Tag: reflective fabric

PPE connected to improve construction site safety

Reflective vest equipped with sensors, glass with integrated camera, relocated safety shoes… Industrialists work together to develop a set of connected equipment to improve the safety of operators and the ergonomics of working in the field. Zoom.

The Ideas Laboratory partners in Grenoble, including Bourges Construction, Suez, Air Liquid and CEA’s technical research department, have jointly designed the various elements of a connected work wear(especially sewn-in reflective fabric), designed for operators on construction sites. It includes a “connected sleeve” (which looks like the PIP-Boy video game Fallout), a kind of individual terminal worn on the forearm that guides and information workers in real time in the field. Compatible with wearing gloves, it ensures communication and optimizes the efficiency of workers, whatever the weather conditions. According to its designers, it “will thus improve working conditions”, whether it is an industrial production site, a construction site, or a waste treatment unit. It has already been the subject of a conclusive pilot phase and it is already planned that a gradual deployment will be carried out in several regions of France.

Other equipment should be developed, including a high visibility vest equipped with sensors to analyze the quality of the air breathed by the operator and equipped with LEDs displaying the dangers, protective glasses incorporating a camera in the manner of Google Glass as well as warning pictograms on the periphery of the field of vision, or relocated boots to better identify themselves on a site under construction. Partners need to work in a collaborative mode, capitalize “on their knowledge and expertise of the industry sector” and rely on new technologies, including “robotic”, this emerging branch of robotics that aims to assist humans. The connected EPI project is part of the company’s prevention plan aimed at improving safety, but also in the very evolution of business lines with the increasing contribution of digital technology. The worker of the future will be increased.

Northwave winter jacket uses reflective fabric

Summer really starts and Northwave is already wearing a new winter coat. The Italian brand is rightly proud of the new DV stretch membrane in the Arctic Reflective Jacket.

 

After a hopefully fantastic bike summer, you have to prepare yourself again for a cold Belgian winter. Northwave wants to respond to this through a new collaboration with event fabrics. The Italian manufacturer will use the latest event membrane technology, called DV stretch, in the Northwave Arctic Jacket, which will be on the market in October.

 

The Arctic Jacket offers protection and comfort thanks to the windproof DV stretch membrane, which is used in the three-layer BP Puma laminate from ITTTAI, which is exclusively able to make fabrics with DV stretch technology. The BP Puma laminate covers the entire front and back of the jacket to provide good protection from the wind, to breathe and to stay elastic. The reflective fabric can stretch 35% and return completely to the original state. In addition, Northwave uses Lombardi fabric, a very soft and open material, under the arms to better match the body.

 

DV stretch uses event’s Direct Venting (DV) technology, which means that the membrane is air-permeable and has a porous structure so that heat and sweat can pass directly through the membrane. Moreover, DV stretch is windproof and water-repellent. “This combination of benefits is ideal for aerobic sports such as cycling,” says Chad Kelly, Global Product Manager at event fabrics. “Cyclists generate a lot of heat and moisture that has to be removed quickly by clothing, but they also need essential protection from wind and weather.”

 

The Arctic Jacket is in the ‘Be Visible Be Safe’ collection from Northwave, which is designed for maximum visibility and safety, which is especially important when the days are getting shorter and it is faster dark, foggy or rainy. There are also reflective Pixel details in the jacket. This unique technology allows reflective elements to be printed directly onto the fabric so that a larger part of the jacket can reflect. They are also softer than normal reflective elements. They are in this jacket on the neck collar, the sleeves and back.

New reflective garment for Runners

The Italian firm Diadora brings to the market the perfect reflective garment to travel the city at the speed of light.

 

The Diadora Bright Run Jacket is a treat for any running fan. Its main asset is the reflective fabric, adaptable, reflective, breathable, and ultra light, which has an innovative photo luminescent technology: an exterior pigment absorbs light and returns it in low light conditions. In addition, for greater comfort, the seams are sealed with laser and the zippers and zippers are coated to prevent chafing.

 

Left side is Bright Run jacket by Diadora during the day. Right side is the effect when it is night. This material not only provides comfort to the runner, but also safety. Its fluorescent fabric allows greater visibility, thus avoiding accidents.

 

 

The reflective fabric trends for summer 2017

The new reflective fabric trends for the spring-summer season 2017, which have just been shown at the Performance Days in Munich, are likely to inspire sports and fashion brands alike: there has never been such a great deal of fashionable optics for sport. The materials of the future are becoming lighter, more flexible and softer. They promise to wear comfort, which is long since also interested the classic fashion customers. “37.4 percent of the visitors agree to the fashion sector,” says Stefanie Sakharov of the Performance Days, summarizing the visitor structure of the last event at the end of April. This is a considerable share for a trade fair, which has explicitly devoted itself to the functional substances. And what trends does the industry see?

 

More patterns, more structure, more prints

“The functional substances show a completely different picture compared to the last seasons,” explains Fabrics expert Ulrike in her trend presentation. “Patterns, structures, prints and 3-dimensional fabrics are getting stronger and stronger.” The change goes through the entire range, from the light knit for Base layer to the weatherproof 3-layer reflective material for jackets and trousers. Structured surfaces are achieved by new knitting and weaving methods or appear on the backs of the fabrics where they are e.g. as small 3-dimensional triangles or ovals. They give the fabric not only a futuristic look; they also serve as a spacer to the skin and thus ensure more wear comfort. Jacquards also give the fabrics new structures and patterns, as well as quilted or embossed materials, where several layers of fabric – for example by ultrasound – are fused together.

 

Prints had hardly played a role in the sport in the last few years, but the Cleary look was one of them. This could change, at least the fabric manufacturers will in the future rely on decorative surfaces and present flower prints, basics and geometric patterns.

In general, the trend towards particularly complex backs continues. For example, transparent jacketed fabrics are printed on the reverse side, the patterns also glimmering on the front side. Innovative reflective prints are also presented. They not only serve the safety aspect, but also deliver completely new optics through newly developed colors. Highlight is, for example, a fabric that combines prints that only partially reflect and show a completely different pattern at night than at day.

Just not clean: The performance fabric trends for summer 2017

 

Functionality becomes the USP

With the functions of the fabrics, the trend continues towards lighter, softer, and nevertheless hard-wearing materials. Even 3-layer materials for waterproof jackets have lost their stiffness and show a pleasantly soft feel. Elasticity is becoming the standard. Even substances, which were once developed as compressive substances, enter the regular sports and fashion collections due to their good wearing and jumping properties. Christian Weather from Agencies: “We are selling our polyamide stretch from the sports collection to pure fashion customers. They are always looking for beautiful materials for comfortable reflective pants and jackets. ”

 

With the focus on the materiality of the fabrics, the colors move into the background. After years of bright colors, more and more natural tones return to the sport.

 

Berlin Fashion Week with fashion and safer

Fashion is love. Love is fashion. And love is sex. If the Berlin Fashion Week is transferred to the symbol of a love act, the first three days of the Berlin fashion week would have been a delightful prelude to the senses. Fashion clothing with reflective fabric, Great design looks, exciting events, delightful trade fairs, dazzling parties and visionary collections inspire the hungry modem crowd. Let them into a driven, film like and self-forgetful intoxication full of tension of the senses. Only to unload on the fourth day in an ecstatic, glowing and fumigant fashion climax: Marina for her autumn / winter collection 2017/18.

 

The orchestral strings and the drumming timpani fill the halls of the imposing Imperial Telegraphic Office. Already the first look from Marina’s collection rings her new, further developed design era. A floor-length, narrow-cut dress with elaborate black-red-iridescent velvet tendrils on transparent gauze opens the show. The models wear strictly braided, interwoven cornrows and dark lipstick. A stampede dance beat with insistent operetta singing sets in and replaces the epic classical sounds. This is followed by typical and yet reinterpreted creations for the designer. Fluorescent beads and Swarovski crystals applied to human support and movement devices in lacquer optics.

 

At all, reflective, reflective surfaces and materials form a stringent key element. Belt buckles may be missing as well as bondage straps and lacing. Everyone present will realize this at the latest at the appearance of the tippling model in the stiff, wicked and exciting song belt skirt. Rarely were women’s fashion so feminine strong and strict but at the same time fragile and feminine. The masterminds dare. Good luck! For this reason, the current star at the Berlin fashion heaven offers us what we have been in urgent need for years: courage for a skillfully free balancing act between art, commerce and unfamiliar portability.

 

Natural fibers versus synthetic for clothing

Functional clothing is important for fiber selection and knitting structure. The fibers determine the speed of damping, the wetness of the knitted and reflective fabric, the drying rate and also the coloring, the possibility of dyeing and printing, the degree of abrasion, the viscosity and the shrinkage.

 

The binding structure determines the degree of thermal insulation, the moisture holding rate, the drying rate, the mechanical properties and the complexity of the workmanship. “The properties of individual types of fibers combined with different bindings or a combination of fibers and bindings make it possible to create the resulting knitwear for different climatic conditions and physical load,” remarks Melos Piety.

 

Natural reflective materials, now called renewable, have been used since time immemorial. The most famous cotton and wool can be added today with viscose and bamboo fiber. Their utility properties have been tested by various climatic conditions over many centuries. However, they cannot meet the requirements we expect from the fiber today – they must be light, strong, flexible, pleasant to touch, non-absorbent, well-drained water, also cool in the summer and warm in the winter, thermally inert. They must be resistant to bacteria, molds and insects and must be well maintained.

 

Natural materials, however, have a high absorbency compared to synthetic fibers. An exception here is a wave which, even with a high absorption, does not awaken, unless you can do more than it can handle. Body moisture is stored in the fiber structure and evaporates very slowly. It’s the same speed as drying after washing.

 

Merino sheep’s wool is very fine and its 14-16 micron fibers are acceptable for sensitive skin. Stronger fibers are not suitable for linen production. The wool absorbs odors and has a self-cleaning ability, no particles of dust or dirt fall on the fibers. Current technologies can better classify the wool, and only high-quality reflective yarn is produced from the longest fibers.

The winter collection four Factors for safety

Winter comes loaded with new features in the new collection of Four Factors Sportswear by reflective fabric. The brand of sportswear born in Gualala proposes new designs more daring with a great leap in quality in all garments, fruit of the constant improvement in product innovation and attending to the improvements proposed by athletes. Sportswear continues betting on sportswear of maximum benefits, in own designs as well as customized.

 

Sportswear launches the new winter collection with the Lycra Long Sleeve Carbon Maillot as the main novelty. An anti-static and antibacterial carbon fabric garment is that protects the skin eliminating the risk of allergies, as well as accelerating the process of evaporation of perspiration. Carbon fabric improves performance by reducing the concentration of lactic acid that improves circulation and oxygenates cells.

 

The new collection of Four Factors Sportswear expands the range of colors and prints with the arrival of the cycling set of the jacket and thermal culottes Composition, with a really daring print for the most cheerful bikers that will not go unnoticed. Composition thermal jacket is made of waterproof fabric with the inside perched to guarantee a great breathability and the maximum comfort at low temperatures, and includes back pocket with reflective zipper. The Composition thermal culottes are designed exclusively for women with Volta lapel and SAT (Shock Absorption Technology) strapless technology in Coloma fabric, very breathable and anti-bacterial with exceptional elasticity and body adaptability.

 

The Four Factors Sportswear product range is complete with high quality sportswear for runners and cyclists that include windbreakers, reflective vests, jerseys, jerseys, and a large number of accessories.

 

Four Factors Sportswear products can be purchased through the online store and in specialty stores, as well as creating custom clothing with designs tailored to teams and clubs.

 

 

Smart and functional clothing and fabrics

Sales of technology products incorporated into reflective clothing, called ‘wearables, will reach 135 million Euros in 2018 in the world, according to augur international experts who will meet in Barcelona next week. At the meeting, promoted by the Technological Center of Catalonia Eureka, it is planned to analyze the opportunities of this type of technology.

 

Experts estimate that the opportunities offered by smart and functional clothing and fabrics will drive sales to increase from € 9.7m in 2013 worldwide to only € 5.2m in 2013 – to € 135m in 2018. The Eureka Center has developed or participated, among other projects, in the creation of prototypes of a heated cycling jersey, a body to prevent lumbar injuries or a shirt that measures vital signs and perspiration.

 

He has also developed clothes that control people’s emotional reactions, a shoe template with sensors that prevents falls, gloves with solar heaters and a bag that is illuminated with solar energy. According to a Eureka spokeswoman, Effect explained that this technology center in Catalonia is a pioneer in the world of electroluminescent technology, which allows lighting and flexible objects without the need to focus with light as it does with current reflectors.

 

Smart textiles, with a demand that reaches 75% in the case of young people who say they want to use technology incorporated into clothing, “offer significant opportunities thanks to the development in the miniaturization of electronic components,” explained the researcher in design Textile Oscar Temuco, coordinator of the meeting.

 

According to Temuco, “functional reflective fabrics can already be seen in geo textiles, architects and agro textiles, but also in professional clothing or sports applications and in the field of health.” For this future to become a reality, according to Temuco, “a great transformation is necessary involving agents from multiple disciplines and levels”, where “innovation must be part of both the production process and the design process or Business models “.

 

The event, organized by the Dutch embassy in collaboration with ADI-FAD, Eindhoven University of Technology and Eureka, will be attended by experts from the textile world, fashion design or textile and experts in ‘wearable’s or technology applied to the textile sector.

 

The director of the Research and Textile Center of Cane de Mar, Miquelon Solar, plans to present functional fabric capacities, and Eureka Business Director Miquelon Rey will share the initiative Reimaging Textile, the collaboration network That connects the main agents to place Catalonia as a reference in this new textile revolution. According to the experts, “it is a textile revolution, driven by new reflective materials, production processes and channels, proliferation of data, devices and sensors and hyper connectivity.”

What you should know when doing running

We return to the running with the material to run, whether it is running safety clothes, sneakers or any other complement that can go well in our outings to make miles. Sports gadgets are great for quantifying our activity and knowing exactly how we evolved along with our training, but if you have to invest in running equipment, make it first in proper clothing, socks and running shoes.

 

There is no universal rule when dressing to run, of course. In reality, you can go jogging with a pair of sneakers and any type of garment, but with time and experience, you will learn to choose some materials over others, namely what to wear on days when time does not accompany and, ultimately, to choose the equipment that best suits you. If you have decided to start with running and you want to have some basics, we will review what you should know about running clothes and shoes. These are the most basic elements for doing sports.

 

The importance of clothes and technical material

Starting at the top, it is normal that at first we go running with the typical old shirt or advertising made in cotton. If you do not want to finish sweat-soaked workouts, it is best to buy technical clothing that is, sportswear in which materials and seams have been taken care of to avoid discomfort. The ‘running’ jerseys are usually made of polyester reflective fabric, are much lighter and offer great perspiration. These technical garments do not work miracles, but they do help a lot to evacuate the heat generated.

 

Likewise, these garments (t-shirts, sweatshirts, windbreakers …) usually have better finished seams to avoid the dreaded scratches and, in some cases, also include reflective elements that are great details to increase our visibility when the light falls – fundamental in this The time of year when night falls so early. If temperatures drop, then better opt for something more warm and allow us to warm up while it keeps us dry. It all depends on how cold it is in our area. I am in favor of not ‘going crazy’ putting on layers because, with the passage of kilometers, it is possible that we mainly.

 

We go to the lower train and the key question comes: mesh or pants? In my opinion, the mesh is the best option, for the comfort and the support it offers, especially if it is a model with some compression. Like t-shirts, trousers and treadmills are made of polyester or advanced fiber fabrics that fit perfectly to the legs, including wide waists and localized ventilation zones. Not everyone feels comfortable in public with a mesh, but they do not want to give up that comfort and freedom of movement. For them, there are on the market ‘running’ textiles that combine mesh and pants in the same garment.

 

An important point about compression meshes is how to wash them so that the fibers do not lose their properties and last longer – this also applies to compression jerseys, stockings, socks or any other compression garment. Generally, the best known brands in this type of textile recommend low temperature washing, if possible by hand or with a delicate program in the washing machine, without softeners. But most important of all is the drying: the compression clothes do not get into the dryer, totally discouraged.

 

Socks and sneakers, vital combination

We come to a key and controversial point, because everyone looks for the perfect running shoe with reflective strips, but the reality is that that model does not exist. We must be clear: we will not find now or in the future a shoe 10, running shoes that fit and are suitable for all runners. Nowadays, the different brands of sports equipment invest a lot in the development and manufacture of sneakers. In the market we find tens-hundred-of different models, and it is very difficult to find a shoe that is bad. However, attention must be paid to personalization, as sneakers that work well for one runner may not be useful for another.