Advancing sustainability in textiles
March 1st, 2019
Textiles are part of a larger drive to protect and preserve resources for the future. Sustainability may be understood as a way to judiciously consume resources while leaving or even enhancing the availability of resources for future generations. The term “sustainability” has developed a powerful vibe that affects our society in general and the business […]
Shane Cossette and TRS Industries keep customers covered, improve existing products, and invent new ones
March 1st, 2019
I set aside much of my time to move throughout our building so I can work with managers to keep us on the same page,” says Shane Cossette, COO of TRS Industries, Fargo, N.D. “Something my dad instilled in me years ago was that not only is the customer always right, but it’s our responsibility to […]
Thread technologies breaking through barriers
March 1st, 2019
The future of fabric or any manufactured product boils down to the components that make it up. For fabric that means yarns and threads—the building blocks of fabric possibilities. It’s an exciting time to be a part of yarn and thread innovations—innovations that include conductivity, protection, sustainability and comfort. Imagine that yarns and threads can […]
Animated display for Brussels airport uses kinetic fabric
March 1st, 2019
There are many “must sees” in the Flanders region of Belgium: charming cities and towns graced with medieval architecture, the paintings of the Flemish masters, historical sites, fashion, food and design. The tourism bureau, Flanders Tourism (Toerisme Vlaanderen), wanted to give travelers flying into the Brussels Zarventem Airport a taste of the adventure that awaits. […]
The parallax view
March 1st, 2019
"It is the obvious which is so difficult to see most of the time. People say ‘It’s as plain as the nose on your face.’ But how much of the nose on your face can you see, unless someone holds a mirror up to you?" ~Isaac Asimov Since March 2008, our cover has featured […]
Pressed Shoes inspired by auto upholstery
March 1st, 2019
Are there similarities between manufacturing upholstery for automobiles and making a pair of shoes? Artist Joris de Groot thinks so. The Amsterdam-based product designer is interested in the tension between craftsmanship and industry. De Groot looked to the techniques involved in manufacturing car interiors to create his In4nite II 2000N Pressed Shoe collection. He chose […]
Textile origami for space habitats
March 1st, 2019
So, you move to Mars—now where are you going to live? As a matter of fact, there is innovative work being done on that subject. A design team is working on the MoonMars project—architecture plans for smart human habitats and research stations on other planets. They are experimenting with origami and high-performance textiles to create […]
Making it easy: the benefits of keder
March 1st, 2019
Hidden within aluminum extrusions, shaping both simple tents and extravagant clearspans, lies the years-old invention that continues to help advance the success and technology of the tent industry today: keder, a bead or core that attaches to a fabric panel and then slides into a corresponding track in a frame. “Keder makes a joint, essentially, […]
2019 State of the Industry
March 1st, 2019
Economic growth in 2018 increased in the United States: Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reached 3.0 percent for the first time since 2005. Unfortunately, growth has been down in other advanced economies such as Canada, Japan and Europe. Growth in the emerging economy of China was also down in 2018—reaching 6.6 percent. China’s GDP is projected […]