Carbon infrared emitters halve drying times for screen-printed T-shirts

Calmatech BV is a globally-acknowledged manufacturer of flash cure dryers and tunnel dryers for the textiles industry, with over 20 years experience of drying and heating technologies. Its products are used worldwide for drying inks in digital printing and screen printing and inks employed in the printing of transfers on textiles, glass, porcelain and metals. In the textiles sector, Calmatech dryers can be fitted to carousels as well as mobile stands.

The company strives to incorporate the latest technologies in infrared and electronics to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its dryers and a recent development saw it replace halogen infrared lamps with medium wave, carbon infrared emitters from Heraeus. The medium wavelength is said to be optimally suited for surface drying, as this wavelength closely matches the absorption characteristics of water.

Since the replacement, the new emitters, which are fitted precisely in the dryers to create an even heat distribution over the target textile surface and are easily programmable by an operator or by automatic control, have demonstrated significant energy savings. This is said to be due to the better water-removal capability of medium wave radiation and because carbon emitters have a very short response time. Consequently, they are suitable for pulsing and are switched on only when required.

Jurgen van Oostrum, managing director at Calmatech, is extremely pleased with the innovation. He says: "The switch to carbon emitters has made our flash cure much more efficient. Formerly, it took 7 to 8s to dry screen inks with the halogen system. With the carbon emitters it now takes just 2 to 3s. This is of great benefit to our customers, who are very appreciative of the energy savings resulting from the reduced drying times. They are also very pleased with the fact that the less-penetrative medium wave dries the textile surface more gently, without discolouration and without heating the print pallet."

Heraeus specialises in the production and application of high quality energy sources covering the electro-magnetic spectrum from ultraviolet to infra-red. It has over 40 years experience in infra-red technology and offers the expertise, products and systems to provide efficient and effective solutions to drying, heating and curing problems throughout industry.