New valves, new pumps and new software make the SMART-DOSER by tecosbruhin more efficient, more robust and more durable
High-quality print products are greatly dependent on the inks that are used. They should be radiant and brilliant, whether as a pure primary colour or a hue blended from base colours, e.g. from the Pantone colour chart. This means that the inks must be individually provided for each print job. Accurate dosing of the inks is one of the essential factors that guarantee efficient production. The tecosbruhin SMART-DOSER ensures that the required quantity is available at any time – whether of a conventional or UV offset printing ink and a spot colour. The Mosaic software handles ink and job management.
The SMART-DOSER is ideal for conventional and UV offset inks whose composition imposes special requirements on the system. UV offset inks in particular must be neither sheared nor heated during dosing because the curing components could block pumps and valves. The SMART-DOSER also doseslow- migration inks – used for packaging for example – simply and easily.
Special patented pneumatic pumps ensure a consistent performance up to an annual consumption of approx. 25 ton of ink in one-shift operation, and correspondingly more in multiple-shift operation. This will meet the demand of a medium-sized print works in 99 % of cases. These pumps will also process inks of different viscosities. Like the pumps, the dosing valves also make a major contribution to the longevity of the plant as a whole, and particular emphasis was placed on this when the SMART-DOSER was updated. The valves have to be both robust and yet sensitive enough to be able to accurately dose the inks with their different viscosities and compositions.
A standard SMART-DOSER has up to 16 ink stations but can be extended to 24 stations to meet customer requirements. For a client who requires a particularly high annual production volume (up to 150 t) with conventional or high viscosity inks, tecosbruhin will deploy robust, silent-running electric pumps.
The pumps will be arranged as per the client’s specific requirements. The unit is modular in design and planned individually to fit the available space. The design of the system and choice of suitable pumps and valves will depend on the type of containers used, the annual ink consumption and the type of ink.
The SMART-DOSER’s pumps are matched to the original ink supply containers, so inks need not be decanted. The inks’ shelf-life will not be affected and will be the same as that of inks in unopened containers, a factor that is particularly important for the sensitive UV inks. Inks are processed by high-precision weighers which approach each of the SMART-DOSER’s 24 max. stations on a linear unit. With a repeat precision of approx. +/- 0.15 g, the ink is dosed with a selectable accuracy down to drop-by-drop filling. The reliable repeatability of even the smallest quantities ensures that the exact amount required is dosed, without producing return ink.
Ink management with Mosaic
Ink management with Mosaic The Mosaic software is brand new. It manages different user profiles with access rights, formulas and orders. Order management also includes the manual addition of external components and possible return ink. The order management feature can also be directly linked to a client’s ERP system – the required interface is individually configured, so external stores can also be incorporated into the ink management. The new version of the SMART- DOSER also offers the option of remote maintenance to ensure uninterruptible printing processes.
Storage containers
Storage containers The SMART-DOSER can dose from all standard commercial storage containers for basic colours: 2.5 kg vacuum cans, 10 to 30 kg hobbocks and 200 l drums. An automatic lifting device has been developed specially for the hobbocks and the 200 l drums, with a pneumatic cylinder which inserts and withdraws the follower plate, making container-changing faster and more ergonomic. The lifting device can also be refitted to existing systems.
Automated can handling system
Automated can handling system An automatic handling system for inward and outward transfer is available for container types up to 10 kg. Empty containers are fed to the SMART-DOSER on a belt. The barcode is scanned automatically and the containers are then pushed onto the weigher and released for dosing. They are conveyed onward automatically after filling. As a result, production can proceed largely personnel-free and with no breaks in the dosing process. Today most systems are supplied with can handling. Tecos Bruhin AG is a leading manufacturer of ink dosing systems for high-viscosity products. The company is part of the Füll Process Group, with its head office in Altnau in the Swiss
canton of Thurgau.
