Textile Process Equipment
Pre-Treatment Padding Machine
A pre-treatment padding machine passes fabric through a chemical liquor and removes the excess with squeezing rollers, applying the pre-treatment evenly to the fabric. It is used to prepare fabric before printing.
01 / About the System
What is Pre-Treatment Padding Machine
In padding, the fabric runs through a bath and is then squeezed between two rollers. This aims to apply the pre-treatment solution in an equal amount along the length and width of the fabric.
The pre-treatment content depends on the ink class to be printed. Before reactive or acid printing, for example, a preparation that supports dye uptake and print sharpness can be applied.
The pick-up amount, the squeezing pressure and how the fabric absorbs the solution determine the result. These values are set by testing according to the fabric type and the pre-treatment recipe.
02 / Applications
Areas of use
- 01
Before reactive printing
Applying pre-treatment to cellulosic fabrics for reactive printing.
- 02
Before acid printing
Applying pre-treatment to silk, wool or nylon fabrics.
- 03
Before pigment printing, where needed
Applying pre-treatment when the fabric and the ink series call for it.
- 04
Even application
Applications where the pre-treatment agent is to be spread evenly over the fabric surface.
The pre-treatment recipe and pick-up amount are set by testing for each fabric and ink series.
03 / System Structure
Process flow
- 01Fabric Feed
Fabric feed
The fabric moves into the machine and is guided to the bath.
- 02Padding
Padding
The fabric passes through the bath holding the pre-treatment solution.
- 03Squeezing
Squeezing
Rollers remove the excess solution and limit the pick-up amount.
- 04Delivery
Delivery
The pre-treated fabric goes on to the next step (drying or printing).
Squeezing pressure, speed and solution composition vary with the fabric and the pre-treatment recipe.
04 / Process
Supply and Commissioning Process
A padding machine is the preparation step of the printing process, so it is assessed together with the ink class and the fabric type. Once these are clear, supply, installation and commissioning steps are planned.
- 01
Needs assessment
The fabric types, the ink class to be used and the pre-treatment need are identified.
- 02
System configuration
The bath and squeezing structure and the drying need are defined according to the fabric and the pre-treatment recipe.
- 03
Supply
It is clarified whether the supply scope covers only the padding machine or also drying equipment.
- 04
Installation
The water, drainage and work area layout needed for the chemical bath are addressed in the installation plan.
- 05
Commissioning
In trials with fabric, evenness of padding and the pick-up amount are assessed together.
- 06
Technical support
After commissioning, a technical service request can be created for application evenness or squeezing issues.
05 / Related Ink
Pre-treatment and reactive inks
Pre-treatment by padding matters especially in reactive printing processes. The relevant ink class and which pre-treatment applies to which fabric are assessed together, according to the ink series and the process conditions.