Micrex, Open Width Compactor, 18% Compaction Capacity, 50 m/min Speed

Description

  1. Overview
    1. Micrex/open width compactor (OWC) is the product of nearly ten years of research and development by the team responsible for the invention of the original industry standard tubular compactor.
    2. Traditional open width shrink proofing systems have been based upon tubular technology.
    3. Compactor-like machines have been introduced to treat open width knits, but these devices have been unable to achieve a high degree of compaction necessary to shrink proof a wide variety of styles without producing "shine" on dark colors, or variations across the machine web.
    4. An alternative approach has been rubber (or felt) belt machines; while these machines can induce a limited amount of compaction, they are unable to reliably deliver more than 8% compaction, and operating costs are high.
    5. A Micrex/OWC will compact cotton and poly/cotton knits up to 18%.
    6. All colors (black, dark blue, etc.) can be processed.
    7. Popular styles such as jersey, pique, fleece, thermal, french terry, interlock and pigment prints all can be compacted with ease.
    8. Many styles can be processed at speeds up to 50 meters per minute.
  2. Operating Principle
    1. In a typical set-up, the untreated knit, supported by the main roll, is introduced into a converging passage, firmly gripped and conveyed into the treatment cavity, where compaction takes place.
    2. At the core of the Micrex development are the uniquely engineered components of the treatment cavity.
  3. Retarder
    1. Tungsten-carbide coated for maximum durability.
    2. Photo-etched into microgrooves.
    3. When the knit is presented to the treatment cavity, the retarder processes the fabric with hundreds of individual treatment zones.
    4. The force thus delivered provides high levels of compaction with little or no shine.
  4. Walton Curve
    1. The curve provides a resilient yet forgiving support for the retarding mechanism.
    2. The combination of its spring-like action and the individual treatment zones in the retarder assures the compensating or "averaging" effect, characteristic to Micrex technology, resulting in uniform and even compaction.
  5. Component Packages
    1. Pre-assembled and engineered by Micrex.
    2. Assure process repeatability, efficiency and flexibility.
    3. Changeover time is drastically cut, allowing, for example, to accomplish the switch from fleece to jersey in one minute.
  6. Configurations
    1. The Micrex/OWC is offered in two configurations.
    2. Standard Micrex/OWC equipped with a flat roll, oil heat system and knit set-up.
    3. Standard Micrex/OWC equipped with a flat roll, oil heat system and knit set-up with a "flat blade" configuration; this machine is also capable of processing decorative wovens and knits giving dual use to the machine.
  7. Required Ancillary Equipment
    1. Both configurations require standard industry hardware (guides, decurlers, unwind, winder, etc.) fore and aft of the OWC to process knits.
    2. A steam moistening unit is also highly recommended.