Textile Process Equipment
Thermofix / Curing Oven
A thermofix / curing oven passes fabric through a controlled heating zone so that the print is fixed or cured by heat. It is used in print processes that are fixed with heat, such as pigment.
01 / About the System
What is Thermofix / Curing Oven
In the oven the fabric passes continuously through heated zones. The heat fixes the binder in pigment inks on the fabric surface.
Besides fixation with heat, the oven is also used in some processes for drying the fabric or for heat-setting steps. The time and temperature needed are set by the fabric and the ink series.
How long the fabric stays in the oven relates to the line speed and the oven length. Evenness of heat distribution and cooling the fabric at the exit affect the quality of the result.
02 / Applications
Areas of use
- 01
Pigment print curing
Fixing the binder in pigment inks with heat.
- 02
Heat fixation in disperse printing
Fixation with hot air where the method and ink series suit it.
- 03
Drying after printing
Drying the fabric after printing or pre-treatment.
- 04
In-line use in continuous lines
Lines that carry fabric through a heating zone in continuous flow after printing.
Temperature and time are confirmed with a test print for each fabric and ink series.
03 / System Structure
Process flow
- 01Fabric Entry
Fabric entry
Printed fabric is taken into the oven in a controlled way.
- 02Heating Zone
Heating zone
The fabric moves continuously through heated zones.
- 03Curing and Fixation
Curing and fixation
Under heat, the binder or dye becomes fixed to the fabric.
- 04Cooling and Exit
Cooling and exit
The fabric leaves the oven and is readied for the next step.
Oven temperature and the time the fabric stays in it vary with the fabric and the ink series.
04 / Process
Supply and Commissioning Process
A curing oven is a line element placed after the printer, so it is assessed together with the fabric and the ink series. Once these are clear, supply, installation and commissioning steps are planned.
- 01
Needs assessment
The fabric types, the ink series and the fixation need after printing are identified.
- 02
System configuration
The heating zones and the fabric handling are defined according to the fabric and the fixation conditions.
- 03
Supply
It is clarified whether the supply scope covers only the oven or also auxiliary equipment such as cooling and exhaust.
- 04
Installation
The energy need of the oven, the exhaust arrangement and the placement in the line are addressed in the installation plan.
- 05
Commissioning
In trials with fabric, colour, handle and fastness results after fixation are assessed together.
- 06
Technical support
After commissioning, a technical service request can be created for fixation results or issues with the heating arrangement.
05 / Related Ink
Curing and pigment inks
A curing oven matters together with pigment inks that are fixed with heat. Which ink series is used with this step is assessed according to the binder system and the fabric.