Oerlikon Schlafhorst Express - Oerlikon Schlafhorst - Oerlikon Textile

Oerlikon Schlafhorst Express 

Contents 

Innovations 

X-Change – Package doffer with an 

outstanding performance spectrum 2-3 

Trend towards automation 

gains momentum 4-5 

SPID for linked systems 

Autoconer X5, V 6 

Zinser Modernisation Kit 

Tube feeding system CoWeFeed 7 

Corolab XQ/XF – The yarn 

clearing system with a future 8-9 

Customers & Markets 

Oerlikon Schlafhorst and 

Fruit of the Loom Textile SARL 10-11 

Melike İplik San. Ve Tic A.Ş. (Turkey) 12 

Technology 

PreciFX successful in application 

for S-twist yarns 13 

Info 

Oerlikon Schlafhorst 

Customer Support 14-15 

Combining activities at one 

German plant 16 

Issue No. 3/2010 e 

Editorial 

Dear Readers, 

To coincide with the end 

of 2010, we wish to 

update you once again. 

I wish to take this opportunity 

to thank you for 

the faith you have 

shown in us during the 

fiscal year that is drawing to a close. After a 

difficult 2009, we experienced a considerably 

improved economic trend. You are noticing 

it in the high demand for yarns and textiles, 

and we are seeing it in a good order intake 

for new machine orders and in the parts 

business. The reverse side of the coin 

shows us all, however, that it is not so easy 

to raise production from the low level of last 

year to this virtual explosion of requirements 

without incurring problems. In spite of extensive 

restructuring, we have not sacrificed 

flexibility. What was and still is a problem at 

present is the supplier market. Here we are 

making every effort to improve the situation 

further. And that’s not all. Plans are unfolding 

in parallel for even more efficient processes 

and business sequences, and our engineers 

are working on innovations for the future. 

The trends show us the way: automation, 

flexibility, quality and resource awareness. 

We are happy to take on these challenges. 

I wish you and your families a good start to 

ITMA year 2011. 

Gerard Küsters 

Head of Oerlikon Schlafhorst

2 Oerlikon Schlafhorst Express 

Innovations 

X-Change – Package doffer with 

an outstanding performance spectrum 

Fast, flexible, smart and individually tailored 

The “X-Change” doffer with its futuristic 

design strikes one instantly as one of the key 

innovations on the Autoconer X5. But it isn’t 

just setting a trend with its external attractions; 

it demonstrates its true achievement potential 

with its outstanding functional attributes. 

Convincing performance spectrum… 

The basic data are already right. Packages 

with a diameter of 70 mm - 320 mm are 

doffed without any problems. The “X-Change” 

can process all common tube formats in a 

tube diameter range of 25 - 95 mm. Not all 

doffers can do that! The complexity of the 

doffer has been considerably reduced 

thanks to its single-motor drives, thereby 

hugely simplifying operation and maintenance. 

Fast… 

It might be possible to say anything on 

paper, but at Oerlikon Schlafhorst the doffer is 

capable of the times and speeds indicated, 

even in daily operation in the winding mill 

(doffing time 10 seconds, travel speed 43 

m/min). The doffing capacity is considerably 

higher compared with the preceding model. 

For you this means that only one doffer needs 

to be specified per machine in many cases 

to clear the packages produced (see diagram). 

Flexible… 

Capacity alone is not the crucial factor, 

however. On the contrary, it also offers unique 

flexibility thanks to many cleverly designed 

functional sequences. Multifunctional tube 

handling sounds good and it is! You can 

process any 5”/6” or 3”/4” package formats 

using one doffer without having to make any 

mechanical adjustments to the doffer. Here, 

too, this means that even if you process 

tapered and cylindrical packages (in the 

5”/6” format) on one machine, you only 

need to specify one doffer if its capacity 

is sufficient. Via the “teaching mode”, i.e. 

without any hardware layout, the doffer 

learns to recognise the shape and structure 

of the tube in one and how it must grip it. 

This information is then stored in the Informator. 

Simply by pressing a button at the 

Informator, you can now select at any time 

which of the saved tube formats is being 

processed at present by your winding 

machine. The doffer remembers and coordinates 

its functional sequence to the respective 

tube presented. In keeping with this, the 

new design of the superstructure means 

that no mechanical adjustment of the tube 

magazines is required if the tube format 

varies. Mechanical adjustments are only 

necessary if the tube traverse changes from 

5”/6” to 3”/4”. 

Do you have a flexible production programme 

with changing lots? Here, too, the “X-Change”

Increasing package running time 

Innovations 

can offer you substantial support straight 

away. The newly configured doffing process 

makes automatic lot changing possible 

without manual winding on onto the empty 

tube by the operator. As soon as the machine 

is equipped with bobbins, the doffer commences 

winding on of the empty tubes from 

winding unit to winding unit. In this process, 

the yarn is presented to it from the bobbin 

by the gripper arm / suction tube in such a 

way that it only has to grip the yarn and can 

begin the winding on process immediately. 

Other doffers first have to fetch the yarn 

from below at each winding unit, and that 

takes time. Your Autoconer X5 is back in 

production in the minimum of time, and in 

the meantime your staff can be dealing with 

other jobs. 

Smart… 

The “X-Change” can do even more, however. 

Here our engineers have translated some 

smart ideas into sophisticated details. The 

first of these is the “empty tube strategy”. If 

there is no empty tube for the package doff 

about to take place, the doffer itself procures 

a suitable tube from the neighbouring 

Autoconer 5 - limit running time 

Autoconer X5 - limit running time 

1 Doffer is enough 

Number of winding units 

Capacity advantage of new doffer 

2 doffers required 

Oerlikon Schlafhorst Express 3 

winding unit belonging to the lot and immediately embarks on 

package doffing. The waiting time for the winding unit that occurred 

previously (doffing only commenced after the operator had topped 

up the tube magazine) is thus eliminated. 

The extremely positive feedback on the new winding unit display 

was a reason for adopting this depiction for the new doffer display 

too. Symbols, pictograms and number codes help staff to make a 

targeted diagnosis. The electronics are also the same as the winding 

unit electronics, enabling the electronics cards to be exchanged at 

short notice. 

Individually tailored… 

Autoconer X5 

New package doffer X-Change with increased doffer capacity 

The settings for the doffer parameters are entered centrally at 

the Informator. Your doffer can thus be adapted very swiftly and 

individually to your requirements: learning, saving and selecting tube 

formats and assigning them to the winding unit sections. The position 

and number of transfer tail windings can be adjusted precisely 

to match the tube structure and / or the downstream processing 

requirements. For special requirements it is even possible to place a 

yarn loop over the tube middle instead of the typical transfer tail, so 

that the yarn end is especially well covered. 

Exploit the performance features of the new “X-Change”. As an 

autonomously operating assistant it supports your staff and offers a 

superb opportunity to focus on automation of the process sequences 

precisely where manual doffing took place hitherto. 

Yarn feed at the suction 

tube for secure gripping 

by the doffer. 

Secure tube handling, 

reliable package doffing. 

Precise, individually 

adaptable transfer tail. 

Everything at a glance – 

information on the doffer 

display.

4 


Trend towards automation 

gains momentum 

Autoconer X5, type V fully reflects the trend 

The automation of ring spinning machines and package winders is 

assuming growing importance in many regions. Even in those regions 

where labour costs are still low, many spinning mills are turning increasingly 

to modern linked systems such as the Autoconer X5, type V as 

a forward-looking solution. 

Arguments in favour of automation – operator-independent, 

high-quality, efficient 

The direct link between the ring spinning machine and the package 

winder already saves around 30 - 40% on staff costs (compared 

with RM) in practice, and this trend is rising. But apart from economic 

efficiency, automation offers another convincing argument - quality. 

The bobbins are transported contact-free, and therefore with the 

minimum impact on the yarn, from the ring spinning machine to the 

package winder. The quality of the spun yarn is fully retained. In 

addition, in an installation linked to the Autoconer X5 V, the yarn 

quality of each individual spinning unit on the ring spinning machine 

can be checked and safeguarded at the optimum level by the optional 

online spindle identification system SPID. The efficiency and safety of 

the flow of material and process sequence no longer depend on the 

operators. In automated linked systems, the bobbins are wound into 

packages “just in time” by direct transfer to the winding machine. 

These “intact” bobbins facilitate higher efficiency ratings of the package 

winder on account of greater readying reliability and better unwinding 

behaviour in the winding process. The production capacities of 

the spinning and winding machine are coordinated to one another in 

the optimum manner for greater efficiency, i.e. for more kilograms of 

yarn each day. 

Clearly structured and flexible in specification – the new material flow in the Autoconer X5. 

Tube inspector 

BOBBIN / PIECE BOBBIN READYING 

Yarn seperation 

TUBE HANDLING 

Yarn search 

Bobbin readying 

station 

Readying station 2 (optional) 

Tube cleaning 

(optional) 

Tip bunch winding 

MANUAL READYING 

WINDING UNITS 

Innovations 

Autoconer X5, type V – the shortest route from the bobbin to 

the package 

In the new Autoconer X5, type V machine, the bobbins are supplied 

to the central readying station once they have been transferred by 

the CTS to the Caddies of the Autoconer transport system. The 

number of readying stations and the equipping of these with suitable 

yarn detachment device types are freely configurable according to 

the required cycle rates, materials and bobbin structures. The yarn 

end is deposited securely on the tube tip as a tip bunch, so that it 

does not get lost during transporting and the winding unit can fall 

back on it securely when winding on. The material flow to the winding 

units is demand-led, i.e. when the winding units place a request, 

they are supplied with the bobbins. To ensure the optimum reliability 

of supply, 3 reserve bobbins are always available for each winding 

unit. The transport system has been designed to be extremely thrifty 

with power (compared with the preceding model, up to 5% of energy 

costs can be saved). Long sections (bobbin feed, tube return) are 

managed using a conveyor belt system. Within the winding units and 

in the central machining centre, mechanical, positive conveying 

by means of driver plate is used. After the winding process, final 

treatment is carried out in the machining centre. The tube inspector 

takes charge of distribution: empty tubes are transferred via the CTS 

transfer station to the ring spinning machine, tubes with cut-off pieces 

of yarn are optionally fed to the tube cleaning unit, tubes with yarn 

remains that can be unwound are fed back into the material flow.

Innovations 

To complement the energy-saving transport 

concept, the opportunity exists to utilise 

further energy-saving potential. If the Autoconer 

X5, type V machine has wound all its 

bobbins and the spinning machine is still 

engaged in production of the new take-up, 

the winding machine can switch to energysaving 

mode. This means that all belts and 

units that are not required enter “sleep” 

mode (e.g. reduction in the power take-up 

of the suction system). Everything is then 

reactivated in good time for the transfer of 

the new bobbins. 

The monitoring tasks of the operators are 

clearly organised and characterised by short 

distances. The Informator is located directly 

on the machining centre right next to the 

CTS transfer station, so the operator is only 

a couple of steps away from the operating 

terminal of the ring spinning machine and 

can quickly survey the production sequences 

and data of both machines. 

Plus points for the installation of a 

linked system with the Autoconer X5, 

type V: 

• Independence from the availability of 

trained staff and from labour cost 

increases 

• Safeguarding of yarn quality due to 

gentle supply to winding machine 

• No mixing-up of lots 

• Optimum capacity coordination between 

spinning and winding machine 

• Higher efficiency rating of the ring 

spinning machine (with SPID) 

• Flexible configuration of the material 

flow units to satisfy the requirement 

• High cycle rates, reliable process 

sequences 

• Transparency of operation, Informator as 

central operating terminal close to the 

spinning machine 

• Energy-saving mode 

• Online quality monitoring with 

SPID (optional) 

• PreciFX (option) – unique yarn traversing 

facility for bobbin processing for 

individual package quality 

Energy-saving transport system, 

reliable bobbin feed. Transparent material flow, short distances. 


Maximum reliability in the new 

central bobbin readying station.


Innovations 

SPID for linked systems 

Autoconer X5, V 

Quality assurance before it is too late 

Trust is good, automated online control is 

better. Especially if it helps not only to recognise 

potential sources of faults but also to 

eliminate them early on. 

SPID is the (optional) online monitoring 

system of the Autoner X5 for linked systems, 

which provides targeted monitoring of the 

spinning quality at each individual spindle of 

the ring spinning machine. Spindles that 

produce faulty bobbins or show a decline in 

quality can be identified at an early stage 

while in operation and the cause of the fault 

can be eliminated in a targeted, preventive 

intervention. 

The principle is simple: when transferring the 

bobbins from the ring spinning machine 

trays to the Caddies on the Autoconer X5, 

type V, the built-in chip in the Caddy records 

the number of the spindle from which the 

bobbin originates. The clearer in the winding 

unit assigns its measured yarn quality and 

clearing data to this number. The operator 

receives the information about quality data 

that is outside the set limits or is deteriorating 

directly for the spindle responsible systematically 

from the Informator. Quality limits and 

clearing limits are entered centrally at the 

Informator via the integrated clearer operation 

prior to the start of the lot. 

Bobbins with quality infringements are removed. 

The effect is that fault causes can be eliminated 

quickly and specifically. And because 

the trend of all quality data is recorded 

continuously, preventive maintenance can 

even be instigated deliberately if the level 

drops. 

With SPID both the quality level and efficiency 

can be maintained at a significantly higher 

level. The ring spinning machine now produces 

virtually fault-free yarn quality, which 

can be processed smoothly, thus also maximising 

the efficiency rating of the package 

winder and further process stages. 

This offers an enormous advantage compared 

with the random sampling of the yarn data in 

the laboratory that is otherwise the norm. 

Corrective intervention is then only possible 

far too late, and the quality is already outside 

the limits. No specific allocation to the fault 

source that is at the root of the problem is 

possible, as this is not known. A tedious 

search is initiated, and quality declines further 

in the meantime. 

The quality data are recorded online in the Informator 

and are available for evaluation.

Innovations 

Zinser Modernisation Kit 

Tube feeding system CoWeFeed 

Clearly more efficiency at the CoWeMat 

Know-how 

CoWeFeed significantly reduces machine 

operating outlay and eliminates manual tube 

sorting into boxes. The efficiency of the 

machine is increased by the reliability of the 

system. 

CoWeMat plus CoWeFeed: 

maximum productivity 

With CoWeFeed, the empty tubes can 

be supplied unsorted into the feed 

container of the ring spinning machine. 

They are aligned fully automatically, 

taken and placed on bobbin trays, 

which safely transport your tubes and 

bobbins. Digitally controlled by means of 

a user-friendly graphical touch screen. 

With CoWeFeed, your Zinser ring spinning 

machine and the production factors time, 

space, and personnel are utilised much 

more efficiently. CoWeFeed is particularly 

attractive for long machines: here too bobbin 

removal and the feeding of empty tubes are 

easily implemented between two doffing 

operations, as the cycle times are very fast. 

We offer: 

• Equipping of older CoWeMat generations 

with bobbin tray belt and CoWeFeed 

for Zinser ring spinning machines 319, 

319L, 320/420, 321/421 and 350/450 

Your benefit: 

Less handling effort 

• Easy and quick handling: 

time-consuming sorting is dropped 

• Less expenditure: filling and transporting 

tube boxes is no longer required 

More safety and efficiency 

• The bobbin tray conveyor belt ensures 

a reliable and rapid transport of tubes 

and bobbins 

• The optimum CoWeMat control with 

graphical interface allows quick and safe 

operation with short training times 

• Excellent machine availability with higher 

output 

Cost reduction 

• Lower personnel, time, space, and 

material expenditure 

• Replacement of many wear parts 

included, thus reduced spare part 

requirements in subsequent years 

• Reduction of down times 

• Abolition of tube boxes 

For quick production cycles and higher output. 


Unsorted empty tubes are 

automatically taken … 

…and also 

automatically aligned.

8 


Corolab XQ/XF – 

the yarn clearing system with a future 

Simple – Compact - Precise 

Yarn faults are a topic that those in the textile business have lived 

with for generations. Possible complaints about wovens and knits 

arising from these can become a high cost factor for any company 

- costs that are a thing of the past thanks to the Corolab XQ/XF 

sensor system. 

The Corolab XQ/XF sensor system comprises digital sensor technology 

that is integrated into every spinning unit on the Autocoro rotor spinning 

machine. Current clearing information is displayed on the operating 

and display unit belonging to the system. Receiving the clearing 

settings requested individually by the user and communicating these 

to the individual sensors is one of the tasks of this unit. 

To make the settings easy and compact for the user, Oerlikon 

Schlafhorst has developed a matrix system for Corolab XQ/XF that 

can be used universally for the individual yarn clearing sections. This 

matrix principle is also used for classifying and displaying the yarn 

faults. The clearing setting and clearing result are accessible to the 

user at a glance. The clearing parameters can be saved easily in the 

article memory and are thus always available for later applications. 

Matrices of the Corolab XQ/XF: 

• Short fault matrix for the areas thick places, 

thin places and faults appearing in bulk 

• Long fault matrix for the areas of sliver defects 

and yarn count faults 

• Foreign fibre matrix for the area of foreign fibres 

Defining the clearing limits for the short fault and long fault matrices 

is generally based on the criteria yarn fault length [mm] and yarn 

diameter deviation [%], for the foreign fibre matrix on the criteria 

foreign fibre length [mm] and brightness deviation [%]. The level of 

clearing is determined precisely by activating individual matrix classes. 

Short fault matrix 

The short fault matrix is divided into the thick place and thin place 

range. Cleared faults as well as faults remaining in the yarn are 

recorded in the individual matrix classes. Short, consecutive thick 

places appearing in bulk can be cleared precisely by additionally 

activated matrix fields. 

Long fault matrix 

Innovations 

The long fault matrix is divided into the areas sliver defects and yarn 

count faults. Sliver defects, which cause yarn faults up to 10 m in 

length with a positive or negative yarn diameter deviation, are detected 

in the ranges sliver thick and sliver thin and cleared. Yarn count 

faults, which cause yarn faults up to 10 m in length with a positive or 

negative yarn diameter deviation, are detected in the ranges yarn 

count thick and yarn count thin and cleared.

Innovations 

Foreign fibre matrix – Corolab XF (optional) 

The individual class boundaries are determined specific to the user 

on the basis of the foreign fibre length and colour deviation. The 

desired level of foreign fibre clearing is set by activating individual 

classes. Foreign fibre appearing in bulk can also be cleared by 

activating within the foreign fibre matrix. 

The matrix technology permits the production of cleared yarns with 

targeted orientation to the subsequent textile process stages. 

Corolab XQ/XF – convincing advantages based on the matrix 

system: 

• Simple, accurate, can be learned quickly 

• Matrix principle as the basis for all clearing settings 

• Matrix grading for permanent classification of degrees of clearing 

• High level of flexibility in adaptation to different yarn grades 

• Saving of settings in the article memory 

• Easy transfer of data using a USB stick 

Autocoro rotor spinning machines equipped with Corolab XQ/XF – 

a guarantee of quality and productivity at the highest level! 


Short fault matrix. 

Long fault matrix. 

Foreign fibre matrix.


Customers & markets 

Oerlikon Schlafhorst and 

Fruit of the Loom Textile SARL 

Quality and teamwork for a successful future 

Ready-made quality textile fabrics from 

Belcoro yarns 

In 2003, Fruit of the Loom, one of the most 

famous producers of T-shirts worldwide, 

was, for the first time, awarded the Belcoro 

seal for the “Value Weight" T-shirt line. Belcoro 

is the quality seal of Oerlikon Schlafhorst for 

yarns and textile fabrics of highest quality 

only. In 2009, the fully integrated company 

switched its production facilities from Ireland 

to the newly built plant in Morocco. 

After an extremely short time, the Oerlikon 

Schlafhorst rotor spinning machines were in 

perfect working order. Fruit of the Loom not 

only focuses on the proven Belcoro spinning 

components, but also continues to invest 

successfully in the future: Fruit of the Loom 

has started the systematic modernisation of 

its Autocoro machines. 2 machines have 

already been equipped with the Autocoro 

“Modernisation Kits Eco Package Longlife 

Rotor Brake MRPS” and adapter channel 

plate, and the order to convert two further 

machines has been placed. The customer’s 

feedback is very positive. In particular, the 

elongation and evenness values of the yarn 

have been significantly improved. Fruit of the 

Loom praises the much shorter maintenance 

times because of reduced soiling of the 

machines and is very satisfied with the 

extended maintenance intervals. 

Shortly after the relocation of the plant, 

BELCORO recertification of the “Value 

Weight”, “Heavy T” and "Super Premium” 

T-shirts and sweatshirts took place. The very 

good test results of the textile fabrics 

showed that the good cooperation extending 

over many years between Oerlikon Schlafhorst 

and Fruit of the Loom is being continued at 

the new production site as well. 

Congratulations Fruit of the Loom on the 

new BELCORO seal! 

Handover of the Belcoro certificate 

The Belcoro certificate was handed over at 

a ceremony in the plant in Skhirat, Morocco. 

The entire Fruit of the Loom spinning mill 

team and the management as well as the 

Oerlikon Schlafhorst Regional Sales and 

Service Director Markus Wurster and the 

Senior Sales Manager Michael Stein attended 

the ceremony on site. Martin Quigley - Vice 

President, New Product Development and 

Manufacturing Quality Fruit of the Loom: 

“The Belcoro certification and thus the 

consistent striving for compliance with the 

Belcoro quality standard ensure that our 

own high quality standards are observed 

and that Fruit of the Loom is spinning the 

world’s best rotor yarns as far as quality is 

concerned.”


Fruit of the Loom sets the trend 

In the new marketing campaign, Fruit of the 

Loom uses not only the logo “Fruit of the 

Loom” for the certificated T-shirts and 

sweatshirts but also the logo “Belcoro”. The 

slogan “Softer feel for Comfort” that is 

added to the Belcoro label calls attention to 

the soft and comfortable character of the 

textile fabric thanks to the use of the Belcoro 

yarns. Another highlight is the excellent 

quality when printing the Belcoro T-shirts 

and sweatshirts, which is valued not only by 

Fruit of the Loom customers worldwide. In 

spite of its 150-year company history, Fruit 

of the Loom is a company that is constantly 

evolving. Progress means accepting new 

challenges and realising these for the benefit 

of the company. More than 600 people are 

employed at the Morocco plant and each of 

them makes a contribution to generating 

an end product that meets today's quality 

standards. In doing so, they are supported 

by the Oerlikon Schlafhorst technologists in 

teamwork based on partnership. If you need 

another good reason for buying T-shirts and 

sweatshirts from Fruit of the Loom, here it is 

in one word: BELCORO! 

Become a member of the Belcoro community 

too! Perhaps YOUR success story will feature 

here soon – we’d like that! 

Fruit of the Loom's new mill in Morocco. 


(from left to right) Fruit of the Loom Director of Textiles, Morocco, Gerard Smyth, 

Oerlikon Schlafhorst Unionmatex representative Emily Mertz-Seraoui and 

Oerlikon Schlafhorst Senior Sales Manager Michael Stein at the official handover 

of the Belcoro certificate in Morocco.

12 


A recipe for success: 

quality and process automation 

Melike İplik San. Ve Tic A.Ş. (Turkey) 

winds with first linked Autoconer X5 system 

Melike İplik 

San. Ve Tic 

A.Ş., based in 

Gaziantep, is a 

very new company that was only established 

in 2007. Thanks to its consistent quality 

orientation, however, the company has 

already built up an outstanding reputation 

for the production of chenille yarns. 12,000 

tonnes of acrylic yarn are produced each 

year, dyed in the company’s own dye shop 

and 70% of this is processed directly in the 

weaving mill belonging to Melike. 30% of 

production is sold in Turkey and exported 

e.g. to the USA, Spain, Egypt, Germany and 

Greece. Each of the workforce numbering 

around 150 is geared consistently to the 

successful “Net-Quality” principle, and the 

entire process sequence is oriented to this 

too. No matter whether in regard to raw 

material selection, continuous quality monitoring 

of the entire process sequence or 

bringing together the machinery required for 

production, Melike demands the highest 

standards in all areas. Also included in the 

“Net-Quality” principle is the ongoing education 

and training of its staff as a basic element. 

Research and development as a whole is 

targeted to consistent, rising product quality. 

From the outset, Oerlikon Schlafhorst has 

been the supplier of winding technology, 

because the package quality of the Autoconer 

is convincing. Up to this summer, 10 

Autoconer 338, type D machines were 

producing the packages for inhouse 

downstream processing and for sale. Based 

on the favourable experience acquired with 

the Autoconer, the management of Melike 

decided to opt for Oerlikon Schlafhorst 

again in the capacity expansion planned for 

mid-2010, this time choosing a linked 

system. In June, nine brand-new Autoconer 

X5, type V machines were delivered to 

Melike. It was the first installation of this 

new machine type worldwide. Mill director 

Ergün Yilmaz justifies the decision in favour 

of the Autoconer X5 linked system thus: 

“With this highly automated system we have 

the opportunity to meet the demands for 

quality at a constantly high level even more 

reliably while reducing labour costs.” After 

the first few months in which the machines 

are now working in full production, the feedback 

on the new performance features is 

entirely positive: “Of particular benefit to our 

“Net-Quality” principle is SPID spindle identification. 

Quality defects at the ring spinning 

machine are detected at an early stage and 


can be eliminated in a targeted manner. The 

quality monitoring is integrated directly into 

the process sequence.” The reconfigured 

material flow, the new doffer X-Change and 

the process details and piecing cycles, 

which have been optimised compared with 

the Autoconer 338, also increase productivity. 

The significantly reduced consumption of 

energy and resources is a convincing factor 

above all in the overall bill. 

The employees are extremely satisfied with 

the performance of the new linked system. 

They like working with the Autoconer X5, 

because it makes handling considerably 

simpler, and operation can be limited almost 

exclusively to monitoring functions. Investment 

in future-ready machine concepts 

such as those of Oerlikon Schlafhorst have 

always been the top priority for the management 

of Melike, because its plans for the 

future envisage further expansion with 

regard both to the production quantity and 

the yarn spectrum. But the strict orientation 

to the “Net-Quality” principle continues to 

apply to this, because Melike’s claim and 

recipe for success is to establish itself 

successfully with top product quality and 

consolidate its market position further. 

Ergün Yilmaz (mill director of Melike, left) and Kemal Ay 

(Customer Support Oerlikon Schlafhorst, right) 

are very satisfied with the performance of the new Autoconer X5 linked system.

Technology 

PreciFX successful in application 

for S-twist yarns 

Bigger format – better unwinding behaviour – less handling 

We reported on the advantages of processing S-twist yarns with 

PreciFX on the Autoconer in Oerlikon Schlafhorst Express 3/2009. In 

this issue, we will demonstrate these advantages once again with 

reference to results obtained in practice. 

Increasing efficiency in the knitting mill 

The challenge for the Oerlikon Schlafhorst technologists was to 

produce packages of the same format for customers both for 

S-twist and Z-twist yarns. To achieve top quality and dimensional 

stability of knits, the knitting machine is supplied alternately with 

S-twist yarns and Z-twist yarns during the knitting process in these 

applications. This should effectively prevent twisting and the tendency 

of the knit to twist. 

The problem up to now lay in the limiting of the package diameter 

for the S-twist yarns due to the deterioration in unwinding behaviour 

in larger diameter ranges. The package weight limit for S-twist yarns 

was 985 g compared with a weight of 1.89 kg for packages with 

Z-twist yarn. 

Thanks to the optimised package build, large-format packages for 

S-twist yarns with the same weight of 1.89 kg as the packages of 

Z-twist yarns could be produced successfully using PreciFX. 100% CO 

of a count of Ne 60 was processed. 

The following winding parameters were set: 

PreciFX Package Plus 

“PreciFX number of groove turns”: 3.5gg 

Yarn tension (Autotense FX ): 16 cN 

Cradle contact pressure: 30 N 

Winding speed: 1,200 m/min 


The customer was extremely satisfied with the result. The handling 

times in the knitting process were dramatically reduced, as feeding 

of the S-twist yarn packages is no longer necessary. This means 

shorter downtimes for the knitting machines. And the S-twist packages 

run smoothly. 

Less handling during winding - maximised take-up speeds 

For another customer there were two reasons why the processing of 

S-twist yarns was very uneconomical. 

• First, the limited take-up speed in downstream processing of 

S-twist yarns on account of entanglements due to compromises 

in package build with the drum winding system 

• Second, the excessive amount of handling involved including 

hardware exchange and the change from right-hand to left-hand 

winding cradle for processing S-twist yarns 

PreciFX is the solution to both these problems. Due to the softwarecontrolled 

yarn placement and the individual parameter selection 

(angle of wind, edge and flank configuration, taper and position of 

crossing point), the package build could be designed so specifically 

that it proved possible for the first time with this optimised PreciFX 

package structure to wind the S-twist yarns even in right-hand 

winding (thus p-winding). The result is that these S-twist yarn packages 

run smoothly even at considerably increased take-up speeds of e.g. 

300-400 to 900 m/min. The customer established delightedly that 

he has virtually limitless flexibility in the winding mill product 

programme, as a switch from S-twist to Z-twist yarn or vice-versa is 

achieved at lightning speed and without much handling effort. And 

productivity increased dramatically in downstream processing. 

These results were achieved with a wide variety of yarns e.g. CO, 

CO compact, modal in various count ranges.

14 


Oerlikon Schlafhorst Customer Support 

Electronic repairs 

and training made in Germany 

Our new repair shop team in Übach-Palenberg hits the 

ground running 

As reported, as part of our concentration of all high-end product 

lines in one central location, we have brought all repair activities 

for central Europe and North Africa together in Übach-Palenberg, 

Germany. 

Thanks to our proximity to development, production and the central 

warehouse, we achieve a higher level of availability and our pool 

system means that we can guarantee a swift return with the majority 

of PCBs. 

And the reality has proved us right. In recent months we have been 

able to optimise and speed up our reaction times noticeably and we 

have processed a large number of customer orders efficiently and on 

time. 

(from left to right), Peter Spelten, 

Dietmar Bovelet (Head of Repair 

Shop), Sebastian Thomas, 

Marek Krasinski. 

What do we offer you? 

Info 

In Übach-Palenberg, specialists carry out repairs on electronic components 

with the aid of the latest computer programs. They also 

replace electronic components for all our spinning and winding 

machines of all product ranges and all machine generations. 

Our repair shop is an authorised workshop for Bonfiglioli Vectron and 

your authorised contact for the repair of frequency inverters. Thanks 

to the pool system for frequency inverters and electronic boards, 

a quick return delivery can be ensured. Naturally we give you a 

warranty on all repairs carried out. 

Our repair shop team is ready 

to help you!

Info 

Do you know about our Training Center 

in Übach-Palenberg? 

Optimally trained employees form the basis for the best possible 

operation of your installation – and thus for maximum profit. 

Turn your employees into experts. We pass on in-depth knowledge 

on how to exploit the full potential of the system, along with useful 

tips and ideas for working with your machines on a daily basis. A 

deeper understanding of the machine and its assemblies together 

with expert textile-technological knowledge not only guarantee you 

uninterrupted operation, but also ensure that your installation retains 

its value. 

Our team offers you basic courses providing the absolutely essential 

basic knowledge, plus advanced training courses on individual 

functions and assemblies of your machines. Textile-technological 

seminars complete the programme, offering basic textile-technological 

knowledge on spinning and winding technology for the manufacture 

of quality packages. 

E-learning – a special highlight Achieving success with Konni 

A brand new element that we have introduced is interactive learning 

software for communicating initial basic knowledge about our 

machines. This offers your employees the opportunity to work 

through the course contents interactively on the computer in private 

study. Our mascot Konni guides you through the courses and offers 

tips and brief summaries. Diligent artwork and the integration of 

videos on how the individual assemblies work illustrate the contents. 

Self-testing at the end of each chapter lets your employees know 

how they are progressing. Each e-learning course ends with an 

interactive final test and the opportunity to print out a certificate if the 

course has been undertaken successfully. Our trainers are available to 

field further enquiries at any time as contact partners. We introduced 

this interactive e-learning software successfully for our Autoconer 

service staff in 2010. 

Any questions? 

customer-support.schlafhorst@oerlikon.com 


Turn your employees into experts too... 

...our trainers will help you. 

Ask our trainers about the new courses! 

(from left to right) Bruno Panglisch (Head of Training Center), 

Marco Jansen, Jörg Tessmann, Christian Pospiech.

16 


Combining activities 

at one German plant 

Oerlikon Schlafhorst’s new 

head office is growing in Übach-Palenberg 

Oerlikon Schlafhorst is in pole position globally with its product lines 

for ring spinning (Zinser), package winding (Autoconer) and rotor 

spinning (Autocoro and BD). Hitherto the activities of our staple fibre 

product group were located at five plants: three in Germany, one in 

the Czech Republic and one in China. 

Based on their long history, Zinser, Autoconer and Autocoro have 

been synonymous with three separate locations in Germany: Zinser 

with Ebersbach an der Fils, Autoconer with Übach-Palenberg and 

Autocoro with Mönchengladbach. For around two years now 

Oerlikon Schlafhorst has been developing, marketing and manufacturing 

the BD machines for the world market at the central Oerlikon 

plant in Suzhou, China (relocated from the Czech Republic). 

The company embarked on the amalgamation of the three German 

plants in 2009. A large part of the production capacity from 

Ebersbach and Mönchengladbach had already been relocated to 

Übach-Palenberg, and the sales-related sections have now also 

been on site for a short while. Oerlikon Schlafhorst is thereby 

creating the opportunity to combine all the development, marketing 

and production workforces of the Zinser, Autoconer and Autocoro 

product lines. This applies to new machinery and project activities 

as well as to original parts and service. Oerlikon Schlafhorst in 

Photo source: Hermanns Medien. 

Imprint Publisher: Oerlikon Schlafhorst / Zweigniederlassung Oerlikon Textile GmbH & Co. KG /Carlstr. 60 / D - 52531 Übach-Palenberg / 

Tel: +49 2451 905 - 1000 / Fax: +49 2451 905 - 1001 / Internet: www.oerlikon.com/textile / E-mail: info.schlafhorst@oerlikon.com / 

Contents and editing: Produktmarketing Oerlikon Schlafhorst: Heike Scheibe, Waltraud Jansen, Birgit Pakowski, Birgit Jansen, Roland Fraas/ 

Photography: Oerlikon Schlafhorst / Circulation: 10,000 copies /The Oerlikon Schlafhorst Express is published in the following languages: 

Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Turkish 

Info 

Übach-Palenberg is a unit with direct communication and short 

command chains. This creates the conditions for optimum synergy 

formation and a reduction in throughput times in all sections for the 

benefit of our customers. 

You’ll find the reoriented Oerlikon Schlafhorst at: 

Oerlikon Schlafhorst 

Zweigniederlassung der Oerlikon Textile GmbH & Co. KG 

Carlstrasse 60, 52531 Übach-Palenberg, Germany 

T +49 (0) 2451 905 - 1000 

F +49 (0) 2451 905 - 1001 

info.schlafhorst@oerlikon.com 

www.schlafhorst.oerlikontextile.com 

We look forward to welcoming you to our head office soon.

Oerlikon Schlafhorst Express - Oerlikon Schlafhorst - Oerlikon Textile

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