Fabric Finishing
Industrial heat setting systems use heated chambers and lateral tension clips to dry and stabilize the width of woven or knitted fabrics. Utilizing tenter frame drying allows finishing mills to control the residual shrinkage and density of the fabric by locking the yarn geometry under high temperatures. This mechanical process is the final step in establishing fabric dimensional stability.
Process Control
Fabric is fed onto two parallel chains equipped with pins or clips that hold the selvages secure. During tenter frame drying, the overfeed ratio is adjusted to control the tension in both warp and weft directions, allowing the fabric to relax or stretch to the target width. Air nozzles distribute heat evenly across both sides of the material.
Temperature Regulation
Synthetic fibres require precise heat setting temperatures to set the crystalline structure of the polymer without melting the yarn. Insufficient heat during tenter frame drying results in poor dimensional stability, leading to twisted seams and high shrinkage rates after garment washing. Excess heat can yellow the white areas of the fabric.
Production Output
Consistent moisture sensors at the exit of the dryer ensure that the fabric is neither under-dried nor over-baked. Efficient tenter frame drying prepares the textile for subsequent cutting and sewing operations, ensuring that the fabric remains flat and easy to handle during garment construction. The finished rolls are then packed for shipment.
