32 / 40
“Thanks to the precise closed-
loop control of the fluidic
muscle DMSP, the yarns are
now optimally tensioned.”
Ruedi Leutert, Head of Prework/Weaving, Development and
Yarn Purchasing at Wernli AG
and deliver quickly is also important. The
company’s readiness to continuously
develop its production processes plays a
key role here. New efficiencies are being
identified all the time and implemented
gradually. This was the case with the looms
for the Bi-Flex type bandages, which are
elastic both lengthways and crossways.
The warp beams from which the yarn is
continuously unwound must move under
constant tension. Without the use of
compensating lead weights, the speed of
the warp beams would increase as more
yarn is unwound and produce an uneven
elastic bandage fabric. The weights,
which weigh between 2.5 and 15 kg,
previously had to be hung manually on
the warp beams by employees. The fluidic
muscle DMSP from Festo has
revolutionised this complex process.
Optimally tensioned
Thanks to the fluidic muscle there is no
longer a need for the weights and the yarn
tension is set precisely using pressure
regulators. The innovative pneumatic
drive has clear advantages for this
W
ernli AG was founded in
1932 and was the first
textile manufacturer in the
world to produce coloured
dressing materials. Today, it is cohesive
and adhesive elastic bandages as well as
compression bandages that are securing
Wernli a leading position in the global
market. Pioneering new developments
such as bandages with sensors for
measuring fever or for therapeutic
pressure regulation – coupled with an app
for intuitive operation – have played a
major role in the company’s success. The
company processed 336 tons of yarn in
2014. Laid end to end, the finished
bandages would reach over 51,000 km.
85% of the 10 million bandages produced
each year are exported.
Complex balancing act using weights
For long-term success, however, you need
more than just product innovations.
According to Ruedi Leutert, Head of
Prework/Weaving, Development and Yarn
Purchasing at Wernli, the flexibility to
custom-manufacture small-scale series