Garment Dyeing With The FLAINOX Rotary Dye Extractor

Garment dyeing is one of the hottest prospects in modern times. Since its inception, it’s attracted lots of interest. Today, I would like to share some info based on my experience working in a reputed garment dyeing facility.

In the world of dyeing/finishing, FLAINOX is a renowned name. Being founded in 1968, the company is operating for over 40 years with its state-of-the-art manufacturing plant and impeccably reliable machinery.

FLAINOX is considered as a specialist when it comes to the construction of rotary dye-extractors. Their machine is used for fiber dyeing, yarn dyeing, and special finishing machines.

Flainox Rotary Garments Dye-extractor

This brand is popular for its continuous evolution and sustainable approach in developing its technology, and this machine is a prime example. Let’s talk about some of its features.

The FLAINOX NRG HT model is a rotary machine for dyeing garments, socks, and seamless at a high temperature(135°C) with utmost reliability. High thickness AISI 316/L stainless steel is used in its construction to provide safety and durability.

Furthermore, the machine provides an Automatic Reintegration Function at minimum(ECO LEVEL) to ensure safety.

Machine Parts

Dyeing Vessel

Bulk dyeing machine has 3 baskets in the dyeing vessel. However, the sample dyeing machine has 1 basket.

Tanks

The machine has two tanks.

Heat Exchanger

An integral part of any dyeing machine. The heat exchanger allows the heat from one medium (say liquid/gas) to another medium without having to mix them together.

Dye-Bath Analyzer

This is used to record the progress of the color on the fiber and print the curve for later comparison.

Water Flow Speed Meter

To maintain the water flow speed.

Other Parts
1. Filter
2. Motors
3. Monitor

During dyeing, the vessel can be rotated both clockwise and anticlockwise, as needed.

The rotation time is 45sec clockwise, 45 sec anticlockwise, and there is the 5-sec stationary time between them.

Setting for Pre-heating

This is a necessary stage in most of the dyeing processes. It is done to make the garments dimensionally stable after dyeing. Pre-heating is done for approx. 12 seconds at 160°C.

Garments Dyeing Flow Chart

Garment Dyeing Process — Garments Dyeing Flow Chart

Pre-Treatment Recipe

Any treatment, that is done prior to dyeing is known as pre-treatment. It’s done to mainly remove dust, dirt, and oil from the surface as well as to achieve the desired level of whiteness. After all, we cannot hope to achieve good dyeing without preparing the fabric properly!

Detergent (Tissococyl RC-09)
Soda ash
Temperature- 80°c (3°c/min)
Time: 20 min
M:L – 1:20

Neutralization Recipe

This process is done to remove extra alkali from the fabric surface which was used during the pre-treatment process.

Acetic acid
Temperature: 50ºC
Time: 10min

Dyeing Parameters

Gradient and Time

Parameter	Light	Medium	Dark	Extra dark
Time	30 min	45min	60min	90min
Gradient	0.5°C/min	1°C/min	1.5°C/min	2°C/min

Chemicals

Levelling agent (Univerdine MC-PA, Crosscolor-PES, 2g/l)
Anti-creasing agent (Rubine HTC)
Buffer (Albatex AB 45. 2g/l)
Antifoaming agent (Albaflow FFC, 2g/l)

Temperature for Different Substrate

Nylon	Polyester	CDP
98°C	130°C	110°C

Things You Should Know for Garment Dyeing

Here is some additional information we should know:

Preventing Unevenness

1:20 liquor ratio can be used to prevent unevenness during dyeing.

Single Bath Dyeing

For single bath dyeing of nylon and PES, dyes for polyester are added first at 35°C, and when the temperature reaches 80°c, dyes for nylon is added. Dyeing is carried out at 110°c.

Double Bath Dyeing

In the case of double bath dyeing, PES is dyed first, and then nylon dyeing is carried out. Finally, fixing and softening are carried out.

Fixing Recipe

This is a very important step. After dyeing fabric is left with unfixed dyestuff on the surface. And if it becomes the final product it causes color migration while washing. Therefore fixing is done to improve color fastness.

Fixing agents that is used are:

Fixing agent (Renfix PAK)
Temperature: 70°C (3°C/min)
Time: 20 min

Softening and Finishing Recipe

Softening agent (Tubingal GSI, Feron ICE, Tripal MM)
Temperature: 40°C
Time: 20min

Different Blend Dyeing Processes

Single Part Dyeing

Either nylon or PES is dyed.

Double Part Dyeing in One Bath

First the dyes for PES is added in room temperature and when the temperature reaches 80°C then dyes for PA is added. Runtime at 80°C for 10 min. At last temperature is increased to 110°C Dyeing is carried out.

Double Part Dyeing in Two Baths

After pre-treatment first PES is dyed first and shade matching is carried out. Then Nylon is dyed. At the end, fixing and softening is carried out.

Stripping

Chemicals: Hydrose and Caustic, Levelling and antifoaming agent.
Temperature: 98°C (1°C/min) – For CDP+NYLON or Nylon
Time: 30 min

Machine Washing

Chemicals

Hydrose, caustic and detergent

Process

For PES: At 120°C, add hydrose and caustic first, and then add levelling and antifoaming agent.
For Nylon: At 98°c, add Hydrose and Caustic first, and then add levelling and antifoaming agent.
Runtime: 30-60 min depending upon shade
Detergent wash at 80°C for 10 min
Neutralization at 50°C for 10 min