Cyan Tec Systems are pioneering the use of inkjet print technology to replace spray systems in a wide variety of industrial sectors. The use of inkjet can eliminate masking, reduce fluid waste by up to 80% and offer the ability to create individualized patterns and images. Cyan Tec continues to sell spray systems where the application requires it, however customers are increasingly attracted by the advantages of inkjet over spray.

Spray technology has several major disadvantages. It is impossible to spray selectively and where the substrate contains holes, for example, waste occurs, as the spray passes through the holes. Similarly, the technology requires overspray, where the deposition starts before it reaches the initial edge of the part and overruns as it reaches the trailing edge of the part. Cyan Tec has found that on an automotive dashboard part, for example, fluid loss through the holes and off the edges of the part, results in over 70% fluid waste. Naturally in today’s world, such waste is not environmentally acceptable, where it can be at all avoided by adopting alternative technologies.  

Inkjet technology was pioneered in the UK and offers the advantages of direct to product deposition, print flexibility, minimized waste and production efficiency. Cyan Tec apply their knowledge of inkjet born in the graphics and promo markets to also deploy the technology for industrial coatings. By marrying their inkjet print knowledge and vast experience of robotics and motion systems, the company offer systems that deposit decorative and functional fluids directly onto 3D objects eliminating wasteful overspray and costly masking processes. Cyan Tec claims its inkjet systems utilised, for example, to coat automotive dashboards with piano black anti-scratch finishes use up to 70% less fluid than a spray process. Where the fluid deposited is solvent based harmful VOC emissions can also be reduced by up to 70%.

Cyan Tec inkjet systems use an array of around 1000 tiny nozzles to deposit fluid precisely where required on to the substrate. Each nozzle fires a number of picolitre drops accurately controlled by means of a piezo firing element. The array which is between 50cm and 70cm wide can create a spray swathe of that width. The piezo firing elements can be addressed individually, via drive electronics and software. The selective nature of inkjet technology means features such as component holes can be avoided and fluid deposition curtailed at the edges of the product to eliminate overspray. The controllability and flexibility of inkjet means patterns and images can be created without the need for masking resulting in process efficiencies.

Examples of coating applications in the automotive arena, include high gloss interiors and protective exterior coatings over illuminated surfaces. Cyan Tec continues to drive inkjet technology into new areas and development work is taking place with more exotic functional fluids for electric vehicle electronics and aerospace applications. Like most technologies, inkjet deposition has its limitations – very high viscosities or large particle size fluids can be challenging to deposit, however these limits are being constantly surmounted as printhead manufacturers develop new printheads to meet these challenges.

Cyan Tec market a number of modular systems from entry level, single conveyor printers to sophisticated robotic depositions systems along with all the necessary automation upstream and downstream to take care of loading, cleaning, pre-treatment, curing, vision inspection unloading and so on. The company also sells flexible print modules including printheads, fluid supply systems, electronics and software as a package that can be integrated into existing or third-party customer machines.

If you think your coating or decorating process could benefit from the direct, selective, addressable deposition that inkjet technology offers, Cyan Tec are there to guide you through the possibilities. Contact them today to discuss your application at sales@cyan-tec.com or telephone +44 (0)1509 815186.

Industrial robots have featured in automated systems for many years, and they have certainly proved to be a key element for Cyan Tec Systems when designing and manufacturing laser and inkjet systems. As with any robotic application, it is important to find an integrator proficient in both robotic handling and the applied technology. Cyan Tec uniquely combines robotic integration capability with laser and inkjet expertise, enabling customers to be confident of a right-first-time solution suitable for their application and price expectations.

Robotic inkjet buyers first seek the advice of an experienced robotic integrator and it is a distinct advantage to find an integrator who combines laser and inkjet capability with knowledge of inline integration, cycle times, load/unload, automation, and robotic handling. Robotic laser and inkjet solutions require a combination of expert laser/print configurations and robotic integration capability.

A range of industrial robots are available including six axis, palletising, shelf mounted, SCARA, DELTA, and collaborative, and they each have their own USP’s to suit a range of applications. A number of factors are considered for robot selection including the required reach, payload, and environment.

Where SCARA and DELTA robots are ideal for high-speed picking, collaborative devices are excellent for working alongside operators on production lines and often need limited guarding which is beneficial to some customers.

Typically, six axis or palletising-type robots meet the demands of customers in terms of speed, repeatability, and functionality. Though the option of shelf mounted robots are an added weapon in the armoury of automation experts like Cyan Tec and can be extremely useful when instructed to work in tight spaces.

The two most common options when using robotics as part of automated solutions are to move the process (mounting the laser head / inkjet head or other) to the component or to move the component to the process. Both have their advantages and is purely application driven.

The Flexlase machine, a flexible laser processing cell offered by Cyan Tec, is designed to integrate a laser head on the end of a six-axis robot and the laser head is manipulated around the component part to perform the laser process. As this machine is using a fibre delivered laser for the process operations, this setup is deemed the most suitable. However, in other projects where a CO2 laser is used (the type of laser is determined by a number of factors including the material that is required to be processed), due to the complication of the optical design, it has proven beneficial to keep the laser static and use a robot to move the component to the laser. Given that Cyan Tec have a history of working in a wide range of industries – automotive (including E-mobility), aerospace, nuclear, battery technology, pharmaceutical and plastics – the Flexlase has been designed with this in mind and can be easily configured to suit a wide range of applications.

In a world where recycling and sustainability are on the tip of the tongue, the flexibility and re-programmability of robots tick a lot of boxes. Whether the customer requires a new product to be added to an existing system or for the robot to be re-deployed into a different system, robots are easily re-programmed to perform a new task.

In summary, that is why industrial robots are the ultimate processing tool!

Please visit our dedicated Flexlase page – Flexlase | Cyan-Tec – for more information and get in touch with our sales team to discuss your automation applications on 01509 815186 or sales@cyan-tec.com.

Working in collaboration with a number of partners, Cyan Tec have recent installed a laser cutting machine – an Alpha Active Demonstrator – at Sellafield. The project aims to develop a safer, semi remote process for the size reduction of alpha contaminated items that is more efficient when compared to manual operations. This is expected to have safety, cost and schedule benefits once the technology is proven and optimised.

Gloveboxes used for research, development and operations that have come to the end of their life will be decommissioned as part of the site’s clean-up programme.

Many of these are contaminated with alpha-bearing material and current decommissioning plans include manual techniques which are often hazardous and time consuming. There is a driver to address this challenge using alternative technologies to deliver safer, more efficient decommissioning at a lower cost.

A facility for reducing the size of gloveboxes has been built in an existing laboratory on the Sellafield site. This self-contained laser cutting facility will reduce the risk to operators during remote size reduction of alpha contaminated gloveboxes.

This includes a laser cutting system mounted on a six degrees of freedom robotic arm with recovery of waste and minimum human intervention.

Inactive trials have now been completed, with active tests planned for early 2022. A phase of active demonstrations will take place in order to deliver the pre-defined learning objectives and to enable future decisions on the capability to be made.

The AAD project will determine whether to scale up and build a Central Breakdown Facility or whether another Engineered Drum Store or Waste Treatment Complex is required to house additional waste from the decommissioning of alpha contaminated gloveboxes.

Cyan Tec are pleased to announce that their new flexible laser processing machine, Flexlase, will be launched at the upcoming Fanuc open day.

The open day, running from the 1st to the 5th of November 2021, will be hosted at Fanuc’s state of art facility in Coventry, UK. This is a fantastic opportunity for potential clients to meet the Cyan Tec team and understand more about the capabilities of the Flexlase machine.

The small footprint design has the ability to cut or weld (configured to suit the customer’s requirements), including the integration of a wide range of different laser sources. Cyan Tec’s vast laser experience will assist in the configuration of the machine such as; laser processing optics, laser power and component fixturing.

Given that Cyan Tec have a history of working in a wide range of industries – automotive (including E-mobility), aerospace, nuclear, battery technology, pharmaceutical and plastics – the Flexlase has been designed with this in mind and can be easily configured to suit a wide range of applications.

To find out more about other laser processing cells offered by Cyan Tec, see Standard laser material processing cells | Cyan-Tec.

The transition from a traditional combustion engine to battery technology is well and truly underway in the UK, with more and more users switching to electric vehicles, and Cyan Tec are making inroads into this market at pace. Lithium-ion batteries have reached the status of being the spearhead of the automotive market, capable of having a very high voltage and charge storage per unit mass and unit volume – a crucial factor in order to allow this technology to become the “norm”.

The design and manufacture of dedicated laser welding automation is a particular area of expertise for Cyan Tec, and the previous experiences of integrating industrial lasers into complex – as well as more simple – automation, has given access to this exciting new market.

Technical knowledge in this industry is crucial for clients that are investing heavily in automated systems and Cyan Tec are on hand to offer advice where required, specifically regarding the key parameters in laser welding including; laser power, welding speed, focal distance and pulse rate, which influence weld quality, weld bead geometry and weld dimensions. Within the automated process, these parameters need to be controlled to provide weld strength and conductivity without penetrating the battery cell.

The key advantage of laser welding technology compared against other alternative solutions is that it offers a precise and non-contact joining method, which can be adapted to fit small areas with low accessibility using a concentrated heat source.

Cyan Tec is a market leader in the supply of full turnkey laser systems to industry, energy and research sectors. Integrating laser welding systems into battery production lines can lower costs and increase reliability of batteries for electric vehicles.

To find out more please click https://cyan-tec.com/contact or call our sales department on +44 (0)1509 815186.