I. Fabric Feeding Preparation
Fabric Loading: Fabric is fed using a fabric roll or fabric cart. When feeding the fabric roll, a swing-type feed roller smoothly guides the fabric into the printing area.
Guide Belt Application: The fabric is fed onto a circulating rubber guide belt. The guide belt surface is pre-coated with a thermoplastic resin layer to ensure a smooth and adherent fabric, preventing slippage or wrinkles during operation.
Tension Adjustment: Adjust the fabric feeding tension to maintain constant tension during fabric delivery, avoiding stretching deformation or loosening and wrinkling.
II. Printing Unit Operation
Roller Screen Installation and Pattern Alignment: After the ends of the photosensitive rotary screen are fixed with end caps, it is installed on the screen frame.
Precise alignment is achieved using longitudinal, transverse, and diagonal alignment devices to ensure accurate registration of multi-color patterns. Fine alignment accuracy can reach ±0.1mm.
Scalpel and Pigment Supply Settings: Install a metal scalpel (chromium-molybdenum-vanadium steel alloy), and adjust its angle and pressure to apply the pigment using a "pressure-based, scraping-assisted" method.
The ink supply system connects to the rotary screen, where ink is pumped from a tank into the screen. The ink level is automatically controlled by electrodes.
Printing Operation: The fabric passes sequentially through each color rotary screen via a guide belt. Under the pressure of the squeegee, the ink is transferred to the fabric surface through the mesh.
Infrared pre-baking is often performed after each color is printed to prevent color bleeding.
III. Drying and Fixing
Loose Hot Air Drying: After printing, the fabric is detached from the guide belt and laid flat on the polyester mesh. It is then dried evenly through hot air nozzles, avoiding tension damage to the fabric.
Prevention of Watermarks and Drips: The factory must be protected against condensation. The steam clamps of the drying equipment should be turned on, and water pipes should be covered with insulation to prevent condensation drips that could cause watermark defects.
IV. Fabric Output and Finishing
Fabric Dropping Method: The dried fabric is pulled by an electric fabric-laying shaft and dropped into a fabric cart or winding device for automatic winding.
Equipment Cleaning and Maintenance: After printing, the rotary screen is cleaned to prevent ink from clogging the mesh.
Clean the rubber guide belt and scrape off excess water to maintain its adhesive properties.
Inspect the squeegee for wear and replace worn parts promptly.
V. Key Control Points
Tension Stability: Tension must be controlled throughout the entire process from screen to fabric to avoid defects such as weft skew and wrinkles.
Color Paste Management: Maintain uniform concentration and viscosity to prevent screen clogging or uneven color.
Environmental Control: Ensure stable temperature and humidity to prevent the screen from becoming damp or from thermal expansion and contraction affecting tension.
