MajaCraft Fusion Engine 128 tpi

Description

This is the Fusion Engine, Majacraft’s amazing drum carder.

Majacraft designed this machine to perform exceptionally, and to reduce or eliminate the common carding issues experienced with other drum carders. The Fusion Engine has a higher and more efficient carding ratio than most carders, so blends fibres more thoroughly with fewer passes. With no exposed gears or belts, and the unique drum design, fibres do not get where they shouldn’t and cleaning of the carder is minimised. Removal of the interchangeable drums makes that rare cleaning simple and easy.

We at VVA&F believe this is the best machine anyone has ever made, and we look forward to sharing it with you!

Here are some of the features of the Fusion Enginer carder…

Magic drums

The Fusion Engine drums use a unique new design that offers several benefits, the most obvious being the prominent edges that keep the fibre on the drum, so there is no clogging or tangling of material around the axles. The special shaping of the edging actually helps to draw the fibres onto the drum, almost to the point of appearing as though it is ‘sucking’ the fibre in. This in turn significantly reduces the maintenance and cleaning required.

Switching drums

A major feature of the Fusion Engine is the ability to change drums. There is no need to purchase multiple carders to work with different kinds of fibres as we offer drums with different carding cloth densities. Your carding becomes considerably cheaper and your single machine far more versatile. There are just three grub screws holding the main drum in place, and it is possible to swap the interchangeable drums in a couple of minutes!

In addition to the standard 72tpi cloth, we are offering 96tpi and 128tpi cloth drums. Dependent upon demand, we will try to increase the range of cloth sizes available.

Gearbox

The fusion engine has a gearbox – with real gears! This was chosen as it could offer multiple benefits. Firstly it makes the mechanism for converting the ratios between the main drum and licker-in much more compact, small enough to be embedded into the side of the carder. This consequently will keep your carder cleaner as the gears are hidden away and will not get clogged with fibre and other debris.

A gearbox also permits running a much greater ratio in a compact space. Typically carders have between 3:1 and 4:1 gearing ratios. The Fusion Engine has a ratio of 8:1 which will produce a more evenly blended batt.

Adjustable feedtray

The feed tray position is different to most other carders. Our experiments demonstrated that the more time the fibre spent on the licker-in, the more effectively the carding process worked. This is why the feed tray is positioned so high relative to the licker-in drum.

We also made the feed tray adjustable. Underneath the tray is an easy-grip wooden nut that lets you position the feed tray close or far from the licker-in. The ability to adjust the tray lets you card anything from washed fleece to combed tops.

Easy to adjust

The licker-in drum is mounted on the two actuators which can be very simply adjusted by unscrewing the locking JCB bolts – the gearbox cover does not even need to be removed for this. What is a tricky job on other carders is elementary on the Fusion Engine.

Folding handle

We have used a folding handle with the Fusion Engine. This allows the carder to fit into a more compact space but more importantly, no more whacking your hips into the handle as you walk past the table! The handle length is short enough that you can card in the centre of the table as well, it does not have to overhang the edge.

Great for lefties and righties

We have designed the Fusion Engine so that it can be used in left or right handed configuration. The axle on the main drum has been specially drilled to allow it to be inserted on either side of the carder. By unscrewing three grub screws you can slip the handle and axle and then just insert it from the other side.

Packer brush

We have added a brush to the Fusion Engine so that more fibre can be packed on to your drums. Our design differs in that the brush is positioned near the back of the main drum so as much of the drum is exposed as possible. This makes it easier to remove the batt after carding. It also leaves a clearer space to work if you wish to lay fibre elements directly on to the main drum or diz from the drum.

The brush is secured in place using a ratchet mechanism so once you set the pressure of the brush, it will not slide out of place which can happen with brushes held by nuts and bolts. It is also easier to position by simply clicking the gears on the ratchet rather than having to tighten nuts as firmly as possible – only to have them move when you don’t want it.

Cleaner brush

The cleaner brush is super lightweight. We have made our own cast and powder coated handles that put your hand directly over your working area for less wrist strain and more control. It has a thin curved bamboo laminate mounting plate that is both light and very strong . The carding cloth is finished with plastic caps that gives the cleaner brush clean and elegant lines with no cloth ends showing.

The working area of the cloth is 95mm x 55mm (3.75″ x 2″) and uses 72TPI cloth.

The cleaner brush is also available for individual purchase as a flick carder.

Gentle picker

The picker for this brush does not have a sharp point so you will not have the concern of damaging your cloth when removing the batts from the drum.

Direct injection tray

Because this carder is so effective at blending fibres, it can be difficult to do techniques like the Art Batt (also known as the “Fibre Sandwich”). We included provision for the Direct Injection Feed Tray that supplies the fibre to the licker in much later.

Applying the fibre to the licker-in later means it is broken up less and not opened up quite so much. Hence more texture is left in the batt which is a critical element in Art Batts.

A pair of screws secures the Direct Injection tray onto the main brace.

NOTE – this is an accessory component that can be purchased afterward.

Details and Specifications

The Fusion Engine carder comes with:

• Fusion Engine carder
• Picker tool
• Two bench clamps
• Cleaning brush
• Allen T wrench – 3mm
• Allen T wrench – 4mm

The Fusion Engine specifications:

• Length-width-height: 450mm (17.7″) x 340mm (13.4″) x 270mm (10.6″)
• Weight: 8.25kg (18.2lb)
• Main drum diameter: 187mm (7.36″)
• Cloth width: 210mm (8.2″)
• Cloth pitch: 72tpi standard (128tpi available)
• Batt size (approximate): 210mm x 570mm (8.2″ x 22.4″)