German fabric finishing machinery manufacture Monforts has introduced the new Montex 8500 stenter with innovative features. The Montex 8500 includes several new features and options including an optional integrated support belt for heavy coated fabrics and a newly designed operator’s platform with improved access.
Features also include; enhanced visualisation introducing ‘smartphone’ features; a new stentering chain; and an Eco Booster heat recovery module where an additional exhaust air cleaning device can be added. A new and further enhanced visualisation software Qualitex 800 with ‘finger tip’ control features, offers smart phone-type techniques for machine operators and ensures smarter operating procedures.
A Monforts release said the new stenter also incorporates the latest improved operator’s inlet section platform featuring an optionally available slideable monitor across the machine. “Offering both improved clarity and ergonomics, the platform also provides improved access for coating processes,” the company added.
Additional benefits allow the operator to compose and preprogramme the ‘dashboard’ of the monitor to his/her own requirements and preferences. A new maintenance-free Hercules Hybrid stentering chain requires no lubrication and is designed to operate at spreading forces up to 2.500N/m, speeds of up to 100 m/min and temperatures up to 230°C. “The new stentering chain is also available for retrofitting into existing montex stenters,” Monforts informed.
In integrated heat recovery system, Monforts has introduced the new Eco Booster HRC; ensuring energy savings of up to 35 per cent and fully automatic operation to eliminate maintenance standstill times. At the same time, the newly integrated heat recovery Eco Booster module removes up to 65 per cent of the particle load in the exhaust air from the stenter. According to Monforts, the Eco Booster module features a fully automatic self-cleaning system eliminating standstill times for maintenance work and ensuring increased range availability.
The whole process can be easily monitored from the control panel via the Monforts Qualitex 800 control system and fully automatic operation of the Eco Booster is possible. An integrated belt support allows smooth, marking of free fabric travel across the width of the stenter and has been designed to support heavy coated or knitted fabrics. Designed for special coating processes, technical and nonwoven applications, the machine optionally features a thermal splitting system which allows different finishing temperatures in both the upper and lower nozzle systems.
“This is ideal for applications such as automobile carpets where different temperatures are required on both sides of the product,” Monforts observed. Used in conjunction with the stenters’ Twinair system, the thermal split allows the drying air temperature differences of the top nozzles to be 70°C to the lower nozzles.
