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The main modern technologies for obtaining impermeable seams, which are used by large manufacturers of down clothing, are the technology of warm seams and the technology of welded or taped seams.

The technology of warm seams is a complex process of production of down products, eliminating heat losses in the area of seams. The outer and inner fabrics are not sewn together, but are connected with a special intermediate tape. Clothes made using this technology are much warmer than products with conventional through seams. However, its use increases the complexity and complexity of manufacturing by 30 to 40%, limits the range of products (due to the lack of decorative stitches) and does not prevent the migration of fluff in the area of connecting seams.

The technology of taped seams involves gluing the seams from the inside of the product with a special tape at high temperature. Products with taped seams do not get wet even in a heavy downpour. Thermal welding is a three-stage process, each subsequent stage of which increases the strength and reliability of the finished product. First, the details of the cut are combined using ultrasonic instruments. Then the components are glued together at certain temperatures. And finally, the final stage is the sizing of the seam from the inside (or outside) the sides when using special equipment and adhesive tape.

At the moment, these technologies for the preparation of seams are most often used in clothing for work in polar conditions, extreme sports or outdoor activities. However, manufacturers who prefer this method of combating fluff migration have to purchase additional equipment and face increased energy costs, as well as problems with equipment, including machine components. This technology sets a low sewing speed of approximately 10 m/min. All this leads to an increase in the cost of production by an average of 25%. That is why the introduction of technologies for gluing seams in down products has not yet found wide application in the domestic clothing industry, in particular in the manufacture of everyday insulated jacket assortment.

Thanks to the technology developed by Smarttex specialists and the new material, the down jackets produced by this company have a number of advantages, including:

• non-penetration of fluff through thread connections, both during manufacture and during operation of the product;
• preservation of high-quality appearance and heat-protective properties of the product during wear and care (washing, dry cleaning);
• non-penetration of fluff on the inner surface of the product and the absence of sticking to the subsequent layer of clothing;
• low price compared to world analogues of the corresponding level of quality.

In modern conditions, when the competitiveness of goods can be increased only through innovative technologies that give unique properties to products, the developments of the company "Smarttex" help to bring the products of the Russian garment industry to a new level both in the domestic and foreign markets.

Author: Elena Dyakonova, Head of Research and Development Work at Smarttex LLC

Photo: LLC «Smarttex», shutterstock.com