Service-News

A big advantage of Smartflex is that the control unit does not require any backup batteries and is therefore more stable than Precicontrol or preciflex™. Upgrading electronics of the machine can prolong its usability for additional 10 years.

With a Smartflex upgrade, SSM customers have clear advantages. Not only can they continue to use well maintained machines for another 10 years, but they also save money and add their share to a sustainable environment for consumers. Additionally, the new system is more stable which facilitates handling and maintenance. Latest version of machine terminal with coloured display and state-of-the-art electronical control board results in a significant improvement of the system communication, less break downs and higher machine efficiency.

Download the "Retrofit to Smartflex" flyer here and ask our service support for an offer.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information about SSM service solutions at L_hc__mss--troppus

SSM Schärer Schweiter Mettler AG

Polyester DTY (Drawn Textured Yarn) was first produced in the 1960s and has since become a commodity yarn. However, over time, polyester yarns have evolved to be used in a variety of specialty yarns, ranging from coarse denier per filament (dpf) to micro-filament and even super-micro-filament yarns. These yarns can be used to produce fabrics with a very soft touch and a light weight.

Filaments with different cross-sectional shapes improve perspiration evaporation or provide the fabric with a distinctive luster. Another specialty is achieved by encapsulating functional chemicals directly into the polymer to create fabrics with additional characteristics such as anti-bacterial properties to eliminate odors or using infrared body emissions to increase body temperature. Furthermore, an increase in dope dyed POY (Partially Oriented Yarn) brings advantages for color fastness and in terms of environmental friendliness, as no subsequent dyeing is required.

All these specialties are the new standard in DTY and bring new challenges for texturizers, e.g., the need for more flexibility in production, as more specialties mean more but smaller lots to be produced. Thanks to the DP5-T, SSM is already in a strong leading position in the air-texturing market; now it is solidifying this position by launching the most flexible false-twist texturing machine, the DP5-FT (Fig. 1).

A single-position machine concept for full flexibility
An entire DP5-FT machine with 40 positions can be set up with up to 40 different recipes. Every position is almost a standalone false twist (FT) machine with its own heater, control board and is furthermore equipped with individually driven, programmable motors.

There is no need to invest in an equivalent laboratory machine. Customers can simply dedicate one or multiple positions of the DP5-FT to trials and sampling. The position(s) can be reassigned back to normal production later to maximize efficiency and reduce sampling costs.

The individual position concept also brings advantages in terms of power consumption and production efficiency. Unlike shaft machines, the power consumption of a position is reduced when it is not in use, as all affected motors are stopped. Moreover, a power-saving function can be activated after a certain amount of idle time has elapsed to reduce the temperature of the heater and godet – maximizing the potential savings. On a running shaft machine, it is also common to find positions without yarn, because a wrap after a yarn break cannot safely be removed while running, or because a faulty position is awaiting the next machine stop. There are no such limitations with an individual position machine concept because each position can be stopped individually and serviced immediately, resulting in higher machine efficiency.

Last but not least, the DP5-FT is the first choice for manufacturers whose top priority is personal safety, as the individual position concept allows the use of much smaller motors, limiting the risk of severe injuries to operators.

Flexibility to increase production capacity
The high flexibility of the DP5-FT is reflected in the minimum available number of five positions only, making it the perfect solution for customers entering the DTY business. It enables full flexibility in terms of lot sizes, types and counts of DTY yarns as well as better control of the supply chain. If a customer later wants to increase the DTY production capacity, the machine can be extended to include up to 40 positions without changing the head stock and using the same machine terminal.

Full control and inspection without stopping the machine
A unique feature of SSM texturing machines is the heated godet (Fig. 2) to heat-set the DTY yarn and achieve the required elasticity. This is state-of-the-art in the production of polyester DTY yarns. Due to their length, tube heaters on competitors’ machines are installed at the rear of the machine or underneath the catwalk. Therefore, operators can’t inspect them during production or remove the internal tube periodically for cleaning. On SSM texturing machines, the heat-setting godet is located at the front of the machine, enabling full control and inspection of the entire yarn path at any time without stopping the machine. Instead of using a tube heater with a predefined length, using a godet also allows operators to influence the duration of the heat setting process by increasing or decreasing the number of wraps around the godets.

With this modern machine concept, SSM offers texturizers a proper tool to stay at the forefront of the competitive DTY specialty market.

For more information about SSM solutions please contact:

SSM Schärer Schweiter Mettler AG
Rütihof 8, CH-8820 Wädenswil / Switzerland
L_hc__mss--ofni, www.ssm.ch

It only takes a simple click of the button on the touch screen terminal to adjust all winding parameters. The elimination of the mechanical adjustments improves winding performance while also saving time and manpower.

The direct package drive ensures a precise package build-up and the best unwinding performance. The NEO-YW can process a wide range of yarn counts, from 10 up to 3 000 dtex.

In addition, the new automatic, regulated electro-mechanical back pressure system enables density regulation for high and low densities with an accuracy of up to ±3 g/l, depending on yarn and winding parameters.

The height of the integrated creel can be easily adjusted to best fit the type of supply packages and ensure the highest winding speeds up to 1 500 m/min so it can adapt to changing market requirements.

The new online backpressure system for low and high package densities sets new standards combined with the well-established fastflex thread laying system digitens tension control for optimum dyeing results.

The well-established space saving concept of SSM machines was implemented for the NEO-YW, resulting in an optimized footprint so that building costs can be reduced.

The new winder delivers clear sustainability benefits: The improved length measuring system reduces yarn waste by up to 3% while defective packages are reduced by 20% thanks to the new, online regulated backpressure system.

The NEO-YW succeeds the renowned PW1 which was introduced 25 years ago and pioneered the electronic yarn guide. The latest innovation testifies to SSM’s technology leadership which is deeply rooted in the company’s commitment to innovation and strong partnerships across the industry.

For more information about SSM solutions please contact:

SSM Schärer Schweiter Mettler AG
Rütihof 8, CH-8820 Wädenswil / Switzerland
L_hc__mss--ofni, www.ssm.ch

This issue has much to offer in terms of product news. In the “Technology” section, SSM offers the perfect concept for large quantities of commodity yarns as well as a competitive solution in the DTY specialties market. False-twist texturing is a cost-competitive sector of the textile industry. A winning strategy in this area is to produce specialty yarns with added value. With the launch of the new false-twist texturing machine DP5-FT, SSM is offering the right tool for this specialties market. 

Download your copy here and enjoy reading!

Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information about the SSM applications and possibilities.

SSM Schärer Schweiter Mettler AG

Ring Spinning with G 38 and ROBOspin Sets New Standards in Automation
Rieter’s proven ring spinning machine G 38 with up to 1 824 spindles, equipped with the fully electronic drafting system and the industry’s first fully automated piecing robot ROBOspin sets new standards in terms of automation and flexibility. This powerful combination makes it easy to produce standard, special, and compact yarns thanks to the best-in-class compacting devices COMPACTdrum and COMPACTeasy. COMPACTapron completes Rieter’s family of compacting devices, taking yarn strengths to new heights thanks to its unique 3D technology that guides the fibers smartly through the compacting zone.

Novibra’s HPS 22 spindle, which is available for ring and compact spinning, offers the best price performance across all applications with spindle speeds reaching up to 22 000 rpm. It caters to a pressing need on the Chinese and other markets.

ESSENTIAL Offers New Features with Smarter Insights for Better Decisions
Rieter’s ESSENTIALmonitor, one of the modules of its all-in-one digital monitoring system, has new features that offer smarter insights into the mill’s operations so owners can fully unlock the mill’s potential.

ROBOdoff Automates Doffing to Save Time and Money
Manual doffing is cumbersome, time consuming and costly. Available on the rotor spinning machine R 37 as an option and on R 35 and R 36 as an upgrade, ROBOdoff automates the changing of packages, replacing full packages with an empty tube that is prepared along each side of the machine so that the spinning process can continue seamlessly. ROBOdoff significantly helps to save time and money.

New Spinning Rotor and CHANNELinsert Boost Production
The new rotor 31-XT-BD and the CHANNELinsert 28 can boost rotor yarn production by up to 6% for both knitted and woven applications. It is even possible to use lower quality raw materials while achieving constant production output.

SSM’s New Winder NEO-YW Delivers More Efficiency and Sustainability
The NEO-YW offers clear benefits for dye package winding and rewinding of filament yarns and features the brand-new online backpressure system for low and high package densities. Together with the firmly established thread laying system fastflex and tension control technology digitens it guarantees the best dyeing results and unwinding properties.

Graf’s New Cylinder Wire and Flats Enhance Lifetime and Quality
The latest innovations from Graf include the new card cylinder wire P-1940S and the flexible card flat resist-O-top C-60. The cylinder wire delivers consistent sliver quality irrespective of the incoming cotton fibers’ trash content and extends the lifetime by more than 10% thanks to the robust design with increased blade width. In addition, the flexible flat resist-O-top C-60 reduces imperfections by up to 15% for fine count yarn spinners.

Rieter’s family of components which spans Bräcker, Graf, Novibra, and Suessen, helps extend service life while enhancing quality and consistency.

Technology Competence – Supporting the Industry’s Circularity Journey
With a mere 1% of used garments being recycled and 73% going to landfill, the textile industry faces mounting pressure to become more circular. Rieter is leveraging its expertise to support the industry’s ambitions, with a recent study showing it is possible to spin not only rotor but also ring yarns of varying quality out of recycled clothes on a Rieter system. The semi-automated rotor spinning machine R 37 for example delivers promising yarn qualities thanks to improved waste extraction, closing the loop faster.

Visit us at ITMA Asia + CITME 2021 National Exhibition and Convention Center, Shanghai, China, from June 12 to 16 in hall 8 at booth C07. Experience our virtual booth from anywhere, anytime via www.rieter.com on June 11, 2021.

SSM, based in Wädenswil (Switzerland), is a subsidiary of the Rieter Group. SSM is the world’s leading supplier of precision winding machines in the fields of dyeing, weaving and sewing thread preparation and enjoys success in individual segments of filament yarn production. SSM comprises the companies SSM Schärer Schweiter Mettler AG in Wädenswil and subsidiaries in Italy and China. SSM is represented worldwide in all major markets. www.ssm.ch

SSM welcomes Mr. Olofsson and wishes him a good start and a lot of success and fulfilment in his new function.

SSM Schärer Schweiter Mettler AG

Corespun yarns that are used to produce woven stretch fabrics consist of an elastic core with a second spinnable fibre wrapped around its entire length. The core can only be made from elastane. Or alternatively, it is made from an elastane yarn and a textured filament yarn. This is known as a “dual-core yarn”. Today, there is even a trend for making the core from two elastane yarns with different drafts and yarn counts together with a textured filament yarn. These “triple-core yarns” further improve the characteristics of these woven stretch fabrics in terms of their stretch and shape-retaining characteristics.

Two Production Possibilities
There are essentially two methods of producing corespun yarns with a dual or triple core. In the first method, the elastane yarn and textured filament yarn are spun directly on a Rieter ring spinning machine with the spinnable fibres that act as sheathing. In the second method, the elastane yarn and textured filament yarn are doubled, air-covered and wound up together on a SSM XENO-AC TWIN machine (Fig. 1) before being processed on the ring spinning machine. In a second step, cotton is spun over the dual- or triple-core yarn located on the “cheese packages” (Fig. 2), for example using a Rieter ring spinning machine (Fig. 3). Both methods require specialized superstructural parts to be fitted on existing ring spinning machines.

For the direct method in which the dual- or triple-core yarn is not pre-wound, these superstructural parts are very tall. In order to reload the ring spinning machine, it must be switched off. This causes a productivity loss of around 13% in comparison to the indirect method. Furthermore, the operating personnel have to climb onto the ring spinning machine in order to place the bobbins with the textured filament. This is not only dangerous but also means that additional personnel are temporarily required who could be utilized for other operational tasks.

Advantage Indirect Method
As discussed above, producing corespun yarns with a dual or triple core using the indirect method requires an additional work step: preparing the core yarn using the air covering machine SSM XENO-AC TWIN. The bobbin holder on the ring spinning machine needed for this solution is much lower and more user-friendly. A further advantage is that each spinning position can be loaded while all the other positions continue to operate. This means there is no production downtime while the machine is being reloaded. The conversion costs for both methods are around the same, with the SSM XENO-AC TWIN method being slightly cheaper.

Air Covering Machine Ensures Consistent Quality
The main advantage of the indirect method with the air covering machine is that the core yarn is centered better during processing on the ring spinning machine and is very well covered with the spinning staple fibres as a result. This ensures that the core yarn is optimally protected. It is very difficult for the operator to detect a non-centered core yarn in the yarn. This flaw can only be seen once the fabric has been woven and dyed. Since elastane cannot be dyed, poor centering of the core yarn can create flawed spots in the woven fabric that disrupt its overall appearance. The air covering machine ensures consistent quality and consequently reduces complaints.

Excellent Entry Opportunity for Traditional Ring Spinners
Corespun yarns with a dual or triple core where the filament has already been doubled and air-covered on an air covering machine are therefore of a higher quality than corespun yarns produced directly on a ring spinning machine.

The method with the SSM XENO-AC TWIN offers traditional ring spinners an excellent opportunity to enter the elastic corespun yarn market and achieve success. This method is also very user-friendly and safe. No compromises on yarn quality have to be made.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information about the SSM applications and possibilities.

SSM Schärer Schweiter Mettler AG

In day-to-day operation the company works with around 20 000 spindles, including 331 SSM winding spindles, whereof 45 are equipped with preciforce™. In an interview, Oliver Kächler (Plant Manager), shared some interesting insight how SSM’s high precision backpressure system helped Gebrüder Otto to grow its business.

Mr. Kächler, what was your challenge and why were you convinced that SSM could help to achieve your results?
We use some of the yarns to produce dye packages which are very difficult to process perfectly. Therefore, we were looking for a machine that can do this and meets the highest quality standards in the industry. We went to SSM because of their reputation as the market leader when it comes to high competency in winding technology.

How did you overcome the challenge and what was the most significant improvement for you?
Thanks to the new preciforce™ backpressure system, we have been able to achieve very low winding densities and at the same time very high consistency of density from package to package. With the SSM machines, we are now producing dye packages with perfect quality, even with the most difficult yarns – and that’s exactly what our customers expect and demand from us. But the production quality is not the only benefit – we have also been able to significantly improve our productivity in this important business area. SSM has been a great partner for Gebrüder Otto, helping us to grow our business in terms of quality and productivity.

Are you satisfied with the services provided by SSM and their machinery installations?
SSM has always been there for us and we are in good hands. From our initial inquiry to consultation, product selection, machinery installation, commissioning, training, and after-sales service. They handle each step in an uncomplicated manner, and their response time has always been very short.

Would you choose SSM machines for your next production expansion projects, and would you recommend them to a friend?
Yes, absolutely. SSM is the first-choice partner for cone-to-cone winding technology.

Mission Statement Gebrüder Otto GmbH & Co.KG:
Future since 1901. For us, quality is not a coincidence. It is the result of more than 100 years of experience and continued improvement. Our drive is the trust and satisfaction of our customers.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information about the latest SSM applications and possibilities.

SSM Schärer Schweiter Mettler AG

SSM winding machines are always the first choice when it comes to low energy consumption, but they are also unrivalled in terms of performance and energy efficiency. Thanks to intelligent engineering and consistent use of the most advanced technologies, with their high production output and quality, SSM winding machines are state of the art in terms of low power consumption – and very successful at reducing operating costs as a result.

Better performance confirmed
A direct comparison in practice shows that when used for the same application with identical winding parameters – speed, yarn tension and contact pressure – SSM winding machines perform better. This is confirmed by comparative measurements from several SSM customers who consistently measure the power consumption of all their equipment to analyze their operating costs in detail. For example, a customer in Asia is saving approximately CHF 8 000 annually by using around 300 SSM spindles.

Up to 25% lower power consumption
Resource-saving, energy-efficient production using SSM winding machines translates directly into up to 25% lower energy costs. When considering the return on investment as a whole, it is clear that the performance gains, longevity and energy efficiency make investing in SSM winding machines worthwhile.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information about the SSM applications and possibilities.

SSM Schärer Schweiter Mettler AG

The market is constantly in search of unique fancy products. With this in mind, SSM has worked to develop an innovative way of creating brand-new combinations using the air-covering process. The SSM XENO-AC produces not only standard air-covered yarns, but also sophisticated yarns in which Lurex is added to various filament yarns such as PES and PA, either DTY or FDY. These yarns give the final knitted or woven fabric an exceptional shiny effect with incomparable properties. The production process involves Lurex thread being inserted into an air-pressure nozzle along with one or more filament yarns where they are then comingled. Figures 1, 2 and 3 show the special yarn path that has been engineered to achieve a smooth and regular feed of the metallic-coated thread directly from the supply packages.

The filament yarn covering the Lurex reduces itchiness and lends the fabric a softer touch than that achieved through direct use in knitting or weaving. The filament cover also protects the Lurex from abrasion and prevents breakage in downstream processes. For some products, the air-covering process can replace more expensive and slower conventional covering processes used to cover fi laments with Lurex. Typical production speed for the air-covering process of Lurex is about 20 times higher than conventional covering. Furthermore, elastane can be fed into the yarn, enhancing the fabric properties by creating a stretch effect for glittery and elastic fabrics commonly used in denim, socks, and hosiery. Figure 4 shows a woven fabric and figure 5 various yarn packages with fabric samples made of filament yarn and Lurex.

A retrofit is available for customers who already own a XENO-AC and can easily modify a standard execution to handle Lurex. A similar retrofit is also available for the SSM DP5-T air-texturing machine (Fig. 6), in turn providing manufacturers even greater flexibility in the creation of new types of fancy yarns.

For more information about SSM solutions please visit: www.ssm.ch

NOTE: Lurex is a registered brand name of the Lurex Company, Ltd.

Air covering produces elastic yarn by combining textured yarn with elastane. Both yarns are interlaced by running them through an intermingling jet where air pressure is applied. One or more drawn textured yarns (DTY) are overfed to enter the air jet with minimal tension and create intermingling points. A specific draw ratio is applied to the elastane during the air covering process and creates the required elasticity for the final product. The structure of air-covered yarn (ACY) is quite different from the conventional covered yarn. ACY alternates intermingling points and open lengths (Fig. 1), whereas filament yarn is wrapped around the elastane for CCY (Fig. 2).

The conventional covering process provides the best evenness and covering quality by wrapping a cover yarn around a core yarn. However, the process speed is very slow and the cost of production is very high, especially for apparel applications with fine yarn counts.

The efficiency of the air covering process is much higher than conventional covering since DTY and elastane are interlaced and not twisted together. The air covering process eliminates the need for high rotational speed, which is the limiting factor of the conventional covering process. The production speed for air covering is typically 30 to 50 times higher than conventional covering (Fig. 3).

Due to the high rotational speed and low efficiency of the CCY process for fine counts, the power consumption needed to produce 1 kg of yarn is much higher, resulting in higher process costs compared to ACY (Fig. 4, calculation based on PA DTY 20D + Elastane 20D draft 3.0 from China; ACY produced on SSM XENO-AC; CCY produced on SSM NOVA-CS and prepared on SSM FM1).

Moreover, the CCY process requires the covering yarn to be wound on flanged bobbins in advance. Therefore it is a two-step process. Air covering is a one-step process and there is no need for extra preparation. The SSM auto-doffing system increases productivity, and the individual spindle setup with single driven feeders provides the highest cost-efficiency and flexibility to produce small lots. SSM air covering machines offer the most accurate quality control with regulated pretension and winding tension, providing the best option for yarn producers to ensure the highest yarn performance. The SSM air covering process is a proven technology, with more than 800 air covering machines and more than 22'000 spindles running at customers worldwide.

Air-covered yarn is widely used in the production of elastic denim (Fig. 5), especially in the weft, for its excellent stretch recovery properties. SSM developed the possibility to integrate Lurex with ACY or use two elastane in the same yarn for even more recovery in super-stretch denim. These yarns meet the requirement for high stretch recovery under constraint for technical applications such as elastic ribbons. When used in hosiery, ACY also delivers balanced compression and the premium comfort required by the user.

While conventional covering machines can only combine one or two yarns with elastane by single or double covering, air covering can run up to eight plies together with elastane. The air covering process can mix a large variety of colors, especially to create the so-called “heather” effect famous in sportswear and seamless fabrics (Fig. 6). There are even more opportunities to create unique fancy fabrics with the recent introduction of the innovative fancyflex™ technology on the SSM XENO-AC air covering machine (Fig. 7).

Air covering is not only economically interesting for its superior efficiency, but the high quality and the excellent ACY properties also make it an attractive solution whenever production of elastic yarn is needed. SSM is also offering a modern range of conventional covering machines for the highest covering quality: NOVA-CS (Fig. 8) for single covering and NOVA-CD for double covering.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information about the SSM applications and possibilities.

SSM Schärer Schweiter Mettler AG

How densely and accurately a yarn is wound up when manufacturing dye packages is crucial to the color quality and the productivity of the dyeing process. SSM is setting new benchmarks in this area with the high-precision backpressure system preciforce. Dye packages with all kinds of yarns thus show a significantly better dyeing behavior. As such, in the production of cotton dye packages the effective package density can be increased and processed with a very low density tolerance of up to +/-1 g/l. The package build-up is extremely uniform, which gives the customer two advantages: more yarn per package and therefore increased production per dyeing process, as well as a consistent color quality. The crucial factor – the yarn density – is now an independent value that can be entered and regulated on the operating unit of the precision winding machine. The backpressure system preciforce is offered as an option on new winding machines XENO-YW, YD, PB, TU and AC and can easily be retrofitted on older models of the specified machine types.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information about SSM solutions.

SSM Schärer Schweiter Mettler AG

Until now, searching for fully automatic finish winders for sewing thread on the market has proved futile. The variety of yarns to be processed is too large and there are too many different tube dimensions and applications: This makes it impossible to produce a standardized design for a fully automatic machine, meaning that an extremely costly custom machine would be the customer’s only option. But this does not mean that machines on which the tubes are changed manually are the best solution in the sewing thread sector.

Sewing thread producers still use many older machines that require a lot of manual intervention because these machines are primarily what a large proportion of winding machine manufacturers offer. A few manufacturers do produce semi-automated machines as well, but only SSM finish winders offer reliable, efficiency-boosting functions such as length measurement, tuck-in, automatic changing of full packages, and package winding. This is crucial because with sewing thread, the decisive factors are above all its appearance, the winding, and the unwinding characteristics of the sewing thread package in the subsequent process. The machines in the SSM TK2-20 series are real profit makers in this regard. They are proven to be a reliable piece of equipment for meeting the high requirements of SSM customers in the sewing thread industry.

For these reasons, an Asian sewing thread producer decided to replace its “manual machines” with a 284-spindle SSM TK2-20-TT. This enabled the company to increase its production capacity by 100 tons per month to reach its target of 300 tons per month. And that’s not all: At the same time, it was possible to reduce the number of production spindles required by 50 spindles and reduce the number of personnel needed to operate the entire system by around 60%. The labor costs alone could be decreased by around CHF 30 000 per year thanks to the investment – which is especially impressive since the company is in a newly industrialized country.

As the machines had already paid for themselves after just 14 months, the customer is earning an extra CHF 150 000 per year thanks to the very precise length measurement and the lower power consumption of the entire TK2-20-TT system.

For more information about SSM solutions please contact:

SSM Schärer Schweiter Mettler AG
Rütihof 8, CH-8820 Wädenswil / Switzerland
L_hc__mss--ofni, www.ssm.ch

Fulfilling SSM mission to offer their customers an exceptional service experience, SSM is moving their factory to a brand-new building equipped with a top modern assembly line, product development and new showroom that stands as a technology center for product presentations and customer-specific trials. For SSM, uncompromising quality within the components, assemblies and final machines, has top priority. The in-house production allows SSM to monitor the entire production chain, to ensure that we meet and excel customers’ expectations.

Thanks to our commitment to technological innovation, focused on cooperation with best partners in the field and with industry leaders, SSM is recognized as innovative leader in yarn processing and winding.

SSM is looking forward to welcoming you in Wädenswil, starting from July 1st, 2020

SSM Schärer Schweiter Mettler AG
Rütihof 8
CH-8820 Wädenswil

Phone +41 44 718 33 11
Fax +41 44 718 34 51

L_hc__mss--ofni / www.ssm.ch

Make the difference with SSM equipment!

• SSM New Address from July 1st 2020pdf - 0.1 mb
• Way to SSM from July 2020pdf - 0.1 mb

When machines stand still the factory could encounter various challenges, which need to be solved.

Possible challenges when restarting your machines
1. Power supply – wrong voltage of system and cable issues
2. Air supply – difficulties caused by condensed water and oil residues
3. Water supply – leakage or blocked pipes
4. Oil supply – blocked pipes or bad oil quality
5. Mechanical parts – damaged parts due to long downtime, dust and humidity
6. MT, PCBs and sensors – possible data loss and impact from a dusty environment

Before turning on the main power switch for the machine, please check the points in the attached PDF-file to avoid damage to the machine.

SSM wishes you a good restart of your production.

SSM Schärer Schweiter Mettler AG

• SSM After Sales Service Flyer Restart Machinespdf - 0.17 mb

Fancy intermingling option
This option creates commingled yarn with fancy color effects. It is available for the DP5-T, making this machine even more versatile, and for the new SSM air-covering machine, the XENO-AC. It consists of a high-speed valve attached to an intermingling jet body that stops and restarts the air flow at a very high pace.

The principle is not new, but its availability on SSM single- position machines makes it much more attractive for users. Intermingled fancy yarns are generally produced in small to medium lot sizes. There is no need to dedicate a complete machine side for producing a small quantity, rather, only the necessary positions are used, which gives users the added flexibility they want.

Several types of fancy effects can be combined, for instance slub and VARIO, to produce even more complex design effects. Slubs in conjunction with VARIO effects can also be combined with the elastane feeding device to produce elastic air-textured yarns. The whole range of SSM devices and options allows for new types of designs, directly at the yarn stage, making the downstream processes (weaving, knitting) simpler and giving yarn producers powerful means of diversifying their offer and enhancing their competitiveness.

For more information about SSM solutions please contact:

SSM Schärer Schweiter Mettler AG
Neugasse 10, CH-8810 Horgen / Switzerland
L_hc__mss--ofni, www.ssm.ch

Part 3: High-speed valve option
Another option available on the SSM air-texturing machine is the so-called high-speed valve, which can completely stop the air supply for a defined interval. This specially designed high-speed electro-valve is installed at the compressed air input, before the texturing jet. It allows creating a new kind of fancy effect in which the ATY shows successive non-textured lengths contrasting with the duller textured lengths, giving the appearance of shiny flashes. When texturizing threads of different colors together, the air interruption makes for a color-change effect, showing one or the other color in an alternating sequence.

Part 4: fancyflex™ AIR option
Since one aim of air texturing is to create imitation of natural fibers, the fancyflex™ AIR option was developed to imitate the natural irregularities shown by linen, silk and other yarns. This option works by producing neps and texture variations present in natural yarns but using inexpensive materials like polyester. Our fancyflex™ VARIO option combined with a torque jet to false twist the threads offers users a new type of fancy effect. This setup is a way to easily control the characteristics of the effect. The prominence of the neps and the distance between them can be controlled in order to achieve the desired effect in the fabric.

For more information about SSM solutions please contact:

SSM Schärer Schweiter Mettler AG
Neugasse 10, CH-8810 Horgen / Switzerland
L_hc__mss--ofni, www.ssm.ch

fancyflex™ VARIO
In order to be able to create longer effects and new kinds of effects, SSM developed a new device: the fancyflex™ VARIO. Featuring hardware and software specially developed in house, it provides controlled speed disturbances directly to the overfeeding godets, which are perfectly synchronized.

By controlling and changing the overfeed of a single component of a yarn, users can change the resulting dullness and also the final color of the ATY. Used on a single-color ATY, lengths with higher overfeed, which appear duller, will be produced along with lengths with lower overfeed, which appear shinier. Used on a single black or white thread, the shade of the yarn can be changed from darker to lighter – slowly changing, producing a shading effect or a 3D effect. When VARIO is used on several threads of different color, several colors and shades can be produced for a single air-textured yarn.

The fancy effects shown beside were created using a rather simple two-step cycle with two different overfeed levels, some with a random time setting.

To further support users in developing unique fancy effects, SSM developed the pattern mode. It provides a sequence of up to 50 different steps. The overfeed level and duration can be set for each step, allowing the creation of special repeating patterns.

For more information about SSM solutions please contact:

SSM Schärer Schweiter Mettler AG
Neugasse 10, CH-8810 Horgen / Switzerland
L_hc__mss--ofni, www.ssm.ch

fancyflex™ III slub device: slub effect at its best
SSM has refined and expanded the capability of the slub device. It can now handle two different yarns e.g. different colors resulting in an ATY showing successive slubs of two different colors or sizes. Proper dispatching of the slubs in the woven fabric is critical because this plays an integral role in the final visual effect. If the distance between slubs does not vary enough, an unwanted pattern on the woven or knitted fabric will result. To solve this problem, the cycle time of SSM slub device constantly and automatically changes by an adjustable random factor of up to 100%.

To give yarn manufacturers full control of slub distribution, SSM created the so-called “pattern mode.” It allows users to control the distance variation by editing a sequence of up to 40 steps, or so up to 40 consecutive slubs, that will repeat in a loop, allowing full control of the final fabric design. The pattern mode also gives greater flexibility when processing two colors of slubs because the user can choose which color to use for each of the 40 steps.

This powerful mode of control opens the door to specific designs that are not possible using the more conventional random mode, like slub degrade, which progressively increases or decreases the distance between slubs.

The maximum length of the slub is limited by the fancyflex™ III slub device, as it can only accumulate a certain quantity of yarn before it must be released.

For more information about SSM solutions please contact:

SSM Schärer Schweiter Mettler AG
Neugasse 10, CH-8810 Horgen / Switzerland
L_hc__mss--ofni, www.ssm.ch

Among other factors, such as digitens™ (SSM online regulated yarn tension) and DIGICONE® 2 (SSM step precision winding), the backpressure force is a very important influencing factor for a perfect yarn package construction on a winding machine. The backpressure force has a significant influence on the package density that needs to be achieved. The more precise a backpressure force system is working, the better the density can be controlled, resulting in an optimal package construction. Standard backpressure force systems, such as pneumatical-, electro-mechanical- or mechanical systems, on winding machines worldwide follow a pre-defined curve. Disturbing factors, which can occur frequently in a production, are not corrected with these systems.

Therefore, SSM has developed the world’s first backpressure force system that constantly regulates the contact force and consistently bypasses disruptive factors.

preciforce™ - A worldwide unique backpressure system
preciforce™ is the first and only backpressure system on a winding machine which regulates the contact force in a range of 200 – 8’000 cN with precise accuracy, regardless of whether hard- or soft-packages are wound. Due to the innovative design, no manual backpressure adjustments, commonly known on winding machines with pneumatical or mechanical backpressure systems, are any longer required. Thanks to the compact design, the powerful preciforce™ system can easily be retrofitted on existing SSM XENO winding machines of all types.

Besides of all these benefits, the preciforce™ system is entirely maintenance free, consumes less energy and the fact that the system is self-calibrating further enhances the advantages of the preciforce™ system.

The SSM preciforce™ is optional available for SSM XENO-YW, -YD, -PB and -AC machines.

SSM Schärer Schweiter Mettler AG

The variety of yarns and packages – a particular challenge
The problem is: the winding machines often fail to instantly wind packages that can be easily dyed. This is due to the fact that there are thick yarns, thin yarns, rough yarns, smooth yarns, straight packages, conical packages … the list could be continued infinitely. Good winding machines must take into account all these parameters and, at the same time, constantly produce packages of high quality. In case a package is wound in a suboptimal way, this situation will lead to problems in the downstream processes and, as a consequence, result in additional disadvantages. Additional disadvantages, however, cost time and money – money that is often lacking in the highly competitive textile market. Therefore SSM has developed an algorithm, in cooperation with a renowned university, enabling the winding machines to wind the “perfect” package, regardless of the yarn.

Images instead of laboratory tests
The engineers and mathematicians opted for a special approach. Instead of measuring parameters such as yarn tension, density, material, or yarn diameter, and packing them in complicated formulas, they translated the SSM expert knowledge into a theory, allowing for a precise prediction of package structures and density distribution. Using methods from the number theory, they finally managed to get a grip on the “chaotic and dynamic system” of package winding.

Based on the calculations, it was possible to devise the DIGICONE®2 algorithm that can be directly implemented into the winding machine control software. By means of high-speed recordings during the winding process and with the aid of x-ray computed tomography, the success of the SSM project was finally confirmed (see image comparative spool). Result: the identically constructed machines, which previously were not always able to wind a package that can be easily dyed, accomplished this task straight-away with the new software.

Competitive advantage through innovation
Thanks to the cooperation between SSM and university, the idea could be optimally implemented. “The innovative DIGICONE®2 algorithm enables us to stand our ground in the competition with other winding machine manufacturers”, says Karaarslan. The algorithm is successfully used by the latest SSM machine generation, and many customers have already tangibly profited from it.

For more information about SSM applications please contact:
SSM Schärer Schweiter Mettler AG
Neugasse 10, CH-8810 Horgen / Switzerland
L_hc__mss--ofni, www.ssm.ch

What’s a stable electricity supply?

An electricity supply is characterized by frequency, magnitude, waveform and symmetry of the three-phase-voltages. If the following disturbances exceed certain limits then the quality will be affected:

• main power shortages
• jitter light
• voltage variations
• frequency variations
• slow and rapid voltage changes (over-voltage, spikes)
• unbalance of three phase voltage
• harmonic distortion

An exact definition of a stable supply is given in the European Norm (ex. EN50160). SSM assures its machine function correctly if the norm is fulfilled.

How to test the electricity supply

To test if a supply is inside the norm you have to analyse your net over a long time. Variations over the seasons have to be taken into consideration (summer/winter influences etc.). Often a weekly analyse will give you sufficient information about your net. SSM can offer a short analyse of your net. Very often though consumers know their supply. Important are the amount of main power shortages and voltage variations.

How to connect the machine to the supply

A lot of errors can be avoided by connecting a machine correctly:

• Is the grounding system of the machine correct?
• Sufficient cross section of the supply pipe?
• Avoid connecting machines of different power classes to the same main distributor.

How to protect a machine

There are a number of devices that can help to protect a machine, e.g. UPS (unbreakable power interrupt), power stabiliser, flash protector, or net filter. It is important to choose the best and most economical solution. The beside checklist will help you to choose appropriate equipment.

The ratio between double strokes and number of revolutions is kept constant for a certain diameter range. The crossing angle varies only slightly within a range of ±1°. This results in an enhanced package density that does not change with increasing package diameter. So the building of pattern zones is avoided and the package maintains a stable structure without any ribbons. Due to this stable structure, the risk of complete layers “slipping off” during the unwinding process of dyed packages, as known with random winding, is completely eliminated.

The introduction of the XENO platform opened new possibilities for optimizing the winding algorithm. Thanks to this new machine platform, SSM could release DIGICONE® 2, enabling an increase of dye package density by another 10–24% with unchanged dyeing recipes.

For more information about SSM solutions please contact:
SSM Schärer Schweiter Mettler AG
Neugasse 10, CH-8810 Horgen / Switzerland
L_hc__mss--ofni, www.ssm.ch

Thanks to the SSM App, helpful information is available all the time. With the SSM Mobile Tools you got a quick access to SSM's product range and news, as well as to useful tools to enhance your productivity and to plan your production.

Being smart with SSM and join it now! Click on the below icons and download the app from the store.

For more information about SSM solutions please contact:
SSM Schärer Schweiter Mettler AG, Neugasse 10, CH-8810 Horgen / Switzerland
Phone: +41 44 718 33 11
Fax: +41 44 718 34 51
L_hc__mss--ofni

• SSM Mobile in the App Store of Apple Inc.
• SSM Mobile in the Google play Store
• SSM App brief instruction GBpdf - 1.97 mb