With the recent delivery of an AVM unit to a leading European customer, SACMI has now sold a staggering 220 units since 2002, when the first high pressure casting platform prototype appeared: that prototype would go on to become the ceramic sanitaryware industry benchmark.
What makes SACMI Sanitaryware solutions so effective is that they focus on the mould, ensuring maximum flexibility of use and optimal management of the mould pool by customers. The extensive range of products able to be produced, together with the longevity and interchangeability of the moulds, make the AVM suited to a broad range of needs. While perfect for the largest industrial groups (which can efficiently manage installations in different countries at different automation levels), its quality, reliability and performance also provide an excellent response to the manufacturing requirements of small and medium-size firms.
Key advantages include being able to configure the AVM modularly to obtain the best balance of flexibility, productivity and automation. Each casting cell (made up of one or more machines, a robot and accessory units) can, in fact, be sized according to productivity and the required degree of flexibility and automation; it's even possible to couple one AVM with one robot to allow automation not just of the usual direct handling and lifting tasks but also most of the finishing operations.
Process efficiency, quality and repeatability are boosted by 3D cell and robot simulation software: the latter is central to recent research performed by the SACMI Sanitaryware lab where - thanks to latest-generation software - the focus in on even greater cycle-time optimisation of all employed resources (robot-machine-worker). The same Sanitaryware Lab also provides customers with vital support. Here, they can perform all required simulations and casting tests before full-scale industrialization, giving manufacturers a further guarantee that results will match expectations.