Smoothing out costs

26 October 2022



Energy prices are ever-increasing – and shock inducing – so operators are looking very closely at efficiencies when they contemplate buying new kit. LCN looks at what is available


EXPODetergo takes place in Milan, 21-23 October, and is the first big European show for three years. There will be a lot to see but if you can’t make it in person, here’s a rundown of what to expect. Compact ironers are a boon to OPL operations. Check out Danube’s 500 and 650 flatwork ironers which are also equipped with the new ET2 processor which perfectly complements the RABC process and perfectly meet the hygiene standards required in a laundry: skinplate and stainless steel panels, connectivity such as washers and dryers thanks to ET2, as well as features like HPS and CARE IRON to reduce handling.

Domus wall ironers now come with speed and humidity control and connectivity offering total control of the process. 1 or 2 roll chest flatwork ironers are also available along with folders for towels, napkins, pillowcases and small garments. A sheet ironer for hotels that offers the highest productivity in very small spaces

The range of wall calenders with a Ø 600, 800 and 1,000 mm roll, with their compact design enables up to 290 kg/ hour* to be ironed in less than 27 m2 (*more details in the datasheet of every model). With the S models Domus is looking at the most compact and affordable machines in its catalogue.

“They are the ideal solution for laundries in hospitals, hotels, large restaurants – any businesses that need to process up to 9 tonnes a day; given they are wall calenders with the feeding and return of the linen at the front.,” says Domus. With roll widths of 2,600 and 3,300 mm, items of up to 3,300 x 3,300 mm can be ironed. The touch screen control enables an easy and intuitive operating of the machine, with a great flexibility to be able to adjust any of the parameters of the folding or ironing.

S Models are available with electric, gas or steam heating, with a gas model with radiant burner in the Ø 800 and 1,000 mm ranges for a higher output.

“Laundries are looking for two things from their ironers today, high quality results and energy efficiency,” says Jeremy Challis, sales director at Girbau UK. “The best performing machines have more thermally efficient gas burners, but for overall efficiency real-world ironing speeds are also crucial, both areas where Girbau’s PB ironers really excel.”

Girbau’s PB Series ironers offer working speeds of up to 15 metres per minute, whereas a standard OPL ironer is more likely to achieve around 9 metres per minute. A productivity increase of over 50% makes a dramatic difference to overall efficiency. It is also possible to process garments taken straight out of a Girbau high spin washer, saving the time and energy consumption of a separate dryer.

Girbau’s radiant burner technology and chrome plated Care Touch cylinder ensure even heating across the whole roller, preventing hot spots which can otherwise affect the ability to achieve high quality results and throughput.

Designed for consistent, high-quality results, crisply ironed sheets, duvet covers, pillowcases, tablecloths and napkins, the PB Series in five model sizes ranges from the PB-3125 with a 1.5 metre ironing width and 325mm diameter cylinder to the PB- 5132 with a 3.2 metre ironing width and 510mm diameter cylinder.

The gas-heated versions of the largest PB-5100 models come with a choice of two burner systems: an atmospheric burner and a premix burner that offers a 15% higher power, high performance option.

The PBP models use photocell detectors to measure and automatically fold items in a single lane accurately regardless of their length and without the operator needing to manually input the size. As an option the PBP models offer fully automatic folding in 1, 2 or 4 lanes. The feeding table is positioned for maximum comfort and ease of use. Enhanced safety features include a hand guard system.

The Autospeed function automatically adjusts ironing speed depending on the type of material and humidity for consistent high-quality results. The strap tensioning system maintains a uniform ironing cylinder pressure for high quality ironing and a smooth finish. It has also proven to be consistently lower maintenance than other tensioning systems. With the Optifeed function, a green light shows the warmest part of the roller at any given time, indicating the optimal place to feed the next item for both quality results and efficiency.

Programming and controlling PB ironers is straightforward thanks to Girbau’s INTELI control. Easily understood icons show the programme in use, the actual and the programmed temperature, speed and length of the article. The system also suggests the most productive operating mode.

“By looking at your current and projected production requirements and available laundry space, we can help you to choose the best system for your needs,” adds Challis. “We can also demonstrate the ironer in use, which customers find extremely helpful. It is easier to evaluate the many features of modern dryer ironers when you see somebody using it as you would.”

“Our customers also benefit hugely from on-site training when a new ironer has been installed. It helps users to become more proficient quickly, making efficient use of the ironer and achieving high quality results.”

Leading flatwork ironer manufacturer GMP offers a range of product for all purposes. At ExpoDetergo GMP will showcase the brand latest evolutions: E2 and G2. Swiss laundry equipment manufacturer Schulthess has acquired a majority holding in GMP effective since June. With this acquisition, Schulthess Maschinen AG is expanding its portfolio and strengthening its position as a washing technology expert in the international market.

Founded in 1987, GMP has been leading flatwork ironer innovation in Europe for the past 15 years, providing the widest range of ironing solutions to a global distributor network with well- established market positions in the commercial and industrial segments.

According to a statement from Schulthess, with GMP flatwork ironers, Schulthess is further expanding its finishing range. GMP products ideally complement the Schulthess professional range: trade and industry thus benefit from a fully comprehensive offering – at a fair price and all from a single source.

The trait d’union between the two lines, respectively E2 chest ironers and G2 drying ironers, is the new SHARP control platform unveiled for the first time in October 2021 during the launch of E2.

The SHARP control platform has been extremely successful thanks to its innovative approach to the commercial equipment use and is going to be extended to the new G2 line with Q1, 2023. Its main force points are the integrated operator training and troubleshooting sections.

“Contrary to washer and dryer, an ironer is an open system, where the individual experience in operating makes a big difference in whether you obtain great results or great issues” says Rudi Giaon, GMP CEO. “If you add difficulties in finding experienced labour, or frequent turnover very typical of seasonal hospitality activities, you can obtain a problematic mix. In designing E2 and SHARP control, GMP’s challenge has been to offer an effective solution to a very felt necessity and I believe we have fully reached our goal.”

The new Hybrid ironer, says LACO, heats up with green electricity. When there is not enough green electricity, a small gas boiler will help the process. This way carbon emissions are reduced which helps building a greener world.

The SECOMachinery (SEmi-industrial, C for chest and O for roll and M for machinery) range from LACO will appeal to all projects ranging from 30 to 80- 100kg/hour not only in price, but also in quality, reliability, low maintenance and of course extremely low energy consumption. This range will still produce an amazing 0,38kW/kg linen at 40-50% RM just like the existing LACO range. To compare average cylinder ironers are in the area of 0,90 to 1,10 depending on make and age. The critical parts such as chest and roll are always LACO technology.

Lapauw’s IronPro saves money, as the flexible chest technology provides up to 30% more productivity, when compared with same size roll heated ironers, says gthe company.

The flexible chest assures an uniform contact area and pressure on the linen, giving the linen a nice and crisp look and feel.As the IronPro uses no guiding tapes, the linen also is void of tape marks.

Reasons why IronPro is easy to use according to Lapauw:

  • The PLC with full colour LCD screen gives you a clear overview of the main ironing parameters, like ironing speed and ironing temperature. Programming is done by parameters that are shown in a clear list.
  • Access codes assure that programs are inadvertently changed by unauthorized persons.
  • The SMART-LED system not only indicates when the ironer is running or not, it also guides the operators and technicians when to start ironing or during maintenance tasks.

The IronClassic Single roll, diamater 1200 is a classic in all ways. With the flexible chest and individual Lapauw springs, the Lapauw ironers are widely known for their quality and productivity And Lapauw has also the widest ironer range on the market, from small 500 mm roll diameter, up to the 3-roll, diam. 1600 ironer.

Meanwhile, the Veit Group with its head office in Landsberg, Germany, is a worldwide leading manufacturer of ironing equipment, fusing machines, pressing machines as well as refinishing equipment for garments.

Meanwhile, Valmet is a leading supplier of textiles and accessories for feeders, flatwork ironers and folders. Most of the world’s laundry machine manufacturers are equipping their new machines with Valmet Laundry Products (earlier known as Fanafel Laundry Products).

It produces needled felts for the feed belts and the covering of the rolls of all types of flatwork ironers (heated roll and heated chest). The company’s laundry textiles are manufactured in Ovar, Portugal which is the biggest tailor-made single products facility in Europe.


EXPERT ADVICE ON CUTTING COSTS ON THE IRONIING LINE

The huge increase in energy prices is impacting laundry businesses of all sizes and OPL in particular as the bill for supplying the laundry is adding to already heavy costs for the premises. Howeever, there are ways of bringing costs down, according to Richard Neale of LTC Worldwide: “The widespread use of gas for electricity generation means that there is a knock-on effect on the price of electricity. This threatens economic growth everywhere and could trigger a universal rise in inflation. It might cripple organisations involved in laundering and textile care if it is not addressed promptly and imaginatively.”

Ironers of course are big users of fuel but by taking flatwork directly from the washer to the ironers and skipping out the drying process can be an effective way to cut costs. However, it will need to arrive at the ironer with minimal moisture content.

“Ironers have a typical thermal efficiency of around 95%, depending on insulation, productivity and idling time. This compares with efficiencies of 25% to 55% for tumble dryers, depending on design, maintenance, load factor and idling time. This means that taking flatwork to be ironed straight from the washer extractor to the ironer, cutting out any conditioning in the tumbler, saves appreciable gas energy. Any loss in productivity on the ironer can usually be compensated for by edge to edge feeding and having all lanes in use, keeping the ironer running normally as a priority.

“If the ironer is to maintain a reasonable output, then in order to enable it to iron flatwork straight from the washer extractor, the final spin must first be optimised. The ironer tuning must then be checked, to ensure no cold spots, good vacuum all the way across the beds, perfect roll-to-bed contact (by matching the diameters of the clothed rolls to that of the beds) and so on. The textiles need to be fed so that they are virtually edge to edge going into the first nip and if this needs some intermediate preparation then this is better than conditioning or buying a further ironer.”



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