Overview

Solutions for digital transformation in the textile industry
Trends & news

Automated incoming goods inspection thanks to middleware and vertical integration
The opportunities offered by digitalization are not all to be found in production. A new understanding of logistics is required to exploit digitalization along the entire supply chain – from procurement logistics, through warehouse and production logistics, to distribution logistics. Commissioned by a package and logistics service provider, SICK equipped the new distribution center of a textile brand producer with an automated RFID-based incoming goods control system.

The golden age of transponders
An increasing number of digital solutions are also being used in the fashion and clothing industries. The opportunities range from labeling products and presentations in stores all the way through to interaction with the online shop. As announced as part of its current reorientation strategy (known as “FIT4GROWTH”), the GERRY WEBER group will be placing more focus on the issue of digitalization in future and making the most of the potential in omni-channel retail.

SPEETEC®
SPEETEC® transcends the limits in the monitoring of movements. Non-contact and with no measuring elements or scales, it reliably determines the length, position and speed of all kinds of objects and surfaces. Whether it be continuous roll materials or single items, paper, plastic, metal, wood or textile. Its advantages are particularly evident for sensitive or soft surfaces, which can be damaged by conventional tactile sensors. Being virtually wear and maintenance free in operation, it is so economical that the investment pays off in no time at all.
Challenges

Flexible automation
The growing automation in the textile industry and the need to fulfill individual customer requirements increasingly calls for a high level of flexibility and efficiency in production as well as a high diagnostic capability. The intelligent sensors from SICK feature automated teach-in, are diagnostics capable, and independently evaluate and relay the sensor data in the process, thus making a significant contribution towards meeting these requirements.

Safety
The interaction between man and machine brings great opportunities for increasing productivity but at the same time demands well thought-out safety concepts. SICK offers a broad portfolio of safety solutions that feature a high level of ease-of-integration into machine and system controllers, and are supplemented by an extensive range of services that includes consulting, commissioning, training and education.

Quality control
High material quality is very important in the textile industry. SICK has suitable solutions for a wide range of applications involving the quality inspection of different materials. SICK’s distance sensors and vision sensors and systems support nearly every type of monitoring and guarantee the required high level of quality.

Track and trace
An automated production process and optimized material flow are the prerequisite for reliable object identification and seamless traceability. SICK offers a large portfolio of intelligent solutions for this task – from permanently installed and mobile devices for reading bar codes and 2D/3D codes, RFID technology, right through to ultra wideband solutions.