In a heavy round of investment that demonstrates just how strong the demand is for its premium products, Egyptian German Porcelain Company (EGPC) –part of the Fathy Mahmoud Group– has had its 11th automatic spray glazing system installed and commissioned by MLC Ceramic Machinery.
MLC Sales Director João Cardoso commented: “We believe that we are the leader in the market for these advanced spray glaze systems, and we have demonstrated this by working closely with leading volume manufacturers of high-grade ceramic tableware.
“To have been chosen to manufacture so many units for a single customer is testament to our advanced technology and the performance and cost effectiveness of our systems. It has been a pleasure to cooperate with the EGPC team and to help maintain the high quality standards that have been set by the organisation.”
MLC Ceramic Machinery has impressive references when it comes to automatic tableware spray glazing systems and, among a number of important advantages, this technology immediately opens up new avenues in decorating that cannot be achieved with glaze dipping. They can be designed as either inline linear machines or as carousel units.
Leading international brands have expert decorating teams that develop a wide range of colours, glazes and finishes. MLC’s advanced spray glazing systems help these manufacturers achieve high levels of quality and consistency, as well as close control over aspects such as glaze thickness.
Located in Mergim, Alexandria, EGPC employs 4,000 people and produces around 85 million pieces of twice-fired porcelain annually. The Mergim facility is said to be one of the largest single-site porcelain factories anywhere in the world. The company specialises in hard porcelain tableware ranges –many fired at around 1,350 °C– for both household and hotel use, and it exports its products to over 55 countries. MLC’s spray glazing systems play a key role in EGPC’s state-of-the-art decorating department. The installations at EGPC include both robotic and fixed gun units.
Glaze flow and pressure is set and monitored via the HMI using electropneumatic valves. MLC has developed a very user-friendly HMI that works seamlessly with other processes, for instance, where MLC machines are being employed in other production areas. The HMI can store multiple recipes meaning that shape and colour changeover times are much reduced. This is an important factor at EGPC, where over 50 different shapes and an extensive range of colours and glazes are used.
Main photo: Two of the MLC robotic spray glazing machines at EGPC.
