An Overview of Textile Machines Used for Textile Manufacturing

Textile industry involves processing and manufacturing of clothes from different types of textiles. The process starts by converting naturally occurring and synthetic fibers into yarn which is further converted to fabric. The fabric is then converted into textiles which are finally used to make clothes. A number of textile machines are used in this long process.

Earlier, the whole process of manufacturing clothes wad done manually or with the help of simple tools. It was during the industrial revolution that different industrial machines for textile manufacturing came into being. A number of textile tools and machines were patented during the industrial revolution of the 18th century. Flying shuttle, roller spinning machine, spinning jenny, water frame and power loom were among the machines that added speed to various textile manufacturing processes.

In the 20th century, better performing textile machine tools were invented to facilitate improvement in various fields like spinning, weaving, knitting and sewing. Yarn processing and yarn handling machines also progressed in the post-industrial era. Machines for dyeing, printing and twisting were also invented. One can broadly classify the textile machines into two main categories:
* Textile processing machines: The examples of these machines include crochet machines, lace making machines, quilting machines, textile winding machines, tufting machines, zipper making machines, woolen mill machines, fabric seaming machines and many more.
* Textile working machines: This category include machines and accessories like attaching machines, measuring machines, embroidery machines, monogramming machines, textile bleaching machines, textile folding machines and many more.

So, what is the ongoing trend of textile machines manufacturing and consumption. It was until 2007 that the textile machinery industry was experiencing a great time with significant annual growth every year. However, the period of recession adversely affected the manufacturing as well as consumption of these machines by different countries. Imports and exports of different types of textile equipments significantly declined during the period.

In the 20th century, the textile industry in the developing countries like China and India and those located in the Central America emerged as powerful competitor to the industry in developed nations. However, the period of recession led to the decline in trade of textile machines in most of these countries as well. China reported a decline of 14 percent in the import of these machines in the year 2008. India too imported 12 percent less textile industrial machines in 2008 as compared to the year 2007. Germany reported the decline of 12 percent in the export of these machines in the year 2008.

Italy is one country that has always been on the top charts in terms of textile machine manufacturing. During the recession period, the country too reported a decline of over 18 percent in the production of these machines. However, the countries like Brazil and Bangladesh maintained their demand for these machines during the time of recession as well. After coming out of recession period, there are great expectations for the trade of textile machines to rise once again. The countries like India and China are among the emerging powers that are going to play a key role in the growth of the industry.