After the incredibly professional and informative first lecture by Valeriy Rybas within the framework of his author's course “Thread and Accessories Economy” at Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design on April 18, 2024, the second lecture, devoted to a detailed consideration of threads for the needs of the light industry, was held.

All those present were given an exclusive opportunity to hear personally from the leading specialist manager of the only enterprise in Ukraine about the accumulated seven years of practical experience of daily work in the production of threads and to communicate with him as part of the educational process.

In order to improve the perception of information, the lecturer brought an electron microscope, a poster with an assortment of Schmetz needles, many samples of spools with various threads, catalogs with color maps of sewing threads, and handouts to the second lecture. Valeriy Vyacheslavovich also used presentations and videos to enhance the clarity and completeness of the lecture material.

The speaker told how in 2016, he found an investor and capital, developed a business plan, and carried out engineering calculations to launch production at the initial stage. In December 2017, the production of the first Ukrainian sewing threads was launched, and in January 2018, their production was put on stream. The company had to go through a difficult path from rejection of the product to its recognition through the search for high-quality raw materials, reliable suppliers, the development and improvement of technological processes, the training and education of personnel, etc. Thus, during the quarantine restrictions, the company operated in strict compliance with sanitary and epidemiological standards, without closing for lockdown. The lecturer emphasized that the following factors helped the company to survive and respond quickly in difficult crisis periods: the reputation of the manager, the authority and connections gained, far-sighted strategic decisions on the sustainability of the product range and suppliers, and well-coordinated teamwork, even remotely. The speaker also emphasized that our people are our economy. In early 2023, production lines were modernized, new equipment and machines were installed to meet the growing needs of the market.

Currently, the range of threads includes 28 items for various needs of the light industry and the color map includes about 400 shades. During the lecture, the attendees learned that the company produces staple, reinforced, multifilament and textured threads for garments made from various materials, workwear, military equipment, leather goods, footwear, upholstered furniture, car covers, technical fabrics, etc.

Valeriy Viacheslavovych’s professionalism and competence made it possible to explain comprehensively that threads are made of polyester, polyamide, viscose, and cotton, as well as changes in their characteristics and stability under the influence of high and low temperatures, water, dyes, time, etc.

In the handout, the students and teachers saw a color map of Barva high-strength threads, learned about the classification of threads, their characteristics, and their applications.

Valeriy Viacheslavovych also emphasized the criteria for choosing threads: raw materials, strength, longevity, color, sewing speed, price per meter, etc. He also focused on thread breakage and explained in detail how to identify the cause of it, conducting numerous experiments with different threads, needles, materials, and connecting them at different sewing machine speeds. The solution to the problem came from a needle selection guide by the German company Schmetz. It lists the components that affect breakage - needle, yarn, and material - and indicates the temperature ranges of the needle, where the highest temperature is 340°C at the eye. So, as it turned out, the main cause of yarn breakage was the high temperature that occurred when the needle friction with the material.

The audience was particularly interested in the structure of staple, reinforced, multifilament and textured yarns seen through the microscope and the comparison of their appearance. Valeriy Rybas shared information about the structure of yarns, their weaving, twist, strength, aesthetics, and performance. He noted that the selection of yarn, needles, and material should be carried out comprehensively. The speaker once again emphasized that young people need to learn, compare, evaluate, analyze the same phenomenon from different angles, and perceive different points of view as complementary. He came to the simple conclusion that one should not save on threads in mass production of products, and the quality of the seam depends on a reasonable choice of thread, needle and material.

Today, the domestic product is not inferior in quality to its European counterparts. Barva TM threads continue to gain recognition not only in Ukraine but also abroad!

At the end of the meeting, the audience asked the speaker questions and received comprehensive answers, which showed the great interest of teachers and students in the lecture material. After that, everyone came up and examined the threads on the spools.

The speaker gave feedback to the audience, asked students questions and engaged in a dialogue with them. Thanks to the lecturer’s charisma, the audience’s attention was kept from beginning to end.

Once again, Valeriy Viacheslavovych and the material of his lecture received a storm of applause! We wish the esteemed speaker inspiration and strength for new achievements, interesting scientific research and successful implementation of his plans!

22.04.2024