news +++ Texcare
6 to 9 November 2024

Processing as if by magic: Texcare presents developments in
automated textile careFrankfurt am Main, 11 April 2024. Automation is advancing apace in the textile-care
sector. RFID systems, robotics and artificial intelligence are introducing greatertransparency into the flow of goods, carrying out high-risk, heavy or monotonous
work and improving quality control processes. In this way, these clevermechanisms are alleviating one of the most acute problems in the industry: staffshortage.
The degree of automation in the textile-care sector has already reached a high level and,in many cases, everything operates smoothly, just like a production line. Nevertheless,more tasks that are currently still carried out manually could be taken over by machines
and robots in the future. The latest innovations in the field of automation will be on show atTexcare International in Frankfurt am Main from 6 to 9 November 2024.
Laundry traceability
Although there are alternatives, RFID technology is an important tool for textile-carecompanies when it comes to laundry management. Tags, i.e., transponders or chips
embedded in textiles, contain all relevant information about each individual item. Thesetags are identified by readers, i.e., detection devices, and 'translated' into the next
processing stage via interfaces, thus eliminating the need to manually read in a barcode.
Bulk goods can in turn be localised using UHF technology, which leads to more
operational transparency. Wireless systems are therefore set to become increasingly
important for machine-supported, efficient laundry processing, as shown by a variety ofautomation developments.

RFID technology remains an important tool for textile-care companies. Source: Messe Frankfurt Exhibition

Automatic soiled laundry inspection and sorting
In future, sorting dirty laundry could be one of the processes that can be carried out bymachines. In the systems developed by Denmark's Inwatec company, intelligent
technology separates, recognises and classifies the goods delivered: robots pick up theindividual items of laundry from conveyor belts, while RFID chip readers or cameras andartificial intelligence identify and register each item, be it workwear, towels or even bedlinen. Immediately afterwards, an X-ray scanner automatically detects unwanted, hidden
items in the bags and removes these articles. Only approved laundry items are forwarded
and sorted by the system in accordance with the designated washing or cleaning process.
The system, which can operate around the clock, is reliable and fast. In hospital laundries,
it also minimises contact with harmful germs and the risk of injury from sharp or pointed
objects. Nevertheless, such a system still cannot work fully automatically because, on theone hand, the incoming laundry has to be loaded manually from the trolleys into thesorting system and, on the other hand, the employees must handle the rejected garments,
identify valuable items and return them to the wearers if the labelling makes this possible.
Scanners monitor the quality of flat linen
The handling of dry laundry is also characterised by fewer personnel and more automatedtechnology. Thanks to developments by several companies, the continuous scanning of
textiles for holes, stains, deformations or colours has long been used for ironing laundry ofidentical dimensions. At this point, imperfect items are removed from the process, after
which the flawless items are automatically folded and stacked.
Robots do the folding without a break
Other automated processes now include the folding and stacking of terrycloth products.
Companies such as Hebetec Wäschereitechnik, Kannegiesser and Sewts are set topresent corresponding solutions at Texcare 2024. Andreas Langer, Kannegiesser'smarketing manager, explains the reasons behind the development of the fully automateddry laundry line: "Due to fatigue, the operator's input performance naturally fluctuates anddecreases over the course of a shift. Automation prevents input from becoming abottleneck and slowing down the laundry process. This arduous task is performed bystate-of-the-art equipment. Working with advanced technology, such as robots andintelligent control systems, has another advantage: it makes it easier for a modern laundry
to attract tech-savvy employees and specialists who find working with innovative andfuture-oriented technologies exciting and want to be part of a modern company."

The automatic dry laundry line. Source: Kannegiesser

The principle of a fully automatic terrycloth folding system is usually based on modern
image recognition systems and sensors. These enable one or more robot arms torecognise, grip, align, identify or measure an item in a laundry trolley, feed it to the foldingmachine, fold it with the appropriate folding programme and then stack it. Depending on
the manufacturer, these processes are carried out in accordance with specific procedures,
which also influence the performance of the machine. According to Kannegiesser, thisresults in an hourly folding rate between 600 and 700 items, depending on the variety ofitems to be processed. For example, a person is still faster than a machine when folding
smaller items of laundry, such as flannels.
Automatically sorted to the packing station
To date, processing automation has usually concluded with the laundry items grouped
together in stacks, which are then manually sorted, picked, assigned to tours or stored.
This gap between the folding machine and the packaging area can now also be closed,
too, thanks to a storage and replenishing system for stacked flat linen developed by theJensen Group. The stacks of clean laundry are placed on a storage belt and automaticallyfed to the staff who fulfil the orders. An additional storage system that can also be
integrated into the system provides further space for the laundry stacks. They aretemporarily stored there, retrieved as required and transported to the packing station
using cranes and conveyor belts, where laundry staff complete the deliveries for thecustomers.
"As a transport system for stacked flat laundry, our system fulfils all requirements formaintaining the quality, cleanliness and hygiene of the finished goods right through to thedispatch area. The individual stacks are transported separately, which prevents
unintentional displacement of the linen and manual repositioning. Thus, automatedprocessing from the storage conveyor ensures a consistent level of quality, which enables
user-friendly packaging and leads to customer-oriented delivery of laundry stacks.
Simultaneously, this cuts down on the number of employees required in the final stage ofa textile hire company, which can ease the pressure on the usually tight staffing levels in
the companies," explains Jensen Group Marketing Manager Nicolas Gostony.

Stacked linen storage system. Source: Jensen Group

Human skills remain in demand
Thanks to the rapid development of sensors, artificial intelligence and robotics,
textile care 4.0 is taking on ever more tangible forms. These clever systems givecompanies the chance to automate similar tasks and thereby improve their performance,
laundry quality and hygiene. Shortages of skilled and unskilled labour can be better
covered, while employees benefit from a higher quality of work and new opportunities fordevelopment. Nevertheless, despite the rapid advances in automation, the textile service
industry is inconceivable without human beings. Their cognitive skills are required, inparticular, for coding, individualisation (applying name badges or patches), length
adjustment and repair, as well as for cleaning private laundry. In many cases, a trained
eye is often faster than cameras and artificial intelligence when it comes to quality control
and assessment. However, as such activities quickly lead to fatigue, it is likely that thenext wave of automation will be in this area of textile care.
Texcare International in Frankfurt am Main offers a comprehensive overview ofinnovations from all product parts of the textile-care sector. More than 300 exhibitors fromall over Europe, Asia and North America will be showcasing their innovations from recentyears. In addition to the major manufacturers of machines, chemicals and textiles, newcompanies from the fields of robotics and IT will also be making presentations. Further
topical information can be found at www.texcare.com.
In addition to Texcare International Messe Frankfurt holds trade fairs and conferences forthe textile-care sector in all major economic regions of the world. Please see:www.texcare.com/brand.

Texcare International
World Market for Modern Textile Care
Texcare International will be held from 6 to 9 November 2024.

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Antje Schwickart
Tel.: +49 69 75 75-6474
Antje.Schwickart@messefrankfurt.com
Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH
Ludwig-Erhard-Anlage 160327 Frankfurt am Main
www.messefrankfurt.com

Background information on Messe Frankfurt
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