The function of the tumbler dryer is to evaporate water from the linen. This process is called extraction. Air is heated and circulated and the better the circulation, the more efficient the drying function. The tumbler dryer is usually a free standing module bolted to the ground. The inner drum is stainless steel in construction and has perforated holes through which the air can circulate. Blocked lint filters and exhaust ducts can reduce the efficiency of the air flow. It is imperative to follow the manufacturers' instructions for operation of the tumbler dryer to maximise productivity. Each tumbler dryer will have an automatic timer and a temperature gauge. All tumbler dryer cycles will have a cooling down period at the end of the cycle. This makes linen easier to handle by the laundry attendant and reduces the potential for burns. The temperature of a dryer varies between 170 200C. – Free standing tumbler dryers are manually loaded and unloaded from and into trolleys. In older style dryers, the inside drum may rotate only one way (usually clockwise). In newer styles of dryers, the drum will circulate clockwise for one minute and then anti- clockwise for one minute. This is repeated throughout the cycle. This alternate rotation prevents linen becoming tangled in the drying process. In many cases though, staff are needed to untangle linen prior to being ironed. Sheets may need to be "roped" This is a system where the washmen lay out the sheets length ways on top of each other to facilitate easier handling by the feeder operator at a later stage. N.B. All dryers that are attached to the continuous batch washer are loaded and unloaded automatically by conveyor belts. These usually have "pass through doors" where the wet items are placed into the tumbler dryer from one side and dry items are then automatically unloaded onto a stainless steel conveyor belt or into clean linen trolleys for transport to the finishing area. These functions are all controlled by the computer system.
The function of the tumbler dryer is to evaporate water from the linen. This process is called extraction. Air is heated and circulated and the better the circulation, the more efficient the drying function. The tumbler dryer is usually a free standing module bolted to the ground. The inner drum is stainless steel in construction and has perforated holes through which the air can circulate. Blocked lint filters and exhaust ducts can reduce the efficiency of the air flow. It is imperative to follow the manufacturers' instructions for operation of the tumbler dryer to maximise productivity. Each tumbler dryer will have an automatic timer and a temperature gauge. All tumbler dryer cycles will have a cooling down period at the end of the cycle. This makes linen easier to handle by the laundry attendant and reduces the potential for burns. The temperature of a dryer varies between 170 – 200C. Free standing tumbler dryers are manually loaded and unloaded from and into trolleys. In older style dryers, the inside drum may rotate only one way (usually clockwise). In newer styles of dryers, the drum will circulate clockwise for one minute and then anti- clockwise for one minute. This is repeated throughout the cycle. This alternate rotation prevents linen becoming tangled in the drying process. In many cases though, staff are needed to untangle linen prior to being ironed. Sheets may need to be "roped" This is a system where the washmen lay out the sheets length ways on top of each other to facilitate easier handling by the feeder operator at a later stage. N.B. All dryers that are attached to the continuous batch washer are loaded and unloaded automatically by conveyor belts. These usually have "pass through doors" where the wet items are placed into the tumbler dryer from one side and dry items are then automatically unloaded onto a stainless steel conveyor belt or into clean linen trolleys for transport to the finishing area. These functions are all controlled by the computer system.
TM_Maintain_&_operate_an_ind_laundry_refined.docx