The humble denim remains one of the most complex and mysterious garments of all time. A serious workhorse staple in every closet, this trend is one that never gets old.
During the 19thcentury, this tough cotton twill fabric with an indigo warp and weft was commonly used to tailor trousers for sailors from Genoa, Italy. Levi Strauss is credited as the co-founder of the blue jean, created in 1873 in the aftermath of the California Gold Rush. Nevada tailor Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss filed for patent numbers 139 and 121 for the first rivet-reinforced denim jeans. These denims would then go on to be used as standardised sturdy uniforms for miners, farmers and mechanics.
While the history of denim is fascinating, its creation is no less captivating. Raw cotton, picked from the fields, goes through a plethora of processes and changes before being transformed into a pair of jeans or other apparel pieces. Earlier denim’s rugged, hardwearing nature drove its no-frills beginnings. From skinnies, baggies to ripped, distressed and more, denims have consistently evolved in character and style. Today’s innovative stretch fibres have propelled their flight into the fashion domain, ushering in the era of the “jegging”.
To meet the dynamic needs of constantly evolving fashion, textile manufacturers will need to improve the efficiency of their processes through energy-efficient technology. This is where reliable compressed air can help as it’s a necessity at nearly all levels of the process chain.
Compressed air powers air jet looms, spinning machines, ginning mills and other industrial equipment used to process denim, polyester yarns and other fabrics. It’s used to add texture to fabric and other details for value addition to the finished product. It also powers tools that keep facilities clean and equipment working.
Air jet looms apart, compressed air plays a key role in the textile industry at various stages of manufacturing, specifically in spinning and weaving operations from bale opening to yarn production and weaving to sewing apparels. Beginning with carding, followed by combing, winding slivers on bobbins, coping, speed and ring frame operations, compressed air is indispensable in the textile manufacturing process.
ELGi’s oil-free rotary screw air compressors are widely used in the textile industry, both in India and abroad.
To learn more about air compressors and related products that ELGi offers, visit our website at elgi.com