With the objective to provide active learning experiences and exposure about footwear textiles, an industrial visit was organized for the students of Footwear Design & Development Institute (FDDI), Noida campus on 11th January 2023.
Under this industrial visit, the final year students of B.Des. & M.Des. of School of Footwear Design & Production (SFDP) visited the manufacturing unit of Wilhelm Textiles India Private Limited (WTIPL) located in Gurugram, Haryana.
WTIPL is the manufacturer of the finest quality of technical textiles and are the leader in footwear textiles with a very strong technical support team to provide technical solutions on usage of textile material in footwear. It offers a complete product range consisting of reinforcement material (interlinings), textile linings, textile upper material, strobel, warm linings / synthetic fur linings and various types of membrane laminates for water-proof shoes for the footwear industry.
During the visit, the students had an interactive session with Mr. Erik, Managing Director, WTIPL and other experts of the company.
Mr. Avik Mukherjee, Chief Technical Manager, WTIPL briefed the students that textile material is used almost in all parts of the footwear due to the developments of various types of non-woven fabric and artificial leather. He explained that footwear textiles come in many fiber types including cotton, wool, nylon, polyester, polypropylene, rayon, and lycra wherein each has its own look and physical properties like water absorption, stretchability, UV resistance, and colour fastness.
The students also participated in workshop organized by the company and gained a lot of knowledge about technical fabric & dying process and advances in technology.
The students acquired knowledge regarding selection and usages of textile materials which play very important role in perfect shoe making and workplace practices.
