The UK-headquartered specialist producer of de-watering, squeezing and calendering rolls for textile finishers, Richard Hough (RHL), has announced a major practical breakthrough with the development of squeeze rolls, which automatically compensate for the deflection occurring under full load during water extraction.

This, along with the earlier launch by RHL of the unique RoberteX fibre roll with full resistance to harsh chemicals, has attracted huge market interest, the company reports.

The company is now planning further product introductions over the course of 2014. Meanwhile, commercial growth continues to focus on expansion in Asia markets, where RHL has already established a customer base.

Automatic deflection compensation

The latest deflection-compensating squeeze rollers avoid the need for a specially-profiled parabolic camber to counteract the varying pressure across the rolls. This appears to be a problem for Asian customers not having access to the sophisticated grinding machines able to form the required parabolic shape.

Now, with the new rolls automatically compensating for any deflection, customers need only to have them reground to the normal parallel profile, the company reports. The entire RHL squeezing roll range, including Roberto, RoberteX and Resilio, can now all be supplied in deflection-compensating design.

Anthony Ashton, the Managing Director of RHL said: “This is a huge breakthrough as regards roll accuracy and hence higher performance of the squeezing roll.”

Chemical resistance

The launch in 2013 of the RoberteX fibre squeeze roll was a global first, the company reports. It was the only product of its type able to offer total chemical resistance in the range pH 0-14. This unique suitability for even the most aggressive and difficult textile processing environments, whether caustic or acidic, has made the RoberteX an immediate success.

In the same period, RHL has been developing its Resilio roll to offer fast payback and enhanced performance. Thanks to its novel dual-layer construction, the Resilio is now said to achieve a 20% increase over the de-watering rate of conventional hard rubber rolls, effectively saving 20% of customers' energy costs.

Key markets booming

RHL's business strategy continues to spotlight the booming textile countries of Asia, especially India, China, Bangladesh and Indonesia, while the USA remains an important and sizeable market.

This year, the company plans to foster more expansion in Asia, supported by its participation in exhibitions such as Saigon Textile and Garment, Vietnam, and Intertex, Jakarta, Indonesia.

Future plans, sustainability target

A number of new RHL developments are already in the pipeline, including the imminent launch of a Roberto roll with improved elasticity and chemical resistance.

For the future, RHL is focused on the bigger picture, understanding the requirement to conserve energy while also helping textile processors optimise their profitability.

Anthony Ashton commented: “Squeezing technology cannot stand still. With the squeezing rollers of the future, we will be moving towards a sustainable world, with the main aim of saving valuable energy generally, as well as saving costs for our customers.”

www.richardhough.co.uk