Trützschler has introduced Steeltop, a new full steel flat top series for spinning preparation, developed for modern carding processes that place greater stress on flat tops due to higher cylinder speeds, increased fiber density, tighter carding gaps and the growing use of recycled and lower-grade raw materials.
A new benchmark in flat tops for spinning preparation
Steeltop is manufactured entirely from steel and is designed to deliver consistent performance under demanding production conditions, according to the company. It is said to be suitable for processing lower-grade natural and man-made fibers and is compatible with intelligent cards, including Trützschler cards equipped with T-GO, due to its electrical conductivity.
Built to last under demanding conditions
The company stated that the flat top achieves durability under challenging carding conditions, with a lifetime more than double that of conventional alternatives. This extended lifetime is said to reduce waste on carding machines, including fewer flat top strips and less fiber waste, leading to cost savings of more than 30% on flat top replacement.
Yarn quality and production efficiency
Steeltop is said to contribute to improved yarn quality and is particularly suited to open-end (OE) and airjet (MVS) applications. According to the company, it enables comparable or better sliver and yarn quality, with a reduction in total yarn imperfections (IPI) of up to 10%, and is effective in the removal of neps, with reductions of up to 20%. The company also noted lower overall current consumption of the carding machine, improving energy efficiency and supporting higher production rates.
Sustainability
Made entirely of steel, the flat tops are fully recyclable and can be returned to the material cycle after use. Reduced waste and lower energy consumption are said to contribute to a more sustainable carding process overall.
Trützschler stated that Steeltop combines durability, precision, recyclability and efficiency, extending the limits of modern carding technology.
Field performance
Akcanlar Tekstil, a textile company in Turkey, uses Steeltop in its mill to process 100% cotton. “Steeltop demonstrated consistently high quality and excellent durability with a typical lifespan exceeding 1,000 tons without grinding. The overall performance was impressive as the product achieves strong results even under demanding conditions,” said Çam, production manager at Akcanlar Tekstil 2, Turkey.
Dhanar Mas, a polyester manufacturer in Indonesia, reported improved performance from Steeltop during trials with 100% polyester. “Since implementing the Steeltop, we have seen a significant improvement in our production performance. Neps were reduced by up to 20%, and total IPI values decreased by approximately 10%. Yarn quality has noticeably improved. These results exceeded our expectations and now play a key role in our quality improvement efforts,” said Kevin, owner of Dhanar Mas, Indonesia.
