Why Digital Textiles?
In order to track products across the entire value chain, a method for capturing data is required. This is challenging for in the textiles sector for several reasons: textiles are often initially produced continuously as roll goods, then processed in batches, and finally manufactured into individual products. This makes traceability difficult.
Furthermore, it is currently not possible to capture usage and condition data of textiles. This is particularly critical in the context of recycling, as each textile must be individually assessed by experts and a personalized recycling plan must be created.
Intelligent Textiles for the Future
The M4 Digital Textiles module therefore focuses on developing and establishing production technologies for digital or smart textiles. The module emphasizes the advancement of production technologies with a holistic view of the value chain. Flexible production lines are formed from modular production equipment (e.g., embroidery and printing machines for circuit production, pick-and-place machines for the application of electronic components) that communicate via a digital production platform. This platform is also used to connect users and designers of digital textiles, establishing a data-driven product design process.
In addition to production technologies, the module also researches time-responsive textiles (e.g., influenced by heat or moisture): so-called 4D textiles.