PENTEK Textile Machinery is an Italian company that designs, manufactures, and sells textile equipment and technologies in the preparation and finishing segments. PENTEK started its operations in 2000. Initially dedicated to niche sectors, such as discontinuous rope tumblers and wool finishing machinery, PENTEK goes beyond the logic of the single machine and proposes process technology solutions that involve a combination of machinery and continuous process logic. Continuing its legacy, Pentek has introduced a steamer named “GeySer” which is the result of a working team of engineers of Pentek and Kromatica and technologists with more than 30 years of experience in the segment of steamers for the textile industry.
Steamers and curing machines are important for the textile printing industries regarding the fixation of dyestuff. However, steaming and curing machines are used for cellulosic and polyester fabrics, respectively. Similarly, for pigment printing, the curing method is used. A printing industry, therefore, needs to have multiple machines and costs associated with these for smooth processing. In comparison, GeySer is suitable for all types of steaming and curing applications currently available in the textile printing industry. GeySer already includes the possibility to process traditionally printed or digitally printed fabrics in the standard configuration.
Option for Customization
GeySer line embraces a wide range of models and variables of configuration, depending on the fabric content, working width, and the selected heating system to overheat the steam or heat the air. GeySer is available within a range of fabric content and different working widths. The content varies from 140 meters up to 500 meters, increasing by 40 meters of content at each step. The working widths available are 2200 x 2000, 2600 x 2400, and 3600 x 3400.
The machines enable several alternative configurations and a wide range of customized solutions, including:
• Multiple Entry Hood
• Pulse Steam Jet
• Ir Heating Device
• Winder On Exit
• Siemens Remote Monitoring And Recipes
• Front Plaiter Alternative
• Unrolling And Stocking Unit
The key advantages of the GeySer for the printing sector include:
Fresh Air Mix: Fresh air inlet is more and more required to fulfill the double task, i.e., I) Lower the temperature together with the atomized water to face the natural exothermic phenomenon of reactive dyestuffs and ii) Improve the color development in case of a particular tone of colors (like cian) which requires a higher oxidation value (particularly on digital printing dyestuff). Fresh air can be thus digitally controlled through the touch screen panel, in the percentage of the amount of steam flow.
Easy Maintenance: Two movable platforms (one per door), sliding along the machine, enables one to reach any side of the chamber for any maintenance operation. The two platforms can be joined together to form a wider base, but during the process, they are blocked on the two extremities of the steaming chamber (in and out) in correspondence to the entry doors.
Steaming Modularity: GeySer is available in 2 steaming modularities.
i) Intensive steaming: (260 cm module) with double steaming units, symmetrically placed one before the other for maximum intensity, and it has been designed for the first steaming action.
ii) Extended steaming: (390 cm module) for bigger fabric content, composed of the same double steaming units, but placed in front of the other, but not symmetrically, to enable uniform distribution of the steam. This one has been indicated for bigger fabric content.
Insulation: The whole structure is suitably insulated with insulating panels, painted metal, and thick rock wool. This enables proper energy efficiency for the process.
Continues movement of Chain: In GeySer there’s new mode of chin movement is introduced. In this new mode the chain can run continuously without taking steps and jerks. This solves the problem of “Copy/rubbing” of the printed fabric and this continuous movement of the Chain is achieved without adding any moving parts or motors into the loop formation system.
Controlled Rotation of sticks: In GeySer the variables rotation of sticks complements the continuous movement of Chain, resulting in the jerk free transportation of fabric. Which eliminates the common problem of “Copy/ rubbing”
Variable Air intake system: In GeySer, instead of fixed air dampers, there’s variable Air intake system that provides more control of air inside the chamber to eventually achieve desired results on the fabric.
Moveable platforms inside chamber: To facilitate the maintenance jobs, there are two moveable platforms inside the chamber of GeySer which can slide wherever the maintenance work is required.
Automation for valves: All of the valves in GeySer are controlled by the Main panel so the operator doesn’t have to go to valves after changing the process.
Totally Siemens-based electrical panel: The electrical panel of GeySer is totally equipped with Siemens components. Which means, the availability of Technical support, spare parts and possibility of upgradation will not be an issue anymore.
Larger inlet Hood: To avoid the thermal shock on the fabric, the larger inlet hood is introduced in GeySer which slowly heats the fabric before it entering the chamber.
Loop Formation: GeySer has a unique and innovative design for loop formation, which implies a lifting of the loop after the feeding roller strike by a stick in a clockwise motion that follows the direction of the sticks. With this new concept, the fabric falls in a natural way minimizing the slipping or oscillation of the loops. On the other hand, in conventional systems, the load is on the pins during the loop formation, which are the weak points of sticks. Therefore, GeySer has fewer breakage and maintenance requirements making it a robust system.
For countries like Pakistan, where the energy cost is skyrocketing, such energy-efficient and low chemical consumption machines are very useful to win the cost battle.
Furthermore, the higher fabric content in the GeySer is given by the loop formation, the improved air circulation fans and their placement within the various chambers, the fresh air inlet system, and the innovative multiple entries are only some of the major factors for reaching and maintaining a constant temperature and steam quality during the entire process and provide the best possible color development. Savings in operation are related not only to the steam ager alone and the process before and after the steaming step, from the lesser need to utilize urea in the printing paste to the less water and chemical consumptions during washing after fabric steaming, whenever it applies. Thus, GeySer by Pentek is a win-win combination.
“Pentek GeySer Steamer is the right choice for saving energy and a step toward sustainable production”
Muhammad Saqlain. CEO. Maheen Textile Mills talks about his experience with Pakistan’s first Pentek GeySer Steamer
Maheen Textiles is situated in the city known as Manchester of Pakistan i.e., Faisalabad. Maheen Textile has installed cutting-edge technology from the top European textile machinery manufacturers to provide customers with the best possible services. To discuss about his experience with Pakistan’s first Pentek GeySer steamer, team TEXtalks interviewed the CEO of Maheen Textiles, Muhammad Saqlain who has over 22 years of Management experience in the textile industry.
TEXtalks: As the CEO of Maheen Textiles, can you please share your journey so far?
Muhammad Saqlain: Maheen Textile started its journey in 2010 as a stitching and knitting unit. With each passing year, Maheen Textile is expanding its product portfolio. It’s been 12 years, the company has undergone many successful transformations. Maheen Textiles has become one of the vertically integrated company equipped with the latest machines from European Machinery manufacturers within a very short span of time. With the mission to provide our customers with premium quality products, Maheen Textiles is also trying to serve the customers with the best possible services.
TEXtalks: What key features led you to choose the Pentek GeySer Steamer?
Muhammad Saqlain: As the CEO of a textile firm, I have experience investing in various machines from different countries, including local, Chinese and European machinery manufacturers. The majority of manufacturers focus on enhanced production. However, sustainable manufacturing is normally ignored, which has become the primary concern of foreign buyers and retailers. The Europen Machinery manufacturers are dealing with the global challenges professionally. Thus, I choose Pentek GeySer Steamer for my unit due to its unique design, efficiency, low energy consumption, and lesser maintenance. Pentek has been developing processes and products with a strong emphasis on SUSTAINABILITY, founded right from the design stages with patents and process criteria aimed at reducing energy and utilities consumption with no compromise on the product’s final quality.
TEXtalks: How do you see the energy efficiency of the Pentek GeySer Steamer?
Muhammad Saqlain: Earlier, we used locally assembled steaming machines which had a serious quality concern aimed to drop. The Pentek GeySer Steamer’s performance is far superior to others we have used, and we never observed any of the drawbacks of oil or water droplets. The results are constant as it can easily sustain constant temperature within the chamber. The GeySer Steamer has a steam distribution that is much more uniform to what we have seen in other comparable machines, an overall very solid metallurgy, and well-thought insulation. The fabric inlet and loop formation are designed to apply the least possible tension. This is very important for us because we can maximise the machine loading capacity by going for longer loops without the risk of replication. From the operational point of view, the machine is user-friendly and we didn’t find problems to set the working parameters according to our requirements. I feel that the Pentek steamer, for to the high standards of manufacturing quality as well as the reduction of energy costs, is ideal for the Pakistani market.
TEXtalks: How cost-efficient is the Pentek GeySer machine?
Muhammad Saqlain: As electricity cost is the major concern of Pakistan, the Pentek machine is doing great savings for Maheen Textiles. The steam consumption of the machine is also significantly lower compared to the other machines we used, we experimented with. Not only it consumes less steam, it efficiently maintains the same saturation within the chamber, producing great-quality prints with no issues whatsoever. As the Pakistani market wins orders over price from its competitors, such machines are very useful to help the local sector.
TEXtalks: How do you see the current business situation?
Muhammad Saqlain: Pakistani textile sector is going through a bad patch as far as the business is concerned. The upcoming Hemitextil 2023 in Frankfurt is a ray of hope for the textile sector of Pakistan. I truly believe the upcoming years will be better for the industry.
TEXtalks: How do you see the future of the textile industry in Pakistan?
Muhammad Saqlain: No doubt, the Pakistani textile sector is going through a very hard time currently. However, I am hopeful that the sector has the full potential to fight back and recover from difficult situations, as history tells us. The business community is looking for these dark clouds to pass sooner.
TEXtalks: How satisfied are you with the after-sales services of the very first machine installed in Pakistan?
Muhammad Saqlain: I have a very long association with Amir Mirza of Texsol, the sole distributor of Pentek Machines in Pakistan. They are doing a great job for the textile sector with prompt after-sale services. I have a very good relationship with them, and the reason behind this is their quick response and professionalism. As an industrialist, we always welcome dedicated teams like Texsol to provide great services for the betterment of the industry.
“Pentek GeySer Steamer – The ideal choice with lesser maintenance, maximum uptime, and higher production”
Ghulam Murtaza. Technical Director. Maheen Textile Mills.
TEXtalks: Steamers are important for the textile printing industry. What’s New in the GeySer compared to standard steamers?
Ghulam Murtaza: Steamers are of utmost importance in the textile printing industry as they are used for the fixation of dyestuff on fabrics. Different types of dyestuff require a particular set of parameters for better color fixation i.e., reactive require steam while pigments and disperse dyes require dry heat. When compared to other steamers, a new mode of chain movement is introduced. In this new mode, the chain can run continuously without taking steps and jerks. This in turn solves the problem of “Copy/rubbing” of the printed fabric and this continuous chain movement is achieved without adding any moving parts or motos into the loop formation system. Another feature that sets GeySer apart from other standard steamers is its variable intake system. Instead of fixed air dampers, the variable air intake system provides more control of air inside the chamber to eventually achieve desired results on the fabric.
TEXtalks: How does GeySer support sustainable and economical printing?
Ghulam Murtaza: Pentek machine is more sustainable and its new loop formation system is extremely advanced. Due to its energy-efficient rating, re-utilization of hot air through the air circulation, and saving of steam. It promotes dye fixation; this machine is perfect for both reactive and pigment prints. The moveable platforms inside the chamber facilitate the maintenance jobs, these platforms inside the chamber of the Geyser can slide wherever the maintenance work is required and minimize maintenance requirements.
TEXtalks: What is the difference between intensive and extended steaming modules?
Ghulam Murtaza: The machine can go for intensive and extended steaming depending on the fabric content. Intensive steaming is designed for the first steaming action, while extended steaming is for a larger quantity of fabric.
TEXtalks: How do you see the quality of finished fabric using GeySer technology?
Ghulam Murtaza: With the controlled rotation of sticks, variable rotation of sticks complements the continuous movement of the chain, resulting in the jerk-free transportation of fabric, eliminating the common problem of “Copy/ rubbing”. This improves the quality of the finished fabric. We have observed that the finished printed fabric showed better dye fixation, and customers are satisfied with its color aspects. It is a win-win combination for us as it also requires less energy due to its loop circulation.
TEXtalks: What makes GeySer the perfect choice for the Pakistani Market?
Ghulam Murtaza: Pakistan is facing an energy crisis and the prices are also increasing on regular basis. To win global orders low-profit margins are expected along with, the focus on producing bulk quantities. To accomplish this, machines with low maintenance frequency are considered ideal. Pentek’s GeySer is one of these machines requiring almost no maintenance and, thus, offers maximum uptime, contributing to higher production. Furthermore, reusing heated air in a closed-loop system results in fewer energy requirements, making it a perfect choice for the Pakistani Market.
“Innovation has always been an eminent part of Pentek and we have built a team that aims to structure the company to accommodate delivery of value to our customers, solve positioning problems, offer an all-round service, an embrace between product, process technology and human values. Inspired by Italian tradition, GeySer is the result of a working team of engineers of Pentek and Kromatica and technologists with more than 30 years of experience in the segment of steamers for the textile industry. GeySer Steamer is definitely an innovative product that is made in keeping attention towards sustainability, user-friendliness, and lesser energy consumption.”
Andrea Prologo. International Business Developer. Pentek Textile Machinery Srl
“We have successfully installed our first GeySer machine in Pakistan at Maheen Textiles Faisalabad. The machine is running smoothly, and the customer is satisfied with the performance of the GeySer steamer. The state-of-the-art technology of Pentek makes cost-effective production possible which is one of the reasons that other industries are contacting us for queries regarding our products. Energy-efficient machines are the future of sustainable textile manufacturing amid skyrocketing energy prices. Therefore, Pentek machines are one of the solutions for the said problem. We are hopeful to further extend our strength in the Pakistani market with the top-of-the-line machines.”
Amir Mirza. CEO. Texsol (Pvt) Ltd
“Texsol is the sole distributor of Pentek machinery in Pakistan. GeySer is one of the innovative steamers redefining printed goods’ cost-to-quality ratio. The Pentek machines are known for their quality and reliability. Though the machines require almost no maintenance due to their design and ease of processing, if there are any issues, Texsol is here to provide the best possible and quick service to its customers. Pentek and Texsol are making it happen for the textile sector without compromising on quality and increased production with less cost and reproducibility.”
Imran Sarwar. Director. Texsol (Pvt) Ltd.
