SPME

IRONING AND PRESSING EQUIPMENT

GROUP :
RAVI KANT SINGH, AYUSH GAUTAM,
PRERNA KHATRI, PREKSHA PANDEY

PRESSING
Pressing is the application of heat, moisture, and pressure
to shape, mould, or crease fabrics, garments, or garment
parts into the geometric forms.
Pressing may be done:

(a) During assembly to facilitate other operations

and improve quality.
(b) Final finishing process.

ELEMENTS OF PRESSING
The three elements of pressing are:

(1) Heat
(2) Steam
(3) Pressure

HEAT
Heat is needed in most pressing processes to soften fibres
and stabilize and set the desired shape.
Temperatures must be selected to suit the fibres, yarns,
and fabrics used in a particular style.

Sources of heat include heated surfaces and steam.

Steam (moisture) is the fastest means of transferring heat
into the fabric.
Heating water in a pressure boiler creates steam

STEAM
Higher the pressure, hotter and drier the steam.

Effective use of steam reduces the time for pressing and

the amount of pressure required to shape the garment.
Different fabrics require different amounts of moisture
and heat.

 Amount and dryness of the steam are critical to the

effectiveness of the pressing operation.
Excessive moisture may cause shrinkage and colour
bleeding

Pressure is applied to alter shape and increase the

permanency of the moulding or creasing.

PRESSURE
Too much pressure may distort fabric surfaces, flatten
textures, and create permanent garment and/or fabric
damage.
Pressure may be applied by a mechanical device or by
steam.
Mechanical pressure requires a combination of solid
surfaces such a tables, bucks, or irons to mould the
garment.

Mechanical pressure is specified by the amount of force

per unit of time.
When a buck press or shaping device is not used, air or
steam pressure depends on the shape of the garment.
Air or steam is blown into the garment to expand to its
full size, while heat and/or steam are

Moisture and heat are extracted by the use of a vacuum

return system that extracts steam as it penetrates the
fabric.
The vacuum pulls the steam through the fabric, thus
drying and quick cooling the fabric to set the new shape.

In the 1890s, mens suits were pressed with gasfed

irons weighing as much as 20 pounds.
Gas was fed by a rubber hose to the centre of the iron
and then ignited to produce heat.

With this system, a presser could press 10 mens suit in

a 10hour day.

Factors Affecting Elements Of Pressing

1. The types of material used.
2. The shape or form that is required in the final
garment.

3. The degree of permanency needed.

OBJECTIVE
1. To smooth away unwanted creases and crush marks
In garment manufacturing accidental creases from
mistakes in previous under pressing; crushes from
handling by no. of operators or from tightly tied bundles
2. To make crease where the design of the garment
requires them
Creases design features in garments (series of creases
pleating)

Pressing hems and cuff edges, front edges, top edges

of waist bands, pocket flaps and patch pockets edges.

3. To mould the garment to the contour of the body

Enhancement of shape already largely determined by

seams and darts (mainly effected in wool or wool rich
garments)
Chief areas where moulding takes place ends of darts,
collars, shoulders, armholes and sleeve heads and
sometimes trouser legs

4. To prepare garment for further sewing

Underpressing pressing operation on partly

constructed garments
UP also makes further sewing easier to do, or easier
to do to a high quality std.
5. To finish the fabric after manufacturing the garment

TYPES
There are two types of pressing1)- In-Process pressing

InProcess pressing, or Under Pressing, is done while a

garment is under construction.
It is used to crease, shape, and/or smooth components
for more accurate seaming.
Sharp edges on garment components increase accuracy
in sewing

2)- Off- Pressing

Finish Pressing, or OffPressing, adds the final shape to
seams and garments.

The time, , temperature, pressure, and types of

mechanical devices used for pressing depend on:
(1) Types of materials used.
(2) Shape or form that is desired in the final garment.
(3) Degree of permanency needed.

The equipment used for pressing is designed to control

the heat, moisture, and pressure applied during the
pressing operation.
Some equipment is designed to mould or set a special
shape into the garment.

PRESSING EQUIPMENT
Solidsurface pressing equipment uses a firm surface to
apply pressure, while steam and heat mould the fabric,
garment, or garment, parts.
Pressure may be applied through rolling action, gliding
action, or compression.
Solidsurface pressing equipment consists of buck
presses, irons, blocks, dies, rollers, collapsible forms, and
creasing and folding blades.

Types Of Pressing Equipments

1. Buck presses.

2. Iron pressing.
3. Block or die pressing.

4. Form pressing.
5. Steamers.

6. Steam tunnels.

BUCK PRESSING
These are commonly used by manufactures of slacks,
skirts , and jackets.

Components1.
2.
3.
4.

Lower buck
Moveable head with a linkage system
Buck padding stem and vacuum system frame
Manual or automatic control for steams, vacuum, heat
and pressure.

It may be used for in-process pressing & finish pressing.

Buck Pressing Machine

IRON PRESSING
It is a manual molding operation in which pressure and
heat are applied with a flat contact surface.
Components of iron pressing1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Iron
Power line.
Bed buck.
Iron support system.
Steam and vacuum system.

 It is used extensively for in-process pressing and for

shaping components parts , as well as final pressing

BLOCK PRESSING
It is a molding process that establishes a products
conformance to a form.
It may change the surface characteristics and
dimension of a product.
The fabric is placed on a fixed form before pressure
heat and steam is applied.
It is used to crease patch pockets and pocket flaps.

Buck Press Machine

FORM PRESSING
Form presses are made in the approximate shape of
the finished garments.
Steam is forced from the inside of the form through
garment while the form expands to fill all the space
inside the garment.
It is designed to reduce the amount of positioning
and re-positioning time.

Form Pressing

STEAMERS
These are the pressing machine that uses only steam to
mold and smooth the garment.
Types of steamers1.
2.
3.
4.

steam jets.
steam guns.
steam puffs.
steam tunnels.

These devices may be used either to form and stabilize

garment shape.

Steamers

Steam Tunnels
These are used for final pressing.
Garments are de-wrinkled within a chamber by the
average pressure of circulating steam.
Garments are carried over the nozzle of a steam jet in
order for the garment to receive the full force of the
steam pressure.
It reduces labor costs and process garment at a rate of
1200 to 3600 units per hour.

TECHNOLOGICAL
ADVANCEMENTS IN PRESSING
Advancements in finishing technology focus on several areas Greater versatility.
More precision in determining exact pressing requirement of
fabrics and finishes.
Improved quality.
Energy saving

PNEUMATICS IN THE PRESSING

ROOM

Plant engineering for the functioning of the pressing

machines in the garment industry, apart from the
electric parts, concerns the fluids necessary to run the
machines, namely pneumatic air, steam and vacuum.
It must be kept in mind that without these fluids, a
pressing machine cannot work.

Generally, there is a mentality to

consider an ironing table as self
contained,i.e.,with a built-in vacuum.
This may be applicable, for example,
in in-line preparation (sewing dept)
where it could be awkward to have
main vacuum pipes connected to
each and every table.
Centralised vacuum plant

In a centralised vacuum plant,

one motor provides vacuum to
40-50 tables, implying money
saved in power and almost
trouble-free maintenance.
Centralised air compressor room

There are machines which require

up to 300 cubic metres of
air per hour and it is unthinkable to
have a single source of vacuum per
machine, which could prove too
costly and too
noisy. The noise is due to vacuum
motors which are far from silent and
are usually
placed in the so called power room
to avoid any noise pollution inside
the factory.

Vacuum pipe in the pressing room

COMPRESSED AIR
It does work and this work energy must be related to air supply, its
volume and its pressure.
It is used mainly for operating:

Advanced features in modern machines

Pneumatic tools
Cooling systems
Sewing Workstations
Air curtains
Vacuum cleaning systems
Overhead material handling
systems, etc.
Pneumatic cylinders

Pressure
Normally air at atmospheric pressure
(1 Bar) is compressed mechanically to a
higher pressure of 5 to 13 Bar.
Factors causing excessive pressure
drops are improperly sized air pipes,
inefficient pipe layout, pipe scaling,
corrosion and material.
Pressure drop causes compressors to
work harder and thereby consume
more energy.
Distribution
When compressed air moves within a
pipe, losses are incurred due to friction
and turbulence. Rough surfaces cause
more turbulent air flow and higher
friction. These line losses in a particular
component are expressed as pressure
drop.

Pneumatic distribution systems

There are various machines which

produce compressed air. The most
utilised types in the clothing industry
are:
-- reciprocating compressors
-- vane rotating compressors
-- screw rotating compressors
Vacuum pipe

Steam line

The choice of one of these types is

related to the quantity of air required
and to its pressure.
The vacuum units can be
connected in series or in
parallel.
Pressing machine in operation at Silver Spark,
Raymond

Flat Bed Press Pneumatic

Head is suspended on rocker arms for self
aligning with the bed.
Machined pressing surface.
Pneumatic raising and lowering with push
buttons.
Perforated bed prodded with sponge
padding. Powerful centrifugal suction for
moisture exhaust.
Automatic timed release of the head at
preset time.
Automatic digital temperature control of the
head.
Heating Steam Electric - 0.5" BSP 15 KW
Air Consumption - 100 LTS/MIN

Electro-Pneumatic Pressing Machine

Machine does the pressing itself,
automatically. Operator only settles and
gets it out.
One person can operate on two machines
at the same time.
When the first machine starts pressing
operator settle down clothing on the
second one and will just push a button to
start pressing.
Steam Pressure 3-4 bar
Steam inlet 1/2"
Condense outlet 1/2"
Vacuum connection 2"
Air pressure 6 bar
Air inlet 1/2
Electrical inception 220/380 V

Pneumatic Ironing Board

ironing board for the finishing
of jacket, coat, overcoat linings.
Due to strong vacuuming very
quick ironing is achieved.
Using the water pistol for
humidifying the lining is an
easy way of ironing when the
process is mode with an iron
without steam and electricity.
Electricity 380 V
Motor Power 0.37 kW
heating Power 1.5 kW
Capacity 30 Jackets

Ironing Machine With a Cover

Pneumatic Central System
Used especially for ironing wool pull-overs.
Due to the electro pneumatic system pressure
steam, vacuum, staying closed time may all be
regulated by buttons.
Energy saving is achieved since it is not heated
by electricity.
Works with central steam, vacuum, air and 220
Volt electricity.
Vacuum Motor Central System
Steam Pressure 4 bar
Air pressure 6 bar
Steam inlet and outlet 1/2"
Vacuum Outlet 2"
Steam Consumption 50 kg/h
Air Consumption 90 kg/h
Capacity 40 unit/h

Energy Savings in Ironing and Pressing

Despite growing concerns with energy,
companies are still suffering from low
interest in energy efficiency mainly due to
the low ratio of energy costs / total costs
and low internal knowledge on this area,
accordingly there is an interesting
potential for savings in the clothing
industry.

Vacuum systems are used to remove the excess steam used in the
Equipments of finishing and pressing sub processes and for suction of waste
produced by cutting and sewing sub processes.
Over-consumption in this area is due to:
All or nothing utilization, i.e., even if only one production machine is in
use the suction is being applied to all machines;

Leakage in network;
Extracted hot air is wasted (of steam consumer machines)
Lack of electronic control and frequency variation.

Heat boiler
In the clothing industry thermal energy is used in air conditioning, in
finishing and preparation for sewing sub processes and, in some
companies, for treatment. This energy can either be supplied by direct
combustion of gas in the productive machines, or indirectly through
production of steam or hot water.

Critical points for excess

consumption by indirect means
Boiler / Steam Generator oversized;

Boiler / Steam generator poorly insulated or uninsulated;

Produced steam pressure higher than required; Misadjusted burner
Uninsulated pipes and fittings

Leakage in steam / hot water network

Waste of condensates from the steam network
Malfunction of network accessories
Inexistent flue gas heat recuperation
Deficient maintenance / cleaning

Critical points for excess

consumption through direct feed
Uninsulated consumer equipment

Misadjusted burner
Unmodulated burner control
Oversized ventilator or without control

Iron
Ironing is the use of a heated tool to remove
wrinkles from fabric.

Ironing involves sliding an iron back and forth to

remove wrinkles and is normally only done to
finished garments.
The heating is commonly done to a temperature
of 180220 Celsius, depending on the fabric.
Ironing works by loosening the bonds between
the long- chain polymer molecules in the fibers
of the material.
While the molecules are hot, the fibers are
straightened by the weight of the iron, and they
hold their new shape as they cool.

Types Of Iron
A. Dry Iron
light weight irons weighing about 1.4 kgs with a heat range of between 70 and
240 degree C and electronic temperature controls that have a reliable accuracy of
+/- 3 degree C.

This type of iron is made in a variety of shapes and is mainly used for smoothing
or finishing operations where steam is unnecessary.

Types of iron
B. Electric Steam Irons
These are the most commonly used type of hand iron and
carry out a wide variety of operations, especially those
concerned with under pressing.
The iron has a heating element and steam is fed from a
central or independent boiler into the steam chamber in the
base of the iron.
The heat generated can be controlled by a thermostat,
and supplied with steam either from factorys main steam
supply or from a small boiler adjacent to the pressing unit.
The steam function of the iron is activated by the touch of
a button.

Components of iron
Sole plate

The sole plate is cast of molten aluminum. Part of the mold creates the holes that
are essential in a steam iron
The cooled sole plate is polished, coated with a non-stick PTFE(a thermoplastic
polymer ) material, or stainless steel.
To polish the plate, an automated belt sander uses bands of abrasive to polish and
buff the plate.
An automated spray-painting machine applies non-stick coating. After application,
the sole plate is baked in an automated industrial process.

Thermostat

In an injection mold, a small metal post is cast.

A spring is mounted onto the metal post. This spring is a bimetallic
switch made of two different metals with divergent linear thermal
coefficients bonded together which controls the iron's temperature.

Assembly
When all the parts are manufactured, the iron is assembled on an
automated assembly line.

Distinguishing Electric-steam
Iron from All-steam Iron
Steam is used to heat the iron and discharge a moist spray, whereas a steam electric
iron uses a heating element to keep the iron warm and a solenoid holds the steam
from the iron until called for
All steam irons have live steam circulating in the iron and the iron hoses can burst and
scald someone. The steam electric iron also has a hose but the electric solenoid holds
the steam out of the hose until the electric micro-switch is touched on the iron. Thus
there is no steam under pressure in the iron.
In all-steam irons, temperature depends on the pressure of the steam. This limits the
working temperature for the irons between 140 to 1500 C, whereas a steam electric
has a thermostat which will allow the temperature to be finely adjusted from 100 to
2000 C

Types of table
There are three types of iron tables

1. vacuum table
2. up steam table
3. Blow up table

Vacuum table
The vacuum is sucked through the table surface to lay the garment flat
on the surface as well as suck the residual moisture and heat from the
garment after ironing.

Up steam table
In this steam comes up from table surface through garments thus
moistening the garment.

This is used for knitted garments.

An up-steam table guarantees a complete and even distribution of steam
and suction over the whole surface.

All parts contacted by steam are made of stainless steel. which prevents
spots from corrosion and guarantees a long working life and trouble-free
operation.

Blow up table
In 1969, VEIT invented the blow up table that offers cushioning effect to
the garments due to the upward thrust of air from the table which
prevents ironing marks on the garments.
Air blowing is used in combination with vacuum to assist in finishing
the garment without leaving marks.

Using air blowing, the garment is expanded and pressed on a cushion

of air where ironing is possible without putting in marks.

Ironing Table Consists Of

Following Layers:There are Five layers:

1. The Top Cover

2. The Intermediate Layer
3. Adjusting Fibre
4. Base Layer
5. Ironing Surface

The top cover

The Top Cover may consist of either synthetic fibre, which has long life,
short-term heat-resistance up to 1800 C and hand washable in soap
water (300 C), or
polyester fibre, especially for fabrics that are subject to sheen and
mostly used with hard covers (seam ironing).

It could also use synthetic coarse fibre, which is slide resistant. It keeps
the garment as positioned, has a long life and short-term heatresistance up to 1900 C.

The Intermediate Layer(about

5 10 mm thick)
This padding is responsible for the softness of the covering and thus
directly influences the ironing result. A hard padding usually is more
durable and speeds up ironing as the pressure of the iron is not
absorbed.

Adjusting Fibre
The Adjusting Fibre guarantees the complete splitting of the condensate
drops and reduces the humidity in the cover system.

The Base Layer

The Base Layer is generally a patented silicon mat for long term good
suction result. This distributes strong airflow evenly over the entire
surface, can be cleaned easily by compressed air.
It could also be of polyurethane material of 6 mm thickness, which
permits good air flow over the entire surface. Base Layer

Steam Brush
A steam brush is
indispensable to finish off
smoothening out creases and
undoing shrinkage.
It is very rational since it can be
used to finish a hanging
garment on a hanger.
With high quality and strong
steam, it is suitable for finishing
such clothes as light suits,
synthetic fibres and even
gathers and frills.

Parts

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Books referred:
1. Apparel Manufacturing Handbook: Analysis, Principles and Practice:

Jacob

Solinger
2.Carr and Latham's Technology of Clothing Manufacture

Sites Referred:

1.http://www.energymanagertraining.com/equipment_all/boiler/pdf/0507Coal
FiredBoilers.pdf
2.http://209.85.129.132/search?q=cache:WfqBQjs3ze8J:www.energymanagertr
aining.com/equipment_all/boiler/pdf/0507CoalFiredBoilers.pdf+coal+fired+boi
lers&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=in&client=firefox-a