Brückner Sanfor line. © Brückner

For 70 years, Brückner has been a leading partner for all companies involved in drying, coating and finishing web-shaped materials: whether clothing fabrics, nonwovens, carpet, glass or coatings – the variety of materials to be processed has never been limited.

“Today, it is no longer just a question of machines, but rather of automation and control systems,” the company explains. “The topic of digitisation and Industry 4.0 opens up completely new possibilities for increasing productivity, reducing the use of resources and improving quality. In addition, an increasing shortage of skilled workers can be addressed by more intelligent software.”

Implemented automation solutions

Brückner has invested, developed and implemented a lot in this area in recent years. These include intelligent assistance systems monitor the machine settings in the background and provide the machine operator with information on how to run the system even more productively and consuming less resources, as well as a newly developed simulation tool helps to optimise existing recipes.

For the service, there is a new maintenance tool that proactively gives the machine operator or maintenance department service instructions that can be tracked in a logbook. “In future, a newly developed online service platform will support our customers with all service inquiries,” the manufacturer explains. “The technicians communicate directly with the customer via video conferencing - partly with augmented reality. Documents such as circuit diagrams or maintenance manuals can be viewed and explained together and spare parts can be ordered directly. For regular maintenance processes, photo or video illustrations can be stored in local language. Technically caused downtimes can be significantly reduced by these new systems. This increases system availability and thus productivity.”

Entry zone of the new VNE2 multi-layer stenter. © Brückner

Another improvement is the exchange of machine data with higher-level control station or ERP systems is easily possible with OPC-UA. This allows to rationalise processes in the textiles factory and to monitor the quality.

Portfolio diversity

In addition to these efforts in the field of automation, Brückner also aims to demonstrate the great diversity of its experience and product portfolio. For example, Brückner has invested a lot in the denim sector and has also increased its personnel. The German market leader offers integrated finishing systems for pigment dyeing, synthetic resin finishing and coating: All components from the entry area, padder, IR pre-dryer, minimum application unit, coating unit, stenter, curing / hotflue, cooling, to the exit area are available from Brückner.

Economical finishing

Top-dyeing or finishing of both sides of the fabric is usually carried out with the Brückner padder. One-sided functionalisation or dyeing is carried out with the minimum application unit. Particularly noteworthy is the economical finishing with minimum application technology, and another important component in the finishing of denim fabrics is the proven Brückner Sanfor line Power-Shrink, which will be presented at ITMA, next month.

The Brückner specialists in Barcelona will also available to answer questions in the area of continuous dyeing. The company’s new concepts in this field include the continuously improved Power-Infratherm IR pre-dryer.

Multi-layer stenters

Brückner also has something new to offer in the field of multi-layer stenters, mostly used where little space is available. With the new Brückner Power-Frame VNE multi-layer stenter, only one machine operator is required, as the entry and the exit are on the same machine side. This applies both to the version with two and with six fabric passages.

“The new VNE machine concept offers the highest possible power density on a small floor space or a long air flow section in a very confined space. The dryer itself is equipped with Brückner’s patented split-flow air circulation system and the alternating arrangement in each half compartment additionally ensures optimum and uniform air circulation and thermal treatment of the fabric,” the company reports.

www.brueckner-textile.com