As part of the Retrofit Sensor research project, the DITF have developed a new capacitive force sensor for 3D weaving machines in collaboration with Hahn-Schickard. This type of sensor can be used to determine tensile forces on individual yarns in order to draw conclusions about the quality of the processes and gain basic knowledge for digital engineering.

The measuring principle of the sensor is based on a three-point support of the yarn. The compact design of the capacitive measuring sensor enables the parallel measurement of a large number of yarns in real time. An AI-based evaluation module performs real-time analysis of the yarn tensions during the production process, even with electrically conductive fibers. This ensures efficient production to the highest quality standards.

Applications can be found wherever precise quality data is required in real time, for ex- Airflow ring attached to the skin around the eye Germination tests with colony-forming germs: left unventilated, right ventilated © Wandres GmbH micro-cleaning ample in warp production, 3D fabrics for the aerospace industry, silk fabrics, etc. The retrofit components can be retrofitted into existing systems. The yarn tension sensor was presented to a wide audience for the first time at the ITMA in Milan and met with great interest in the industry.