These machines all operate on the same principle, transporting the assembly for fusing through all the processes on a powdered conveyor belt. There are two conveyor belts systems in general use:
End-To End Feed: The parts are conveyed from the loading area at one end of the machine, via the fusing and cooling areas, to the take-off area at the opposite end of the machine. This system is used where production levels require one set of operators for loading and another set for unloading.
Return Feed: This machine has a belt system, which returns the fused components to the same end of the machine at which they were loaded. The upper belt transports the unit through the fusing processes and the lower belt returns the fused unit to its starting point. This enables the operators to load and unload from the same position.
Continuous fusing presses are also available for special purposes such as fusing trouser and skirt waistbands or any other narrow components.
These systems operate by passing the garment part, with its interlining placed on it, past a heat source either simultaneously or subsequently, applying pressure. Head is provided in one of three ways:
With direct heating, the conveyor built carries the components to be fused into direct contact with a heated surface, either a drum or curved plates
With indirect heating, the components to be fused are carried through a heated chamber
With low temperature, gradient heating, the components are carried through a pre-heating zone. Heating is either direct or indirect. With this approach the temperature reached is only just above the required to make the resin a viscous fluid and in some cases fusing takes place with a glue line temperature of only 120 degree Celsius, This reduces the possibility of heat shrinkage in the outer fabric.
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