Energy efficient dryer for DTG and water-based inks from Vastex

A new Lo-E Dryer cures DTG-printed inks and pretreatment, and water-based screen-printed inks and discharge, at high rates using 20% less energy than comparable dryers is available from Vastex.

Mark Vasilantone, president of Vastex International, said: “We engineered the Lo-E for printers who have limited amperage, and those who simply want to cut energy costs and carbon emissions.”

The dryer cures up to 45 garments/hr printed with digital white ink at three minutes dwell time. At 1.5 minutes dwell time it cures up to 88 CMYK DTG garments/hr, 88 garments/hr with pretreatment only, or 88 garments/hr screen-printed with water-based ink or discharge.

Modularity permits users to quickly add one or multiple heating chambers and extend the conveyor belt, multiplying capacity in direct proportion to each heating chamber added. Conveyor extensions can also be added to the front or back of the dryer to optimise loading and cooling/unloading of garments.

Drawing only 22 amps, the dryer’s two 61cm wide by 46cm deep high-efficiency infrared heaters provide 4.6 kW of power, maximising curing capacity and in turn, minimising energy costs per garment cured. Height-adjustable, the heaters offer dual zone temperature control with a boost zone to quickly reach cure temperatures.

A 10.5 m³/min. exhaust system evacuates moisture and air contaminates from the heating chamber, and cools the enclosure’s outer skin and control panel.

The 76cm wide by 224cm long conveyor runs true by means of a low friction belt aligner patented by the company, with belt speed controls allowing infinitely adjustable dwell times from one to five minutes.

Mr Vasilantone, added: “Although the Lo-E Dryer is designed for curing of DTG garments, it can also cure screen-printed water-based inks and discharge. It’s the most energy efficient dryer in our lineup, and maybe the world.”