Materials | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for the ‘Materials’ Category

ITW Military Products Picatinny QASM Ramp

Monday, May 21st, 2012

During SHOT Show ITW Military Products showed us a prototype of a new Quick Attach Surface Mount buckle that features a section of Mil Std 1913 rail. Intended to facilitate the attachment of incident cameras to armor vests and other MOLLE platforms, the Rail QASM can also be used to store weapon accessories inside storage bags or to mount them to other platforms.

The base is a little wider than other QASM buckles but this is to stabilize items such as cameras and lights, which will be heavier than nylon gear.

Manufacturers and suppliers interested in integrating the Picatinny QASM Ramp into their line please contact ITW Military Products.

www.itwmilitaryproducts.com

Tags: ITW Military Products
Posted in Materials | 1 Comment »

Softshell Tech – Burly Double Weave

Friday, May 11th, 2012

In this third of four articles on softshell fabrics used by Arc’teryx LEAF in their garments, we will be covering Burly Double Weave.

The Arc’teryx workbook (kind of a catalog for retailers) describes the fabric as, “Breathable, weather- shedding Burly Double Weave works as high output outerwear or cold climate mid layer. The weight and slight loft of the double weave traps some air and provides some insulation and bulk.” It’s well named. Notice the term “double weave?” It’s two interlocking stretch weaves; a smooth, weather shedding face and a polyester moisture wicking liner weave, brushed for comfort next to the skin.

Burly Double Weave falls in the ‘soft shell’ category for apparel but is used extensively in many categories at Arc’teryx (Outdoor apparel, LEAF apparel, Outdoor harnesses and Gloves). Burly Double Weave features a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish and a fiber content of 50% nylon (face weave), 43% polyester (lining weave), and 7% spandex. Overall, it’s a robust fabric weighing 8oz/yd sq or 275g/m sq. Burly Double Weave is used in Crocodile, Urban Wolf, Rawhide (for gloves), and Black.

Consider Burly Double Weave a three-season (October-April) fabric. It’s just too hot for warm weather use, like any softshell. However, it features excellent breathability due to its construction so it’s great for high levels of physical activity. The inner, wicking weave just tags into the face weave every 10 warp yarns. Additionally, the face weave sheds snow well and is extremely durable. The two layers combined help out a bit with insulation during sedentary periods. The mechanical stretch associated with this fabric is very generous. When combined with the cut of the Drac Jacket and Pant, you may find yourself sizing down rather than up if you are on the edge. Additionally, the double weave construction will leave you feeling like it’s warmer than other softshell fabrics. Finally, one thing you are going to notice is price. It’s much less expensive than Tweave.

Look for Burly Double Weave in these LEAF products –
Drac Jacket
Drac Pants
Cam SV Glove

leaf.arcteryx.com

Tags: Arc'teryx LEAF, Burly Double Weave
Posted in Arc'teryx, Materials | 3 Comments »

Elasto-Lok from National Molding

Wednesday, May 9th, 2012

National Molding has introduced a new addition to the Dura-flex family, the Elasto-Lok. It features quick attach split bars allowing it to be quickly mounted to PALs webbing. The adjustable shock cord secures or stabilizes the accessory onto the platform. To remove the item a quick flip of the locking tab and the item is free in seconds. National Molding suggests it for securing flashlights or other items and they claim multiple Elasto-Loks can be used for larger items like break in tools.

www.NationalMolding.com

Tags: National Molding
Posted in Materials, PALS | 8 Comments »

PrimaLoft, Inc and Prudential Capital Group announce purchase of PrimaLoft from Albany International Corp

Friday, May 4th, 2012

PrimaLoft, Inc, recently announced that it had executed an agreement to purchase the PrimaLoft products business from parent Albany International Corp. PrimaLoft is the world leader in high performance insulations and yarns used in leading outdoor and fashion brands, home furnishings, work wear and military applications.

The purchase of PrimaLoft is being led by Michael Joyce, former President of Albany International Corp’s Applied Technology Group, and the PrimaLoft senior management team. The purchase of the PrimaLoft business is supported by Prudential Capital Group, which has had a 20-year relationship with Albany International Corp Prudential Capital Partners, sponsored by Prudential Capital Group, has provided the financing.

“This is an incredible opportunity for the future of PrimaLoft and I am excited to again work with PrimaLoft and the management team,” stated Michael Joyce, who will become president and chief executive officer of PrimaLoft, Inc. “PrimaLoft has grown to become the world leader in performance insulations and yarns. This move will enable PrimaLoft to continue to grow by making the necessary investments in the brand to maintain its leadership position in the marketplace.”

www.primaloft.com

Tags: PrimaLoft
Posted in Industry, Materials | Comments Off on PrimaLoft, Inc and Prudential Capital Group announce purchase of PrimaLoft from Albany International Corp

MultiCam Materials – Alpha

Tuesday, May 1st, 2012

Every two weeks SSD showcases a different MultiCam print fabric from Duro Textiles LLC. This week, we are covering Alpha. MultiCam is a single camouflage pattern designed to hide the wearer in varied environments, seasons, elevations, and light conditions. After a great deal of commercial success and adoption by elements of US Special Operations Forces, in 2010 MultiCam was selected for use by the US Army as its Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern (OCP).

Alpha is heavier than Duro’s 40D 2-way stretch fabric and is ideal for more rugged use. It owes its stretch to a makeup of 91% Nylon 9% Spandex. Additionally, the face is NanoSphere® treated to maintain a highly water resistant finish.

Finished Width – 54 inches cuttable
Download a test report here.

Crye Precision has just released their new G3 All Weather Combat Pants. They incorporate all of the features of the G3 line of combat clothing but with the addition of Duro’s Alpha fabric. Alpha’s excellent abrasion resistance as well as wind and water resistance makes them perfect for inclement weather applications.

Features include 10 pockets as well as accommodations for Crye’s patented removable AirFlex Combat Knee Pads. It incorporates a zip fly with Velcro closure and a low-profile adjustable waist feature. Berry Compliant.

Visit www.cryeprecision.com for information on their new All Weather Combat Shirt and Pants.

Duro offers progressive pricing based on the number of yards ordered. For more information on this or any of the full line of MultiCam fabrics visit www.multicamfabric.com or email Galpen_Ben@DuroLink.com.

Tags: Crye Precision, Duro, Duro Textiles LLC, Multicam
Posted in Materials, Multicam | Comments Off on MultiCam Materials – Alpha

VELCRO USA Introduces New Silent Pouch Closure Solutions

Monday, April 23rd, 2012

At a recent range we were introduced to two new VELCRO USA options for closing pockets/pouches. They are almost completely silent and both options require tension to keep the VELCRO closure from opening but in slightly different ways. In our example on the video, this is done with elastic flaps of two different styles. However, the genius of the system is in the unidirectional hook component (HTH 719), so be careful when you are installing it. The hooks will need to face away the direction of opening. As you can see, a simple pull downward and either style of elastic flap can be opened.

Basically it comes down to whether or not you want the added operation of sewing the VELCRO to the elastic. VELCRO Brand VELSTRETCH (shown on the left) is designed for applications where the closure must expand and contract and is designed to provide about 55% stretch. This version won’t last quite as long as Loop 1100 since it abrades over time through cycling but then again, you don’t have to sew the loop on to standard elastic. What’s rally cool about this solution is that you just drop the flap straight down into place. Thanks to the unidirectional hook, you don’t have to load the VELCRO Brand VELSTRETCH. It holds everything in place and the stretch comes into play when you want to open the flap. A simple downward tug and release does the trick. However, the harder you pull against (as in upward) the unidirectional hook, the more the VELCRO Brand VELSTRETCH digs in.

On the other hand, continuing to sew mil-spec VELCRO loop (loop 1100) on to mil-spec elasticized webbing can offer a longer life and a stronger bond. It also can be opened in the same manner as traditional VELCRO closures by pulling straight out or up whereas the VELCRO Brand VELSTRETCH is very resistant to that type of operation. However, this is just as noisy as standard mil-spec VELCRO USA applications.

You could also adapt this style to more traditional fabric flaps by using elastic inserts or by anchoring the flaps to elastic. It may also be used in other applications as well such as pocket openings on some uniform items.

Nothing here is proprietary (other than the VELCRO USA materials) and anyone can adopt either solution. Be creative and show your clients that you can provide a silent VELCRO solution.

For more information visit www.velcro.com or email Will Tagye.

Tags: Velcro USA
Posted in Load Carrying, Materials | 3 Comments »

WT Tactical Introducing Gore Fabrics

Friday, April 20th, 2012

WT Tactical announced that they have entered into a Trademark License Agreement with W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. and will begin offering product featuring Gore protective fabric technologies to the US Military community later in 2012.

“I am very pleased to be working with the military team at Gore” said Ed Schmults, CEO of Wild Things and WT Tactical. “We are already designing with some outstanding new textiles that will enhance our product offering in a number of categories.”

“We have some immediate customer demand from the SOCOM community for our designs utilizing Gore protective fabrics”, says Brian Foley, Product Development Manager for WT Tactical. “We are cranking out prototypes for testing and refinement and expect to be getting product into the field very shortly.”

www.wildthingsgear.com

Tags: WL Gore, WT Tactical
Posted in Clothing, Industry, Materials | Comments Off on WT Tactical Introducing Gore Fabrics

W L Gore & Associates Launches New Site for Technical Protective Fabrics Division

Thursday, April 19th, 2012

W L Gore has just launched a new website aimed specifically at our industry. The new site features multimedia demonstrations (videos as well as animations) to illustrate the science behind Gore’s fabric technology. There is also an improved customer support section, detailing how to buy, care for, and repair Gore fabrics. Additionally, the Fabric Solutions section includes a full description of all available products and fabrics technologies geared toward the protection of military, law enforcement, fire, and safety personnel.

www.goreprotectivefabrics.com

Tags: W L Gore & Associates
Posted in Materials | Comments Off on W L Gore & Associates Launches New Site for Technical Protective Fabrics Division