Page 47 - May-June-2018

46 47
“There has been wariness about handling organic at very specific temperatures in order not to destroy
solvents, but in the end, they’re not as difficult to their efficacy. The Monforts Eco Applicator now eclipsing the cost of paying people to operate
coat on textile substrates as they are on plastic films them,” says Mr Vohsdahl. “The ability of the Eco
where they’re already widely used,” says Mr Hanel. Other materials, such as PTFE-coated filter Applicator to significantly reduce energy costs is the
“And they offer a lot of possibilities for companies to materials are also applied and then cured at key reason for its rapid acceptance on the market.
explore and develop entirely new products – separate temperatures. The unit itself does not actually save the energy, but
especially in fields such as medical by applying only the precise amount of functional
and filtration.” Stretching finish, ensures the subsequent drying time is shorter
Another key feature of the technical textiles line at – in some cases dramatically so.”
Every single component within the chamber has to the ATC is the special stretching device which is
meet the standards of the European Union’s ATEX capable of pulling ten tons in length and ten tons in Compared with a padder system, where the initial
directives for working in an explosive atmosphere. A width – a huge amount per square metre of fabric moisture content of the fabric entering the stenter is
range of sensors linked to alarms operate at various and necessary in the production of materials such 60%, with the Eco Applicator it is reduced to 40%
levels within the chamber to ensure the specified as woven or 3D knits for high temperature filter and the system also has the shortest fabric path
lower explosion limit (LOL) is never exceeded and media. from the coating unit into the stenter.
the ventilation adapts accordingly.
Three weft straighteners – each with different key The Eco Applicator’s versatility also allows mills to
Advanced functions strengths – have been installed by Monforts ATC apply finishes to just one side of the fabric, or both,
partners Erhardt and Leimer, Mahlo and Pleva. the fabric edges prior to entering the stenter. and even to apply separate finishes to each side, or
Since its opening in 2013, the €2.5 million Monforts digitally-printed soft signage to carbon fabrics for to specific areas of a fabric, for endless possibilities,
Advanced Technology Centre (ATC) has proved an today’s high-performance composites, and from “This line has been engineered to provide the For conventional woven and knitted fabrics, the whether treating wovens, denim or delicate knits.
invaluable resource to customers for achieving new filter media which must perform in extreme ultimate in precision coating finishing, in order to Monforts Eco Applicator has been highly
standards in fabric finishing. temperatures to flame retardant barrier fabrics. achieve the standards required by the medical successful since its introduction in 2011, both The next level
companies, and also the quality standards in place integrated into new finishing lines and retro-fitted to “The ATC draws on all of the know-how of our
Over an area of 1,200 square metres, the Monforts “Then there are the heavy duty membranes which for aerospace and automotive grade materials,” existing ones. company in respect of fabric processing,”
ATC at the company’s headquarters in are employed in the collection and storage of said Mr Heinrichs. “We are always happy to discuss concludes Klaus Heinrichs. “Whatever your
Mönchengladbach, Germany, houses two full methane in biogas plants, as well as materials existing possibilities and the development of new “In many textile mills globally, the cost of running company’s specialism, we have the technologies
finishing lines, engineered to accommodate an equipped with sensors and electrical conductors A highly-controlled and contained environment was a key consideration when concepts too.” integrated manufacturing lines – especially those for and the process knowledge to help you take your
constructing the special line for technical textiles
extremely diverse range of processes, in addition to which are now used as base liners in DSC solar fabric finishing that can involve numerous business to the next level.”
a Thermex range for the continuous dyeing of denim cells, to name just a few examples. Special features on the finishing line relate to further Knitwear sequences of heating and subsequent drying – is
and other woven fabrics, a full colour kitchen and a advanced functions – the ability to treat materials The second production line at the ATC has been
number of lab-scale systems for smaller batch trials. “These very different materials, however, have one not only at temperatures of up to 320°C, but also to engineered with the state-of-the art production of
thing in common – they all require expert coating be able to treat the top and bottom faces of certain conventional knitwear in mind and is based around
and finishing for maximum efficiency and the materials at different temperatures within a single a Montex stenter with vertical chain return Job Announcement
Technical textiles technology to allow for ultimate flexibility and the pass through the machine.
ability to switch quickly from one fabric formula to “Knitted fabrics must never be stretched and need
the next, without compromising on the economical To achieve this, the first two chambers of the stenter to be treated in a relaxed state,” explains ATC
use of energy or raw materials.” are fitted with special, heavy duty TwinAir ventilation manager Fred Vohsdahl. “As a consequence, the
motors and separate burners for individual 2.2 metre wide, four-chamber stenter incorporates a Spinning Technical Consultant required by Cotton Council International, U.S.A
Organic solvents top/bottom temperature. A temperature differential TwinAir nozzle system to ensure the relaxed fabric is Cotton Council International (CCI) located in Washington, DC is a non-profit trade association working on behalf of
of up to 60°C can be achieved between the upper kept at a suitable height in between the upper and the US cotton industry. CCI is looking for an experienced short staple fiber spinning technical consultant to lead
quality and technical services projects to maximize efficient processing of US cotton in spinning mills.
and lower nozzles within the chamber. lower nozzle system, despite ‘bowing’. Exact
selvedge control with the minimum pinning in is also Primary responsibilities, including but not limited to:
There are many applications where employing two extremely important with knitted fabrics.” • Check basic mill requirements • Cost Analysis
separate temperature treatments is beneficial, such • Problem diagnosis • Reports
A highly-controlled and contained environment was as floorcoverings – where the textile face fabric is Eco Applicator Qualifications:
a key consideration when constructing the special treated at one temperature and the rubber backing The line is also equipped with the company’s Eco • 8 to 10 year’s relevant work experience preferably as To Apply:
Applications should include up-to-date curriculum vitae,
line for technical textiles at the ATC. at another – as well as PVC flooring employing Applicator system which eliminates the need for a senior technical director of spinning availability date, and a statement of special qualifications for
“Technical textiles are extremely diverse in their chemical foams or for materials like black-out roller conventional wet-on-wet padder, instead employing • Strong technical and quantitative/qualitative this position. Only shortlisted candidate will receive
end-use applications and manufacturers can be blinds with heavy backings. trough and roller techniques to precisely apply the knowledge of yarn spinning processes including acknowledgement. The application will be accepted by email
machine settings from fiber warehouse to yarn shipment
called upon to quickly produce a succession of The technical textiles line at the ATC incorporates a required amount of liquid/coating to the fabric. • Ability to work independently, communicate & work ONLY. Applicants should state a job title “Technical Consult-
materials with widely differing properties and Montex four-chamber, horizontal chain stenter and is At the same time, in the pharmaceutical industry with all levels of staff & employees ant” in the subject line and forward inquiries to cci-jobs@cot-
performance applications – often within a single fitted with an explosion-proof coating application there is a wide range of different applications for It is fitted with an advanced guidance system • Strong communication, analytical, organizational, ton.org. Application deadline is August 10, 2018 @ 5:00 p.m.
shift,” explains Monforts Head of Technical Textiles, chamber in order to allow treatment to be carried out organic solvents such as anti-septic treatments specially-adapted to the needs of delicate problem solving, & process engineering skills U.S. EST. Equal Opportunity Employer.
Jürgen Hanel. “These range from substrates for with organic solvents and other volatile materials. which have to be treated very carefully and applied treatments and eliminating any possible ‘curling’ of

May/June 2018 May/June 2018