October 2011 Issue

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  Where tent markets stand today

  IFAI’s 2011 State of the U.S. and Canadian Tent Rental Market report shows hopeful growth.

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  Shade sail software

  MPanel Shade Designer was developed specifically for the shade sail industry that uses HDPE knitted fabric.

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  Fabric space portal takes visitors to outer limits

  Adler’s Deep Space Adventure exhibit features fabric space portal and gallery.

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  A safer fabric membrane ceiling

  A new fabric membrane ceiling provides a prudent replacement for a Tokyo museum.

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  Polycarbonate sheets for marine windows

  Makrolon polycarbonate sheets for marine windows are now available from Tri Vantage®, packaged and shipped economically and safely.

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  Wheelchairs feature pressure-sensing fabrics

  Pressure-sensing fabrics that alert wheelchair users to posture issues have been developed.

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  Color-changing umbrellas

  Foldable black-and-white umbrellas blossom into a splash of color when they get wet.

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  Smart fabric dimmer switches add unique style

  Smart fabric dimmer switches add unique style and warmth to a room.

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  Performance apparel reflects energy back into body

  Mineral-based solution on shirts or shorts reflects body’s far infrared energy back to the body.

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  Incredibly smart textiles

  As understanding evolves and resources become available, interactive textiles could be headed into the mainstream.

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  Shrinkable fabric, custom fit

  Patented shrinkable fabric is custom-fit, lightweight and reuseable, available to protect military vehicles, heavy equipment and hardware.

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  Getting temporary structures to work

  Pre-engineered tensile fabric structures work in out-of-the-way locations.

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  Alain Perez pushes the limits

  Alain Perez embraces challenge to create extraordinary temporary structures.

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  Fabric structures for glamorous camping

  Fabric structure manufacturers find a global market in the ‘glamping’ trend.

• Airbag vehicle design wins technical challenge

  AFRL researchers awarded Dante Barbis $25,000 for rights to use his “airbag vehicle” design.

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• Italian textile machinery exports growing

  Exports of Italian machinery have risen 37 percent during the first quarter of 2011.

• Hybrid film and fibers capture energy from the elements

  New hybrid film and fibers harvest energy from the sun, wind and rain.

• Record drought shrivels U.S. cotton crop

  A monster drought may wipe out 30 percent of the U.S. cotton crop.

• Airbag vehicle design wins technical challenge

  AFRL researchers awarded Dante Barbis $25,000 for rights to use his “airbag vehicle” design.

• ASTM quality assurance programs for textiles

  ASTM Proficiency Testing Programs (PTP) enable labs to assess their performance.

• TAPPI NET 2011 award winners

  TAPPI’s Nonwovens Engineers and Technologists (NET) Division has announced the 2011 winners of its two most important awards.

• Glen Raven: zero-waste goal within reach

  The Glen Raven Technical Fabrics plant will no longer landfill any of its wastes.

• The restoration of Faribault Woolen Mill

  A former Dairy Queen International Inc. CEO and his family aim to bring back the Mill.

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  Fabric planters for a small planet

  Double-walled geotextile fabric planting container allows dirt to drain and breathe.

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  Smart fabric dimmer switches add unique style

  Smart fabric dimmer switches add unique style and warmth to a room.

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  Color-changing umbrellas

  Foldable black-and-white umbrellas blossom into a splash of color when they get wet.

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  Wheelchairs feature pressure-sensing fabrics

  Pressure-sensing fabrics that alert wheelchair users to posture issues have been developed.

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  Performance apparel reflects energy back into body

  Mineral-based solution on shirts or shorts reflects body’s far infrared energy back to the body.

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  Welder features automatic folding capability

  Impulse Extreme features folding capability that automatically folds a pocket from 1–12 inches.

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  Wool-Kevlar® blend fabric

  Researchers say a blend of wool and Kevlar® works better in some conditions than Kevlar alone.

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  Shade sail software

  MPanel Shade Designer was developed specifically for the shade sail industry that uses HDPE knitted fabric.

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  Polycarbonate sheets for marine windows

  Makrolon polycarbonate sheets for marine windows are now available from Tri Vantage®, packaged and shipped economically and safely.

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  Durable fabrics for high traffic environments

  Heavy Traffic Program serves needs for durable fabrics for use in high traffic environments.

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  Shrinkable fabric, custom fit

  Patented shrinkable fabric is custom-fit, lightweight and reuseable, available to protect military vehicles, heavy equipment and hardware.

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  Contemporary wallcoverings

  Genon® wallcovering designs reflect classic Asian designs with a modern twist.

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  Parking closure for plastic zippers

  A new parking closure for ITW MaxiGrip’s plastic zippers: the slider remains in a parked position and does not require removal from the zipper.

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  New product makes unloading fabric rolls easier

  The GAC® Roll Puller™ RP4 takes the labor out of unloading fabric rolls from a truck, and helps to protect workers from injury.

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  Alain Perez pushes the limits

  Alain Perez embraces challenge to create extraordinary temporary structures.

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  Business valuation basics

  Merger, purchase, sale or expansion? The first step is knowing how to establish the value of a business.

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  Business viruses

  Businesses are just as susceptible to viruses as computers.

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  Incredibly smart textiles

  As understanding evolves and resources become available, interactive textiles could be headed into the mainstream.

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  Translucent fabric ceiling: a cut above

  This fabric ceiling is perforated with laser cuts made with high-tech diamond blades.

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  Getting temporary structures to work

  Pre-engineered tensile fabric structures work in out-of-the-way locations.

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  Fabric space portal takes visitors to outer limits

  Adler’s Deep Space Adventure exhibit features fabric space portal and gallery.

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  A safer fabric membrane ceiling

  A new fabric membrane ceiling provides a prudent replacement for a Tokyo museum.

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• Complying with OAE, IAF or IACC

  OAE stands for the Ecuadorian Accreditation Organization.

• Biodegradable tarp material

  Biodegradability isn’t a particularly sought-after characteristic for tarps.

• Long-arm sewing machines

  Long-arm sewing machines, especially with features like the double needle and walking foot/puller combination, are often custom built.

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