SDL Atlas launches Vortex Elite for more precise textile wash testing
SDL Atlas has announced the launch of the Vortex Elite, the latest addition to its Vortex series of AATCC Monograph wash testing instruments. The new laboratory washing instrument builds on the capabilities of the Vortex M6 and Vortex Plus, with a focus on more precise chemical dosing and repeatable wash testing.
The Vortex Elite is designed for laboratories that need to run extended wash programmes while maintaining consistent chemical conditions from one cycle to the next. It can automatically dispense multiple liquid components, reducing the need for manual dosing during testing.
Precise dosing of multiple liquids
The Vortex Elite can automatically dispense three types of liquid components:
- Liquid detergent
- General additives, such as fabric softener or bleach
- Special additives, including water treatment solutions
This gives laboratories greater control over the chemical conditions used during wash tests. It can be particularly useful when testing detergents, garment care products or textile products that need to be assessed under specific laundering conditions.
Consistent dosing also helps reduce variations that can occur when chemicals are added manually. This is important for laboratories running repeated tests where results need to remain comparable across a longer programme.
Building on the Vortex Plus
The Vortex Elite follows the Vortex Plus, which introduced continuous operation by automatically dispensing up to 2 litres of liquid detergent across as many as 50 repeated wash cycles without operator intervention.
The Elite extends this approach by allowing multiple additives to be programmed and dispensed with greater precision. Laboratories can set the required dosing parameters in advance, reducing manual intervention during extended testing.
This can make a difference in high-volume laboratory environments, where repeated manual dosing can take time and introduce variation between cycles.
Flexible control over wash parameters
Like other instruments in the Vortex series, the Vortex Elite allows users to programme a wide range of wash conditions. These include bath temperature, water volume, agitation speed and time, spin speed and time, and rinse volume.
The instrument uses a full-colour touchscreen controller with support for English, Spanish and Chinese. Users can create and manage custom wash cycles lasting up to 100 hours.
This level of programmability allows laboratories to reproduce different laundering conditions depending on the textile product or test method being evaluated.
Designed for textile testing laboratories
The Vortex series is designed specifically for laboratory textile testing. The instruments are commercial-grade, top-loading washing machines developed to meet global textile testing requirements.
The Vortex Elite meets AATCC wash testing requirements and can be calibrated to ISO 17025 standards. This makes it suitable for laboratories that require controlled and repeatable testing procedures.
For textile manufacturers, detergent companies and testing laboratories, controlled washing is an important part of evaluating fabric and garment performance. Small differences in temperature, water volume, agitation or chemical concentration can affect test results. Automated control of these variables can help laboratories maintain greater consistency.
Supporting laboratories worldwide
SDL Atlas provides textile testing instruments, consumables and related services through its offices and technical teams in the United States, United Kingdom, Hong Kong and China. The company also works with agents serving more than 100 countries.
With the Vortex Elite, SDL Atlas is extending its existing wash testing platform with greater automation in chemical dosing. The focus is not only on reducing manual work, but also on helping laboratories maintain consistent testing conditions across longer and more complex wash programmes.
