INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Chair: Professor Phil Withers, School of Materials, University of Manchester, UK

Professor Byron Pipes, John Leighton Bray Distinguished Professor of Engineering, Purdue University, USA
Professor Chris Carr, School of Materials, University of Manchester, UK
Professor Thomas Gries, Director,Institute for Textile Technology, RWTH Aachen University, Germany
Dr Nigel Johnson, Chief, CSIRO Textile and Fibre Technology, Geelong, Australia
Professor Vijay Kothari,Department of Textile Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India
Professor Ryszard M. Kozlowski,Director,Institute of Natural Fibres,Poznan,Poland
Professor Stepan Lomov, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium
Dr Mansour Mohamed, 3TEX Inc, North Carolina, USA
Professor Asami Nakai, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Japan
Professor Chris Rudd, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, UK
Professor Isaac Porat, School of Materials, University of Manchester, UK
Professor Jack Gillespie, Director, Center for Composite Materials, University of Delaware,USA
Professor Mu Yao, Xi'an Polytechnic University, China
Professor Robert Young, Head, School of Materials, University of Manchester, UK
Professor Xiaoming Tao, Chair Professor and Head Institute of Textiles and Clothing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, China
Professor Amotz Weinberg, President, Shenkar College of Engineering & Design. Israel
Professor Bhuvenesh Goswami, Clemson University, South Carolina, USA
Professor Paul Kiekens, University of Ghent, Belgium

PROGRAMME COMMITTEE

Chair: Dr Xiaogang Chen, TexEng Software Ltd and School of Materials, University of Manchester, UK

Brian McCarthy, Director, TechniTex Faraday Ltd, Manchester, UK
Dr Hugh Gong School of Materials, University of Manchester, UK
Dr Kim Gandhi, Consultant, Manchester, UK
Dr Prasad Potluri, School of Materials, University of Manchester, UK
Dr Richard Day, School of Materials, University of Manchester, UK

SPONSORED BY

Manchester City Council

SCOPE OF CONFERENCE

Most textile fabrics are thin, flat, 2D sheets, with an internal 3D structure. With the advent of advanced composites and other technical applications, research into 3D fabrics became important.   Woven 3D fabrics can be produced as shaped shells, as hollow structures with multiple voids, and as thick multilayer constructions in both simple and more complicated shapes.  Much early work involved novel specialist machines, which were only available in research laboratories.  More recent advances utilise commercial machinery with only small modifications.  Braiding is another useful technique, with many forms able to be made on standard machines and more complex forms on research equipment.  In knitting, a major advance has been in making complete 3D garments without the need for cutting and sewing.  For nonwovens, aerodynamic technology enables 3D products to be produced.

In composites, a major advantage is the ability to make shapes that can be directly placed in moulds for consolidation.  The expensive use of hand lay-up is avoided.  Low weight is an asset in aerospace and automotive applications and in ballistic protection.  Although composites and knitwear have been driving forces for the development of 3D fabric technology, the potential is much greater.  Special features of 3D fabrics can be utilised in smart materials and medical products.  Design, manufacture, application and economics are the topics to be explored in the conference.

Conference Programme

POSTER SUBMISSIONS - Open Until March 30, 2008

The organisers invite authors to submit a one-page abstract for poster paper that they wish to be considered for inclusion in the poster programme for the conference.  The abstract should contain sufficient information for a valid decision to be made on the merits of the paper and its relevance to the aims of the conference. 

Online Poster Submission

PUBLICATION

Oral and poster papers to be presented at the conference will be included in a CD, which will be given to delegates at registration.  Full copies should be submitted by February 29, 2008.

PARTICIPATION

The programme for the conference and full details on registration and attendance will be available in January 2008.  All speakers will be expected to register as delegates for the conference and pay a conference fee.  Travel and accommodation expenses are the responsibility of each delegate and no direct compensation is awarded for speakers at the conference.  Your submission of an abstract testifies to your acceptance of these financial conditions.

CANCELLATION

If attendance is cancelled before March 30, 2008, payment will be returned with a deduction of £50 administration fee. There will be no refunds for cancellation after March 30, 2008.

Online Registration