Welker CONDIMAT G - The Glass Fiber Conditioner
The CONDIMAT G conditioning system has been developed especially for the glass fibre yarn and fabrics manufacturing process, and is utilised in both:
a) after the winding process in yarn manufacturing plants, and
b) as conditioner in glass fibre weaving plants, before the yarn is fed into the weaving or warping machine.
In the CONDIMAT G the glass fibre yarns are exposed to moisture carried into the yarn with saturated steam. The moisture humidifies the sizing additives applied to the yarns in the spinning process. Additionally, a drying process finalises the cycle.
Subsequently, the yarns are fixed and the bobbin gains a substantial improvement in consistency. Consequently, the weaving efficiency is improved and dramatically increased. The twist is fixed and abrasion effects are reduced. Furthermore, eventual transport damages motivated by slipping off yarn layers are reduced.
The CONDIMAT G System
WELKER CONDIMAT G systems are based on autoclaves,which are put under high vacuum of 95% or 50 mbar absolute pressure.
This high vacuum, based on SIEMENS ELMO water ringpumps, provides a high penetration of the saturated steam into the yarn package. The higher the vacuum, the better the depth of the moisture penetration into the yarn.
The vacuum also ensures a homogenous distribution of the steam, both in all segments of the material and within the autoclave.
The gradual temperature increase is efficiently controlled by the WELKER INJECTOR system, which responds accurately to the sensor signals placed inside the autoclave. The DOSITRON 17 electronic control system, based on SIEMENS SIMATIC S7 technology permits to run extremely precise temperature patterns.
A heating system, supported by powerful ventilators, shortens the process time and increases the efficiency ofthe treatment. The heating system is also used for a finaldrying process in order to eliminate eventual condensation drops deposited on the surface of the bobbins. Additionally, the heating provides the precise final dryness to the yarn for the subsequent process step.
Process Description
The conditioning is done by means of saturated steam,which is guided into an evacuated steam chamber, that contains the glass fibre material. Due to the HIGH VACUUM technology, the steam penetrates through the various layers into the core of the fibre glass bobbin, where it condenses and moisturises the sizing material.
A normal cycle can be described as follows:
- The autoclave is loaded automatically with pallets of fibre glass material.
- The autoclave is pre-heated by hot air up to a temperature of 60° C or less.
- The autoclave is evacuated up to 90% vacuum.
- Steam is introduced for a defined period of time at adefined temperature.
- The autoclave pressure will be balanced with fresh air.
- The chamber is again evacuated to 95% in order to remove all visible condensed moisture from the bobbins and plastic pallets.
- The autoclave pressure will then be balanced and the material automatically discharged from the system.
The process can be varied according to specific needs.
WELKER INJECTOR: The basis for best performance
Typically, the conditioning operation of glass fibre yarns ismade with low temperatures of max. 60.0 – 65.0° C in orderto avoid yellowing and eventual damages to the spools. Working with higher temperatures, the spool tend to loose their measures.
Therefore, the accurate control of the temperature inside the autoclave is of paramount importance for the effectiveness of the moisturising operation.
The proven Steam Injector System INJECTOR allows smooth temperature and vacuum controlling throughout the entire conditioning cycle. In combination with DOSITRON Process Control the appropriate settings are guaranteed to exclude any temperature and quality problems. This system cares for high performance within reduced cycle times to save energy.
Loading Systems and Autoclave Dimensions
The CONDIMAT G is designed to treat bobbins of fibre glass yarns on pallets or pin trucks. CONDIMAT G systems can be equipped with various loading systems, as shown in the examples above. Due to the high output, glass fibre manufacturers prefer fully automated solutions. For weaving plats, the types C or P are preferred.
The CONDIMAT G systems can be built in any dimension needed, as shown below:
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