Electrostatic
flocking equipment for T shirt and other textiles is available in three
configurations:
·
Automatic
carousel for multicolor flocking,
·
Single
station flocking unit that usually attaches to one station of a garment press,
or
·
Portable
hand-held unit for lower volumes.
The
cost of hand-held units is less than that of automatic multicolor systems.
The
operation of all equipments uses the same basic procedure, and is explained by
a law of physics stating that opposite electrical charges attract each other.
In flocking, the electrical charge is generated by the use of two electrodes:
·
A
high voltage, direct current grid connected to a power generator,
·
A
grounded substrate.
An
electrostatic charge is generated that propels the fibers at a high velocity on
to the adhesive coated substrate. This causes the flocking fibers to penetrate
and imbed in the adhesive at right angles to the substrate. This forms a high
density uniform flock coating or layer. Controlling the electrical field by
increasing or decreasing either the applied voltage or the distance between the
electrodes and the substrate controls the speed and thickness of the flocking.
Multicolor
flocking equipment has one print station for applying the adhesive and multiple
stations for applying the flock. It uses a flat metal screen that is coated
with an emulsion and exposed with each of the design elements, the same as it
would be for screen printing. The flock is placed on the metal screen, which
acts as the high voltage electrode, and a rotating brush precisely dispenses
the flocking material. When the screen is lowered to the proximity of the
adhesive coated substrate, the flocking fibers are propelled into the adhesive,
as determined by the stencil on the metal screen. Since the electrostatic field
strength is controlled, and because the metal screen and the adhesive-coated
substrate are brought close together, the flocking material is prevented from
attaching to the adhesive except where the stencil is located, regardless of
the size of the adhesive coated substrate.
HAND HELD UNITS
The
hand held units are comprised of a metal plate, a generator and a flocking
head. The metal plate must be grounded, and it can be placed where convenient.
It is the equivalent of the platen on a textile press. The generator creates
the electrostatic charge, and is wired to a canister that contains the loose fibers.
A metal screen is mounted halfway inside the canister opening. The open end of
the canister is then passed over the adhesive coated substrate, drawing flock fibers
from the canister through the screen. The electrostatic charge propels the fibers
toward the grounded metal plate. The adhesive coated substrate intercepts the fibers
and flocking occurs. The substrate is then cured in a conventional dryer, and
the loose fibers are removed by shaking, vacuuming or by using compressed air.
Operation of these units requires a degree of skill to obtain the desired
results. If the flocking head is held too far from the substrate poor coverage
of flocking fibers will occur. The operator must also hold the unit
perpendicular to the substrate to prevent the flocking fibers from imbedding in
the adhesive at an angle other than perpendicular to the substrate. Hand held
units are also messier than automatic systems and leave behind more fibers.
Curing
the flocking is also an area that needs to be investigated. Since few screen
printers use water-based adhesives, they may not have the proper curing
equipment. Water-based adhesives require the use of dryers that have multiple
independent heating zones with changeable air flow rates. Even plastisol and
catalysed adhesive may require additional time to fully cure.
THE
ENVIRONMENT
Having
a controlled atmosphere for flocking operations is generally regarded as
another essential ingredient for success. Ideally, the flocking area should
have a relative humidity of 60% and a temperature of 200C (680F).
A small variation in temperature or a change in the percentage of relative
humidity can result in a 3 to 4 factor change in the conductivity or electrical
sensitivity of the flock and the substrate. These changes will have an adverse effect
on the process, and will result in flock balling, reduced adhesion and density
of the flocking, and an excessive use of flock. Flocking fibers are very
sensitive to humidity and temperature conditions. When a new batch of flock fibers
is opened, the fibers will give off or receive moisture based on the
surrounding environment. Less than 30% relative humidity in the production area
will lead to fibers that won't accept a charge. Relative humidity in excess of
65% causes the flock to stick together and flow poorly through the metal screen
or plate. For best results the flocking operation should be located in an
atmospheric controlled room. To ensure that flocked designs have received a
proper cure, sample prints should be subjected to the standard textile wash
test.