Fi-Tech InLine Newsletter Spring 2001

AUTEFA Automation, GmbH, of Friedberg, Germany, has recently announced the next generation of Lift-Box Balers - Lift-Box Model C. This model was developed utilizing finite element analysis (FEA), a design tool used in state-of-the-art design & manufacturing. Prior to a discussion of this new baler, it is important to understand the benefits of the original AUTEFA LiftBox Baler and Intra-Wrap System, which remain as an integral part of AUTEFA Baling Systems.

The AUTEFA Lift-Box Baler has been the standard of the industry for many years. It's simplicity of design results in high reliability with high speed being an added benefit due to multiple operations being able to take place simultaneously. Fiber contamination is not a problem since all fiber is contained within the box and, when coupled with the AUTEFA Intra-Wrap System, no fiber contamination is possible regardless of different products being produced. Fiber fly is controlled via positive box sealing systems, enclosed fiber retaining dogs and filters which allow excess air to escape but not fly which is especially important when producing short cut staple.An added advantage to the Lift-Box design is the ability to make bales of short cut or "slick" fiber since the bale is formed inside the enclosed box and wrapped prior to bale removal.

When the AUTEFA Lift-Box Baler is coupled with the 3-piece Intra-Wrap System, additional benefits are realized which are not found in any competitor's baling & wrapping system. The AUTEFA Intra-Wrap System, introduced in 1986, is the proven standard of the industry. Approximately 40% of all staple fiber lines worldwide utilize this wrapping system. One of the major features of this system is that it uses the least amount of wrap material and is adaptable to various wrap materials when compared to other methods yielding the customer significant cost savings. A further reduction in strap cost is realized since no "belly band" is necessary. For bale opening, the bale can be moved to the lay down area, the straps removed and the three piece wrap removed with no cutting of the wrap.The result is a safer method, without the possibility of fiber contamination from the bale wrap. The Intra-Wrap System produces very compact, uniform, highdensity bales, which are easily stacked to facilitate further automation should automatic bale handling be incorporated.

Fraytec V

**Fraytec V**

Enka tecnica is pleased to announce the commercial release of the Fraytec V, the latest model in the Fraytec Series of in line sensors. The FraytecV is similar in many respects to the Fraytec III. The measuring heads are built for functioning in the industrial environment. The surfaces are anodized, the parts which come in contact with the yarn are ceramic, and the cables connecting to the sensor head are spin finish resistant.

The critical difference is the source of transmitted light. The Fraytec V uses an infrared light barrier rather then fiber optic transmittal of light. The infrared light barrier is mounted above and below the yarn with a fixed distance from the yarn (3-mm, 4.5-mm, or 6mm depending upon yarn denier). If a broken filament or fluff interrupts the light beam, the signal output is activated for 100 milliseconds. This signal will register on the counter as one fray. The smallest yarn diameter which can be read by the Fraytec V is 7 microns, and the sensor head can detect frays up to a yarn speed of 8000 meters per minute.

Fraytec sensor heads, by the nature of their function, may become coated with finish oil and dirt. The FraytecV is designed to increase the output from the transmitting diode in order to maintain a constant reading. This self-adjustment is possible up to a certain point before the sensor head actually needs cleaning.

In summary,the FraytecV performs a function that is familiar to those who use the technology. The infrared diodes transmit a light beam above and below a filament yarn. If the yarn has a broken filament or fluff, it interrupts the light beam, which registers as a yarn break on the counter. This enables the yarn producer to track the number of breaks on a yarn package and validate it as detected yarn.

Producers of spunlace nonwovens are discovering that their existing water filtration systems are inadequate, and the water filtration systems being supplied by hydroentanglement machinery builders are not much better. Typical problems include clogged jet strips which lead to streaks in the spunlace fabric, frequent replacement of filters bags in the final filter, loss of sand and the need to replace sand in sand filters, bacteria growth, and excessive discharge of water in the back washing of filters.

Clogged jet strips and short bag filter life are both symptoms of an inefficient water filtration system, such as one that consists of band filters and so-called "self-cleaning" disk filters. In contrast to the poor filtration efficiency of this type of commonly used system, the patented non-clogging sand filter from Idrosistem Energy can achieve 99% reduction in suspended solids. In hydroentanglement water systems, suspended solids are fibers in the water. In addition to the reduction in suspended solids, the Idrosistem sand filter can achieve 60% reduction in surface agents and 50% reduction in oil.

When combined with a flotation separator, the filtration efficiency is increased to 80% reduction in surface agents and 95% reduction in oil.

The Idrosistem sand filter has an automatic back washing cycle that cleans the sand so that there is never a need to replace the sand. A special patented feature of the Idrosistem sand filter prevents sand from being lost in back washing. The back washing cycle of the Idrosistem sand filter uses only half of the amount of water needed by other systems. With an optional back wash water recovery system, all the back washing water can be reclaimed.

In order to demonstrate the efficiency of the Idrosistem sand filter, Fi-Tech has an Idrosistem pilot unit that can be delivered to your plant for a free trial.

Idrosistem Energy has over 20 years experience supplying industrial water purification equipment, and it is the only company in the world specializing in water filtration for hydroentanglement plants.