The phases
The decorative process takes place in a water tank with film laid onto the surface of the water.
The production cycle begins with a length of film cut from a roll to a specific length, which is then conveyed and positioned onto the surface of the water.
The film is then activated to prepare the inks to receive the parts. Complexed shapes and large parts are then lowered into the water by means of a robotic arm. In just a few seconds, the inks chemically bond to all surfaces of the part – sides, corners, recesses and indents - faithfully reproducing the original design without stretch. To complete the cycle, the parts are conveyed into a wash tunnel to remove any film residues from the surface of the decorated object. After drying, a protective lacquer or clear-coat is applied.
The control panel
The Reel
The Film laying table
The film
The tank
The film restraint bar
The Activator
The robotic arm
The washing tunnel
Unloading
The control panel
A dedicated PC, enables one operator to manage all phases of the process in one place: cutting, activation, immersion, washing and unloading.
The Reel
The film is placed in a temperature-controlled cabinet, and from there drawn out, to a specified length by automatic grippers.
The Film laying table
The table top, on which the cut film is laid, is then moved across the surface of the water, and the film gently deposited on the surface of the water.
The film
The film, made from a hydro-soluble material, becomes more flexible as it rests on the water.
The tank
The steel tank contains approximately 3,000 litres of water at a controlled temperature of 25/30°. It has two sections: one larger side where the decoration takes place, the other to capture all the excess film residue post-cycle.
The film restraint bar
A bar is automatically moved into position to contain the film, and after the decoration cycle, to move the excess residue to the second section.
The Activator
A special activator is sprayed onto the film in order to activate the inks and allow for the decoration of the pieces.
The robotic arm
A 4-6 axis robotic arm positions a frame holding multiple parts over the tank and immerses the pieces, at a speed and inclination and set by the operator at the Control Panel.
The washing tunnel
Drawn by an automatic chain, the frame is passed into a washing tunnel, where all PVA residue is removed takes using water at a controlled temperature of 40/45°.
Unloading
A 4-6 axis robotic arm collects the frame at the end of the washing tunnel for unloading and the subsequent finishing operations.
