TMAS & Juki to develop automated line for filter bags

The new SFL-2000 line is the result of a four-year development project between Juki Central Europe, headquartered in Poland, and the two ACG companies.

It can handle a wide range of different filter media, and as an all-in-one solution, can produce high quality and accurate seams to pre-defined parameters, with optional modules allowing for customised constructions.

“The line can achieve sewing speeds of ten metres a minute with all kinds of fold, overlap and stitched seam, and up to 20 metres per minute with welded bags in widths of up to a metre,” said Christian Moore, CEO at ACG Kinna. “The unique selling point is that it builds all sewing, welding and taping options into one flexible line to ensure less stops, and more importantly, quicker stops between changes of material, dimensions or joining options. This puts more money into the pockets of our customers.”

“This type of automation is the way forward, not just for filtration, but for all industries,” said Masanori Awasaki, president of Juki Central Europe. “At Juki, our main technologies are for garment manufacturing, but we are also widely involved in the technical textiles field and this line integration concept is moving production on to the next level of efficiency.”

The line is available in three versions – the SFL-2000S for sewn seams, the SFL-2000-W for welded alternatives and the SFL-2000WS employing both joining technologies.

The standard version of these lines has a single media roll feeder as standard, but as an option, a second can be added, with a Juki MO-6903G overlock head joining two separate materials together in continuous production, without any slow-down of the machine. A custom pre-folding system creates the tubular form of the filter bag and the overlap just prior to the Juki sewing and welding units.

“The quality control system at this point employs three cameras inspecting and steering every parameter – the bag width and the width of the overlap, as well as seam accuracy – right down to the length of each stitch,” said Moore. “Three-axis positioning of the Juki modules ensures the seams are perfectly centred for precision consistency.”

The bag is then conveyed to the cutting and printing unit.

“An inkjet printer is a further option at this stage, for the addition of QR and bar codes, and/or logos, and a buffer system of up to 1.5 metres prevents any stoppages as this is taking place, prior to cutting,” said ACG Nyström vice-president Thomas Arvidsson.

“I continue to be surprised by the many fields of industry our TMAS members serve,” said TMAS secretary general Therese Premler-Andersson. “The innovations from our companies during 2019 were far-ranging and characterised by an advanced grasp of Industry 4.0 automation techniques and the need for more sustainable processing methods that is being demanded by their customers. There will be much more of this to come in 2020 and beyond.”

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (PC)