Machines for easier workdays

1 December 1999



Union drycleaning technology now offers not only high levels of processing performance but also a simplified, managed system for daily machine maintenance. Nicholas Marshall reports.


Union’s Dialog 700 computer system, which is programmed to include operating instructions to suit the individual business, was highlighted by the company at this year’s giant Clean exhibition in the US.

The company has been innovative in its approach to simplifying routine tasks to keep a perc or hydrocarbon drycleaning machine performing at optimum level.

Parrisianne, the UK distributor of Union equipment, works with the Dialog 700 to ensure that UK-applicable machine maintenance is easily conducted by routine.

At the start of the working period, supplies are turned on and the machine is warmed by using the drum deodorisation program – this takes about eight minutes to complete and the first load of the day can be prepared during this time.

In the middle of the work period, program 13 is selected – with this a general load of medium-soiled work may be processed and filter maintenance conducted simultaneously. A computer signal activates a filter drop during the process cycle.

At the end of the work period, progam 18 is chosen to bake the still residue, removing solvent, and to pump residue to the waste bin. The baking/pumping activity takes about four minutes. After program 18 has been run, the machine may be closed down.

The lint screen arrangement and button trap need to be inspected/cleaned on a daily basis, and the water separator has to be regularly drained and cleaned. Primary and secondary lint screens have been brought together in one streamlined unit, and a spray jet for automatically cleaning the primary screen is an option. Back plate washing remains a standard feature.

Efficient operating costs are featured across the machine range. Notable is how heat from the distillation process significantly assists, through a secondary heat pump, in raising the drying air flow temperature. Union’s adjustable drying control allows an extension of the drying phase of the cycle by up to 50% which gives useful additional processing flexibility.

Cleaning program alterations are straightforward as functions anywhere in the program may be amended. There is no need to go through a whole program, step by step. Extremely easy programming is facilitated with a flow chart helper. A password system means only authorised personnel are able to introduce new programs or alter existing ones.

Fast, efficient, safe distillation in hydrocarbon machines is achieved by Union with the use of a pre-distillation solvent holding tank – in the case of the HL735 model the capacity of this tank is 75 litres.

The drycleaning machine’s Dialog 700 computer system monitors distillation activity and, when appropriate, signals for another five litres of solvent to be transferred from the holding tank to the still. Distilling batch by batch is effective in preventing boil-over. The distillation process is enhanced through improved water separation. The rate of distillation can be regulated by vacuum control.

To meet Health & Safety Executive requirements, the vacuum safety system for hydrocarbon machines is electro-mechanically controlled and hard wired.

For flexibility and efficiency, the main motor of hydrocarbon machines, and the drive for the fan unit, both have inverter control. With a Union hydrocarbon machine, drum speed during extract is up to twice as fast as that with a perc model, and the inverter control allows extremely fine tuning of the extract phase of the cycle.

All perc machines can be fitted with a fabric treatment spray system, additional carbon absorption units, and an electronic ppm tester/controller. Inverter drive, standard on hydrocarbon machines, is available as an option on perc models.

P735

Introduced: Late 1997. Number sold: Over 100 in the UK. Highly popular in many markets. Solvent: Perchloroethylene. Control: Dialog 700. Cage volume: 280 litres. Load capacity: 14kg. Cycle time: 42min dry-to-dry with standard northern European two-bath process. Tanks: Working tank with 75 litres capacity, distilled solvent tank with 130 litres capacity. Filtration system: Eco nylon disk non-powder filter and decolourator filter are standard. Second nylon disk non-powder filter may be fitted as an option. Distillation system: Still has a total capacity of 180 litres and a working capacity of 145 litres. Heating by small electric boiler or by central steam supply. Dosing: One pump is standard. A second may be fitted as an option. Standard features: Electronic, maintenance free drying control. Safety interlocks on all opening ports. Machine height (including solvent catchment tray)/width/ depth (in mm): 2000/960/2050. Delivery time: Usually four weeks. Optional features: Additional filter, sensors on all services, remote panic button to close down machine - the panic device can be linked to a ventilation system, detector alarms on supplies - electricity, water, steam.


L724

Number sold: Five in the UK-all in launderette premises. The model is designed particularly for markets such as those in France, Italy and Germany where two machines are operated in tandem to provide a fast service. Solvent: Perchloroethylene. Control: Dialog 700. Cage volume: 200 litres. Load capacity: 10kg. Cycle time: 42min dry-to-dry with standard, northern European two-bath process. Tanks: Working tank with 95 litres capacity, distilled solvent tank with 95 litres capacity. Filtration system: Eco nylon disk non-powder filter and decolourator filter are standard. Second nylon disk non-powder filter may be fitted as an option. Distillation capacity: Still has a total capacity of 80 litres and a working capacity of 65 litres. Heating by small electric boiler or by central steam supply. Dosing: One pump is standard. A second may be fitted as an option. Machine height (including solvent catchment tray)/width/ depth (in mm):1900/1360/1420. Delivery time: Usually four weeks. Optional features: Additional filter, sensors on all services, remote panic button to close down machine - the panic device can be linked to a ventilation system, detector alarms on supplies - electricity, water, steam.


L7405

Number sold: Twenty in UK. Popular in well-established, busy shops in many markets. Solvent: Perchloroethylene. Control: Dialog 700. Cage volume: 340 litres. Load capacity: 18kg. Cycle time: 42min dry-to-dry with standard northern European two-bath process. Tanks: Working tank with 95 litres capacity, reserve tank with 95 litres capacity, distilled solvent tank with 195 litres capacity. Filtration system: Eco nylon disk non-powder filter and decolourator filter are standard. Second eco nylon disk non-powder filter or large cartridge filter may be fitted as an option. The optional filter and the reserve tank may be dedicated to the processing of white and light-coloured classifications. Distillation capacity: Still has a total capacity of 230 litres and a working capacity of 190 litres. Heating by small electric boiler or by central steam supply. Dosing: One pump is standard. A second may be fitted as an option. Machine height (including solvent catchment tray)/width/depth (in mm): 2040/1900/1500. Delivery time: Usually four weeks. Optional features: Additional filter, sensors on all services, remote panic button to close down machine - the panic device can be linked to a ventilation system, detector alarm on supplies - electricity, water, steam.Number sold: Twenty in UK. Popular in well-established, busy shops in many markets. Solvent: Perchloroethylene. Control: Dialog 700. Cage volume: 340 litres. Load capacity: 18kg. Cycle time: 42min dry-to-dry with standard northern European two-bath process. Tanks: Working tank with 95 litres capacity, reserve tank with 95 litres capacity, distilled solvent tank with 195 litres capacity. Filtration system: Eco nylon disk non-powder filter and decolourator filter are standard. Second eco nylon disk non-powder filter or large cartridge filter may be fitted as an option. The optional filter and the reserve tank may be dedicated to the processing of white and light-coloured classifications. Distillation capacity: Still has a total capacity of 230 litres and a working capacity of 190 litres. Heating by small electric boiler or by central steam supply. Dosing: One pump is standard. A second may be fitted as an option. Machine height (including solvent catchment tray)/width/depth (in mm): 2040/1900/1500. Delivery time: Usually four weeks. Optional features: Additional filter, sensors on all services, remote panic button to close down machine - the panic device can be linked to a ventilation system, detector alarm on supplies - electricity, water, steam.


HL735

Number sold: Twenty in the UK. Particularly popular in Germany. Solvent: Hydrocarbon. Control: Dialog 700. Cage volume: 280 litres. Load capacity: 12kg. Cycle time: 55min dry-to-dry with standard, northern Europen two-bath process. Tanks: Working tank with 75 litres capacity, reserve tank with 90 litres capacity, distilled solvent tank with 130 litres capacity. Filtration system: Eco nylon disk non-powder filter and decolourator filter as standard. Second eco nylon disk non-powder filter or cartridge filter are optional. Distillation: Continuous with total still capacity of 180 litres and working capacity of 140 litres. Pre-distillation holding tank. Solvent distilled in small batches. Dosing: One pump is standard. A second may be fitted as an option. Machine height (including solvent catchment tray)/width/ depth (in mm): 2000/ 1650/1450.




Privacy Policy
We have updated our privacy policy. In the latest update it explains what cookies are and how we use them on our site. To learn more about cookies and their benefits, please view our privacy policy. Please be aware that parts of this site will not function correctly if you disable cookies. By continuing to use this site, you consent to our use of cookies in accordance with our privacy policy unless you have disabled them.