Research project for resource-friendly rope production
EDELRID has worked in collaboration with the German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research (DITF) on an innovative research project that is playing an important part in the evolution of textile rope manufacturing. Within the scope of the ‘Rope Twin’ project funded by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labor and Tourism, the project partners digitally mapped all of the material and process steps involved in rope production. The aim was to use digital twins and state-of-the-art Industry 4.0 solutions to develop new, climate-neutral production processes and further optimize fluorine-free impregnations.
The ‘Rope Twin’ project linked two central strands of innovation: the creation of a digital model for rope constructions to support the planning and optimization of production processes and the development of digitally controlled application and impregnation technology for the core yarns.
- The digital twins map the key rope production data and processes through the use of a digital knowledge model that describes the correlations between all materials (from the yarn to the finished rope) and all production steps (e.g., twining, coating, and braiding). The model uses findings based on practical experience and combines them with data-based process optimization. This makes it possible to answer questions about the rope construction and to use an interactive calculation tool to pre-determine process parameters, for example for the coating process.
- In the field of impregnation, the project focused on the core yarns. Here, the researchers looked at how different application and drying parameters influenced the water absorption in accordance with the UIAA standard as well as the effectiveness and durability of fluorine-free coatings. Within the scope of the project, DITF developed a modular application nozzle with a digitally controlled supply unit. This was integrated into the standard process during the project to produce sample materials with a precisely dosed amount of impregnation agent. This process not only reduces energy and water consumption but also the use of chemicals, and optimizes the water absorption of the end product.
EDELRID is committed to investing time and resources in these kinds of research projects, during which it works with renowned institutes to obtain solid findings and actively drive innovation. This is partially facilitated by grant funding. The ‘Rope Twin’ project was funded by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labor and Tourism within the scope of the funding call ‘Climate-Neutral Production using Industry 4.0 Solutions’.