New air nozzles also for difficult cases
At Hannover Messe 2017, Krautzberger GmbH (Eltville am Rhein) will be presenting a completely new generation of nozzles under the name “XLINE” for the first time. “Our XLINE combines a variety of improvements in detail with a state-of-the-art manufacturing process that has only made it possible to implement innovations into reality,” explains Thomas Weidmann, Managing Director of Krautzberger. An important reason for this development lies in additional requirements arising from the progressive automation of spraying processes. Krautzberger is one of the leading suppliers in surface technology, especially in the automotive sector and in industrial applications. At the beginning of the nozzle optimization was an intensive development work based on numerical flow simulation, which was then checked in the laboratory by extensive practical tests. Changes in the nozzles allowed improvements to be achieved, which are visibly reflected in the spray result. In addition, the new nozzle technology scores with a lower soiling, also due to a new external design.
Zero error strategy through new manufacturing process
The manufacturing process allows a 100% control of the manufactured parts. To this end, a corresponding measurement method that checks each individual nozzle was integrated directly into the production process. “We have successfully implemented a zero-defect strategy for continuous quality improvement,” says Thomas Weidmann. This results in a further increased reproducibility of the spray pattern. In the test process, the spray jet is “measured” and checked for deviations.
Krautzberger thus takes into account the demands of the market to achieve as perfect spray pattern as possible in robot applications and other automatic applications. The new nozzles are generally suitable for hand and automatic spray guns, but the special advantages come to the fullest in the automatic range. In addition, further functional improvements of the air nozzles were achieved. The centering of the material to the air nozzle, takes place via two ball segments and is thereby ensured. The improved separation of flat and round jet air also leads to a higher efficiency of the nozzle.
The standard version of the new nozzle consists of anodized aluminium, which makes a significant weight saving of up to 60 percent possible. For increased requirements such as those in the food industry and pharmaceuticals, the parts are also available in stainless steel. “This solution enables us to achieve particularly long service lives,” says Thomas Schneider, Head of Sales at Krautzberger. Krautzberger’s new product offers the user handling advantages in daily use: this includes easy cleaning of the nozzle, trapezoidal thread, which enables the installation and tightening with “one handle”, as well as precise positioning and fixing of the air nozzle.
Wide nozzle program for many materials and applications
The new XLINE nozzle generation is gradually being offered for all air-assisted spraying processes, including HVLP (High Volume High Pressure) and LVLP (Low Volume Low Pressure). The spraying processes are coloured according to their area of application: the colour blue stands for conventional compressed air, dark green for HVLP processes and light green for LVLP processes. Traditionally, Krautzberger has a wide range of nozzles that have different designs depending on the application and are therefore designed for different materials, viscosities and requirements. “This variety is in any case fully preserved”, Schneider emphasizes. More than half of the users of Krautzberger products process adhesives, glazes or special functional coatings on plastics. Nano-coatings are also becoming increasingly important. In other words, Krautzberger still has the solution for difficult applications.
Click here to learn more about the XLINE air nozzle
