Known worldwide for their expertise in the finishing of fibre and down-proof articles and woven industrial fabrics, the Swabian textile manufacturer WEIDMANN GmbH prefers the proven stenter technology of BRÜCKNER. A completely newly developed BRÜCKNER stenter was recently installed in the ultra-modern plant at WEIDMANN. Both companies continuously invest in new and innovative technology in order to be successful and competitive today and in the future.
One hundred and seventeen years ago, the WEIDMANN weaving mill was founded in the tranquil Filstal Valley in the district of Göppingen near Stuttgart. WEIDMANN finishes premium fabrics, mainly for the bedding industry, using the latest technology and in an environmentally conscious manner. Customers appreciate WEIDMANN for the company’s reliability and flexibility regarding their individual requirements and for consistently high quality of their products.
WEIDMANN has always relied on BRÜCKNER’s proven stenter technology
The complex production and finishing processes for high-quality fabrics require reliable and efficient machine technology, and that is why WEIDMANN has always relied on BRÜCKNER’s proven stenter technology. The German textile machinery manufacturer has been a world leader in the construction of production lines for the finishing of classical textiles, woven industrial fabrics, nonwovens, glass fabrics and floor coverings for many decades. In addition to stenters, the company’s production program also includes coating lines, relaxation dryers, sanfor lines, continuous dyeing lines as well as ovens for the bonding of nonwovens and other special lines. All machines are produced 100% in-house in Germany.
A newly developed BRÜCKNER stenter was recently installed at WEIDMANN’s ultra-modern plant. During the intensive project engineering phase, which features are of special importance for daily production requirements was demonstrated. In this sense, it demonstrated the importance of uniform moisture distribution in the machine entry and during pick-up of the specialized chemicals in the finishing padder before the thermoprocess; weft-straight fabric flow with minimized residual distortion; very good accessibility for maintenance and daily cleaning; sensor technology and automation of setting parameters for energy optimization and heat-recovery with hot water generation for the dye house. It was also revealed that the line must be fully Industry 4.0 capable.
An intelligent drive system minimizes distortions
The new line is equipped with two padders, a weft straightener and 6 drying compartments. The two padders arranged one behind the other with automatic squeezing pressure adjustment and special roller covering allow an absolutely uniform liquor application and produce a pleasantly soft fabric handle. A differential moisture measurement by microwave sensors continuously checks the fabric moisture and thus the pick-up during running production, so that the squeezing pressure can be adjusted automatically if necessary. The straightening unit in a special design in front of the stenter entry ensures the correct and straight fabric flow. Besides, possible bow or skew distortions are reduced to a minimum by an intelligent drive system. In addition, the new BRÜCKNER line is also Industry 4.0 capable. Via OPC-UA the stenter is directly connected to WEIDMANN’S ERP system.
Special stenter dryer for textiles producing lint
The newly developed stenter dryer is specially designed for textiles that produce a large amount of lint during the drying process. The lint is collected on horizontally arranged double lint screens, which can easily be cleaned during ongoing production. The interior of the dryer can also be cleaned very easily and quickly by means of a suction probe and it is easily accessible for cleaning and maintenance work on the nozzles, width adjustment and chain rails. Energy-saving motors of the highest efficiency have been used for the dryer. The air circulation fans and motors can be easily removed from the outside of the dryer as one unit for maintenance work. While the newly developed horizontal fabric transport chain is characterized by its high robustness and easy maintenance or lubrication with high-temperature grease, very long lubrication intervals are possible even at high production speeds thanks to the large chain rolls.
“We found reliability and the best support at Brückner, as always”
Henrike Weidmann, third generation to run the family business together with her husband Michael Rapp, stated that The Brückner company, like them, has very high-quality standards. Relaying that the direct communication with Sales, Service and Design made it easy for them to implement their many requests for optimization, Weidmann said that they found reliability and the best support at Brückner, as always. Weidmann continues her words as follows; “Qualities that we, as a family-run company have also anchored in our company philosophy. Another criteria in our purchase decision was that the company manufactures in Germany. This increases confidence in the quality and helps to maintain our textile know-how ‘Made in Germany’”.