RAK UAE strengthens its long-standing partnership with Sacmi to sustain the considerable increase in demand in the tableware sector. Already a market leader, RAK is getting equipped to increase their annual production capacity by an additional 10 million pcs at its plant based in Ras Al Khaimah. For this reason, the company has recently installed and commissioned a new solution for the isostatic pressing of vitreous china items, characterized by a high degree of automation and flexibility, with diversified production mixes, as well as low consumption levels.
Recently tested and started-up, the new PHO 451 operates in line with the OFM-8 universal finishing machine. Supplied together with all its auxiliary equipment –including the spray-dried powder filling system, loading-unloading conveyor belts, infeed to the finishing machine, fettling machine, and automatic 4-position stacking machine– the PHO 451 can work with up to 500 pcs per hour (round and non-round shapes) with a diameter between 110 and 380 mm when unfired and with depth up to 110 mm.
Among the distinctive features of the machine, are the “Green” devices which enable –for example by means of the hydraulic motor provided with inverter- optimized control of power, reduced to just 45 kW (in terms of power output), meaning a reduction in consumption of up to 30% or more (for example; a complex production of plates with 25 cm diameter could be achieved using just 10,05 kW/h of energy for 350 pcs/hour). This optimization also makes it possible to significantly reduce the process water requirements thus protecting the environment.
Of particular interest is the combination of the PHO press with the OFM-8 universal finishing machine, provided with six finishing stations plus two loading-unloading stations. It also has the possibility to handle, in a fully integrated way, all the fettling and sponging operations of both round and square or irregularly-shaped pieces, thanks to the scanner which identifies the size and shape of the piece, its position on the support and the actions required. In this way, once finishing has been completed, the item is passed on to the automatic stacking machine with no need for any manual handling.
With this supply –which brings the number of Sama presses installed at RAK UAE (some with two pressing heads and others single-head presses) to a total of 5– Sacmi has reinforced its long-standing partnership with one of the leading international groups in the ceramics industry. This is just a taste of what is to come with the planned plant expansion to double tableware production to be started in 2023.
