Interview with Mrs. Verena Ruckh, Head of Marketing at BRÜCKNER Textile Technologies, Germany
During ITMA, BRÜCKNER Textile present another new simulation tool that is called ExperTex. This system collects a wide variety of information and knowledge sources and brings them together in an expert system. With the help of artificial intelligence, the ExperTex system determines the optimum process control and machine recipe for each application, taking into account all the basic conditions (type of fabric, number of drying compartments, exhaust air volume, temperature, etc.). This minimizes energy consumption and at the same time increases production output. Our ExperTex system is available for all dryer types and can also be retrofitted on request.
Kohan Textile Journal: First of all please let us know about Bruckner Textile participation at ITMA milano 2023. Do you have any new technology to exhibit in ITMA for first time?
Verena Ruckh: Of course, we have some novelties at ITMA! The first thing to mention here are our innovations in the area of sustainability. Due to the extreme increase in energy costs and the supply bottlenecks in some markets, the subject of saving resources is currently absolutely in our focus. We will be exhibiting a dryer at the trade show that features various combined heating options.
In combination with our advanced heat recovery and exhaust air purification systems, a lot of energy can already be saved here. We have also invested a lot in the area of digitalization and will be presenting our new digital products and services at the show. Furthermore, we will exhibit a coating unit that offers customers in the field of technical textiles many advantages.
In addition, we will of course promote some highlights from other fields, such as coating and finishing of carpets, bonding and finishing of nonwovens, a new belt dryer for knitted fabric as well as new products and services from our After Sales department.
Kohan Textile Journal: What is Bruckner’s range of products and machinery in the textile and carpet industry in ITMA? Share with us the most important properties of Bruckner machinery in ITMA.
Verena Ruckh: In addition to our live exhibits, we also display various machine models. Our product portfolio is so broad that we unfortunately, cannot exhibit machines from all areas live. These machine models are therefore the perfect way for us to be able to illustrate our technologies from all areas.
Among other things, we will be showing our DUO-THERM carpet dryer, which is ideally suited for the back coating and finishing of carpets and other floor coverings. In addition, a model of a double belt oven will be on display, which is used for the production of high-loft nonwovens or compressed fiberboards made of natural, synthetic or even recycled fibers.
Typical end products include mattresses, upholstery, dry and wet wipes, insulation materials or automotive components. As a further model, we will show a continuous dyeing line with a dyeing padder and an infrared radiation dryer. With this machine, all woven fabrics can be dyed without migration and creases and then be dried absolutely uniformly.
Mostly such a line is used by our customers for the production of shirting fabrics or bed linen made of striped satin. Our customers can expect the highest quality in all equipment. Our machines are durable, robust and energy-efficient and are made 100% in our own production site in Bavaria, Southern Germany.
Kohan Textile Journal: Sustainability and recycling is an important subjects for textile manufacturers all around the world, what is Bruckner Textile sustainability policy?
Verena Ruckh: Sustainability is probably the buzzword of the year, or even the decade. We all have to do something to save resources and protect our environment. This is mainly about saving energy, chemicals and water. Heating a textile dryer inevitably means using energy, whether gas, oil or electricity.
We can’t outsmart physics. But we can do some things to make heating our machines more efficient or use green or even renewable energy sources. Some of this is certainly still a vision of the future, but many things can be implemented today.
In addition to the heat recovery and exhaust air purification systems that I have already mentioned, we also offer, for example, minimum application units that consume significantly fewer chemicals and water, thus ensuring efficient application. Furthermore, our machinery is equipped with state-of-the-art assistance systems that support the machine operator in selecting the optimum and most efficient setting for each process.
Kohan Textile Journal: reducing production costs is a priority for all textile factories, how your machinery can help manufacturers in this field?
Verena Ruckh: Since the pandemic, many raw material costs have risen extremely high. This is felt not only by consumers but also by textile manufacturers all over the globe. In addition, there are high requirements imposed by governments as well as bottlenecks in supply chains.
Cutting costs in as many areas as possible has therefore become essential for every company. As described earlier, customers can save energy and other resources in many ways with our equipment. Ultimately, this also leads to cost savings. Our technology team offers expert advice on precisely such issues. We are happy to check all parameters and settings on our customers’ machines and optimize them individually. In the process, the equipment is measured and suggestions are made for eliminating “efficiency killers”.
Kohan Textile Journal: digitalization is a great step to create a common language to achieve more productivity and simplicity. How does Bruckner textile implement digitalization in textile machinery production? And why it is important?
Verena Ruckh: Digitalization is helpful in many ways. Our machines are equipped with many intelligent tools and assistance systems. The maintenance manager, for example, informs the machine operator when wear parts need to be reordered or cleaning work is due.
Another tool enables customers to exchange data with higher-level operating and production control systems. Integration of third-party units is also possible here. In addition, our Dashboard Manager provides an overview of the most important production data of our machines at any time, e.g. recipe number, batch length, remaining time, etc. This data can also be accessed via connected mobile devices.
At ITMA, we will present another new simulation tool that is called ExperTex. ExperTex collects a wide variety of information and knowledge sources and brings them together in an expert system. With the help of artificial intelligence, the ExperTex system determines the optimum process control and machine recipe for each application, taking into account all the basic conditions (type of fabric, number of drying compartments, exhaust air volume, temperature, etc.).
This minimizes energy consumption and at the same time increases production output. Our ExperTex system is available for all dryer types and can also be retrofitted on request.
Kohan Textile Journal: how do you predict the textile machinery export market after ITMA 2023?
Verena Ruckh: Unfortunately, the current mood in the global economy is still one of “wait-and-see”. The war in Europe, inflation and the associated rise in prices in many areas are keeping us busier than ever. Added to this are the financial imbalances in many markets. In the textile industry, we are used to fluctuations, and ITMA has always been a signal of an upward trend in the past. So this year, too, we are hoping for the positive spirit of the world’s largest textile machinery exhibition and we are looking forward to Milan with great anticipation.
Kohan Textile Journal: At the end, you can add any other information that you think is interesting for readers in EMEA region.
Verena Ruckh: The EMEA region has always played an important role for us. Currently, for example, we have major projects in Africa. Many textile countries there are coming back after uncertain times. There is a lot of know-how on this continent and the labor costs make the location attractive.
On the other hand, Türkiye and its surrounding countries are also indispensable for textile production and will continue to be an important pillar for us in the future. We very much hope that we will be able to welcome many visitors from the EMEA region to our stand at ITMA in June. We are looking forward to interesting conversations and a constructive exchange!
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