After more then 30 years experience in the laundry business, Transferon decided to redesign the hydraulic press with the aim of developing a machine that was more reliable, easier to service, performed better and gave a better payback on investment.

Over two years the company’s engineers looked at machines that had been built with special features, drew on the experience of employees in the field and asked customers about their problems and their ideas for improving extraction.

Transferon considered the design in five areas: frame/assembly; tanks /extracted water handling; hydraulic system; working principles; and software/controls.

Frame

As an example of the benefits of the redesign, the main frame departs completely from the traditional construction. The conventional press has a bottom and a top plate with four connecting columns, but the P550-1 has a one-piece, rigid steel frame, which is totally enclosed in stainless steel.

Transferon says that this one-piece design has a huge advantage, as the connecting columns of the conventional frame may in time disconnect or become loose, either through chemical damage or from material wear. The total frame strength against failure was increased by 500% in comparison to a conventional press. The all stainless-steel cover avoids the risk of rusting, regardless of the chemicals used in the wash process.

This ensures a long machine life and means that the press retains its value, even after years of use.

Where conventional presses have water tanks and therefore limited accessibility, the P550-1 has a non-slip area to make access for maintenance or monitoring easier, reducing machine downtime.

Closed tanks

The P550-1 does not have any open tanks, instead it has a small tank, which is enclosed to protect it from the laundry environment, directly connected to the tunnel washer’s tank/water recovery systems. This prevents water contamination from external bacteria or other factors such as algae or third party contamination found in open tanks. There is also no risk of water leaking into the laundry, reducing hazards for operators on the production line.

Hydraulics

The new press’s hydraulic system has been completely reworked. It is now possible to move through multiple axes simultaneously with the speed and force controlled by the software.

Another improvement is that the piston rod is not tied to a positioning rod, and can therefore rotate freely, controlled by a laser distance measuring sensor.

This greatly increases membrane life and flexibility enabling the machine to handle all types of linen from pressure-sensitive denim, composite materials such as floor mats which are sensitive to build-ups of pressure and speed,and high-pressure goods such as towels.


DESIGN DETAIL: Section of the press showing the lasor sensor controlling the piston rod, and the stainless-steel press plate Transferon hydraulic press sensor and press plate BETTER ACCESS; The space taken up by the water tanks in traditional designs provides a non-slip access area for maintenance or monitoring Transferon press access area REDESIGNED: Transferon spent over two years researching the design of the P550-1 hydraulic press Transferon P550-1 hydraulic press