Novel approach to dyeing

Spanish machinery manufacturers, Talleres Jofresa, have developed a novel piece equipment for immersion dyeing of hides and skins. Chrome tanned crust leather is attached to the cylinder of the device while rotating. The hide or skin is then dipped into the bath of concentrated dye before emerging at the front of the cylinder. Model MT-2 (1300mm working width) or MT-3 (1500mm working width) dye machines have the advantage of only requiring a single operator to add and remove the hides or skins. Two pieces can be added to the cylinder at any one time and each piece spends on average 20 seconds in the dye bath (depending on type, application and thickness). A single batch is able to process up to 200 skins. Waste is reduced as the liquor remains in the bath and can be recycled after use. After colouration, hides and skins pass through a sammying press within the equipment, therefore saving a separate wringing operation. The stainless steel dyeing machine has a motorised pump to circulate the process dye liquor and featured automatic temperature and drum speed rotation control. It has been designed to be easy to clean and changing the dye liquor is both quick and simple. The device includes an in-built cleaning shower. All other major mechanical parts are controlled pneumatically including an automatic safety system. MT-X dyeing machines are highly suited for small and medium sized batches or dyeing on a pilot or laboratory scale. The MT-2 or MT-3 machines can be used for dyeing all types of footwear, garment or leathergoods leathers. Talleres Jofresa have also designed a laboratory scale version of the dye machine called 'Babytint'. Babytint has a maximum capacity of 250 litres of dye solution although trials can be carried out on the device using as little as 10 litres. The pilot scale machine processes between four and sixteen skins per minute dependent on the desired final leather and crust leather preparation.