Specialty Fabrics Review, a leading authority in the textile industry, has featured OTEX in an article highlighting groundbreaking advancements in textiles and safety. This recognition solidifies OTEX’s reputation as a pioneer in high-performance narrow fabrics and is a proud achievement for the entire OTEX team.
The following article was published in the November 2024 issue of Specialty Fabrics Review:
OTEX Specialty Narrow Fabrics
Coming up with the right materials and going through the patent process were just two of the challenges OTEX Specialty Narrow Fabrics® faced in developing its Sentry Lifeline® webbing. The product replaces steel cables traditionally used in self-retracting lifeline/self-retracting device (SRL/SRD) fall-protection systems and other applications.
The company, headquartered in Bernardsville, N.J., was the first to engineer a non-steel lifeline capable of passing the stringent ANSI Z359.14 test, which includes withstanding dropping a 300-plus-pound weight to drag the lifeline across a steel blade positioned at a 45-degree angle.
The lightweight webbing used in the lifeline is made from a combination of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), a high-tech fiber used in military, protective, and medical applications, and Kevlar®, used in protective gear including body armor. The product took a year to develop and was followed by a lot of back-and-forth with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office®.
“In our case, there were numerous times that the agent asked us to demonstrate the novelty of our claims,” says Eric Aerts, director of marketing and research at OTEX. “At times, we needed to contract third-party comparative testing in order to prove our claims. Sometimes language needed to be modified to be hyper-focused in order to differentiate our claims from other patents.”
A worker is protected from a fall by wearing a self-retracting safety device by SafeWaze using Sentry Lifeline® Webbing, an alternative to heavy steel cabling traditionally used in fall protection. Image: OTEX Specialty Narrow Fabrics®/SafeWaze
During development, the company discovered that the friction created by slipping the lifeline over surfaces could raise heat and lower the performance of the UHMWPE yarns, so it incorporated Kevlar as a second line of defense. “This is why field-testing your prototypes is such a vital part of the R&D process,” he says.
“You may think tensile strength and abrasion resistance are the only performance targets, but you never anticipated that friction would get so high in a short span of time that it could degrade that critical performance.”
Another challenge was overcoming the initial hesitancy of fall-protection equipment manufacturers and/or their customers. Testing the product again was the answer. “Some SRL/SRD manufacturers were reluctant to adopt such a radically different component, particularly one meant to protect against injury or death,” Aerts says. “But once several key brands launched new leading-edge webbing lines—after very thorough testing—more and more producers saw the advantages and came on board.”
Although the patent process took longer than expected, “We were always confident of the importance and uniqueness of our invention, and although the path to convince the patent agents was longer than we would have anticipated, ultimately, our patent was awarded and as a result, a safer category of fall-protection products is available to the public,” he says.Â
OTEX: Creating a Safer Future for Workers
The Specialty Fabrics Review highlights OTEX’s dedication to worker safety and industry innovation through the development of Sentry Lifeline® webbing. By combining advanced materials, rigorous testing, and a clear vision, OTEX has created a product that redefines fall protection standards.
For manufacturers and businesses that prioritize safety, Sentry Lifeline® webbing isn’t just a choice—it’s an essential. Contact us to discover how OTEX can elevate your safety strategies with Sentry Lifeline® and other cutting-edge solutions.
