Textile Process Equipment
Horizontal Steamer
A horizontal steamer passes printed fabric through a steam environment so that the dye becomes fixed to the fibre. It is used in the fixation step after printing in processes such as reactive and acid.
01 / About the System
What is Horizontal Steamer
In a steamer the fabric runs horizontally through a chamber filled with steam. Under moisture and heat, the dye interacts with the fibre and becomes fixed to the fabric.
Steaming time is set by how long the fabric stays in the chamber, which depends on the line speed and the chamber layout. The conditions needed for fixation vary with the ink class and the fabric.
A steamer usually sits after the printer and before the washing line. Controlled fabric handling at entry and exit matters for consistent results.
02 / Applications
Areas of use
- 01
Reactive print fixation
Bonding of reactive dye to cellulosic fibres.
- 02
Acid print fixation
Fixing acid dye on silk, wool and nylon.
- 03
Steam fixation in disperse printing
Fixing polyester prints with steam where the method and ink series suit it.
- 04
Post-print line step
A continuous fixation section placed between printing and washing.
Steaming conditions are confirmed with a test print for each fabric and ink series.
03 / System Structure
Process flow
- 01Fabric Entry
Fabric entry
Printed fabric is taken into the steamer in a controlled way.
- 02Steam Chamber
Steam chamber
The fabric runs through the chamber filled with steam.
- 03Dwell and Fixation
Dwell and fixation
During its time in the chamber, the dye interacts with the fibre.
- 04Exit
Exit
The fixed fabric passes on to the washing step.
Steaming time and chamber conditions vary with the fabric and the ink series.
04 / Process
Supply and Commissioning Process
A steamer is the line step between printing and washing, so it is planned together with its neighbouring machines. Once the line layout and the fabric are clear, supply, installation and commissioning steps are addressed.
- 01
Needs assessment
The fabric and ink classes and the current state of the printing and washing equipment are identified.
- 02
System configuration
The chamber structure and the fabric handling are defined according to the line speed and the fixation need.
- 03
Supply
It is clarified whether the supply scope covers only the steamer or also auxiliary equipment such as steam generation.
- 04
Installation
The steam, energy and drainage infrastructure and the placement in the line are addressed in the installation plan.
- 05
Commissioning
In trials with fabric, colour and fixation results after steaming are assessed together.
- 06
Technical support
After commissioning, a technical service request can be created for fixation results or fabric handling issues.