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Author Archives: Jason Mills

1. Nylon Mesh Fabric: All You Need to Know

   June 8, 2020 12:06 pm Leave a Comment

   

   At Jason Mills LLC, we offer superior knitted mesh fabrics in a variety of weights, sizes, colors, and finishes. Our mesh fabric is comprised of polyester, nylon, or polypropylene fibers and yarns. Most materials are mesh in orientation for enhanced breathability. These fabrics are useful for a variety of applications including industrial, occupational safety, recreational, aeronautical, automotive, medical, and more.

   Most of our fabrics are warp knits produced on both tricot and raschel machines. We also on occasion will manufacture circular knits. To understand the difference between these types of machines and the fabrics they produce you need to look no further than the yarn. Tricot styles are exemplified by finer yarns and higher needle counts per inch to produce lighter material and tighter construction. Raschel knitting employs larger industrial yarns for a heavier, rugged look and feel. The mesh itself can be thicker with a more open (mesh) construction. The knitting style used depends largely on the application for which the material is being manufactured. For example, the tricot knits are used to create fabric for lining, lightweight substrates, and fine mesh filters. Raschel is used in the manufacture of sports netting, cut resistant fabrics, golf simulator impact screens, and full-body patient slings.

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   Nylon Mesh Properties and Benefits

   Nylon is a plastic-based synthetic fiber that can be extruded into strands of various sizes and thicknesses. Nylons are actually a family of materials created through the extraction and heat treatment of carbon-based molecules from organic resources. Nylons are wholly synthetic and have a wide range of useful properties, depending on the variety of nylon produced. Properties of nylon include:

   • Wear resistance
   • Lightweight
   • Temperature resistance
   • High tensile strength
   • Acid resistance
   • Alkali resistance
   • Corrosion resistance
   • High elasticity and flexibility
   • Easy to cut, dye, and clean
   • Dust resistant
   • Soft feel
   • Hydrophilic
   • Antimicrobial (when combined with silver ion fibers)

   Knitted nylon mesh features construction with openings that can be round, rectangular, honeycomb, etc. Fabrics can range from thin, lightweight marquisettes like mosquito netting or shear drapes to thick and heavy durable materials such as automotive cargo nets and scrub pads.

    

   Industrial Applications of Nylon mesh fabric

   The unique properties of nylon mesh make it particularly useful for a range of industrial applications, including:

   • Filtration: Nylon mesh screens for filters, mops, and squeegees
   • Marine: Fishing nets, boat covers, and tarps
   • Automotive: Filter screens, seat materials, substrates, mesh pockets, cargo netting
   • Healthcare: Privacy curtains, slings, and braces, IV mesh support
   • Recreational equipment: Safety harnesses, sports goals, and enclosure netting, shoes and sportswear
   • Aerospace: Cargo nets, mesh passenger seat supports, and seat pouches

   

   Nylon mesh can easily be manufactured with varying densities by adapting the sizes of spacing (by machine type) and yarn. It all depends on the needs of the application. In addition, nylon is easy to clean and highly chemically resistant, which gives it a particularly long service life. types Nylon can withstand moderately high heat (temperatures in the range of 340° F) making them particularly useful for industrial or safety applications.

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   Knitted Mesh Fabrics from Jason Mills

   With more than 40 years of experience in the fabric and textile manufacturing industry, Jason Mills specializes in industrial fabrics, specialty textiles, apparel, and home furnishings. We maintain a sizable stock of more than 100 knitted mesh fabrics to meet every industrial need and offer customized manufacturing services for applications that entail unusual or specialized requirements. We have recently added innovative technical materials to our product line, including anti-microbial fabric, spacer mesh, fire-resistant textiles, and UV resistant textiles.

   For more information on our high-quality knitted mesh fabrics, contact us today or request a quote.

   

2. Fabric Finishes: Treatments, Types, and Considerations

   April 9, 2020 2:58 pm Leave a Comment

   

   When talking about textiles, the “finish” refers to the functional and aesthetic characteristics of the fabric achieved after all production and processing operations are complete. Depending on what finishing and treatment processes are employed, the final fabric can exhibit properties that vastly differ from the raw fabric, including in regard to color, texture, and performance.

   The following article provides an overview of common fabric finishing and treatment processes and fabric finishes.

    

   Types of Fabric Finishing and Treatment Processes

   Textile manufacturers employ a wide range of finishing and treatment processes to attain different fabric finishes. Some examples include:

   

    

   . Mending and Burling

   Prior to finishing operations, textiles are often rough around the edges, with loose threads and knots that must be removed and smoothed. Depending on the fabric, various mending, burling, and scouring processes may be required to rid the fabric of any imperfections.

   . Washing and Drying

   Once smoothed and repaired, textiles are washed in a variety of chemicals. Bleaching, as the name implies, uses chlorine bleach and other chemicals to whiten and brighten. Similarly, scouring uses chemical detergents and heat to remove contaminants left over from the manufacturing process.

   Textiles may be dried several times throughout the finishing process, using air or heat to ensure that there is no excess moisture remaining in the material. Since temperature, drying time, humidity, and tautness differ depending on the desired textile, specialized equipment is used to dry the fabric and closely monitor these conditions.

   . Stabilizing

   After washing, textiles must be stabilized to ensure consistency and structural integrity. Calendering—one of the most common stabilizing processes used for fabrics—entails the use of heated pressurized rollers to condense the fibers within the fabric. Depending on the fabric, different rollers are used to create different surface finishes.

   . Coating and Glazing

   Textiles can be treated with a variety of coatings and glazes, including waxes, oils, and plastics or starch, glue, and shellac, respectively. These compounds further enhance the appearance of the fabric (such as by adding glossiness), alter existing characteristics (such as changing the texture), and/or add new properties (such as flame retardance or UV resistance).

    

   Types of Fabric Finishes

   Once finished and treated, textiles can have a variety of different finishes. For example:

   

   • Texture can range from soft to coarse
   • Weight can range from light to heavy
   • Firmness can range from soft to firm
   • Colorfastness can range from weak to strong
   • Various resistances (e.g., water, UV, fire, etc.) can range from low to high

   The final properties of a textile depend on its intended use.

    

   Technical Textile Finishing and Treatment Considerations

   Technical textiles are designed and manufactured for specific non-decorative purposes. During the finishing and treatment stages for any technical textile, it is important to keep the intended function in mind to ensure the finished fabric performs as expected.

   Some of the most common types of fabric finishes for technical textiles include:

   

   • Antibacterial: retards the growth of odor-causing bacteria
   • Anti-static: prevents the buildup of static charge
   • Chemical resistant: minimizes damage from chemical compounds
   • Fire resistant/flame retardant: reduces the risk of fire starting and spreading
   • UV resistant: withstands exposure to UV radiation without damage or degradation

    

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   Choose Jason Mills for All Your Knit Textile Needs

   At Jason Mills, we are a preeminent manufacturer of knit textiles suitable for use in a wide range of residential to industrial applications. We offer an extensive selection of stock styles as well as research and develop custom fabrics to meet unique needs. Equipped with decades of industry experience, we have the knowledge and skills to provide a textile with the right finishes for any application.

   For more information on our textile product and service offerings, contact us or request a quote today.

   

3. Golf Impact Screens: Choosing the Best Fabric

   January 21, 2020 11:16 am Leave a Comment

   The impact screens used in golf practice simulators represent a growing market with many unique challenges. They must show a clear image of the simulated fairway while remaining durable enough to stand up to thousands of impacts over time. Ultimately, the performance of the simulator hinge on the quality of the fabric used to create the screen. Choosing the appropriate fabric to meet these challenges is vital to the production of a quality screen.

   Golf Impact Screens – An Overview

   The market for impact screens is actually fairly new. It began emerging within the past decade, leading to many experiments and innovations within the industry as manufacturers tried to determine the best fabrics for the job.

   As time has passed, however, the market has drastically grown-and the technology has evolved right along with it. Impact screens need to be smooth and light to maintain a clear projection image. However, since golf balls can reach startlingly high speeds, it is absolutely vital that the screen be made from fabric that can safely absorb the impact without damage or tearing.

   At Jason Mills we produce a good, better, best line of materials designed to meet your specific impact screen needs. We offer varying degrees of material density – created by a combination of needles per inch and yarn weight – to produce fabrics for standard and high definition imagery.

   

   Impact Screen Material-Choosing the Best for Your Application

   A golf impact screen is only as good as the fabric it is made from. There are a variety of factors to consider when creating impact screens:

   • The fabric should allow the ball to hit the screen with minimal bounce back or puckering.
   • The screen should absorb the sound of the impact.
   • The impact screen should be durable.
   • The fabric must be capable of displaying a bright, high-contrast image.

   Polyester mesh fabrics are excellent choices when seeking a fabric for impact screens, as polyester is made from a powerful synthetic resin often utilized to create fibers used in industrial textiles.

   Another important consideration for impact screens is their size. Wider screens will, generally speaking, provide a more satisfactory experience. This is where we really stand apart from the competition at Jason Mills—our textiles for golf impact screens are always a minimum of 120 inches wide, offering an ideal choice for most simulator needs.

   

   Case Study-Golf Impact Screen Manufacturer

   Recently, our composite fabrics were tested by an industry-leading manufacturer of impact screens used in commercial golf simulators. Our Premium and Preferred models were both analyzed, both of which utilize our knitted composite textiles.

   Testers practiced their golf swings, landing approximately 34,000 shots in total. Even after this intense usage, both screens held up well. In fact, the Premium screen exhibited hardly any stretching, and maintained a particularly clear image throughout the testing phase.

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   Knitted Textiles From Jason Mills

   At Jason Mills, we are the knit textiles experts. No matter your needs, we can research and develop an appropriate knitted composite fabric that meets all of the challenges of your application. To work with us on your next project, contact us or request a quote today.

4. Medical Textiles: Properties, Classifications

   6:09 am Leave a Comment

   Medical textiles are versatile fibrous fabrics designed to safely treat wounds and medical conditions. You will generally find one of two main groups of fibers utilized within medical textiles: commodity fibers and specialty fibers.

   Commodity fibers are fairly standard and are often made out of materials such as cotton, polyester, or nylon. Specialty fibers, on the other hand, are more unique. Also known as high-performance fibers, specialty fibers are specifically designed to have a wider range of technical uses when compared to commodity fibers. These small-batch fibers each fill a niche within the industry and can be sorted into three groups: high strength, heat resistant, and chemical resistant.

   Medical textiles differ from other types of fabrics in that they are designed with medical use in mind. As such, they have a number of properties that make them ideal for use in this field. Medical textiles are typically:

   • Non-toxic
   • Non-carcinogenic
   • Non-allergenic
   • Fully biocompatible
   • Anti-microbial

   Classifications

   Since there are such a large range of applications for medical textiles, they are categorized into four different categories :

   . Implantable

   These medical textiles are biocompatible and designed to be used within the human body. Implantable materials have a wide range of restorative uses—for example, they may be used to replace damaged blood vessels, suture wounds, stand in as artificial skin, or replace damaged heart valves. Since it is absolutely vital that implantable materials pose no biological risks, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) performs vigorous testing to ensure the biocompatibility of these textiles.

   . Non-Implantable

   While non-implantable textiles are safe for use on the skin, they are never implanted within the body. Some examples of non-implantable materials include bandages, surgical dressings, and gauze—essentially, any type of textile that comes into direct contact with a wound but is not absorbed into the body.

   . Extracorporeal Devices

   This type of medical textile is used as a stand-in for essential organs that aren’t functioning correctly. Generally, these devices are made from hollow fibers. Examples include:

   • Mechanical lungs
   • Artificial kidneys
   • Artificial livers

   . Healthcare and Hygiene

   This category makes up a large portion of the medical textiles market. Healthcare and hygiene products are designed to either be washable or discarded after a single use. Some examples include:

   • Patient lift systems/body slings
   • Surgical gowns
   • Masks
   • Bedding
   • Mattress covers
   • Wipes

   These textiles help to prevent infection and contamination in a broad range of healthcare applications.

   

   Jason Mills Medical Textile Offerings

   At Jason Mills, we strive to meet the healthcare industry’s constantly evolving needs. We research, design, and engineer each of our medical textile products to ensure that they are of the highest quality. Our product offerings include anti-microbial fabrics, water repellent finishes using the latest chemical technology, and mesh for IV infusion bag support. We also offer extreme load-bearing fabrics that can be used as patient slings.

   To make these products, we offer a range of medical textiles in various fiber types and finishes to ensure the broadest application reach. Our offerings include:

5. Mesh Fabrics: Knitting and Finishing Nylon and Polyester Mesh and Netting 

   November 11, 2019 5:28 pm Leave a Comment

   Knit mesh fabrics are materials comprised of evenly spaced openings that create a breathable effect in the textile. Mesh fabrics offer a versatile solution for a broad variety of industrial, commercial, and recreational applications.

   Jason Mills specializes in the design and fabrication of knit mesh fabrics for all types of industries, including materials for general industrial applications, recreational, occupational safety, aeronautical, automotive, marine, healthcare. We have more than 100 existing stock mesh fabrics to choose from, and we create new mesh fabric solutions to address unique needs.

   Ready to get started? Contact our team with questions!

   While all mesh fabrics share the same basic principle of an open-hole structure, there are multiple varieties in the market. Variations can include weight, width, color, finish and fiber content.

   Two of the most common fibers/yarns used in the manufacturing of knit-mesh fabrics are nylon and polyester. These fibers and yarns have significant overlap, so it can often be difficult to determine which is most suitable for a specific case. Examining the properties of these materials can help designers determine the appropriate option for their application.

   

   Mesh Fabric Properties

   Nylon and polyester are both viable options for knitting mesh fabrics, and each is used to produce knitted mesh solutions for many different purposes. As synthetic fibers, nylon and polyester share several similar beneficial properties such as:

   • Durability
   • Lightweight
   • Easy to clean
   • Resistance to mildew
   • Tear resistance

   Nylon vs. Polyester Mesh

   While nylon and polyester share some traits, they are created in different ways:

   • Nylons are formed by extracting carbon-based molecules from organically formed resources such as petroleum or coal. These are combined into a larger polymer molecule using heat, resulting in a polyamide. The family of polyamides created in this way is known collectively as nylon.
   • Polyester is one of the most commonly used plastics. It is made by facilitating a chemical reaction between alcohol, a petroleum by-product, and carboxyl acid in a vacuum. This creates a polymer that can be stretched and made into fabrics.

   When knitted into mesh fabrics, advantages include:

   • Nylon. Nylon mesh fabrics are used for applications that require versatility, durability, and strength. The innate chemical properties of this polyamide make its fibers resistant to wear from bending or stretching. Nylon has a smoother, softer feel than polyester, making it ideal for applications where comfort or aesthetics are essential. Both materials stretch, but the elastic properties of nylon are greater than those of polyester. Nylon is also hydrophilic, which means that it absorbs water. View all Nylon Mesh materials >>
   • Polyester. Polyester mesh fabrics can be more easily dyed because they are hydrophobic—they repel water. As such, the material absorbs the pigments in the dye while expelling the water. This property also means polyester dries faster than nylon, making it ideal for marine environments. Polyester is also more naturally flame resistant than nylon, and also features a higher resistance to UV degradation. View all Polyester Mesh materials >>

   Applications for Knitted Mesh Fabrics

   Mesh fabrics are used broadly for varying purposes. The following industries rely on mesh fabrics:

   Recreation

   Mesh fabrics are used to create products for activities such as sports, camping, hunting and fishing, and more. Examples of products and industries that incorporate this material include:

   • Golf simulator/impact screens and nets
   • Aquaculture
   • Tents and camping supplies
   • Pool/spa nets and filters
   • Protective sports netting (baseball, hockey, lacrosse, golf)

   Occupational Safety

   Polyester and nylon mesh fabrics have broad applications for safety equipment. These materials can also be designed to meet ANSI, ASTM, and AATCC requirements for specific uses. Examples of safety equipment made from mesh fabrics include:

   • Safety flags
   • High-visibility safety vests
   • Cut-resistant safety garments

   Aeronautics, Automotive, Marine

    

   Air, land, and water vehicles all rely on mesh fabrics for a range of purposes. Many of these applications require a material that can resist moisture, heat, sunlight, salt, or chemicals. Polyester and nylon mesh fabrics are found in equipment such as:

   • Seat-mounted literature pockets
   • Seat support/substrates
   • Safety harnesses
   • Cargo nets
   • Tarps
   • Aviation curtains

   Healthcare

   The inherent antimicrobial properties in some of Jason Mills’ polyester fabrics facilitate the usage of mesh fabrics in a broad spectrum of medical products. Some examples include:

   • Slings/patient lift systems
   • Mesh curtains
   • IV bag support mesh
   • Orthopedic braces

   Jason Mills also has proprietary water repellent finishes available for medical equipment that will come in contact with exposed patient skin.

   Filtration and Substrates

   These fabrics are often useful in laminating and coating processes. Jason Mills offers fabrics specifically designed for this purpose ranging from 1.5 – 15 ounces per square yard. In a similar vein, we offer a full range of screen filters.

   Industrial

   The term “industrial” covers mesh fabric products used in applications ranging from transportation to cleaning. Examples include:

   • Mops and squeegees
   • Tarps
   • Bags
   • Conduit sleeves
   • Industrial filtration

   Quality Mesh Fabrics from Jason Mills

   Jason Mills has been providing industrial strength knitted mesh fabrics for more than 40 years. We support industries ranging from manufacturing to sporting goods and everything in between. If one of our stock fabrics doesn’t work for you, we’ll gladly research and design a mesh specifically for your application.

   For more information on our mesh fabrics or our capabilities, please contact us.

6. TECHTEXTIL: Exploring Technical Textiles in Spring 2013

   March 12, 2013 7:34 pm Leave a Comment

   While technical textiles may not be a topic that’s top of mind for all right now, with spring breaks approaching for many, the topic is integral in the measures taken to ensure traveler safety. From our vehicles’ airbags; to the fire-resistant mesh seat pockets for safety literature we find on planes; to the hotel drapes, those polyester and nylon knit textiles are carefully selected to meet federal motor vehicle and aviation requirements and industry specifications. Although these are details that we at Jason Mills are invested in year-round, we’re particularly interested now with this year’s North America edition of TECHTEXTIL coming up next week.

   We’ll actually be welcoming in the spring season at this unique event from March 19-21, held in Anaheim, CA for the first time. TECHTEXTIL shows bring together all aspects of the global technical textile and nonwovens industry, including R&D, raw materials, production processes, and even recycling. As a U.S. manufacturer of technical mesh for a range of end uses, this is a promising opportunity for us to learn about new technologies and products from fellow exhibitors, presentations, and Q&A sessions. Our materials continue to make their way into the finished work of major aerospace manufacturers, top automakers, and leaders in the healthcare industry, so we take every effort to stay at the cutting-edge of the textile industry.

   We understand and fully meet fire resistant codes and technical regulations, including FAR 25.853 and FMV SS302, but we also are eager to stay connected with the industries we serve to ensure our quality standards are unmatched; we’ll be at Booth #412 (and can always be contacted via our website) to discuss specialty, safety knits and mesh for your commercial or institutional application.

7. Made Smart in America

   February 15, 2013 9:33 pm Leave a Comment

   For years, companies, especially companies in the textile industry and those that rely on textiles, fled the U.S. for cheaper labor and sweetheart deals- first to Latin America and then to Asia. It appeared that this trend would only end when the U.S. had been drained of every last high-paid manufacturing job. Then a funny thing happened, the exodus not only slowed, but also started to move in reverse.

   Over the past few years, the concept of bringing manufacturing jobs back to the U.S., referred to as reshoring, has become a hot button topic. For a long time, Americans were just happy to access cheap clothing and TVs, but the novelty wore off when these same consumers lost their jobs. Even the undisputed champion of low-cost, outsourced retail, Wal-Mart, recently pledged to buy an additional $50 billion in U.S. made goods over the next decade.

   Amidst this great news, we must understand that this positive movement is not a result of protectionist policies but a combination of economic cycles plus a bit of economic nationalism. It’s too soon to tell if the recently passed U.S.-Panama TPA can eliminate obstacles to trade and boost our own manufacturing base.

   At Jason Mills, we firmly believe that there is a strong future for the American textile industry. We will continue to proudly manufacture cost-effective, environmentally compliant and technically superior nylon and polyester mesh textiles in the US, all the while attempting to push into markets across the globe. We are living proof that it is possible to not only survive but prosper as an American-based textile company.

8. Helping You Pick the Perfect Backpack

   October 16, 2012 10:06 am Leave a Comment

   School’s back in session for another year! It is a bit of a mixed blessing for parents. On one hand, you know your kids are out of the house and – presumably – learning. That being said, there is also the giant pain involved in getting them all the right school supplies.  Buying the right backpack for your kids is perhaps the biggest challenge. It has to be “cool” (or rad or whatever kids are saying these days), as well as functional and safe. As far as safety, experts say that you should consider a few important keys. First, the backpack should weigh no more than around 15% of your child’s body weight. Overloading a backpack can really mess up a growing child’s back. With this in mind, you also might want to consider a backpack on wheels. Because that can be a hard sell for some kids (not really that “cool”), if they do choose a regular backpack, make sure they only carry what they need for that day and that they load the heaviest items closest to their backs.

   At Jason Mills, we know a thing or two about backpacks. Whatever style of backpack you choose; there is a good chance it includes at least some of our innovative mesh. We offer eight different types of backpack mesh, and it’s not only used to help kids get their books to school, but also is fielded by the police and military. Our mesh has the ability to make backpacks lightweight, strong, breathable, and cool enough to please even the most style-conscious kid.  So if you’re still in the market for some school supplies or just  want to choose the perfect, next backpack, remember our tips and when in doubt, go with mesh!

9. Jason Mills and Our Work in the Tennis Industry

   October 12, 2012 11:22 am Leave a Comment

   With the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament having just recently wrapped up, it’s a good time to talk about how polyester and nylon knit mesh plays a major role in modern tennis. As you might imagine, the game itself wouldn’t be very interesting or playable without a net. Heck, you could play it with your hands, but if there wasn’t a net, it just wouldn’t be the same game. But before we get into what makes a “quality” net, let’s take a quick look at the history of the game.

   The game of tennis dates back several thousand years. It is believed that European monks created the game in the 12^th century as a form of entertainment during religious ceremonies. It wasn’t until the 16^th century that rackets and a net were introduced (tennis actually plays a major dramatic role in at least one Shakespeare play). In 1874, the U.K.’s Major Walter C. Wingfield was the first to patent the equipment and rules that are much like the ones used today.

   Since the beginning of the modern game, players and court owners have been on the lookout for technology that can make the game more exciting and easier to play. Polyester and nylon have made clothing, shoes, and even rackets, lighter, stronger, and more responsive. At Jason Mills, we also know that the netting used for tennis court nets across the world couldn’t and wouldn’t stand up to the wear and tear unless they were made from some pretty amazing materials. We offer 100% Polyester and Nylon netting in a wide variety of sizes and thicknesses which can be used for not only Tennis applications but also for all of your sports netting needs, like soccer, baseball, and golf.

   So next time you’re watching a match, just remember, all those great 5-set cliffhangers wouldn’t be possible without the kind of history that tennis has – and without the high quality polyester and nylon sports netting we provide at Jason Mills.

10. DISCOVER 2012 and Jason Mills

    October 8, 2012 1:57 pm Leave a Comment

    Recently, we attended the U.S. Commercial Service’s DISCOVER 2012 forum. This year’s gathering took place at the Trump Taj Mahal Hotel from September 24-26 and was held in cooperation with the Mid-Atlantic District Export Council. The U.S. Commercial Service is the Dept. of Commerce’s lead export promotion agency, so this forum attracted not only high-ranking government officials, but also international business leaders. Overall, DISCOVER 2012 was outstanding for a number of different reasons, including:

    • Providing everyone with the most up-to-date and insightful market intelligence
    • Offering practical strategies for exporting goods to new markets
    • Providing us with the perfect opportunity to network with a uniquely-placed group of public officials, private buyers, and market experts

    We especially enjoyed the “Ask the Experts” roundtable sessions and the meetings with buyers from Costa Rica and the U.A.E.

    All of this was quite helpful because as we have mentioned in previous blogs, Jason Mills is making a strong push into some of the world’s biggest foreign markets, including India. We are introducing as many people around the globe to our durable, flexible, and customizable meshes. Meeting with and listening to what buyers and consumers want and need is the only way to make the name Jason Mills as popular overseas as it is here in the USA.