The Algerian group continues its modernization plan at each of its production plants around the country. The latest supply is for the factory at El Milia, near Jijel, and follows on from the recent start-up of the SACMI pressure casting solutions.
High levels of technology and automation, European safety and quality standards, environmental sustainability. These are the hallmarks of the Divindus Group’s long-standing partnership with SACMI and its continuing project to create the most modern and advanced plants for the production of ceramic sanitaryware in Algeria.
The latest step was taken recently with the supply of a complete robotized glazing line to El Milia, one of the three sanitaryware production plants of the Group, located near Jijel. This supply follows on the heels of the SACMI high pressure casting machines, which were recently tested and started up, for the manufacture and sale of new top-of-the-line models such as the Kotama and Cirta one-piece WCs.
During this first phase of expansion, the supply was for lines to be dedicated to glazing the new one-piece Vitreous China products made with the SACMI AVM machines. The main part of the supply is the GA2000 robot, the SACMI-Gaiotto solution renowned throughout the world for robotized glazing.
In line with its policy to invest in the best technological standards available on the market, the Algerian customer has chosen the most cutting-edge equipment to achieve environmental sustainability. This includes the integrated mass control system, to control the flowrate and quantity of glaze delivered, as well as the dry filtration system for the recovery of excess glaze inside the booth. Performance is also enhanced by the GDA80 spray gun, SACMI’s nozzle-free zero maintenance solution which has had great success throughout the industry.
In particular, the supply for the Vitreous China line includes, in addition to the 9-axis robot, also 3 inspection booths and 2 semi-automatic syphon-glazing machines. All handling operations are automated thanks to a belt conveyor at the exit end of the syphon-glazing machines – where the automatic foot cleaning is performed – and a subsequent conveyor to facilitate the transfer and loading of the piece into the tunnel kiln. Similar systems have been supplied for the part dedicated to Fine Fire Clay, with two inspection booths, a special station for the possibility of applying engobe and conveyor belts for piece transfer to the shuttle kiln. This line is designed with extra-large transfer systems and booths to handle the pieces which can be up to 120 cm wide. The advanced equipment minimizes the need for manual operations and therefore reduces the risks of piece breakage and safety hazards for the operators (of particular relevance when handling and moving large-sized pieces).
This first phase of the supply is completed with a special department dedicated to the manual glazing of coloured pieces; products which have a strong market in North Africa.
Quality, performance, health & safety in the workplace; these are the key concepts of the customer’s strategy. With this investment, Divindus shows its commitment to continue with its long-term plant modernization program at each of its factories in Algeria (El Milia, Ghazaouet, Ténès).