Welcome to IN-LINE with FI-TECH Welcome to our spring issue of IN-LINE with FI-TECH . We have been quite busy in the first quarter of 1998. Our expansion and remodeling project is now completed, and we hope the changes will help us to serve you better. Our computer system upgrade continues to progress, and our new communication servers allow our staff to e-mail and fax from their work stations. You can also visit our web site at www.Fi-Tech.com to get current information or to send us a request. We have two key exhibitions this spring. IDEA '98 in Baltimore, MD, April 21-23 and the Fiber Producer Conference and Exhibition 1998 i Greenville, SC, May 5-7. We're all looking forward to meeting with our nonwovens and synthetic fibers customers during these two weeks. I'm also very pleased to announce that two of our principals will present technical papers - Dr. Christine Wild of Schill & Seilacher will present a paper entitled "Hydrophilic, Rewettable & Hydrophobic Finishes" at IDEA '98 and Dieter Teutrine of Autefa Maschinenfabrik will present "Baling by Systems - The Future," at the Fiber Producer Conference. We look forward to seeing you at one of these upcoming events. Jeffrey G. Bassett Autefa Expert To Present Paper At Fiber Conference Mr. Dieter Teutrine, Product Manager for the Staple Fiber Division of Autefa Maschinenfabrik GmbH, will present a paper on current fiber baling technology, "Baling by System - The Future," on Thursday, May 7 at the Fiber Producer Conference and Exhibition 1998. Mr. Teutrine, who is responsible for the worldwide sales of Autefa Baling systems, joined Autefa seven years ago. He is a graduate engineer in mechanical engineering and automation. His presentation will offer insights into current trends and technology in staple fiber baling, based on his extensive experience with producers throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas. During the show, Mr. Teutrine will be in Fi-tech booth #123 to discuss specific requirements. Check your Exhibition guide for the lecture location. . . . current trends and technology in staple fiber baling . . . Enhanced Reicofil 3 Highlight of IDEA '98 Show Reifenhauser's enhanced Reicofil3 process will be highlighted at IDEA '98. The Reicofil 3 process is now capable of producing 180-kg/h/m width with average filament size of 1.8 denier compared to a throughput of 130 kg/h/m produced by the Reicofil 2. The Reicofil 3 process now has the capability to produce fine fiber nonwovens. The Reicofil 3 MF Process (microfilament) can produce 1.0 denier or less filaments with a minimum throughput of 100 kg/h/m. With further process improvements, Reifenhauser expects the Reicofil 3 MF process to achieve throughputs of 120 kg/h/m. Fine fiber spunbond fabrics produced with the Reicofil 3 MF process are softer, have better drapability and good barrier characteristics, and can fill requirements where aesthetics and high tensiles combined with good barrier properties required. They cannot, however, exceed the high barrier properties and productivity of SMS. In order to achieve higher throughputs in the Reicofil 3 process and the fine fiber characteristics of the MF technology, Reifenhauser has made several improvements in the process. A higher air volume is produced in both the process and suction air sections which produces a higher air pressure. Improvements in the spinneret design allow for higher throughputs and finer denier capability. Additional details of the design have been changed in the general layout and benefits of the process. Reifenhauser's near term goal is to achieve a throughput of 200-kg/h/m width with the new Reicofil 3 process and they are currently working on the ability to produce bi-component fibers. Look for a formal announcement of this technology later in 1998. Burckhardt of Switzerland Joins Fi-Tech's Line Up When people hear the phrase "Swiss-made" they generally think of high quality and precision. Burckhardt of Basel Switzerland, the latest addition to the Fi-Tech, Inc. line-up is no exception. The company, which has specialized in drilling and pinning rollers used for fibrillating and perforating since 1941, is considered to be the most technically advanced manufacturer of pin rollers in the world. The patented Burckhardt Fibrillating Roll System uses exchangeable needle bars in the fibrillating roller on slit tape lines. This system allows the needle bars to be replaced without dismounting the fibrillating roller. In addition to replacement needle bars, Burckhardt supplies needle cylinders in bronze or hard chromium-plated steel. For perforating films and other materials, Burckhardt supplies needle rollers for both hot and cold perforating. Perforating can give materials air and moisture permeability, filtration and insulation properties, absorption capability or increased adhesive strength. Hole sizes can range from less than 0.05 mm up to 3 mm in diameter, and pin densities up to 100 pins/cm2 are possible. Edelmann Winding Machines for Nonwovens Industry For over 20 years, Edelmann has specialized in winding machines for the Nonwovens Industry. Edelmann's manufacturing program includes double-turret winders, two-drum winders with in-line slitting, rewind/slitting machines for off-line slitting and their new "on-line" system in which parent rolls are slit and rewound on-line. The double-turret winder can generally be used for winding nonwoven fabrics up to 2.5m in width and the two-drum winder is recommended for widths over 2.5m, especially when winding on 3-inch cores. With in-line slitting, the two-drum winder can be used for winding speeds up to 400m/min. For winding speeds above 400m/min, parent rolls can be wound and then slit on either an off-line or on-line slitting system. The Edelmann two-drum winder and rewind/slitting machine features a patented automatic doffing system for continuos operation. Edelmann also produces dual - function winders that can wind slit rolls on 3-inch cores and parent rolls on large steel mandrels, roll discharge trolleys, cardboard tube cutting machines and winding shaft handling systems.

Dr. Wild of S&S To Speak at IDEA '98 Dr. Christine Wild, Director of Finish Development at Schill & Seilacher, will present "Hydrophilic, Permanent Hydrophilic (Rewettable) and Hydrophobic Finishes for the Hygiene Sector," as part of a mini-conference on Sorbents at the IDEA '98 Conference on April 21. Dr. Wild will discuss the demands and properties of spin finishes for the hygiene sector, taking into account the different production processes, such as carded nonwovens and spunbonds. Different toxicological and ecological considerations will be covered in addition to current testing methods and procedures. Dr. Wild is a graduate of the University of Stuttgart and has been in Finish Development with Schill & Seilacher for 6 years. Please check your IDEA '98 guide for the lecture location. Varemac Var-Staple Fiber Line is a short spin The Varemac Var-Staple Fiber Line is a "short spin" staple fiber plant for the production of polypropylene, polyester and nylon staple fibers. The line works in a single step from raw material chip feeding to coloring, spinning, stretching, crimping, annealing, cutting and baling. The production capacity of the Varemac Var-Staple Line ranges from 1100 pounds per hour to 4400 pounds per hour depending on the requirement of the customer. The raw material or chip is conveyed pneumatically to feed hopper of the extruder. The chip is then melted and mixed by a specially designed extruder and screwed under controlled temperature and pressure. The color or "masterbatch" and additives are injected into the molten polymer via a special side extruder. A screen changer is placed after the extruder to remove any impurities in the melt. A pressure probe checks the screen changer conditions. The spinning head is designed expressly for spinning staple fibers. The molten polymer reaches each spinning head at the same time through a symmetrical piping system. A static mixer further homogenizes the melt and a spin pump meters the melt in exact quantity to the spin pack. The melt is further filtered in the spin pack and then spun through large annular spinnerets. The Varemac Var-Staple Fiber Line can produce high quality staple fibers from 0.8 - 3.0 dpf for textile applications; to 4 - 10 dpf for geotextiles; and 10 - 40 dpf for carpet fibers. The modular design of this fiber line allows quick product changes and the ability to meet the needs of customers in many diverse industries. IDEA '98 - Guide to Booth 410 Autefa Maschinenfabrik GmbH Topliner CL 4000 Crosslapper for the cross laying of carded fiber webs. Part of the Dilo Systems Group for turnkey dry laid nonwoven lines. Casaretto Wetzel Reprodec Supplies engraved thermobonding and chemical bonding calendar rolls. Perform calendar roll repair and engraving. Supply embossing machines. F.lli Ceccato Spa Expertise in manufacturing spinnerets for spunbond, meltdown and spunlace equipment. Supplies spunbond die plates, meltdown die tips and spunlace nozzle strips. Fi-Tech, Inc. Supplies a wide range of components, accessories and spare parts for use in nonwoven plants. These items include filtration, lubricants and European spare parts. Edelmann Maschinen GmbH Supplies complete winding systems for nonwovens. Products include a double turret winder, two drum surface winder with in-line slitting systems, slitters and rewinders, automatic roll shaft handling systems and fabric inspection systems. Reifenhäuser GmbH & Co. Supplies complete turnkey plants for the production of spunbond, meltblown, composite and laminated fabrics. Information on Reicofil 3 and Reicoweb spunbond processes. Fiber Producer Conference - Guide to Booth 123 Autefa Maschinenfabrik GmbH Complete line of staple fiber presses from simple manual balers to fully automatic balers with wrap and strap. TOPLINER CL 4000 Crosslapper for Nonwovens. Fully automated bobbin handling and storage. Christoph Burckhardt AG Complete range of fibrillatiing pin rollers and perforating rollers. F. lli Ceccato Spa Complete range of spinnerets for wet, dry and melt spun processes. Expertise in manufacturing spinnerets for spunbond, meltblown and spunlace equipment. Fi-Tech, Inc. Various technical components, accessories and supplies specified and/or designed by Fi-Tech, Inc., for utilization in synthetic fiber or nonwoven plants. These include filtration components, spin packs, yarn cutters, chopper blades, lubricants and European OEM spare parts. Nuova Protex Macchine Tessili Complete range of winding equipment for monofilament, slit tape and strapping tape. The A 250 BMU Winder especially designed fir high/super high tenacity monofilament yarns. Purolator Products Co. Manufactures specialty spin pack filters using sintered mesh and fiber metal felt technology. Manufactures Poroplate® Air Quench Media. Also manufactures polymer candle filters. Reifenhäuser GmbH & Co. Information on turnkey manufacturing plants for precision monofilament and strapping tape, as well as, spunbond and meltblown nonwoven plants. Segmented monofilament spin head for precision monofilaments and Reicofil III and Reicoweb spunbond processes. Schill & Seilacher GmbH & Co. Complete range of finishes, lubricants and auxiliary chemicals for the production of synthetic fibers and nonwoven products. Sikoplast Maschinenfabrik Designs and manufactures complete recycling systems for various thermoplastic wastes. Systems include sorting, cutting, granulating, washing, drying, extrusion, filtration, pelletizing, and bagging (or storage). Steinbrück & Drucks GmbH Complete range of staple fiber cutting blades for all types of cutters and fibers. Varemac SRL Information on turnkey plants for the production of FDY, BCF and staple fiber plants. Manual winder for FDY and BCF filaments. Zentes Unitx GmbH Complete line of spinneret inspection devices including manual and fully automatic devices. Spin Finish Pump Test Unit. Zimmer AG Polymerization plants for the production of PET and PA. Solid State Polycondensation plants. Completely engineered staple fiber and filament plants. Plants for engineered plastics.

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