Optima 3D Delivers ITMA Display Loom To US University
Optima 3D is delivering the special weaving technology it demonstrated at ITMA 2023 for installation at the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) in USA.
The 3D weaving system consists of an Optima 3D Series 600 shuttle weaving machine with an integrated 2,688-hook Stäubli SX jacquard and harness.
“It is also complemented by Optima’s compact warp delivery creel and an associated pirn winder for shuttle bobbins and a spool winder for creel spools,” the UK based company said.
Optima added that its looms offer many advanced features over conventional weaving machines, particularly in terms of versatility, as a result of the comprehensive use of digital control systems.
“Our aim from the start was to look at 3D weaving machine technology with a fresh pair of eyes and produce a machine that is simply better by design and delivers real benefits to our customers,” MD Steve Cooper said.
“The key interest in this technology has been in producing new structures from expensive fibres such as carbon into workable structures, as the essential reinforcements for composites,” Cooper too added
“We chose the loom to take advantage of the design flexibility, the shuttle-based weft/fill insertion will provide, for fabrics that will be used in soft and hard composite structures and materials,” ASCC Professor James Stahl explained.
