Aracne, a spin-off created by the Eurecat technology centre and textile business Canmartex, has developed a groundbreaking predictive quality control system for knitwear manufacturing. The system, set to be released in the second half of 2023, aims to revolutionize the industry by reducing production defects by over 50% and promoting sustainability.
Aracne’s technology, which combines photonic and Internet of Things systems with artificial intelligence algorithms, can predict potential manufacturing faults before fabric production even begins. By anticipating defects such as knitting faults caused by worn machine parts or fabric defects due to mechanical or yarn problems, the system enables production managers to take proactive measures and prevent issues from occurring.
The initiative is in line with the circular economy principles as it helps cut down waste generated during the textile manufacturing process, which accounts for 25% of the industry’s total waste. By real-time analysis of critical components, Aracne’s solution prevents common defects like holes, streaks, and spots, which are usually identified only after production.
Recognized for its innovation and sustainability, Aracne was nominated for the Innovation in Sustainability Award at ITMA 2023, a prestigious textile industry trade fair, and won the Best Research and Development of Artificial Intelligence prize at the Factories of the Future Awards.
With a sales forecast of €6 million by 2025, Aracne is poised to reshape the knitwear manufacturing process, drive industry sustainability, boost production, and cut costs.
