Germany-based Oerlikon Barmag, the man-made fiber spinning systems and texturing machine supplier business unit of Oerlikon Textile GmbH & Co. KG, reports it has sold its first eAFK automatic texturing machine to Sapona Manufacturing Co. Inc., a Cedar Falls, N.C.-based processor of mid- to fine-denier man-made-fiber stretch yarns including textured nylon and covered spandex. Oerlikon Barmag will officially debut the machine at ITMA 2011 in Barcelona, Spain, in September.

The eAFK features the technologies of Oerlikon Barmag's eFK, AFK and MPS series of machines, along with a new modular structure; and has 480 positions and an annual production capacity of approximately 1,400 tons. The automatic operation eliminates manual contact with the packages, all of which have equal winding lengths, thereby making further yarn processing more cost-effective. Automatic doffing considerably improves the machine's efficiency and productivity and results in an increased product yield, according to Oerlikon Barmag. The eAFK is also suitable for fully automatic removal transport of finished drawn textured yarn packages and for further plant automation.

Sapona will use the eAFK for texturing of 40- to 100-denier nylon yarns and 50- to 150-denier polyester specialty yarns that will be used in various textile applications. Oerlikon Barmag will assemble and commission the machine in the second half of 2012. 

June 21, 2011