Processing as if by magic: Texcare presents developments in automated textile care

Automatic soiled laundry inspection and sorting

In future, sorting dirty laundry could be one of the processes that can be carried out by machines. In the systems developed by Denmark's Inwatec company, intelligent technology separates, recognises and classifies the goods delivered: robots pick up the individual items of laundry from conveyor belts, while RFID chip readers or cameras and artificial intelligence identify and register each item, be it workwear, towels or even bed linen. Immediately afterwards, an X-ray scanner automatically detects unwanted, hidden items in the bags and removes these articles. Only approved laundry items are forwarded and sorted by the system in accordance with the designated washing or cleaning process. The system, which can operate around the clock, is reliable and fast. In hospital laundries, it also minimises contact with harmful germs and the risk of injury from sharp or pointed objects. Nevertheless, such a system still cannot work fully automatically because, on the one hand, the incoming laundry has to be loaded manually from the trolleys into the sorting system and, on the other hand, the employees must handle the rejected garments, identify valuable items and return them to the wearers if the labelling makes this possible.

Scanners monitor the quality of flat linen

The handling of dry laundry is also characterised by fewer personnel and more automated technology. Thanks to developments by several companies, the continuous scanning of textiles for holes, stains, deformations or colours has long been used for ironing laundry of identical dimensions. At this point, imperfect items are removed from the process, after which the flawless items are automatically folded and stacked.

Robots do the folding without a break

Other automated processes now include the folding and stacking of terrycloth products. Companies such as Hebetec Wäschereitechnik, Kannegiesser and Sewts are set to present corresponding solutions at Texcare 2024. Andreas Langer, Kannegiesser's marketing manager, explains the reasons behind the development of the fully automated dry laundry line: "Due to fatigue, the operator's input performance naturally fluctuates and decreases over the course of a shift. Automation prevents input from becoming a bottleneck and slowing down the laundry process. This arduous task is performed by state-of-the-art equipment. Working with advanced technology, such as robots and intelligent control systems, has another advantage: it makes it easier for a modern laundry to attract tech-savvy employees and specialists who find working with innovative and future-oriented technologies exciting and want to be part of a modern company."