PAINT FORMULATION SYSTEM
Dispenses and mixes raw ingredients and bases in samples pots,
preparing them for drawdown and analysis on other Labman systems.
The system dispenses bulk liquids & slurries via peri-pump or pressurised vessels (pinch valve) into sample pots. It can accommodate 2 different sized sample pots. Powder additions can also be added via auger feeder. More critical additions are added via pressurised syringes with an accuracy of 3 milligrams. All additions are weighed to 4dp. The system can accommodate up to 18 x bulk dispensers, 2 x powder feeders and 32 x syringe dispensers.
The materials are stirred continuously throughout the run to ensure homogeneity. When the relevant additions have been made, the sample pot is mixed before being returned to the rack. The system can process up to 120 pots in a single run (4 racks of 30 pots). The system uses a Mitsubishi robot arm mounted on a 7th axis to handle the pots including capping and de-capping.
Key Features.
Powder feeding
Powder feeder dispense to 100mg.
Force sensing
Mitsubishi Robot Arm wrist force sensor. Allows more robust picking, placing, capping, de-capping, handling of paint pots.
Liquid handling/dispensing
Peri-Pump/pinch valve dispense accuracy of 20mg. Syringe dispense accuracy of 3mg.
Mixing
Dual Asymmetric Centrifuge (DAC) used to mix the pots.
Capping/de-capping
Robust process using robot arm force sensing wrist.
