The finishing line is in sight

The flatwork finishing section is the final step in the laundry process before delivery to the customer. This is where the laundry gets a last chance to catch up with the planned production figures. The ironer line plays an important role in this endeavor. It needs to have a surplus of capacity compared to the planned production, but without sacrificing the finishing quality. In case the production needs to be accelerated, the entire line has to be able to give the same high quality as if you run normal, average production.

More than sixty years ago, Jensen entered the laundry industry with the introduction of the CombiFolder. Since then, the company has been of the forefront of technology leadership in flatwork finishing and eventually also in technology for all other sections of the laundry.

In 2022, Jensen is again creating the future in laundry automation with new innovations that are increasing the productivity in the centerpiece of the laundry - the flatwork finishing section.

Remote feeding: Express Pro

We see a growing demand for remote feeding and higher productivity per operator hour. Remote feeding incorporating a buffer of ready linen between the operator and the feeder can increase the productivity per operator hour, as the buffer evens out micro-stops caused by for instance an operator leaving the feeding station, and the buffer also evens out deliveries to the feed stations. The buffer of ready linen will then supply the feeder with linen, thus maintaining production.

Remote comerless feeding could double the capacity per operator hour compared to feeding two corners into clamps, as the operator does not have to find two corners before feeding the piece into separate clamps. The operator just simply grasps the piece and feed the hem side into the feeding station. Jensen is the first supplier of this concept in the industry.

With the new Express Pro, comerless feeding is now combined with a mechanical transfer beam with holding bar. In the receiving position, the holding bar is open while the linen is held between the transfer beam and a fixation tube. During the transfer, the holding bar is closed.

That means a very high PPOH at highest quality and reduced drops regardless of piece weight. We can boost the productivity even more with the concept of ExpressFlow, incorporating a flow from a Viking separator to two buffer lines via two loading stations on a remote feeding system, making it the fastest cornerless system in our industry, with the highest productivity figures.

Feeding: KliQ

The new KliQ feeder from Jensen sets new benchmarks in ease of use, as it has been equipped with the latest ergonomic transfer clamps to help operators keeping up with the pace. A transfer beam with a holding bar replaces the vacuum beam, thus eliminating loss of suction on vacuum beam seen with build-up of lint. Moreover, it reduces the time for maintenance to a minimum.

In the receiving position, the holding bar is open while the linen is held between the transfer beam and a fixation tube. During the transfer, the holding bar is closed. The space-saving design and the new vacuum box in the base of the KliQ greatly reduces the cycle time. It also increases the vacuum force through the design rather than increasing fan power and using more energy. This makes the KliQ an innovative, high-performance feeder for all textiles. The KliQ will ensure top-quality and reduce drops coupled with high-speed transfer into the ironer.

Ironing: Kalor

The Kalor ironer combines the durability and rigidity of a fixed chest ironer with the capacity of a flexible chest ironer. The Kalor ironer from Jensen impresses with a carbon steel plate of 8 mm. The chest made of carbon steel and its polished surface ensures a perfect contact to the roll and therefore greater ironing results.

Jensen has always used carbon steel material for its ironers. Carbon steel outperforms stainless steel when it comes to ironing: thanks to the lower friction of carbon steel compared with stainless steel, the lifetime of both linen and padding increases. The flexible chest in the Kalor combines the advantages of a fixed chest and a flexible chest, incorporating larger flow channels for heating medium allowing for high evaporation rates.

Same as Sinner's Circle describes the main components of the ideal washing process, the well-known JenFin Circle illustrates the four major variables of the ironing process that may impact the linen lifetime: temperature, time, pressure, and friction.

These four variables need to be applied in the best way to achieve great finishing results coupled with higher productivity to reduce the effect of linen wear and distortion. The vast majority of all linen damages happens in the ironer, especially when processing blended textiles that have become very popular. That’s why the JenFin Circle is so vital to consider as part of all commercial and sustainability processes.

Folding: Kando

The new Kando folder is a space-saving combination folder with integrated stackers that is particularly suited for the replacement of existing folders in finishing lines. The dimension of the Kando is based on the DNA of the JENSEN folder range, which makes the Kando a much wanted alternative for laundries upgrading their folders or ironer lines. As such, they do not need to compromise on width space thanks to the integrated stackers. The Kando can have up to two integrated stackers plus one external stacker, meaning three stackers in total. In this configuration, its footprint compares with a conventional folder footprint with one side stacker only.

The Kando makes two or three lateral folds and up to three cross folds as half folds in one-lane operation with a high folding quality. A high folding quality is demanded by our clients, and is ensured by the standard Universal crossfolder section incorporating reversing conveyors.

The Kando folder can be combined with small-piece stackers or incorporated into existing lines for large and small piece linen, making it a perfect all-in-one solution for any types of requirements. Laundries will also be able to process all types of flatwork as the Kando can be supplied in working widths up to 3500 mm. Flexibility is also offered through the unique controllable air knives for the lateral fold sections.

Perfectly finished flatwork is part of the overall experience whenever customers use linen that was processed in a laundry. The new solutions from Jensen ensure that this experience is created with most consistant productivity figures.

We invite you to visit us at the CleanEx show in Ascot/UK and at the Clean Show in Atlanta/USA to see our newest solutions for the flatwork finishing section live in operation. If you can't wait, please talk to your sales manager to learn more about how Jensen finishing solutions will help you to reach the finishing line and the objectives of your laundry.