Long before clean garments reach those who will wear them, there’s the ‘inside story’ of what goes on in the laundry.

Kannegiesser’s new garment loading station, the X-Loader

These are pieces that can take a lot more attention during the process than more straightforward linen, so equipment that makes the task easier is very welcome.

JENSEN say they offer a ‘dream team’ to process workwear and garments: This starts with the Metricon transportation and sorting system to ensure a perfect flow of washed garments between individual work stations on the one hand, and more space on the other, because the entire free space under the ceiling can be used. Metricon regulates all movements of the garments and controls sorting according to delivery tour, account, customer, and wearer. The JOS, JENSEN Operating System, equips Metricon with new features, a new look with intuitive operation and with flexibility; extensions and upgrades to existing systems are quick and easy.

Metricon is ideal for laundries processing between 100 and 7,000 garments per hour, with one software platform, one hardware system and one code. Flawless sorting and data accuracy ensures high customer satisfaction: The high-speed sorting conveyors run at 10,000 pieces/hour and reach a 99.7 per cent read-rate. The transportation and sorting system is best combined with MetriQ, a highly ergonomic and productive loading stations. Its unique buttons-to-the-front feature enables the efficient loading of garments with openings on the back side. All garments are loaded from the same side of the stations, no matter their type. This facilitates for a mixed production without any time losses when moving to the opposite side, particularly for uniforms, scrubs and patient gowns.

The built-in hanger collapse and hanger turner are efficiency boosters, because the flexible feeding height reduces health related costs. The ideal ergonomic loading height can be set for each operator. The new design of MetriQ loading stations is thrifty on space: Five MetriQ stations occupy the same space as four conventional loading stations, that’s a 20 per cent smaller footprint compared to conventional systems. The energy-saving tunnel finisher Omega Pro considerably increases the processing time in the tunnel compared to other systems thanks to the unique S-shape at the inlet and outlet zones. The temperature of the garments is slowly and gently raised in the inlet zone before being dried. After drying, the garments are slowly cooled down to ambient temperature in the outlet zone, ensuring a ‘pro-fashional’ finishing of all garments, at low energy costs. JENSEN’s Fox 1200 folder meets all requirements to perfectly fold heavy garments, microfibre textiles, overalls and bib overalls: it folds, sorts, and stacks the complete garment range at an average speed of up to 1200 pieces/hour in mixed operation.

Kannegiesser believe their new garment loading station – the X-Loader – can conquer issues like expansive movements, lack of height adjustment and unbearable noise, which can quickly become an ordeal. Kannegiesser’s first goal was to develop a loading station which would make the workplace more pleasant and efficient. But why is that a big deal? Because with just one second of time saved when loading a garment piece, you can process an additional 225,000 parts per year, or save about 24 working days (8-hour shift with four loading stations).

Flawless sorting and data accuracy ensures high customer satisfaction: The high-speed sorting conveyors run at 10,000 pieces/hour

The X-Loader’s slim design and small footprint creates a larger space around the feeding station, enabling fast processes and reducing the risk of injury. It also leaves plenty of room for laundry carts or other equipment. All necessary components and operating controls are integrated in the casing. This also includes the incline conveyor, which simultaneously feeds in and out, the antenna for the chip in the hanger and the barcode scanner. The small number of components also simplifies maintenance. Waiting for the next hanger? Even in large garment systems with five or more loading stations, this will never happen with the X-Loader. Located directly at each loading station, a silent empty hanger storage system ensures operators never run out of empty hangers.

The X-Loader digitally connects the hanger and garment instantly at the station and allows for immediate re-connection if, on rare occasions, the connection fails. The customisable ergonomic design includes height adjustability of 300mm, making the X-Loader adaptable to just about every body size. Short gripping distances and smooth as well as simple movement cycles make the job easier and promote productivity. All buttons are centrally located around the loading area. The scanner in the loading station is adjustable for every barcode position.

Kannegiesser say operating the X-Loader is foolproof and thereby allows for fast workflows. The station signals the successful connection of hanger and clothing item with clearly visible symbols. The light button for starting the hanger is only a few centimetres away from the hanger, and very easy to reach. Even in very simple garment systems without sorting storage and database-supported automation, it is able to play out its ergonomic advantages to perfection.

MetriQ, JENSEN’s ergonomic and productive loading station for garments