Company Overview

Talleres Ratera SA, established in 1942 and located in Manresa, Barcelona, Spain, specializes in manufacturing braiding machines. The company offers a broad range of machines and accessories customized to customer needs.

Product Range and Specifications

The core product line is the Gauge 80 series, designed for fine and delicate yarn braiding. Machines range from 9 to 145 carriers, increasing in sets of 4. Odd carrier counts are used for rigid or elastic flat braids, while even counts suit round and flat tubular/hollow braids. Key bobbin sizes are Ø 42x110 mm (125 cm³) and Ø 42x153 mm (173 cm³), optimized for gentle yarn handling to prevent unraveling and maintain tension accuracy.

Systems and Materials

The Gauge 80 series is available in two main systems:

• Classic System: Uses perlitic iron parts with 210 Brinell hardness, providing an economical option.
• 83L System (Patented): Features hardened, rectified steel parts with 610 Brinell hardness, including slip-bushing carrier feet and nylon-based plastic alloy inserts in horngear slots to reduce wear and noise.

The 83L system offers significant advantages: 18-25% production speed increase depending on model and materials, elimination of mid- and long-term spare parts maintenance costs, and reduced acoustic noise.

Accessories and Customization

Ratera provides a wide range of accessories to enhance machine functionality and adapt to specific customer requirements, including:

• Various gatherers at the braiding point.
• Needles of different lengths and shapes for precise flat ribbon edges.
• Single or tensor-equipped releases for standard control.
• "Ratex" tension-regulating device for elastic braids, ensuring optimal tension via a pinion system.
• Pulling systems such as braid calendars for flat products and wheel calendars for fiberglass sleeves.

Applications and Market Position

The Gauge 80 series is recognized as the most precise small-size braiding machine available, ideal for producing small, fine braids with high-quality finishes. It is suited for rigid or elastic flat ribbons, phonies, rig-rag, passementerie, fiberglass spaghetti, shoe sewing yarn, surgical yarn, and delicate electrical conductors. The company emphasizes cost-effectiveness by balancing bobbin capacity and price, targeting small braid manufacturers in competitive markets.

Safety and Compliance

Machines comply with European machinery directive 89/392 concerning safety protections. Catalog illustrations may omit mandatory protections for display purposes only. The company reserves the right to modify product characteristics without prior notice.

Technical Data Summary

Detailed tables provide machine gauges, carrier numbers, bobbin sizes, motor power (HP), horngear RPM, and machine dimensions (A x B in mm). These data assist in selecting the appropriate machine model based on production requirements and yarn characteristics.

Technical Summary of Braiding Machines and Horngear RPM Measurements

1. Machine Specifications

The Gauge 80 designation refers to a specific machine size/configuration relevant to textile braiding.

2. Motor Power and Carriers

Motor power is expressed in horsepower (HP), critical for machine performance. The number of carriers per head influences braiding patterns and output.

3. Horngear RPM Measurements

Horngear RPM values are provided alongside dimensions (A x B in mm), essential for understanding mechanical speed and compatibility with different fiber types.

4. System Types

• Classic System: Traditional machine setup.
• 83L System: Patented system variant with enhanced materials and features.
• Individual Bench: Machines operating independently.
• Double Bench: Two machines or benches operating together; RPM varies with fiber type.

5. Operational Notes

RPM values vary depending on fiber types, requiring adjustments to optimize performance.

Key Recommendations

• Match motor power to the horsepower required for the intended braiding operation.
• Adjust the number of carriers per head based on braiding pattern and fiber type.
• Monitor horngear RPM carefully, considering machine dimensions, to maintain optimal performance.
• Select the appropriate system type (Classic, 83L, Individual, or Double Bench) according to production needs and fiber characteristics.