
USER INFORMATION SHEET	top

Product
Smooth Fuse SF10


Uses	top

Smooth Fuse SF10 is primarily formulated to clean and lubricate PTFE coated surfaces of flat bed and conveyor fusing presses utilised in the garment manufacturing industry for the application of fusible interlinings onto garment sections. Polyester, Polyamide and other adhesives used in fusible interlinings become molten when heat is applied during the fusing process. For a variety of reasons some of the molten adhesive commonly becomes misplaced and adheres to conveyor belt or platen surfaces, to scraper blades, wiper/cleaning devices and to other sections of the presses.

Smooth Fuse SF10 s designed to clean surfaces contaminated with adhesive and residue, to act as a preventative agent by lubricating surfaces likely to become contaminated and to loosen hard compacted residue on PTFE coated conveyor belts and platen covers. When used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions Smooth Fuse will:-

Reduce maintenance and down time associated with heavy adhesive contamination of fusing surfaces

Reduce material sticking problems caused by sticky fusing surfaces.
Reduce wastage caused by fabric contamination from dirty fusing surfaces.
Extend PTFE surface belt and cover life

One of the unique features of Smooth fuse is that as a preventative solution it can be used continuously while the fusing operations are taking place


How to use Smooth Fuse	top

Section 1. As a preventative barrier lubricant for clean fusing surfaces

One of the most effective and unique cleaning/lubricating properties of Smooth Fuse SF10 is the barrier it creates between potential adhesive contamination and the PTFE coated surfaces of fusing press conveyor belts and platen covers. This barrier prevents adhesive from sticking to the belts/platens and from forming a hard residue when the belts/platens cool down. The Smooth Fuse SF10 barrier also prevents adhesive contamination building up on scrapers and other sections of the fusing press. This preventative barrier will work most effectively if belts and platen surfaces are kept free from contamination by ensuring that, using the machine’s wiper systems or by hand, the residue is cleaned from belts/platens as the adhesive is released. It is important therefore that the cleaning systems and surfaces are regularly inspected and for example, new cleaning cloth on wiper systems is regularly exposed.

Action:-

In the case of a conveyor fusing press ensure that the cleaning/wiper system has new wiper materials fitted for both upper and lower PTFE belts

In the case of conveyor machines the wiper materials should become saturated with Smooth Fuse SF10. The wipers will then continue to apply a light coating of Smooth Fuse SF10 onto the belts to provide a barrier to the adhesive while the fusing operations are taking place. In the case of platen machines or ineffective/non existent wiper systems, Smooth Fuse SF10 can be regularly sprayed directly on to the PTFE surfaces
Where relevant replace wiper materials and clean scraper blades regularly
Apply Smooth Fuse SF10 regularly (normally at least hourly) subject to the amount of adhesive contamination being experienced.

Section 2. As a cleaning agent for contaminated conveyor belts and cleaning systems

Action:-

In the case of a conveyor fusing press ensure that the cleaning/wiper system of the fusing press has new wiper materials fitted for both upper and lower PTFE belts

Heat up the fusing press to normal fusing temperature (about 150c) and apply a coating of Smooth Fuse over the full area of the belts. (see safety below)
Allow the machine to run for a few minutes applying more Smooth Fuse as necessary.
If the belts are heavily contaminated the wipers may become saturated with adhesive residue quite quickly as Smooth Fuse releases the contamination. Either a new surface of the wiper materials needs to be exposed, or new wiper materials need to be fitted. This will need to be repeated until the belts are clean. The cleaning process for PTFE coated belts/platens can be carried out by hand using a rough cloth and insulated gloves. This is often done while the machine is cooling down but the adhesive contamination is still molten or at the end of a production cycle.
Clean scrapers if the machine is fitted with these.
When belts are clean replace the wiper materials for upper and lower belts.
While the machine is still hot and running, apply another coating of Smooth Fuse. In the case of conveyor machines the wiper materials should become saturated with Smooth Fuse. The wipers will then continue to apply a light coating of Smooth Fuse onto the belts to provide a barrier to the adhesive while the fusing operations are taking place. In the case of platen machines Smooth Fuse can be regularly sprayed directly onto the PTFE surfaces
Where relevant replace wiper materials and clean scraper blades regularly
Apply Smooth Fuse regularly (normally at least hourly) subject to the amount of adhesive contamination being experienced


Availability Formats	top

500 ml trigger spray bottles
5 litre containers – with or without heavy duty spray applicator


IMportant	top

Safety

1. We recommend avoiding eye and repeated skin contact. Do not allow skin to come in contact with hot fusing press surfaces. Use insulated gloves. Always follow the fusing press manufacturers maintenance and machine operating instructions when carrying out any of the operations above.

Using Smooth Fuse

2. Removing the adhesive residue once loosened by Smooth Fuse is normally achieved by ensuring that the machine's 'wiper' system is working effectively. Once Smooth Fuse is applied, the residue on the belts can also be cleaned by hand using a rough cloth and insulated gloves. This can be more effectively carried out when the machine is cooling down or at the end of a production cycle.