Fong’s Europe at ITMA with Its Latest Then Synergy Airflow, Airjetwin and Supratec LTM
Fong’s Europe will introduce its latest Then Synergy Airflow and Then Airjetwin machines which exploit the principle to provide high-quality, efficient and eco-friendly dyeing processes for a variety of fabrics.
The company will highlight the proven advantages of the Then Supratec LTM – a dyeing machine widely used across the industry for handling sensitive high elastic and delicate crease mark-sensitive synthetic fabrics
Fong’s Europe has constantly evolved its dyeing systems based on the Airflow principle for achieving excellent dye penetration and uniformity while minimising colour differences between different areas of a fabric.
“Then introduced its first machines with Airflow technology in 1980 and since then we have had wide experience of pretreating and dyeing with Airflow transport systems on all kind of fabrics,” says Fong’s Europe Director of Sales and Marketing Richard Fander. “Our team of engineers has collected data on dyeing processes, results and consumption figures for years and constantly makes use of this accumulated know-how to optimise the processes of our customers.
It saves water, salt, dyestuff and processing time
“The Then team understands Airflow dyeing processes and technology based on it guarantees the lowest liquor ratio on round shape machines. The transport of fabric by air reduces the liquor ratio compared to every kind of hydraulically driven transport system.”
He adds that while not every fabric can be dyed and treated on Airflow machines with the same handle and appearance as on hydraulic round shape or long shape machines, where it is applicable, it can lead to significant savings of up to 35% in water, 50% in salt, 20% in dyestuffs and 30% in process time.
Features of Then Airflow
The Then Airflow dyeing machines have several innovative features, including several parallel functions for reducing process time. The VPR system shortens the rinsing time and water usage and the well-proven robust and homogeneous spraying device in the nozzle ensures a uniform dyeing in the shortest process time. The very short liquor ratio also reduces the use of salt and chemicals.
Then Airflow systems also have a unique dyeing process control system that allows for precise control over dyeing parameters such as temperature, pressure, and chemical dosing, ensuring consistent and high-quality results.
Homogeneous distribution of the air in the machine is a must to get equal dyeing and turn times. The design of the Airflow blower, its drive and the whole piping guarantees an equal air pressure and air volume in the complete system, even for big multiport machines. It blows up the fabric and avoids crease marks. Additional options like spray ring in front of the nozzle and additional liquor application in the nozzle now allow Airflow dyeing on nearly every kind of fabric.
Additionally, the Synergy Airflow dyeing machine has a user-friendly interface that allows for easy operation and monitoring of the dyeing process. “Overall, the Then Synergy Airflow dyeing machine is a reliable and efficient solution for high-quality and eco-friendly fabric dyeing,” Fander concludes.
Expert treatment for sensitive synthetics with the Then Supratec LTM
The Then Supratec LTM is designed in a long tube shape, with its Flexkier lifting device and winchless fabric transport providing efficient and high-quality dyeing results, while minimising water and energy consumption with liquor ratios of from 1:15 down to just 1:4.
It features a number of advanced patented technologies, such as a dry and wet mode by programable kier slope variation during the process, to provide an outstanding low liquor ratio system for long tube machines.
The machine can be delivered tailor made with one or two nozzles to achieve full filling with acceptable fast turn times. This helps to reduce the amount of water and energy needed for the dyeing process while also reducing the overall processing time.
The Supratec LTM is suitable for the treatment of both woven and knitted fabrics ranging from the most sensitive articles to medium-weight materials within the weight range of 25 grams per linear metre (g/lm) to 600 g/lm, and operates at very low tension due to the extremely low lifting height between the variable nozzle and the plaited fabric.
It saves costs
Heat-setting can often be avoided, which improves the handle of the material and saves costs, and the lengthwise-elongation of the fabric being treated is lower than on winch-driven machines. Each kier has a capacity of up to 200kg, again depending on the fabric being treated, and operating speeds are from 80 up to 600 metres a minute.
The Supratec is also equipped with a range of features to ensure the safety of the machine operator and to prevent damage to the fabric being dyed. These include automatic dosing systems for chemicals and dyes, as well as sensors for monitoring the temperature, pressure and pH levels of the dyeing process.
“Overall, the THEN Supratec is a highly advanced and efficient dyeing machine which is widely used in the textile industry for its high-quality results and low environmental impact,” says Fong’s Europe Director of Sales and Marketing Richard Fander. “Please visit us at stand B106 in Hall 18 this year in Milan where we will be happy to further outline all of the benefits of this technology.”