Volgogradskij Keramicheskij Zavod expands its high-pressure casting department

Volgogradskij Keramik, based in Volgograd (Russia), the first Russian manufacturer to adopt high pressure ceramic sanitaryware casting technology, has responded to growing market demand by recently starting up two new Sacmi casting systems for high-end WCs (AVE 040 and AVM 150).

The AVE 040 casting island, which will be used to boost output of currently manufactured models, has been supplied together with a multi-level piece storage conveyor (the pieces are simultaneously demoulded and deposited on suitable polyurethane supports). The conveyor ensures there is an adequate ‘firming up’ period prior to final finishing of the pieces and their subsequent deposit on dryer cars. Piece handling is automatic and lifting is performed by elevators/descenders, allowing vertical storage of pieces and thus reducing floor space requirements.

The second plant is a single-mould AVM integrated production centre for complex WCs cast in resin moulds. It is served by a transfer unit that demoulds and deposits the piece at the finishing station. The AVM offers the best solution for complex WCs which require highly specific finishing operations and flexible production arrangements. Mould changeover is fast and independent, so once the second casting module is installed it will be possible to change the mould on one machine without stopping production on the other. The system is also suitable for small-scale production runs.

The order is completed by a full set of new moulds which supplement the original ones still in use more than 10 years after plant start-up. The outstanding duration of the moulds was ensured by the timely, skilled maintenance performed by the technicians at Volgogradskij Keramik along with the resin and special modelling and mould-making technology delivered by Sacmi.