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Textile testing and quality control equipment and instrumentation

SDL Atlas is the complete solution provider for the majority of textile testing needs and has been leading name in product development since the formation of the company in 1951.

SDL was the first instrument manufacturer to fully embrace the ISO 9000 quality management standard and is currently independently accredited to BS EN ISO 9001:2000. The SDL TecNet service division was accredited by UKAS for calibration services to BS EN ISO 17025 in 2001.

SDL Atlas has grown in recent years from its UK origins as SDL International through the strategic acquisition of Atlas Textile Test products division and Raitech in the USA and SafQ Equipment Services & Consultancy in Hong Kong/China, and currently has revenue in excess of $35 million

The earlier acquisition of Textile Innovators, the leading manufacturer of AATCC approved testing consumables, and a strategic partnership with SDC Enterprises for the distribution of Society of Dyers and Colourists fastness testing products ensures that all testing needs are met.

A recent global alliance with Tinius Olsen, a major player in the manufacture of universal strength testing equipment, has already produced major benefits for all concerned in terms of added sales and service capabilities. The arrangement gives SDL Atlas world exclusivity in sales of the Tinius Olsen range of testers to the textile, leather and garment industries with further exclusivity in other industries in the important China markets.

SDL Atlas offers solutions to all aspects of the industry with comprehensive packages available to meet retail specifiers programmes, the needs of fibre and yarn producers, dyers and finishers and apparel producers. Projects for the educational sector are also catered for.

Innovative products

MDTA/Quickspin System: A pilot plant for production of sliver and yarn from small fibre samples. Also accurately determines trash and dust content in cotton at various production stages. Has unique abilities in color blending, of particular interest to the cashmere and blending industries.
Autoburst Digital Bursting Strength Tester: The most powerful fully featured burst strength tester available, capable of testing the lightest fabrics, through the exacting requirements of high performance textiles for PPE and geotextile applications. With a maximum capacity of 6000 kpa (approx 900 p.s.i.) this instrument complies fully with the latest ISO 13938-1, DIN 53861 and ASTM D3786 standards.

AATCC Launderometer and Rotawash Colour Fastness Testers: Industry standard instruments for the assessment of colour fastness to washing and dry cleaning. As the only authorised producer of AATCC instruments these are complemented by the AATCC Crockmeters, AATCC Perspiration Tester, AATCC Scorch Testers and AATCC Accelerotor. Colour fastness to light and weathering are covered by the inclusion of the industry standard Atlas Ci3000 and Xenotest ranges.
Martindale Abrasion and Pilling Tester: Available in 4, 6, 8 and 9 station configurations, following a process of regular development the latest instrument in the series exhibits all the latest concepts in this most important test.
Pillgrade: A 3D fabric scanning system for objectively and repeatably grading fabric swatches for surface properties. The system outputs pilling and fuzziness data and grades according to both ASTM and ISO standards. The use of Pillgrade ensures agreement throughout the textile supply chain. Suitable for grading samples tested on Martindale, ICI, Random Tumble or any other type and make of pilling tester.

High performance textiles

SDL Atlas also specialises in the development of instruments applicable to high performance and PPE application textiles. The Sweating Guarded Hotplate forISO 11092 water vapour resistance and thermal resistance measurement is fast becoming the preferred instrument now installed in many research and testing centres. The newly introduced Moisture Management Tester (MMT) is fast becoming the industry standard for manufacturers and specifiers of moisture control fabrics.

All these products and access to the 'complete solution' can be obtained through the SDL Atlas sales and service network established throughout the world. Our newly upgraded website www.sdlatlas.com describes all our products and services and carries links to our worldwide network of sales and service representatives as well as downloadable brochures and technical information. The latest news, views and achievements of SDL Atlas and our customers is carried on our news pages.

Digitally printed sales catalogs are available in English, Mandarin and Turkish.

The SDL Atlas management team is in place on three continents, ensuring world class support for all our customers:-Charles S. Lane, President; Stephen R. Combes, Managing Director; Felix Wong, General Manager – China; Al Simpson, General Manager – USA; Robert Lattie, Director, Product Management; Russell J Crompton, Director, Marketing & Latin America.