Archives

Molecular manipulation to change the textile industry

July 1st, 2008

Would you like to have shirts that don’t get dirty? What if the milk that spilled in your minivan never smelled? Wouldn’t it be convenient if the seats in your boat couldn’t mildew? And imagine the value of a surgical mask that actually kills germs, rather than simply preventing them from being inhaled. As futuristic […]

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PVC breeds controversy in industrial fabrics industry

July 1st, 2008

Poor Waldo Semon. Today the inventor would no doubt fly his private jet to his private island, where he would entertain VIPs in just about any industry you could name. But in 1926, when the B.F. Goodrich Co. researcher devised polyvinyl chloride (PVC), his employer had a hard time marketing it. Today, manufacturers in industries […]

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Strategies for compliance with building codes

July 1st, 2008

It’s a story that’s becoming all too familiar: An awning company takes a job fabricating a simple entrance canopy. It’s the type of installation that this company has done hundreds of times before—but this time, that company is given a veritable laundry list of additional requirements. Provide evidence that the material meets NFPA 701; demonstrate […]

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Measuring tools can be used as fabric is unrolled

July 1st, 2008

We’re looking for a fabric counter, something that we can use to measure yardage as the fabric’s being unrolled. Where can we get one? We found a couple of different types of measuring tools. Measuregraph and Rowley both have table-top models; the Measuregraph device sits on the table, and the Rowley clamps onto it. The […]

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NSF develops standards for health-related products

July 1st, 2008

We’re told that the fabric we’re using to contain a water filter has to meet NSF 61. Where can we get more information about this requirement? NSF is a not-for-profit organization that develops standards and product certification, among other activities, for public health related products and issues. NSF 61 pertains to drinking water system components. […]

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Novatex offers Unisuede for various applications

July 1st, 2008

Where can I find Unisuede fabric? Unisuede is a faux suede fabric, also available perforated for use in automotive interiors, upholstery and garments. The Unisuede tradename is registered to Novatex International: SOURCE Novatex International Juli Case is IFAI’s information and technical services manager.

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UL 94 includes 12 flame classifications

July 1st, 2008

We’ve been told that an insulated cover we’re fabricating has to meet UL HB. What does that mean? Underwriters Laboratories, an independent product safety certification organization, writes a number of specifications, including the flammability specification UL 94. UL 94 is titled “Standard for Flammability of Plastic Materials for Parts in Devices and Appliances,” and includes […]

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Types of ballistic fabrics

July 1st, 2008

What is a ballistic fabric? Ballistic has two different meanings when it comes to fabric. First, it can mean the type of material used for soft body armor. These materials are usually woven with high-strength fibers, such as a para-aramid, a high-performance polyethylene (HPPE) or high-modulus polyethylene. Those types of ballistic fabrics have a very […]

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Concrete Cloth applications may save lives

July 1st, 2008

A pair of young British engineers were hoping for some design competition money when they began brainstorming new uses for concrete. In the end, their innovation—Concrete Cloth—may already be saving lives. Peter Brewin and William Crawford were studying for post-graduate degrees in London in 2004 when they started experimenting with ideas for a design competition […]

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Donating excess inventory benefits businesses

July 1st, 2008

Your business may be sitting on an important tax deduction—and you may not even realize it. The deduction lies in your excess, overstock inventory. By donating that nonmoving merchandise to charity, your company can earn a federal income tax deduction under Section 170 (e)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Regular (C) corporations may deduct […]

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