New intarsia knitting machine for T+DL
The Textile and Design Lab took delivery of its latest Shima Seiki knitting machine earlier this month. In order to significantly increase the lab’s knit design capabilities, it was decided to invest in a 14 gauge SIG intarsia machine, the first of its kind to be commissioned in New Zealand. The intarsia capability will also support the lab’s R&D work in the area of smart materials using conductive yarns. Senior Technician, Gordon Fraser, will be spending 2 weeks at Shima’s training centre in Wakayama, Japan in July to learn the programming techniques specific to the new machine.
The lab’s new Shima SIG intarsia knitting machine
Get to know the basics
If you or your staff are struggling with textile terms and processing methods used in the industry, they will undoubtedly benefit from our 3 day Fibres to Fashion (Introduction to Textiles) short course being held at the AUT from the 6th-8th July. This fast paced course covers fibre properties, yarn production, knitting, weaving, textile coloration and printing, fabric quality, specifications and care labelling. The final day of the course is devoted to new digital technology being used in the industry.
Contact Textile and Design Lab manager, Peter Heslop, on peter.heslop@aut.ac.nz for a course information sheet. Discounts are available for group bookings of four and over from one organisation and for full time students.
Funding for development of digitally printed merino
The Textile and Design Lab has been awarded $5,000 from AUT Enterprises Limited to help further develop digitally printed merino wool fabrics and garments. Former AgResearch dyeing expert, Les Duckmanton, is working with T+DL staff to help formulate both pre treatment and wet finishing processes that will optimise the uptake of the reactive dyes used in the printing process. Results attained so far have shown a significant improvement in terms of dye retention and the prevention of residual dye from re depositing onto lighter parts of the fabric during wet finishing. The project is expected to be completed by the end of June.
Textile and Fashion Industries of Australia visits T+DL
Recently appointed Textile, Clothing and Footwear (TCF) Hub Project Manager, Craig Driscoll, of the TFIA visited the Textile and Design Lab in late April to take a first-hand look at the technology that the lab has available for its students, researchers and commercial partners, and to gain an understanding of how the lab interacts with local industry. The Australian Textile and Fashion Hub has been funded by AusIndustry to support the commercialisation of ideas and innovations in the TCF industry, as well as to implement workplace learning programs and develop collaborative SME clusters. Mr Driscoll has been engaged to drive the next stage of development for the Hub, consulting with current consortium members to identify and implement specific projects.
Knitwear Design 1 Day course Sat 2nd July 2011
Fibres to Fashion (Introduction to Textiles) 3 Day course Wed 6th – Fri 8th July 2011
Photoshop Basics 2 Day course Thu 14th – Fri 15th July 2011 Evening course starting Wed 20th July 2011
Photoshop Intermediate for Textile Design 2 Day course Mon 4th – Tue 5th July 2011
Group and student discounts apply to all our short course registration fees. Visit the ‘Courses’ page at www.tdl.aut.ac.nz or email peter.heslop@aut.ac.nz for full details.