Oerlikon Schlafhorst Express - Oerlikon Schlafhorst - Oerlikon Textile

Oerlikon Schlafhorst Express 

Contents 

News 

History Part 2, 

Innovative package technology 2-3 

History of Zinser 4-5 

Innovations 

PreciFX successful 

in doubling mill preparatory department 6 

Info 

Oerlikon Schlafhorst Customer Support 

Zinser original parts 7 

Piecer carriage 3 modernization 8 

Service in the customer portal 

myOerlikon.com 9 

Technology 

Fibre to Fabric Engineering – 

at Oerlikon Schlafhorst 10 

Zinser 451 C³ and Zinser 451 sC³ 11 

Customers & markets 

Change of Autoconer generations 

completed 12-13 

Birla Century 14-15 

Show review 16 

Issue No. 2/2009 e 

Editorial 

Dear Readers, 

Globalisation and the 

global relocation of production 

capacity are a 

current phenomenon. 

Our answer to them is to 

embrace stronger regionalisation, 

in order to be 

able to respond in a better and more individual 

manner to special cultural and economic 

features of the markets. As regional manager 

for China I am very pleased to have the 

opportunity to vigorously promote this process 

of regionalisation. Many customers 

know me, because I have been working 

for Oerlikon Schlafhorst in the field of rotor 

spinning machines for over 30 years, and I 

have spent more than ten years in China. 

My aim is both to strengthen the sales and 

service organisation for all Oerlikon Schlafhorst 

machines in this important textile market 

and to utilise the production capacity of our 

Chinese plant in Suzhou to the optimum 

extent. In this quest I can draw on the experience 

that Oerlikon Schlafhorst has already 

accumulated in its successful regionalisation 

of the sales and service network worldwide. 

You, our customers all over the world, will 

then benefit to the maximum extent from 

our market-leading spinning and winding 

machines and from our proximity to the 

customer, which is reflected in a trusting and 

often long-standing relationship. You know 

you have a strong partner at your side in 

Oerlikon Schlafhorst. 

Leo Franke 

Sales & Service Director China 

Oerlikon Schlafhorst

2 Oerlikon Schlafhorst Express 

News 

The Autoconer – 

from sensation to bestseller 

History Part 2: Innovative Package Technology 

A dream becomes reality: Dr Walter Reiners (proprietor of Schlafhorst) 

and Stefan Fürst (technical director of Schlafhorst) unveil the first 

Autoconer at ITMA 1959 in Milan. The “fathers” of Schlafhorst’s 

automatic package winder sparked huge excitement among textile 

manufacturers from all over the world with their product. They were 

in the right place at the right time with the right concept, and the 

Autoconer embarked on an unrivalled triumphant advance into textile 

mills throughout the world. 

Armed with the decades of experience accumulated by Schlafhorst 

in the production of manual winding machines, coupled with their 

unique inventive talents, the two men worked with their staff on 

1977 – Autoconer 138 

Pneumatic and electronic control 

functions became a feature of the 

3-chamber system in the winding 

mechanism. The development of 

the splicing technology and thus 

of knot-free yarn joining was 

revolutionary. 

In the 1950s 

Sketches and notes by Dr. W. Reiners 

(small photo) and S. Fürst (large photo) 

show the level of detail in the concept 

development. 

developing a wide variety of automatic package winder concepts in 

meticulous detail. Finally they took the decision to construct the 

Autoconer as a single-sided longitudinal machine, a design which 

has endured up to the present day. The Autoconer became a 

synonym worldwide for successful automatic package winding. The 

number of winding units sold, which is in excess of 2 million, offers 

proof of this. Each Autoconer generation has won customers over 

with its new, groundbreaking engineering and innovative winding 

technology. It was and still is the benchmark for peak performance, 

unique package quality and future-oriented machine concepts. 


Launched as an automated small assembly machine with a 

patrolling knotter. The introduction of the waxing device resulted 

in the addition of sales spinning mills to the clientele. The electronic 

yarn clearer and monitoring system, package doffer and the automated 

bobbin supply helped to convert the Autoconer 107 from a manually 

fed automatic package winder to a fully automated machine.

News 


The single-spindle design was 

realized for the first time, i.e. a drive 

unit, control unit and splicer/automatic 

knotter for each winding unit. 

A new tension system was integrated. 

The AUTO-spin-CONER as link to 

the ring spinning machine completed 

the automation concept. 

1991 – Autoconer System 238 

The system design and new material flow inside the machine 

by means of the caddy transport system are typical. Multi-lot 

processing for type D and spindle identification for type V 

offered new process design possibilities. 


This machine continues the tradition of 

future-oriented machine concepts. With 

PreciFX, Oerlikon Schlafhorst opens bobbin 

processing up to the world of drumless 

yarn displacement. 

Oerlikon Schlafhorst Express 3 


Electronics, the latest sensor systems, touchscreen technology and 

clearer integration in the Informator formed the basis for individual 

process optimization. The revolutionary systems Autotense FX, Propack 

FX, Variopack FX and Ecopack FX underlined Oerlikon Schlafhorst's 

technological supremacy, resulting in top package quality.


News 

It all started with the Zinser spindle 

History of Zinser 

On 19 August 1914, Eugen Zinser was 

granted patent no. 303002 by the Imperial 

Patent Office in Berlin on the “self-adjusting 

ring spindle for spinning and twisting machines”. 

By 1919 he had established the 

Süddeutsche Spindelwerke and commenced 

production. The workforce consisted of 6 

employees, soon increasing to a staff of 40. 

The next stage in the company’s development 

was the acquisition of a licence for rollerbearing 

spindles in 1931. Thanks to spindle 

production and the new branch of business 

covering the modernization of used ring 

spinning machines, the company quickly 

grew in size. In 1939 annual production was 

running at 20,000 spindles; 10 years later, 

this had risen to 50,000 spindles. 

Zinser Textilmaschinen GmbH 

After joining the factory in 1935, Hans Zinser, 

the son of the company’s founder, set up 

Zinser Textilmaschinen GmbH in 1949. It 

was an economic boom time; the factory 

was extended repeatedly and new production 

facilities planned. Ring spinning machines 

for worsted yarns and carded wool yarns 

were added to the product portfolio alongside 

cotton ring spinning machines. At the 1955 

ITMA show in Brussels, Zinser then presented 

a complete production programme including 

card, draw frame, speed frame and ring 

spinning machine. 

In 1952 the company laid the foundations 

for a new product group comprising machines 

for synthetic fibres, draw twisters and draw 

winding machines. This division has accompanied 

the upturn in synthetic filaments in all 

phases of development with leading manufacturers 

of manmade fibres. Further 

milestones in the history of Zinser were the 

establishment of Zinser Far-East in Hong 

Kong in 1962 and of Zinser Maschinenbau 

in Oberviechtach in 1970. 

At the ITMA in Basle in 1967, Zinser was the 

first manufacturer to present automatic doffing 

on the ring spinning machine to the spinning 

world. CoWeMat, Zinser’s product name from 

the start, has remained synonymous to this 

day with automatic doffing on ring spinning 

machines. 

Trend towards automation continues 

Innovation didn’t end with the Zinser CoWeMat. 

Automation of the speed frame/ring 

spinning machine and transport systems 

continued, characterising the developments 

of the 1970s and 1980s. In high-wage 

countries automation offered the solution to 

rising labour costs. Quality that is not operator-dependent 

and improved logistics in the 

spinning mill have also ensured acceptance 

in the rest of the world. 

A view of the outside of the former works of the Süddeutsche Spindelwerke in Hauptstraße in Ebersbach/Fils. 

Eugen Zinser registered the 

first Zinser spindle with the 

Imperial Patent Office in 1914. 

Company founder Eugen Zinser on 

his 70th birthday.

News 

From family firm to group of companies 

In 1983, differences arose between members 

of the Zinser family regarding the ownership 

structure of the companies, resulting in 

the acquisition of Zinser by Schlafhorst. 

Schlafhorst and Zinser were then taken over 

by the Swiss Saurer Group in 1991. In 2007, 

the entire Saurer Group was integrated into 

the Oerlikon Group. 

The longest speed frames and ring 

spinning machines in the world 

The technology of the Zinser speed frames 

and ring spinning machines has always 

been conceived with a view to increasing 

productivity. The proven Zinser drive concept 

and the precision and quality of the processing 

ensure reliability and make it possible to 

supply the longest machines in the world. 

Whereas 1200 spindles per ring spinning 

machine was the benchmark with regard 

to machine length in 1985, the Zinser 351 

with 1680 spindles is now the longest ring 

spinning machine in the world. And Zinser 

speed frames, now with a maximum of 192 

spindles, are also setting new standards. 

ITMA 1967 in Basle: Zinser CoWeMat – the first automatic doffer 

on the ring spinning machine was a major attraction for visitors. 

Compact spinning takes off in 1999 

At the 1999 ITMA show in Paris, Zinser 

exhibited a compact spinning machine for 

the first time. At first glance this was a ring 

spinning machine with a modified drafting 

system and additional vacuum supply. In 

the Zinser compact spinning system, the 

compacting zone is downstream of the classic 

3-roller-2-apron drafting system. In the 

compacting zone the fibres emerging from 

the drafting system are combined on a 

perforated apron. The spinning triangle is 

thus eliminated. This bundling is achieved 

with the aid of an air flow aspirated through 

the perforated apron into the compact 

element. Following the exit from the 

compacting zone, the spinning process 

corresponds again to that of ring spinning 

with the difference that a new yarn structure 

exists, which influences the area between 

fibre exit and yarn winding. For example, the 

smoother surface structure of compact 

yarns leads to improved binding of the 

fibres, rendering the spinning process more 

stable. Compact spinning has now become 

established as a new spinning method, and 

compact yarns are rightly synonymous with 

top yarn quality. 


ITMA 1999 in Paris: 

Zinser compact spinning is 

exhibited for the first time. 

ITMA 1955 in Brussels: Zinser presented a complete production 

programme including card, draw frame, speed frame and 

ring spinning machine.


Innovations 

PreciFX successful in twisting mill 

preparatory department 

Enhanced efficiency and 

quality in the twisting process 

An important process in yarn finishing is that 

of twisting to increase the yarn’s strength 

and uniformity by comparison with single 

yarn. For certain applications, the twisting 

process also offers the opportunity to introduce 

special effects. Doubling packages on 

which the number of required single yarns 

has already been wound on parallel during 

assembling are chiefly used as the feed for 

plied yarns. 2 packages with single yarns 

are also supplied to the twisting machine 

directly following winding. Here we look initially 

only at the last-named single feed packages 

and the options offered by the new PreciFX 

traversing system for meeting the special 

requirements imposed by the twisting mill 

with a new level of flexibility and quality. 

The textile-technological challenge of 

twisting using a single feed: 

• maximum uniformity in the package 

structure for smooth unwinding 

• same yarn length on the packages 

supplied 

• flat flanks for problem-free 

creeling of 2 packages together 

in the twisting pot 

• high package density for maximum 

utilization of the twisting pot 

• 3”, 4” or 6” package formats 

used as direct feed for plied yarns 

Trouble-free twisting process with maximum 

productivity. 

Hitherto, changing the package stroke width 

between 6" and 3", 4" proved problematic 

and was only realizable with an extremely 

extensive hardware conversion including a 

change of drum and cradle. The use of 

Variopack FX made it possible to reduce 

bulging of the package flanks in the case of 

elastic materials or in some cases even for 

wool yarns and thus also the related difficulties 

in feeding of two packages together. 

Flexibility of the package format with 

PreciFX 

The functional design and software-controlled 

yarn traversing of PreciFX facilitate a simple 

choice and flexible variation of the stroke 

width to be displaced. Using the PreciFX 

Plus kit, packages in the 3”, 4”, 5” and 6” 

format can be produced without any costly 

exchange of hardware. To change the 

stroke width, special adapters just need to 

be fitted. A central setting at the Informator 

instructs PreciFX that winding is to be carried 

out with a 3” or 4” traverse. The position of 

the doffer centrally to the package has to be 

adjusted once. 

Quality advantage for the twisting 

process 

Thanks to the targeted, software-controlled 

yarn traversing, PreciFX packages can be 

created with completely flat package flanks, 

even for elastic materials, which are otherwise 

Change of format without any great outlay on 

conversion with PreciFX. 

prone to the danger of bulging package 

flanks. The individual flank design enables 

the package flanks to be tapered so that the 

twisting flyer can be guided past the package 

flanks without making contact. Improvements 

in unwinding behaviour can be achieved 

thereby. As regards the demand for maximum 

utilization of the twisting pot through high 

package densities, PreciFX opens up entirely 

new perspectives. Even when winding with 

“pattern-free random wind”, higher package 

densities can be achieved using the PreciFX 

Start and PreciFX Plus kits in comparison to 

packages produced on yarn guide drums. In 

future it will be possible for the first time and 

only on the Autoconer 5 to produce packages 

with precision and step precision winding 

directly from the bobbin using PreciFX 

Expert. Thanks to a more detailed parameter 

selection, this significantly increases yet 

again the scope for action with regard to 

individual package design and package 

density. 

Process advantage for twisting 

Problem-free coupling of the feeding bobbins 

together, uninterrupted unwinding behaviour 

and greater economic efficiency thanks to a 

higher package density are arguments with 

which you gain competitive advantages in 

twisting thanks to PreciFX. 

Coupling (clipcones) together without 

difficulty, maximum package densities, 

individual design.

Info 



Zinser original parts 

New tangential belt for the spindle drive – 

top quality standards and long service life 

Original is better 

Reliable production, a comprehensive service performance and full 

guarantee and warranty claims. Only original parts from Oerlikon 

Schlafhorst offer you this. 

Top quality for maximum requirements 

The tangential belt is a critical quality component on the ring 

spinning machine. It must withstand enormous stresses and guarantee 

a reliable and economic transmission of power. At the same time, 

high temperatures and high air humidity, such as are often encountered 

in the spinning mill, must not cause the belt to age prematurely. 

The high quality of the Oerlikon Schlafhorst tangential belt with 

improved attributes enables it to be used successfully over a long 

period. 

Increase your machine performance 

With its new surface and proven juncture, the new, red-yellow 

tangential belt by Oerlikon Schlafhorst is equal to the toughest 

challenges. The innovative, thermo-optimised belt surface and the 

finger splice joint with multi-layer synthetic core considerably extend 

the service life and thus increase the performance of your ring spinning 

machines. 

NEW: Read the order number directly from the tangential belt 

and order it from Oerlikon Schlafhorst. 

Joining the two ends of the belt in a matter of minutes: the long-established 

finger splice joint for optimum belt strength. 

Your advantages: 

• More reliable production thanks to higher temperature resistance 

of the new tangential belt. The new rubber blend and 

friction layer of the tangential belt are optimised for use in the 

spinning mill at high temperatures and high air humidity 

• Reliable production and especially quiet running characteristic 

thanks to a sturdy, dimensionally stable design. No risk of 

lagging spindles thanks to secure spindle drive with improved grip 

• Uniform yarn quality from spindle to spindle thanks to synchronous 

spindle operation 

• Reduce maintenance costs through simple, reliable handling 

thanks to the two-colour belt. Faster installation of a new belt 

with the finger splice joint, proven over a number of years 

• Increase productivity: the red-yellow belt now has a longer 

service life and you utilize your machine to the optimum extent 

Further information: 

Just ask for our new Fact Sheet. 

E-mail: customer-support.schlafhorst@oerlikon.com 

Reliable spindle drive and a long service life with the new red-yellow tangential 

belt for Zinser ring spinning machines.


Info 

Oerlikon Schlafhorst 

Customer Support 

Piecer carriage 3 modernization 

Upgrade current technology to suit your system 

Customized, cost-effective modernization for piecer carriage 3 on 

the Autocoro - the key to optimum yarn quality and maximum 

productivity. Fully utilized every second: the piecer carriage 3 ensures 

that all spinning units are in use continuously. At the same time it 

ensures optimal piecings which are indistinguishable from the parent 

yarn. Even with the most careful servicing, normal wear is unavoidable. 

The consequence is that quality and productivity slowly decline 

as soon as wear occurs. Additionally, the risk of sudden machine 

stoppages increases. 

Cost-effective modernization with the modular system concept 

Select several modules or an individual module, as required. 

We offer – Made-to-measure modernization modules for the 

piecer carriage 3, including overhaul of the units and resetting 

of all the relevant functional assemblies: 

• Laser technology 

• Clearing optimization 

• Drive assembly optimization 

• Additional contact pressure, package drive 

• Closed take-up roller 

• Piecing device 

• Optional small parts 

Your advantages – Greater productivity: 

• You update the technology of your piecer carriage to the 

latest level 

• You minimize the risk of malfunctions and increase production 

reliability 

• You improve quality and increase your production 

• You meet today's high demands in all downstream processing 

stages 

Individual modernization 

• You modernize the piecer carriage of your Autocoro 

according to the modular system principle 

• Every module can be obtained singly or in combination with 

others. 

• We have a thorough knowledge of your piecer carriage: 

our experienced technicians avoid unnecessary and costly 

replacement of assemblies that are still in perfect working order 

Any questions? 

Just ask for our new Fact Sheet. 

E-mail: customer-support.schlafhorst@oerlikon.com 

Customized, cost-effective modernization 

for the piecer carriage 3 - the key to 

optimum yarn quality and maximum 

productivity.

Info 

Service in the customer portal 

myOerlikon.com 

Exclusive to our SECOS customers 

Click to log into our web-based customer portal myOerlikon.com 

There you’ll find all the information on your machines at a glance: 

• Manuals 

• Spare parts catalogues 

• Brochures 

• Fact Sheets.... 

Log in at https://portal.myoerlikon.com 

Not a SECOS customer yet? 


One click and you’re there. Register free of charge and without 

obligation at: 

www.secos.myoerlikon.com 

Any questions? 

Contact your SECOS team by e-mail: 

customer-support.schlafhorst@oerlikon.com 


We keep you competitive. 

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Technology 

Fibre to Fabric Engineering 

at Oerlikon Schlafhorst 

The smart, fast way to a new yarn 

Oerlikon Schlafhorst is extending its globally successful Fibre to 

Fabric Engineering programme for Autocoro yarns to its entire range 

of machines. 

With Oerlikon Schlafhorst spinning machines, the world of yarn 

manufacture from staple fibres knows virtually no bounds. Whether 

top-quality yarns for suits and shirts, yarns for textiles to update and 

enhance the home, yarns for functional outdoor textiles, for soft and 

cosy towels or for this year’s hottest T-shirts, many textiles would 

scarcely have made it to the consumer without the creative engineers 

and textile technologists of Oerlikon Schlafhorst and their technological 

networks. 

The road from an idea to the favourite piece in one’s wardrobe is 

often a long one, and several aspects have to be taken into account. 

At the beginning are always the fibres and the correct selection and 

blend of these. Tried and tested fibres like cotton, new functional 

fibres from the synthetic fibre sector, high-quality wool fibres or also 

exotic-seeming blends incorporating bamboo fibres or Seacell – the 

range is huge. Similarly, when it comes to spinning the fibres, there 

are numerous yarn manufacturing options. The spinning mills that 

have found their ideal solution with regard to the process and the 

spinning setting, both as far as quality and productivity are concerned, 

are sitting pretty. The optimum settings are often a closely guarded 

secret, for in many cases the recipe for success is the result of 

protracted hard work. Even in the knitting and weaving process, a 

Hotel bed linen made from Autocoro yarns, which 

look as good as new even after hundreds of washes. 

host of factors dictates whether the product will come top or flop. 

The finishing touches are put to the textiles in the finishing process, 

and here again there are factors to be borne in mind. A product 

developer must take all these factors on board and make allowances 

for them – and that’s not always an easy task. 

Individual product development can also tie up a lot of staff, time and 

capital in the spinning mills. Whether the outlay offers the promise of 

success often only becomes clear months later. But the process is 

getting simpler and faster. To shorten these long routes, Oerlikon 

Schlafhorst offers spinning mills extensive support in textile product 

development in the context of Fibre to Fabric Engineering. The 

textile engineers of Oerlikon Schlafhorst are closely acquainted with 

the processes and have already demonstrated their competence in 

various applications in both the ring spinning and rotor spinning 

sector. More than 40 successful projects bear witness to this. So 

many aspects that spinning mills have to work hard on have already 

been developed extensively by Oerlikon Schlafhorst technologists. 

The Oerlikon Schlafhorst textile technologists are happy to share this 

know-how with companies with Oerlikon Schlafhorst machines. 

Derive the benefit from this yourself as an Oerlikon Schlafhorst 

customer – contact us! 

Always a good bet: soft 

Autocoro knit yarns made from 

cotton for high-quality 

T-shirts and underwear. 

Shirts made from top-quality 

compact yarn share the 

common features of looking 

good, durability, excellent 

care properties and a terrific 

fabric feel. 

Smartly turned out in business 

suits made from yarns 

from the Zinser ring spinning 

mill in Nanshan Textile 

Garment, China, the world’s 

biggest and most modern 

production mill for fine wool 

and compact yarn textiles.

Technology 

Top worsted yarn compact quality from the market leader 


Zinser 451 C³ und Zinser 451 sC³ 

Zinser CompACT³ technology is winning over renowned worsted 

yarn spinning mills across the globe, especially in Italy. Due to the 

flexibly adjustable take-up tension, the separate constant vacuum 

supply, and the self-cleaning system, the Zinser CompACT³ system 

has become the recognised market leader. 

Zinser 451 C³ and Zinser 451 sC³ - technological highlights of 

the worsted yarn market leader 

Zinser worsted yarn spinning systems are globally acknowledged as 

top-quality technological products. For premium worsted yarns, 

combined into one flexible system – Zinser Modular Concept 451. 

The Zinser 451 C³ for CompACT³ spinning and the Zinser 451 sC³ 

for CompACT³ plus spin finger technology demonstrate their 

strengths in the demanding process of spinning worsted yarns. The 

processing of wool poses special demands that the Zinser CompACT³ 

meets effortlessly. 

Intelligent, low-maintenance technology for top results 

The advantages of the Zinser CompACT³ systems influence mainly 

the worsted yarn area. The self-cleaning system, flexible adjustment 

of the take-up tension and the separate, constant vacuum supply 

open up the possibility of using it in wool processing. 

Zinser CompACT³ technology is winning over 

renowned worsted yarn spinning mills across 

the world. 

The flexibly adjustable take-up tension is ideal for processing wool 

fibres, because every wool quality with its specific crimp can be 

optimally adjusted due to the adaptation of the transfer. Even the 

finest top-dyed yarns can be spun safely and efficiently in highest 

compact quality. 

The system is very reliable: precisely compact yarn is spun 

consistently. Due to the intelligent, self-cleaning system, the Zinser 

CompACT³ technology is inured to wool grease, textile lubricants, 

and finishing agents. The separate vacuum for the compact unit also 

ensures constant and even yarn quality in worsted yarn compact 

spinning. 

Higher productivity 

Zinser CompACT³ is self-cleaning – for a guaranteed 

uniform, perfectly compacted yarn without labourintensive 

monitoring. 

Naturally, in addition to the excellent yarn quality the productivity of 

a system is the most important thing in compact spinning. The 

Zinser CompACT³ system scores here too. Compared to classical 

ring spinning, approx. 50% fewer yarn breaks are recorded. As well 

as this, the twist factor can be reduced by 10 – 15% with the same 

strength and elongation. The bottom line is a significant increase in 

productivity. 

The compact spinning method can be used to spin 

even the finest top-dyed yarns without any problems.



Change of Autoconer generations 

completed 

The last Autoconer 338 comes off the production line, 

the new Autoconer 5 starts up 

A historic day for Oerlikon Schlafhorst: on 12.05.09 the last Autoconer 338 

rolled off the production line, bringing an extremely successful 

product era to an end. Around 500,000 spinning units sold worldwide 

say it all and are a good indication of customer satisfaction. The 

Autoconer 338 was the first product generation to be manufactured 

in its entirety at the plant in Übach-Palenberg, from where the 

machines embarked on their journey to more than 1500 customers 

in over 70 countries. From now on the Autoconer 5 alone is the 

leading light at the production plant. 

The era of the Autoconer 338 … 

… a time of innovation 

The Autoconer 338 convinced the winding experts from the outset 

with its trend-setting new features and product innovations. Thanks 

to sensors, state-of-the-art control systems and individually coordinated 

software, the winding process was revolutionized. The 

technologically mature high-performance modules of the FX series 

(Autotense FX, Propack FX, Variopack FX und Ecopack FX) offer an 

excellent basis and benchmark for top winding quality. 

For the winding operatives, operation of the machines has been 

simplified e.g. by the central settings via the TouchScreen at the 

Informator and the clearer operation integrated into the Informator. 

This made possible reproducible package and yarn quality coordinated 

specifically to the downstream process stages. In times of precious 

and increasingly expensive resources, the Autoconer 338 with its 

resource-conserving mode of operation thanks to upper yarn sensor 

system, AVC vacuum system and Ecopack FX length measurement 

can advance further key arguments. New textile-technological 

challenges generated e.g. by new yarn constructions such as elastic 

core yarns or compact yarns were met by the Autoconer 338 with 

suitably adapted winding technology components such as 

Variopack FX, the Elastosplicer and the Compactsplicer. The 

Autoconer 338 matured with the technological demands and was 

also transformed externally by its modern livery into an attractive and 

successful product generation. 

… a time of changes in the market 

This period was not only characterized by product- and processspecific 

changes, however – serious changes took place in the 

market in this time. In particular, the end of the Agreement on 

Textiles and Clothing (ATC) at the end of 2004 / start of 2005 

resulted in the eventual liberalization and globalization of the world 

textile industry and the abolition of the complex quota system for the 

international textile and garment trade. New markets for the sale of 

textile machinery and thus also of the Autoconer 338 developed, 

Autoconer 338 at the time of its market launch … The workforce bid farewell to the last winding unit.


especially in Asia. The European and American markets are concentrating 

increasingly on special and high-tech textiles. But with its 

flexibility and its modular winding technology, the Autoconer 338 

satisfied and still satisfies all the demands of the global textile industry, 

both the textile-technological requirements of the European spinning 

mills specializing in high-tech applications and mills with standard 

applications that tend to be geared to maximum productivity. 

Large Autoconer 338 installations were supplied both to European 

textile strongholds such as Italy, Greece, Spain or Turkey and to the 

markets in the USA, Mexico and Brazil as well as to India, China, 

Pakistan or Bangladesh. For the textile industry in the Middle East, 

especially the Syrian and Egyptian textile industry, the Autoconer 

338 played a significant role in their substantial upturn and the move 

from a state-run industry to investment in the private sector. The 

Autoconer 338 also proved its worth superbly in smaller mills or as 

an individual machine specially configured to meet the individual 

requirements of the customers. 

Friedel Heinen, production manager responsible for 

the Autoconer 338 production line, brings production 

to an end. 


There is not enough room in this report to list all the countries to 

which the Autoconer 338 has taken the successful Oerlikon Schlafhorst 

winding technology. With its sales figures the Autoconer 338 added 

to the successful history of the Autoconer, and with the unveiling of 

the Autoconer 5 at ITMA 2007 in Munich the baton had already been 

handed over to the next product generation. 

… and a modern design by product phaseout.



Birla Century 

A unit of Century Textiles & Industries Ltd., Jhagadia, Bharuch, Gujarat 

Focus on outstanding 

yarn quality 

Birla Century is an integrated 

unit - spinning, 

weaving, processing and 

garment. Yarns in a count 

range from Ne 50 to Ne 200 are processed 

and finished. Processing high quality cotton 

to outstanding yarns and fabrics has a long 

tradition at Century Textiles & Industries Ltd. 

in Mumbai and Madhya Pradesh, India. Now 

a new spinning, weaving and processing mill 

with over 100,000 ring spindles went into 

production, equipped with the current and 

latest machinery. Concerning the investment 

decision the high quality of the end products 

was given top priority. The ring spinning 

technology of Oerlikon Schlafhorst has 

come into operation: Zinser 670 RoWeMat 

roving frames, classic ring spinning machines 

Zinser 351, compact ring spinning machines 

Zinser 351 C³ and the winding machines 

Autoconer 5 Type D. 

A customised transport automation from the 

roving frames to the ring spinning machines 

additionally guarantees the high quality 

claim of Century Textiles to its yarns and 

finished products - we reported on that 

topic in our last issue of Oerlikon Schlafhorst 

Express No. 1/2009. 

The new spinning, weaving and processing mill in 

Jhagadia with over 100,000 ring spindles went into 

production. 

High quality fine yarns with 

Zinser CompACT³ 

„As a trend setter for high quality fine yarns 

and exquisite cotton fabrics we count as well 

on modern compact spinning technology”, 

says Mr. R. K. Dalmia, Senior President of 

Century Textiles & Industries Ltd. Producing 

with compact spinning machines Zinser 351 C³ 

mills can react more easily and quickly 

to market demands and trends. It is also 

possible to react swiftly to variations in 

the raw material. The adjustabilty of the 

overfeed in Zinser CompACT³ spinning 

makes it possible to influence the yarn values. 

The character and structure of the compact 

yarn is thereby configurable and can be 

adapted optimally to its ultimate purpose. 

CompACT³ spinning permits a high fibre 

substance utilisation and makes it possible 

to shift the spinning limit. Yarn engineering, 

i.e. developing new textile products from the 

yarn to the end product, becomes possible 

in an integrated mill. The textile properties of 

compact yarns, high yarn strength and low 

hairiness, provide significant advantages in 

the downstream process stages such as 

weaving preparation and weaving. 

Mr. R. K. Dalmia 

Senior President Birla Century 

( A Div. of Century Textiles & Ind. Ltd. ) . 

Resource-efficient, safe, self-cleaning 

These outstanding properties of Zinser 

CompACT³ perfectly match with the company 

philosophy of Century Textiles & Industries 

Ltd., that is committed to the top quality, 

productivity and environmental policy. Merely 

the production with Zinser CompACT³ 

maintains a constantly high yarn quality with 

continuous compact characteristic. Because 

the self-cleaning CompACT³ technology is 

absolutely inured to particle and fly accumulations 

or finishing agents. Reduced periods 

of cleaning, maintenance and downtime pay 

off in increased productivity, lower personnel 

expenditure, and resource efficiency. During 

the spinning process itself, the compact 

spinning machines Zinser 351 C³ convince 

by their very good running behaviour and 

their very constant running stability. 

The Zinser 351 C³ compact spinning machines are 

connected to the roving bobbin transport system.


Autoconer 5 … 

… Trust in Oerlikon Schlafhorst’s winding 

technology 

The Birla Group has always put its faith in 

Oerlikon Schlafhorst winding technology, as 

evidenced by our successful collaboration 

extending back over decades. When it comes 

to investment in the automatic package 

winding system, the decision has always gone 

in favour of the Autoconer - trend setter. That’s 

why the market launch of the Autoconer 5 

came at just the right time for the Birla 

Group. The new, ultra-modern spinning mill 

should also have the latest, future-oriented 

winding technology. The management opted 

for the Autoconer 5, because it is the most 

modern package winder currently available 

on the market. Now staff of the company 

proudly point out that they have or have had 

all generations of the Autoconer machine in 

the production plant. 

… A step towards automation of the 

spinning mill 

Birla Century linked investment in the new 

spinning mill directly to a step towards 

greater automation. Starting with the automation 

of the transport system from the 

roving frame to the ring spinning machine, 

this is being extended as far as the winding 

department, because here the Autoconer 

Reacting easily and quickly to market demands and 

trends with Zinser CompACT³. 

type D machine has been selected for the 

first time. 23 Autoconer 5 machines process 

the ring and compact yarns into packages 

that are then processed downstream in the 

company’s own weaving mill. The flow of 

material in the spinning mill is thus largely 

independent of operator intervention and 

the production sequence can be optimised 

logistically. The new operating concept of 

the Autoconer 5 offers maximum support 

here: its clear, open design, greater number 

of central settings for the winding parameters 

and reduced hardware handling, targeted 

fault analysis and more detailed fault display 

are emphatic plus points in this regard. 

… optimally equipped from the technological 

point of view 

Birla Century values the advantages of the 

excellent Autoconer winding technology 

highly. The FX high-performance modules 

for top package quality - Autotense FX, 

Propack FX, Variopack FX and Ecopack FX – 

are naturally part of the machine specification. 

The new flexsplicer, which can be adjusted 

very easily to suit the requirements of compact 

yarns or standard yarns, produces splicing 

results that meet the high quality and 

strength requirements of the company. 

These are reflected in the smooth unwinding 

behaviour and first-class appearance of the 

end products. Another factor in Birla Century’s 

purchasing decision was the convincing, 


future-oriented new electronics and CAN-bus 

concept, which makes it possible to expand 

the product spectrum and integrate innovations 

at any time, along with the highly 

productive process sequence, which helps 

to conserve resources. 

In opting to deploy Oerlikon Schlafhorst ring 

spinning and winding technology, Birla 

Century is ideally equipped to face the future 

and can rely on superb support from a 

strong service organisation. 

Zinser CompACT³ is self-cleaning - for a guaranteed 

even, perfectly compacted yarn. Excellent package quality using the Autoconer 5.

16 

Oerlikon Schlafhorst Express 

Show review 

ITM, Turkey (6. - 10.6.09) and Shanghaitex, China (12. - 15.6.09) 

Imprint Publisher: Oerlikon Schlafhorst / A subsidiary of Oerlikon Textile GmbH & Co. KG / Blumenbergerstrasse 143-145 / D - 41061 

Mönchengladbach / P.O box 10 04 35 / D - 41004 Mönchengladbach / Tel: +49 2161 28 - 0 / Fax: +49 2161 28 - 2645 / 

Internet: www.oerlikon.com/textile / E-mail: info.schlafhorst@oerlikon.com / Contents and editing: Produktmarketing Oerlikon Schlafhorst: 

Heike Scheibe, Waltraud Jansen, Claudia Baumann, Birgit Pakowski / 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 

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