Air-jet Weaving Machine
ITEMA Weaving :
Pioneers in weaving machine construction
ITEMA Weaving is a business unit of the internationally ope-
rating textile machinery group ITEMA.
The 4 companies, ITEMA (Switzerland), Promatech and
ITEMA Weaving Machinery (China) were moulded into a new
“ONE” company model, representing the well known brands
Sulzer Textil, Somet, Vamatex, ITEMA K88 (rapier) and ITEMA
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L88 (air-jet). The resulting synergies and consolidation of ex-
tensive expertise and experience are clearly benefiting our cu-
stomers with regard to flexibility and productivity at the best
performance / price ratio. With its globally present subsidia-
ries, ITEMA Weaving has extremely extensive resources for
developing, manufacturing, assembly and commissioning of
up to 10,000 rapier, air-jet and projectile weaving machines
per year.
The fabrics produced on ITEMA air-jet weaving machines are used by all
leading brands in the textile and apparel industry for fashion, leisure and
home furnishings.
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Simplicity and performance
ITEMA weaving machines are synonymous with optimum per-
formance and ease of operation. That means maximum pro-
ductivity and a short payback period. The well thought-out
system solutions with ergonomically designed components
facilitate quick style changes in just a few steps. Thanks to the
ease of accessibility of all components, a minimum of machine
settings are needed, which can be carried out quickly.
Uncompromising quality
Thanks to international development teams and a global pro-
curement policy for the best materials and components, ma-
chines manufactured by ITEMA Weaving are unmatched in
their class. The quality assurance program is broad-based
and the test procedures for all units and machines are strin-
gently monitored. Every weaving machine supplied can be
commissioned rapidly and take up production without delay.
ITEMA Weaving – more than weaving machines
ITEMA Weaving offers its customers services that go far be-
yond weaving machines. Service centres in all major markets
around the world support customers installing, commissio-
ning and maintaining the weaving systems throughout the
decades-long service lives.
At ITEMA Weaving Training Centres, specific customised
courses are offered to train mechanics and weavers to work
on ITEMA Weaving machines, to ensure trouble-free opera-
tion of the machines.
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ITEMA L88 air-jet weaving machine :
Quality and performance at the right price

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Besides performance and quality, the ITEMA L88 air-jet weaving machine’s cle-
ar-cut, functional and ergonomic design are convincing arguments in its favour.

The new ITEMA L88 air-jet weaving machine delivers excellent fabric quality at the right price. Its flexibility, high level of user-
friendliness and versatility make it an ideal means of production for weavers of fabrics which have to follow market trends.

The ITEMA L88 is the result of decades of experience ga-

thered by ITEMA Weaving in the development and construc-
tion of air-jet weaving machines. The basis for the pioneering
ITEMA L88 air-jet weaving machine is the profound know-how
of our engineers and experts in all relevant disciplines.
Even at the development stage, the latest CAD technology
guarantees perfect harmonization of all machine components.
The engineers work highly efficiently, using sophisticated sof-
tware.

The applications of the ITEMA L88 are broad – the range of high-quality
fabrics extends from simple printed materials through shirtings and bed
linen to twills for work apparel.
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 Gentle warp handling :
Unparalleled fabric quality

The high fabric quality achieved with the ITEMA L88 is essentially the result of the low warp tension and clean shed.

Warp tension is controlled positively and synchronously with

machine operation. The warp-induced weft stoppages typi-
cal of air-jet machines are virtually eliminated. The weaver
benefits from high efficiency, reduced workload and maxi-
mum productivity. This results in a fabric quality that has not
even been approached by any other air-jet weaving machine
in this class.

Major factors for top productivity: the ergonomic design and low profile of
the ITEMA L88 make the machine more user-friendly and shorten the time
needed to repair yarn breaks.

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Faultless selvedges and low yarn wastage, thanks to the rotary selvedge
unit, ensure perfect machine operation in the weave room. They also meet
the requirements for downstream process stages. The result: higher econo-
mic efficiency right down the line.

The straight weft run, without any deflections from the weft feeder to the
main nozzle, reduces yarn peak tension to an absolute minimum..
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 Minimal compressed air consumption :
Minimal energy costs

With its minimal compressed air consumption, the ITEMA L88 plays an important part in cutting production costs. At the
same time, it ensures environmentally sound use of valuable energy.

Air consumption is reduced significantly due to the extreme

proximity of the relay nozzle valves to the nozzles themsel-
ves, the short reaction time and optimized blowing times. Ad-
ditional savings result from the fact that, as a standard, each
valve controls only four relay nozzles. Moreover, optimal re-
laying of the blowing times ensures a reliable and controlled
weft insertion process.
Besides the main nozzles, the ITEMA L88 can be equipped
with additional tandem nozzles (optional). This combination
ensures gentle acceleration of delicate weft yarns with mini-
mal air consumption and maximum productivity.
This combination ensures gentle acceleration of delicate weft
yarns with minimal air consumption and maximum produc-
tivity.

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With perfectly aligned relay nozzles in a clean shed and an optimized tunnel
reed, the ITEMA L88 is ideally equipped for high performance.

Clear, ergonomically arranged controls for the

compressed air supply allow quick and easy
adjustment of the few essential machine
settings.
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The positive back rest roller and the optimal setting options for the rear shed
ensure a clear shed with gentle warp handling. Weft stoppages are thus
effectively avoided, resulting in better overall fabric quality.
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The main objective in developing the L88 :
Success for weavers

Your profit:

Performance Economic efficiency

With up to 800 picks per minute and a maximum weft inser- Thanks to the carefully thought-out technological concept,
tion rate of 1800 metres per minute, the ITEMA L88 features the number of mechanical sub-assemblies and parts are mi-
a productivity level so far unmatched in this class. nimized. This in turn reduces not only maintenance time and
costs, but also spare parts consumption.
Quality
Reproducible machine settings and a reduction of machine Installation in the weave room
stops due to low air pressure and least possible yarn tension Harmonic motion sequences and vibration-damping mea-
guarantee an improvement in fabric quality and performance sures ensure low vibration of the machine in operation. The
of the machine. ITEMA L88 can be installed in any weave room, without fa-
stening to the floor.
User-friendliness
In designing the ITEMA L88, our international team of engi-
neers focused in particular on minimal air consumption, user-
friendliness and easy maintenance. That is why this air-jet
weaving machine features a simple, robust and functional
design.

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Our solutions:
Clear shed
The positively controlled warptensioning system, unique in this
machine class, ensures that the ITEMA L88 has a completely
clean shed. The warps are processed with minimal tension.
Short set-up times
The monobloc cloth table allows easy adjustment of the reed
width and helps with quick style changes. Through reduction
of the set-up time, the productivity of the ITEMA L88 air-jet
weaving machine is decisively enhanced. For the fastening of
the heald frames, the setting of shed height and stroke, effici-
ent solutions have been implemented to facilitate quick style
changes. Thus, the machine can be set up for a new style
quickly and easily with a minimum of tools.
Weft insertion
The direct, straight weft path guarantees minimum yarn ten-
sion during weft insertion. Stoppages due to weft breaks are
reduced to a minimum. The overall efficiency of the ITEMA
L88 is enhanced correspondingly.
70° sley dwell
A 70° sley dwell prolongs the weft insertion time, resulting in
a major reduction in yarn tension due to the lower air pres-
sure. This ensures the weaving machine’s excellent running
characteristics and completely eliminates the risk of starting
marks.
Terminal
State-of-the-art touch screen technology, with clear picto-
grams and simple menu guidance, makes operation of the
machine easy to learn.
Footprint
With its compact design, the ITEMA L88 air-jet weaving ma-
chine sets new standards in machine footprints; an advantage
for optimum fabric production in a minimum of space.
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 Adaptable to the new markets of tomorrow

The ITEMA L88 weaves all customary spun yarns, made of cotton, synthetic fibres, blends, as well as texturized and plain
filament yarns in warp and weft. That makes it the right machine to have, also for the long term; an investment that really
pays off.

With the ITEMA L88, the modern weaver is investing in a Everyday clothing fabrics and plain fabrics
future-oriented weaving system that fulfils the requirements for household requirements are produced
of tomorrow’s markets in every respect. Even yarns of the most economically on the ITEMA L88
future with different fibre blends or new spinning processes, air-jet weaving machine.
the ITEMA L88 will be up to the challenge.
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The colour touch screen terminal guides the operator clearly and directly
to the various settings. With the simple symbols on its clearly organized
user interface, the ITEMA L88 is a quick-to-understand, easy-to-operate
production unit.

The perfectly balanced sley drive almost completely eliminates vibrations,

enabling the ITEMA L88 to be set up on any ordinary weave room floor
without any additional fixation.
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Short set-up times
Maximum productivity

High flexibility, with low maintenance and operating costs are the features that set the L88 apart.

Machine setting data can be transferred from one The temple on the right-hand side of the machine, including cutter and op-
tional stretching nozzle, can be set to the new weaving width in a single
ITEMA L88 weaving machine to another in just operation.
a few seconds by means of a memory card.
Once the settings for a particular style
have been optimized, they can be repro-
duced anytime and any number of times
- an invaluable advantage in optimizing
any weaving mill producing on an indus-
trial scale.
The simple design concept also proves its
worth with regard to servicing and mainte-
nance. All transmissions are oil-immersed
and are virtually maintenance-free. The
ITEMA L88 has no wearing parts that
need to be replaced regularly. As a con-
sequence, also considering long-term, it
produces with low maintenance and ope-
rating costs.

On the ITEMA L88, an electronically controlled warp let-off and cloth take-up 2008-127

ensure faultless warp and cloth run. With perfectly synchronized interaction,
the two units ensure excellent machine running and fabric appearance.
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Specifications

Weaving widths 1900 mm - 2300 mm

Width reduction 600 mm standard, 1000 mm optional

Performance up to 800 picks per minute, max. 1820 m/min weft insertion rate

Raw materials natural and man-made fibres, synthetic yarns and blends thereof

Weft colours 2 and 4 colours

Weft yarns spun Ne 4 to Ne 80, Filament 20 dtex to 900 dtex

Weft densities 4 to 100 picks/cm

Weft insertion by means of main and tandem nozzles

Relay nozzles multi-hole nozzles with 19 holes

Stretching nozzle optional for matched and unmatched reeds

Weft feeders electronically controlled, with optional layer separation

Weft cutter electrically driven

Weft monitoring electronic, with 2 photo cells

Shedding ITEMA XP7 positive tappet motion for max. 7 shaft drives symmetrical and asymmetrical
cams with repeats of 4, 5 and 6

Warp beam full-width warp beam with diameter of 800 or 1000 mm

Warp monitoring electric warp monitor with 6 or 8 rows

Warp and cloth run electronically controlled, synchronized warp let-off and cloth take-up

Cloth take-up max. diameter 600 mm, simple quick-action coupling, batch motion optional

Main drive asynchronous motor with frequency inverter

Sley drive bilateral drive with 70° sley dwell

Selvedge formation left side without auxiliary selvedge, with full-cross leno device; right side with or without au-
xiliary selvedge, interlacing by means of full-cross leno device with single leno pair; separate
feed for auxiliary selvedge with up to 14 threads.

Selvedge cutter electrically driven

Lubrication all transmissions in oil bath

Operator terminal colour touch-screen terminal with graphical interface for setting and monitoring all important
weaving machine functions, compatible with all leading programming systems, memory card
for data transfer and storage

Machine installation low-vibration due to mass balancing, fixation to floor not necessary

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Machine dimensions

Warp beam diameter WB = 800 mm Warp beam diameter WB = 1000 mm

Cloth beam diameter CB = 600 mm Cloth beam diameter CB = 600 mm
829-1

829-1

Weaving width_mm B C D F

1900 4770 2220 1750 1940

2300 5170 2620 1750 2340

Subject to changes without notice.

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ITEMA Weaving is a Business
Unit of the ITEMA group with
operations in Italy, Switzerland
and China. Our experienced
team develops and manufac-
tures state of the art weaving
machinery. All our products are
sold and serviced worldwide.
Our brand names Sultex,
Somet and Vamatex are well
known to anybody in the textile
industry. Also Savio (automatic
winders), Loepfe (yarn clear-
ers), BarcoVision (MES and
automatic inspection systems),
SEDO-Treepoint (Dyehouse au-
tomation) and Eutron (industrial
electronic products) are brand
names of the ITEMA Group.

Promatech SpA
Via Cav. G. Radici 4
24020 Colzate (BG), Italy
Phone +39 035 7282111
Telefax +39 035 740505

ITEMA (Switzerland) Ltd.

Binzackerstrasse 41
8620 Wetzikon ZH, Switzerland
Phone +41 (0)43 488 21 21
Telefax +41 (0)43 488 21 01

ITEMA Weaving Machinery (China) Co., Ltd.

98, Dong Xing Road
Song Jiang Industrial Zone
Printed in China / 37.60.09 Cao

Shanghai 201613, P. R. China

Phone +86 (0)21 67742618
Telefax +86 (0)21 67742608

www.itemagroup.com Specifications subject to change without notice.