K felt compactors

IMPROVED DIMENSIONAL STABILITY AND HANDLE WITH THE K COMPACTORS

In recent years, the rising demand of dimensionally stable knit fabrics in cotton has created an increase in investments in compressive shrinking machines or compacting calenders.
With so many compactors on the market, finishers can no longer consider dimensional stability as a key advantage over their competitors as today, buyers expect dimensionally stable goods from all suppliers.


The fabric feel is also an important factor that will lead to added value as nowadays consumers are attracted by the softer feels.

Lafer has introduced a felt compacting calender designed mainly for knitted fabrics in open width but which can also process tubular knits. The machine is available both as an independent unit (KSB) or complete with pin chain tenter inlet (KSA).

Lafer’s original objective was to design a machine with low energy consumptions that could run faster than conventional felt compactors so as to lower running costs per kilo of fabric while improving the handle.

The Lafer felt compacting calender model Ks is equipped with larger calendering rolls compared to other machines which lead to an increase in production. The larger contact surface also allows to process fabrics at a lower temperature in order to confer a more delicate handle while lowering running costs.

Conventional compactors tend to flatten the fabrics excessively and this is not the desired effect especially when fabrics have been raised. The Lafer compactors can be equipped with the patented Softplus system that allows to maintain a bulkier handle and reduces the lustre effect considerably on synthetic blends.