"RF/T" dryers for fabrics

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STALAM’s outstanding efforts in researching innovative drying technologies led to the development, in co-operation with a leading Italian manufacturer of finishing machines, of a revolutionary radio frequency dryer for fabrics. Presented for the first time at ITMA '95, the "RF/T" series dryer can be considered the only industrial radio frequency drying equipment specifically designed for the tensionless drying - partial or complete - of knitted and woven fabrics.

Some of its most important characteristics are:

• the ability to transfer high radio frequency power values onto small surfaces, thus obtaining a correspondingly high productivity within a small space;
• the drying process takes just a few seconds and occurs under low temperature conditions (40-60°C);
• the residual moisture content in the fabric is perfectly uniform and controlled by an in-line computerised system;
• the construction is modular, to fit any production requirement.

The fabric is fed by a spreading and centring equipment to the drying chamber, where it passes through a set of patented radio frequency electrodes. The fabric conveying system is equipped with motorised rollers that prevent any tension of the fabric. The air circulating in the drying chamber comes from the RF generator cooling system (for heat recovery) and its temperature is suitably controlled. The water vapour released by the fabric is evacuated by an air extraction fan. A sophisticated moisture detection and control system at the exit adjusts automatically both the conveying speed and the RF power delivery in order to maintain the residual moisture content of the fabric as set by the operator, with an accuracy of +/-0.5%.

The "RF/T" series dryer can be used not only as a stand-alone drying unit, but also in combination with existing (old or new) equipment like conventional tensionless dryers, relaxation dryers, stenters, thermosetting equipment, and many other finishing machines, especially in the woollen industry (e.g. decating, pressing and steaming machines): the "RF/T" will increase the efficiency and throughput of existing equipment, in addition to improving the quality of the finished product in terms of dimensional stability, formability and shear rigidity.