Sergio Dunjo, Technical Director at Oliver + Batlle, advocates the strategic use of advanced tools such as additive manufacturing of dispensers to optimize cycle time in paint filling.

Challenges in filling optimization and their relation to additive manufacturing of dispensers

The transport time in the paint manufacturing process has almost reached its physical limit. Any reduction of this time compromises safety or quality. Therefore, when seeking to optimize manufacturing processes, the right choice is to focus on the dosing time, because this phase still allows significant margins for improvement.

 

 

Dosing is highly complex due to the wide variety of containers and products: plastic or metal cans, rectangular and oval formats… Each of these particularities requires adaptations in the process that add to the product’s own complexities, such as viscosity and density.

After trying to stress traditional solutions to improve the filling cycle time by incorporating up to four filling heads in our machines, Oliver + Batlle concluded that even then we would not achieve a proportional reduction in cycle time. To optimize filling processes with nozzles, we had to break the paradigm of traditional manufacturing, which is limiting technology. We had to completely rethink the process.

Additive manufacturing of dispensers: An efficient solution customized for each manufacturer

Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, provided us with the solution we were looking for. With it, we were able to develop an optimized nozzle for the dispensing process that not only improved speed, but also filling accuracy by improving dispensing speed by 20% without compromising quality. And, in some cases, reducing the cycle time by 30%.

By creating nozzles layer by layer, 3D manufacturing facilitates customization for each customer and need – tailoring the design to product and packaging specifications – reduces production times and offers flexibility that is key to the demanding paint market. This allows our customers to be more responsive to market demands and significantly reduces lead times.

In short, additive manufacturing allows us to improve and optimize our filling equipment, maximize our technological capacity by adapting designs to every need, improve the quality of the final product, increase the application limits of our equipment and, with regard to the market, increase our differential value.

This solution also offers a kinder response to the environment by minimizing the waste of materials in the manufacture of the nozzles, since it only uses the amount necessary to manufacture the desired object.

If you would like us to evaluate your production process and study together how to implement improvements to increase the efficiency of your plant, please consult our engineers without obligation.

The future of additive manufacturing of dispensers and its influence on productivity

The future of additive manufacturing is promising, with constant advances in materials and techniques that will further increase the speed and quality of manufactured products. This technology is expected to continue to revolutionize various industries.

With the increasing adoption of artificial intelligence and machine learning, additive manufacturing has the potential to improve the efficiency of production processes, raising productivity to levels that previously seemed unattainable.

 

 

accessories for the automation

 

Paint & Coatings, an international event bringing together the main companies working in the surface treatment and paint technology sector, will be held on 16 and 17 November at Fira Barcelona.

As a company specialised in developing machinery for manufacturing paint and related products, Oliver + Batlle will be present at the event, not only on the expo -where you can visit us at Stand 108-, but also at online events and webinars that will take place during the months leading up to the event. Let’s have a look at some of them.

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envasado de pinturas, paint filling

The paint filling process is a crucial phase in the manufacturing line since it involves significant labour costs, requires high accuracy, and must be completed as quickly as possible.

When it comes to choosing equipment for filling paint or related products, one must bear in mind that there are many models that can be adapted, to a greater or lesser extent, to the specific needs of each client and product. Read more

new flash 52

Oliver + Batlle introduces the latest version of the Flash 52 automatic volumetric filling machine.

The main novelty is that the IP54 and the IP54-ATEX versions (restricted to the dosing area) have a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) control system fitted that replaces the pneumatic logic system of the previous version. In the ATEX full machine versions, the PLC control system is available as an optional. The main improvements and advantages will be discussed in this article. Read more

instalaciones oliver + batlle

60 years overcoming the technological challenges of the paint industry

On 16th and 17th November 2021, Fira Barcelona will host the ‘Paint & Coatings’ event, a trade fair that will bring together professionals and expert companies in paint technology and surface treatment. Oliver + Batlle will be in attendance with its own stand, where we will be able to offer all the information you need about our mixing, grinding, filling, and palletising equipment. At the technical conference, which will be held at the same the fair, you will be able to learn about the latest developments carried out by our company aimed at improving the manufacturing process of paints and related products.

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