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The Micrex Process is a unique,
mechanical technology to impart functional (stretch, extensibility, bulk) and
esthetic (softness, drape, hand) qualities to a wide range of web structures.
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A "turn-key" 1.7
Micrex/Microcreper System with slitter-rewinder
There are five base configurations of the Micrex/Microcreper, and
four
advanced configurations (which are only available in-plant to our contract
converting customers).
The basic configurations are
Comb Roll, Rigid
Retarder, Bladeless, Flat Blade and Two Roll.
The Two Roll cavity illustrated above is the most recent commercial development by Micrex.
This system -- utilizing two drive rolls and two retarding blades, is at the
core of the Micrex/Mark II technology.
Designed to minimize damaging heat at high speed, this system
processes low melting point substrates such as polypropylene or polyethylene.
The Comb Roll configuration is widely
used to soften hydoentangled nonwovens, and crepe high basis weight
substrates.
The Bladeless configuration is widely used to
soften light weight nonwovens, bulk gauze, and a wide range of
shrink proofing
applications. Designed to compact less structured materials, the bladeless
cavity is used in a wide range of applications that could not withstand the
forces of the Rigid Retarder cavity.
Picture of the
underside of the package
The Rigid Retarder configuration is widely used to soften
wet laid products, crepe paper, and process a wide range of nonwovens.
The Micrex/Microcreper equipped with a
Flat Blade Cavity is designed to give the textile finisher maximum
flexibility to respond to a competitive style-driven marketplace.
A poly/cotton materials can be made
into a whole series of
rich decorative styles. Many decorative styles are
possible, plisse, crepe, and seer-sucker all can be accomplished on the same
basic material within minutes.
The process utilizes a
notched blade
made from spring steel, which selectively compacts the fabric. New styles
can be configured by the operator using scissors, simply by cutting patterns
in a steel blade. The spacing is limitless and is solely up to the finisher.
The Micrex/Microcreper is able to impart a myriad of patterns with a
relatively short changeover time, typically 2-3 minutes. In one case of a
shower curtain manufacturer, the customer specified a 5 inch wide
"pucker" with a 1/4 inch compacted width. All this at speeds up to
20 yards per minute.
A wide range of woven fabrics can be processed on the
Microcreper. Materials that contain 50% or more synthetic fiber (polyester
or nylon) can have the patterns set right on the machine. An external hot
oil system provides the necessary heat to the main roll to "set"
the patterns into the fabric to hold up through home laundering. 100% cotton
fabric and material with high amounts of natural or cellulosic fibers need
pre and post treatment with the use of resin to stand up to washing.
There are numerous advantages to The Micrex Process.
Speeds of up to 300 meters per minute are obtainable on some (non textile) substrates.
Being a mechanical process, there are no dangerous chemicals to handle.
Consumable parts usage is low with parts costing less than 3/10 of a cent
($0.0035) per square meter of material processed.
Micrex/Microcrepers (in basic configurations) are available in widths from 42" (1067 mm) to
124" (3150 mm). Micrex can supply just the Microcreper itself or a
complete turn-key system.
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Roll Face & Model |
Machine Width (A) |
Machine Length (B) |
Machine Height (C) |
Working Width |
Weight |
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1067 mm (42") |
1450 mm |
1219 mm |
1727 mm |
965 mm |
1820 kg |
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1626 mm (64") |
1956 mm |
1219 mm |
1727 mm |
1524 mm |
2500 kg |
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1930 mm (76") |
2261 mm |
1219 mm |
1727 mm |
1828 mm |
2720 kg |
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2235 mm (88T") |
2692 mm |
1219 mm |
1727 mm |
2134 mm |
3000 kg |
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2235 mm (88") |
2692 mm |
1422 mm |
1829 mm |
2134 mm |
4080 kg |
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2540 mm (100") |
2997 mm |
1422 mm |
1829 mm |
2438 mm |
4540 kg |
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3150 mm (124") |
3607 mm |
1422 mm |
1829 mm |
3048 mm |
5910 kg |
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The Micrex Process consists of five applicable
technologies for creping a wide range of materials. Since it is a dry process,
there are no waste or environmental concerns. Operating speeds of over 300
meters per minute are obtainable on certain substrates.
The characteristics of creped paper processed on
the Micrex/Microcreper differs considerably from that processed by other
technologies. No steam or adhesive is used in
processing (eliminating the wetting and drying of the paper), resulting in a
much softer crepe. Papers that cannot withstand
creping due to low wet strength can be processed on the
Micrex/Microcreper.
Microcreper systems are designed to be operated
by a single operator. The digital drive systems, available in DC or AC, run at
speeds up to 300 meters per minute depending upon substrate
conditions. Complete turnkey systems consisting of
all ancillary equipment are available, or the Microcreper may be purchased
individually and matched with ancillaries of the customer’s
selection.
Micrex through its contract manufacturing program
can produce truck load sized lots of material on our in-house lines. This
facilitates market testing and initial inventory building without significant
investment.
To evaluate the benefits of the Micrex/Microcreper on your materials, contact
Micrex directly. Micrex will arrange a free trial using your materials at our
facility.
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