Seductive fabrics that caress the body

Simplex fabrics have been used for decades in the lingerie sector. They are valued for their special, unique characteristics and are regarded as high-end fabrics by people in the busi-ness. The fabric has an attractive, puristic look and draws the eyes to what lies underneath; it gently envelops a woman's curves, provides shape and support, and has an attractive, smooth, voluminous handle. This fabric is produced by a special production technology. Modern double-bar raschel machines are usually used for producing simplex fabric in a typical 1 x 1 rib. The result is a sandwich construction comprising surfaces made up of loop heads with the underlaps lying in-between. When worked in elastane/polyamide 6.6 blends, the resulting fabric is relatively heavy, features power zones for shaping the body, and offers comfortable microclimatic conditions when worn. However, it is the thin layer of air trapped between the breathable outer faces that is really responsible for the exceptional comfort of the fabric.

Simplex fabrics offer many benefits to both wearers and manufacturers. The processing di-rection of the fabrics can be seen quite clearly, they can be cut with no problems using me-chanical or ultrasonic devices, and can be heat-set and moulded easily.

A particular advantage of simplex lingerie fabrics is that they hardly show at all through even tight-fitting garments worn on top, since the new PUE-containing fabric can be processed so that there are no seams in the end product.

The processing of fabric panels is also an advantage for mass making-up.

All in all, this is almost the perfect lingerie fabric. 'Almost' since, as the possibilities offered by the fabric increase, the demands made of it also increase. Innovations in machine technol-ogy can extend the scope of product design, and consequently the concept of 'perfection' is constantly being redefined. This is where the RDPJ 6/2 can open up many more design opportunities for simplex fabrics.

As well as its guide bars, this double-bar raschel machine also has two jacquard bars, which increase the performance characteristics of the products produced on it. For example, the contours of the bras can be worked into the fabric panels produced, and important points can be marked for making-up. However, most interesting of all for the product developer is the possibility of integrating different functional zones into the fabric, thanks to the specific features of the patterning system. In this case, the variables are the type of yarn, the number of filaments and their cross-section, the drawing-in arrangement, the lapping, and the subse-quent processing sequences.

For example, it is possible to seamlessly integrate support zones into the lower half of the cups, fastening points for the straps, bra-wires, fasteners and smooth border zones into the fabric. Simple, comfortable and chic - simply simplex - and all thanks to jacquard technol-ogy!