziel. Wer Qualität und zuverlässigen Lieferservice quasi in persönlicher Reichweite will, der muss sich mit dem hiesigen Preisniveau und mit Mindestabnahmemengen arrangieren. Die Beschaffer von Bundes-, Landes- und Landkreisbehörden sollten hierbei mit gutem Beispiel vorangehen und jetzt entsprechende Verträge abschließen. Wie notwendig die produktionstechnisch abgesicherte Vorratshaltung bei einer Reihe von unverzichtbaren Sortimenten ist, wurde in den vergangenen Monaten mehr als offenbar.“

Der Verband veröffentlicht auf seiner Homepage eine Liste mit Links zu Herstellern bzw. deren Webshops.

More information:
vti Mund-Nasen-Masken
Source:

Verband der Nord-Ostdeutschen Textil- und Bekleidungsindustrie e. V. (vti)