Flexing its muscle
Week of January 13, 2003
American Santex demonstrates
laminating, coating line
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Mark Hovis, vice president of operations for STI of Kings Mountain, NC, gets an up-close look at Cavitec’s latest coating and laminating system, the Caviflex. |
By Devin Steele
SPARTANBURG, SC — American Santex, the U.S. arm of the Santex Group of Tobel, Switzerland, recently demonstrated Cavitec’s latest machine for hot melt coating and laminating.
A diverse group of textile manufacturers visited the company’s headquarters here in two sessions, where they observed the Caviflex system, developed by Münchwilen, Switzerland-based Cavitec, a subsidiary of the Santex Group. The Caviflex was thusly named because of its flexibility and versatility, according to Carroll Santos, Cavitec sales representative who introduced the product to visitors.
“What makes it so is the modular design that allows the manufacturer to ‘plug in’ the appropriate module for the product they are producing,” Santos said. “This could be either a gravure, a multi-roll or a slot-die moldule.”
The modular concept allows the addition of a second module on the back side of the machine. With the second module, the back of the substrate may be coated and/or laminated, creating a single-pass tri-laminate, which is newly patented technology, Santos said.
Among end uses of product coated and laminated by the Caviflex are car interiors, upholstery, medical textiles, protective clothing and breathable sportswear.
Rick Horton, president of American Santex, addressed visitors and introduced Christian Strahn, chairman of the Santex Group and Pierluigi Orsini, its CEO.
“We’re excited about this machine,” said Horton, who also offered an overview of the Santex Group and American Santex. “This Caviflex machine is an innovation that we believe enables you to be able to make a better product while at the same time reducing your cost.”
Bernd Can, sales manager for Cavitec, provided an in-depth look at the machine.
During the demonstration, the Caviflex system laminated a knit fabric to a polyester nonwoven backing. This product is used in ABC columns in European automobiles.
The Caviflex combines three systems: the Cavimelt (engraved roll coater); the Caviroll (roll coater) and the Cavislot (slot-die coater). This allows users to install various application methods into the same line, accommodating customer requests by adapting the line without changing the peripheral equipment.
During his remarks, Horton pointed out that the 20-year-old Santex Group has become the market leader in the technology of knitted goods finishing and that Cavitec is the market leader in field of coating, laminating and impregnating lines.
He also mentioned the group’s other subsidiaries, including:
• Santex AG of Tobel, which provides finishing equipment for the knits, wovens, upholstery, home furnishings, technical and industrial fabrics;
• Sperrotto Rimar of Malo, Italy, which provides all of the above, plus finishing equipment for wool;
• Santex Nonwoven; and
• Jasatech of Tobel and Thermtech of Theuma, Germany.
American Santex, he added, was formed in 1986 for the purpose of providing service and parts to the U.S. market. The branch functions as a complete service center for Santex, offering sales, technical service and replacement parts from local stock. American Santex sells equipment for Santex AG, Sperotto Rimar, Cavitec and La Meccanica, an inspection wrapping machine company.
“We strive to make same-day shipments.” Horton said. “We have seven field technicians and one fabric technician. And we have over 1,500 installations in North America, which includes Canada and Mexico.”
