ExploreStreet.
Welcome to the Pennsylvania Fabric Discovery Center at the Center for Functional Fabrics, 3101 Market our end-to-end process by taking a virtual tour of our manufacturing space.
Explore the machines and equipment in the Manufacturing Space
Yarn Space Programming Room Testing Room
Storage Assembly
SDS-One Apex3 computers designed for the Shima Seiki weft knitting machines are used to run knit software. Programs written in this software are used to produce the designs on the Shima machines. Specialized software is also available for the circular weft and warp knitting machines.
PROGRAMMING ROOM
Programming Equipment
Textile Design Workstations
Programming Room
In the Programming Room we create designs for the knitting machines.
In the Yarn Storage Rooms we have natural fibers and synthetic fibers, including conductive yarns for e-textile development.
Yarn Storage
YARN STORAGE ROOM
Fabrication Space Weaving Machine Circular Weft Knitting Machine Warp Knitting Machine Yarn Preparation Area Weft Knitting Machines Embroidery InMachinethe Fabrication Space we are outfitted for yarn customization, embroidery and textile fabrication.
FABRICATION SPACE
Weaving Machine
Weaving is made through two distinct sets of yarn, interlaced at right angles. Sample looms can be used to experiment with weaving novel materials, translate advanced dobby woven designs for scalable production and produce sample designs for validation.
FABRICATION SPACE
Warp Knitting Machine
Warp knitting is made with a vertically oriented yarn set-up where the knit is built upwards in a zig-zag pattern. Warp knits tend to be a tighter knit with less stretch than weft knits and have a high rate of output.
Circular Weft Knitting CircularMachineweft
knits are made through inter-looping of yarn in a circular direction, built up sequentially in rows in a circular fashion.
FABRICATION SPACE
Yarn is modified via winding, covering, coating, and braiding. This allows for specialized customization of the yarn properties for optimal performance, manufacturability, and scalability.
Yarn Preparation Area
FABRICATION SPACE
Allows for the incorporation of yarn materials such as conductive threads, as well as larger components such as silicone tubing, carbon fiber tows, etc.
Embroidery Machine
FABRICATION SPACE
Capable of generating automated placement of small electronics such as RFID or LED.
Flat-bed weft knitting is created through the inter-looping of yarn, built up sequentially in rows as the yarn moves from side to side. An additive fabrication process with no wasted material and easily scalable, it is well suited for rapid prototyping.
Weft Knitting Machine
FABRICATION SPACE
In the Assembly Space we utilize various tools and equipment to complete product assembly.
3D Body Scanner Workspace
Assembly Space
Steamer
Seaming & SewingWeldingMachinesMachines
Welding Machines
These machines weld material together using high heat or high frequency vibrations to melt seams of various fabrics together.
ASSEMBLY ROOM
ASSEMBLY ROOM
3D Body Scanner
The 3D body scanner, typically used at fitness centers and hospitals to measure BMI, can also be used to get full body measurements for customized garment design.
ASSEMBLY ROOM
ASSEMBLY ROOM
irons are available to make electrical connections in textile devices.
WorkspaceSmalltoolssuch as soldering
ASSEMBLY ROOM
and tools for dying fabrics are in this area.
the Testing Room we have a variety of equipment to test fabrics and fibers.
Testing Room
Testing
EquipmentIn
Testing EquipmentRoomforboth traditional and non-traditional textile testing and characterization including stereoscopic optical microscopy, abrasion and pilling, water resistance, yarn twist, burst strength, flexural strength, tensile testing, and conductivity testing. TESTING ROOM
Archive Room: Where past projects are stored and cataloged.
Archive ArchiveRoom & Storage
Archive Room In the climate-controlled archive room we store, catalogue and preserve past projects.
ARCHIVE ROOM
