The complex nature of textile manufacturing, encompassing spinning, weaving, finishing, and dyeing processes, demands sophisticated technological solutions that can help the industry meet both production and quality requirements. For Italy’s Tintoria Stamperia Gorlese (TSG), upgrading existing machinery with advanced web tension load cells has led to increased productivity and a reduction of up to 50 percent in installation and tuning time.

The textile industry is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by technological advancements, sustainability efforts and the need to guarantee consistent quality. Around the world, textile manufacturers are looking to replace older techniques and outdated equipment with innovative solutions and automation. 

Delivering flawless fabrics for more than 35 years


Located 30 kilometers northwest of Milan, TSG specializes in the dyeing, finishing and printing of synthetic fabrics intended for the clothing, furniture, and other industries. Founded in 1987, TSG operates a 10,000 square meters production facility where fabrics are dyed with the environment and energy efficiency in mind. Recently, TSG installed a photovoltaic system that powers the facility with approximately 200 KWP, demonstrating its commitment to sustainability.

The need to modernize web tension measurement

TSG uses five atmospheric jigger machines for the pre-treatment, bleaching and wide-width dyeing of traditional fabrics, alongside two under pressure jiggers for high-temperature dyeing.

Jiggers, the rotating drum machines that hold the fabric to be dyed, are the standard and oldest way to dye fabrics. Atmospheric jigs operate at atmospheric temperatures and pressure, while under pressure jiggers are used for high-temperature dyeing.

In this process, web tension measurement is crucial because accurate tension control equals higher fabric quality. It ensures fewer web breaks, resulting in higher productivity.

The most common way to measure tension in textile manufacturing has been to use dancer rolls. However, the trend today is that dancer systems are replaced by high performance web tension load cells.

When TSG encountered maintenance problems with the web tension measurement solution they were using, they looked into a more advanced solution.

TSG wanted to upgrade their existing machinery in order to gain valuable process insights, enhance production efficiency, ensure consistent quality, and reduce maintenance costs.

While most traditional methods are prone to inaccuracies, web tension load cell technology is considered high-precision, enabling continuous, real-time tension monitoring. Web tension load cells are designed for a direct measurement of the actual web tension as opposed to the position of a moving roll.

ABB’s Pressductor® Radial Tensiometer Load Cells for accurate web tension measurement

TSG turned to ABB’s load cell technology. Based on the proven Pressductor® technology, it offers stable and reliable measurement of web tension under severe environmental conditions such as those in the dyeing process. ABB’s Pressductor® Radial Tensiometer Load Cells (PRT load cells) provide accurate web tension measurement for jiggers and other machinery in the textile and other industries. 

No matter what the wrap angle is or where the measurement roll is located on the machine, the PRT load cell is rotated to pick up the ideal measurement force component.

When exposed to mechanical force, ABB’s Pressductor transducer produces measurement signals, the result of changes in the magnetic fields. Because these signals are not contingent upon physical movement or deformation, the load cells combine sensitivity with extraordinary tolerance to overloads and virtually no built-in limit to the number of load cycles.

In contrast, other systems rely on physical movement – bending or stretching the measurement elements – to generate an electrical signal. The reliance of movement makes these systems more vulnerable under challenging operating conditions.

The innovative technology that offers a step change in the reliability of web tension measurement

The introduction of ABB’s Pressductor® Radial Tensiometer Load Cells on the TSG jiggers led to the reduction of the intervention of the operator on the line, minimizing, simplifying and speeding up the adjustment and maintenance activities. At the same time, the new technology increased the safety and efficiency of the textile line.

The ABB solution has increased productivity and has led to a reduction of up to 50 percent in installation and tuning time.

“With ABB’s load cells, we have seen much better results in terms of both production quality and production efficiency. The system is easy to program and easy to operate.”

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