In our last interview, Thorsten Evert, Managing Director of PantaTec, told us that the PantaTec Tech-nology was developed 15 years ago as an internal solution and has now found customers worldwide. We wanted to find out more about the rise of this surface technology.

(?) MFN: Can you briefly summarise  what exactly the PantaTec Technology is?

(!) T. E.: The PantaTec Technology enforces and improves any standard blasting process in different ways. It improves the quality of the blasting results; it improves the availability of the blasting systems; and it improves the performance of each blasting process. All in all, it cuts the manufacturing cost per unit significantly.

These results are achieved by using the specially developed cleaning media ULTIMATE, which must be added in the right way into the blasting system through the automatic dosing system INJECTO 05.

All this needs to be adapted to each individual application and its requirements.

Inside our company, we use four of our own blasting systems for surface treatment.

This means that PantaTec experts can provide the required detailed information as well as the necessary support. Our in-depth expertise on how to use the PantaTec technology as an effective tool is therefore fully based on our own day-to-day experience. 

For more than 15 years, we have proudly delivered all the benefits directly from user to user.

(?) MFN: You say that the process was developed by users and is now being offered to other users. Can you explain this with more details? Why exactly was the process developed and by whom?

(!) T. E.: More than 15 years ago, we at the Eggersmann Group [f-e.de] were faced with some serious problems in our manufacturing process of corrosion protection coatings.

Our customers did complain about premature corrosion defects on our machine and system components. This was caused by poor surface preparation results. 

Oily and greasy residues, coolants, lubricants, etc. from upstream manufacturing steps were carried over into the blasting process. This caused negative consequences, such as poor cleanliness of the substrate surfaces, prematurely clogged filters leading to a considerable amount of dust in the blasting system and on the parts, extremely high risk of fire and explosion, and others.

So, we were forced to find an in-house solution to get this fixed as effectively as possible.

For these applications, we at the Eggersmann Group have developed a system on our own machines that removes the impurities from these oily and greasy residues. The aim was to work directly during operation, before the impurities can affect the blasting results, the blasting media and the blasting systems.

Finally, we designed a system using a special cleaning medium based on a blend of intensively stepped-up mineral components that can be added to blasting systems of any kind.

Over the last 15 years, this method has been continuously developed and adapted to today's practical performance. And …. we continue because we are still users who want to get better every single day.

(?) MFN: That sounds like a specialised solution for a specific area. Nevertheless, you have managed to build up a very broad customer base - how is that possible?

(!) T. E.: That’s a very good question. Remember that it all started with blast cleaning in our manufacturing of corrosion protection coatings. Every day we see the excellent results. Both technically and, more importantly, economically.

But we also found that in nearly every blasting process our expertise and experience could bring huge benefits.

Very soon other users from other industries and applications recognised the potential of PantaTec’s Blasting and Degreasing idea for their own purposes. 

Very often we have to work in completely new fields with completely different requirements:

Proactive protection against the hazard of fire and explosion, maintaining the process reliability for better process results, measurable improvement of the economic results including calculation of the return on investment, reduction or replacement of wet chemical treatment and more.

Our PantaTec experts have the right tools at hand or develop the required knowledge on how to use them in a specific case. We do that in a professional, defined and targeted manner for each individual goal.

In the meantime, PantaTec created such a big pool of knowledge in the field of blasting that a lot of existing and new users often simply ask for our expertise. 

This includes our neutral consulting regarding investments in new blasting systems. It also covers the process of selecting the suitable blasting media. We view these issues from the user's perspective, not just as a supplier who only aims at selling products.

Over the years, PantaTec has also developed a network of a large number of relevant institutions and experts worldwide. 

All this confirms our continuous progress on the way from a serious internal problem to an industrial standard.

This attracts the community of blasting technology users.

(?) MFN: Do so many people already use your technology that you can make such a claim?

(!) T. E.: Yes, a large number of PantaTec users worldwide work with us. But we also see further significant potential in the relevant industries. We make the benefits of the PantaTec Technology easily accessible. As we are users, we understand that the user is the key. The system can be implemented on virtually any industrial blasting application. This is independent of the type of the blasting system and the supplier of the blasting equipment. 

As soon as the potential user got the chance to run a professional trial with the PantaTec process, they will see the positive effects very quickly and directly. Nearly every industrial user then decides to incorporate this easy-to-use technology into their standard operation.

And on top of that, in the unlikely case of the user not being satisfied, we would find a way to walk away with almost no financial obligation on their part. 

(?) MFN: If your process only offers benefits, shouldn't it be easy to quickly convince new users of your process?

(!) T. E.: Yes and No.

The first step is to analyse and describe the actual situation, the existing deviations from the goal and the directly caused negative consequences. Many of the users understand that their blasting treatment could be cleaner, faster, more efficient, more cost-effective, have less down time, reduce or even eliminate the risk of fire and explosion and much more.

But every now and then, the general assumption is “Our process is fine, in line with requirements, no help needed,...” 

However, very often there is an interesting potential to improve the existing situation to a much better one, both technically and economically.

So, it can happen that some people first need to go through painful difficulties due to poor quality, too high blasting costs, too much repair and maintenance fee, burned filter units, etc.

There was a user, for example, who got from us all the information about the high risk of fire and EX on his production line at an early stage.

The day came when a fire actually damaged his system, resulting in several weeks of downtime.

This can create an unacceptably bad situation that leads to a request for PantaTec support.

Of course, PantaTec will come and help with the full range of its expertise and abilities. 

This user then implemented the PantaTec system immediately. They confirm that this expensive damage could have been avoided. What a real pity.

We can guide the potential new user to fully understand the different and complex mechanisms working in each individual blasting application. We will also train the staff on how the surface treatment system should work in detail. We will explain everything about the machine, the parts and surfaces to be treated, the pre-condition and the goal of the process, as well as the operating mix, dust collection, air wash separation, filters etc.

We help to understand and practice that surface technology sometimes requires a little more effort, knowledge and patience than with other manufacturing technologies.

(?) MFN: But you remain persistent and confident?

(!) T. E.: Yes, of course. This is our everyday life and we always appreciate a tough and serious challenge.

This is the fuel that drives us to step forward and expand the community of PantaTec users.

As a user, we share and exchange our ideas and expertise with users worldwide. 

Our message to our colleagues in the surface technology: Please be invited to get in touch with PantaTec to utilise the potential for improvement from user to user!

MFN would like to thank Thorsten Evert for this interview!

For Information: 

PantaTec GmbH

Carl Zeiss Str. 8, 32549 Bad Oeynhausen, Germany

Tel. +49.5734.51488-50

E-mail: info@pantatec.de

www.pantatec.com