Detals about Lafar compactor machine

Lafar compactor machine:

Compactor is a textile finishing machine which is designed especially for compacting

100% cotton knitted fabric. Lafer compactors are felt type. Fitted with two felt

compacting units which makes it to obtain top quality fabric, with minimized shrinking

nature and a soft fluffy hand.

Figure: Lafer compactor machine

Scope:

Open type fabrics as like

ü Single Jersey

ü Lycra Single Jersey

ü Pique

ü Plain interlock

ü Fleece

ü Terry

ü Mini Jacquard

ü Micro polyester

ü Mini Waffle

Purpose:

Controlling required width, shrinkage, GSM & shade.

Functions of Compactor Machine:

Ø Width of the fabric is controlled by Lafer compactor machine

Ø Required GSM of the fabric is ensured by Lafer compacting.

Ø Dimensional stability & spirility of the fabric is controlled by Lafer compactor.

Ø Loop of the knit fabric is controlled.

Ø To improve lustre effect of fabric.

Ø Ironing is done by Lafer compacting.

Ø To attach protruding fibre of fabric surface.

Ø Fabric handfeel modification.

Ø Shade control, if required then tuning.

Machine specification:

Brand: Lafer

Frequency: 50 Hz

Voltage: 400 V

Phases: 3

Country of origin: Italy

Feature of Lafer compactor:

Target speed: 30

Target production: 14000

Working width: 100cm-250cm (39.37inch-98.42inch)

Temperature: 90-150 °C

Working Procedure of Lafer Compactor:

On this machine, there is a tenter frame where width can be adjusted easily before the

fabric enters the compacting zone. This is aided by steam relaxation. This way widthwise

shrinkage is gotten. Lengthwise shrinkage is controlled by the felt blankets tension

against the fabric. There is a steam box under the tenter frame and before the entry of the

compacting zone, which helps with fabric relaxation and shrinkage upon entering the

compacting zone. The compacting zone involves the use of steam heated cylinders

(140°C) being pressed against a stretched felt type blanker.

Controlling system of Lafer compactor machine:

Figure: Controlling system of Lafer compacting

Setting parameters depending on fabric construction :

Fafric construction	GSM	Speed (m/min)	Over feed (%)
Single Jersey	145-170	15-25	50-80
Single Jersey	170-220	30-60	30-60
Lycra Single Jersey	150-220	25-35	40-60
CVC/PC Single Jersey	110-250	25-35	30-50
100% cotton fleece	200-350	25-35	20-40
CVC/PC terry	200-350	25-35	20-40
pique	160-200	15-25	50-80
pique	205-250	20-25	50-80
Lycra pique	160-250	15-25	50-80

Range of Load cells tension depending on fabric construction :

Fabric Construction	Stenter tension	Tendem tension	Felt tension	Cooling tension
Single Jersey	0.5-1.2	0.5-1.2	0.5-1.2	0.5-1.2
Single Jersey	0.8-1.5	0.8-1.5	0.8-1.5	0.8-1.5
Lycra Single Jersey	0.8-1.5	0.8-1.5	0.8-1.5	0.8-1.5
100% cotton fleece	0.8-1.5	0.8-1.5	0.8-1.5	0.8-1.5
CVC/PC terry	0.8-1.5	0.8-1.5	0.8-1.5	0.8-1.5
pique	0.5-1.2	0.5-1.2	0.5-1.2	0.5-1.2
pique	0.5-1.2	0.5-1.2	0.5-1.2	0.5-1.2
Lycra pique	0.5-1.2	0.5-1.2	0.5-1.2	0.5-1.2

Mechanism of Lafer compactor:

The mechanism of the compactor machine classified in the four sections.

ü In the first section to entry the fabric in to the machine by the open form.

ü In the second section Stenter frame. The function of Stenter frame to increase &

decrease the GSM & diameter of the fabric. There is a steam box under the stenter

frame

ü In the section three compaction zone of the machine. Here to control the GSM &

Ironing the fabric.

ü In the section four delivery section of the machine.

Process flow chart of parts of Lafer Compactor Machine:

Free Roller

ò

Spreader Roller

ò

Centering Roller

ò

Underfeed Roller

ò

Overfeed Roller

ò

Stenter frame

ò

Compaction Zone

ò

Delivery Zone

Function of Different Parts in Compactor Machine:

Ø Free Roller:  It helps to freely deliver the fabric.

Ø Spreader Roller:  It helps to spread fabric selvedge.

Ø Centering Roller:  It helps to deliver the fabric in roller in centre by a sensor.

Ø Underfeed Roller:  It controls GSM & Shrinkage.

Ø Overfeed Roller:  It controls GSM & Shrinkage.

Ø Stenter frame:  To increase & decrease the GSM & diameter of the fabric.

Ø Compaction Zone:  To control the GSM & Ironing the fabric.

Ø Delivery Roller:  This zone deliveres the fabric in a fold form.

Lafer Compactor path diagram:

Fikgure: Lafer Compactor

Standard Operating System (SOP) :

1. Compacting supervisor will receive fabric from dry fabric supervisor.

2. Wheather fabric is properly dried is checked.

3. Hand feel is checked.

4. Compaction of the machine is checked.

5. Load cell tension is adjusted.

6. Fabric width and GSM and shrinkage are checked.

7. Over feed adjusted such way that fabric does not fall out o the pin

8. In case of yarn died fabric, stripe is straightened.

9. Machine speed should be 15-35m/min. Average speed should be 35m/min

Checking Point:

Ø Fabric speed

Ø Shrinkage

Ø Felt tension

Ø Cooling belt tension

Ø Tandem tension

Ø Stenter tension

Faults & Remedies:

Ø Shrinkage problem:  To maintain proper width setting & optimum overfeed.

Ø Side tearing: To sew the fabric before entering the compacting or at the delivery zone of the Stenter.

Ø Shade problem: To maintain pressure & temperature properly.

Ø Compaction mark: To keep uniform felt tension.

Ø GSM variation: To increase GSM, compaction should be increased before entering the machine.Tension can be loosened and overfeed can be increased.To reduce GSM, tension can be increased and fabric can be underfed.

Ø Line mark: To keep the machine parts clean.

Safety:

v Machine Safety:

ü Rollers

ü Chain

ü Steam Box

v Personal Safety:

ü Use hand gloves

ü Use eye safety glass

ü Use apron & earplug