Equipment achieves new level of precision, critical in dispense of LSR
North Canton, OH – Graco Inc. (NYSE: GGG) a world leader in fluid handling products and systems, announces the release of the Graco Fluid Automation F4-5 & F4-55 liquid silicone rubber (LSR) dispensing equipment. The new Graco Fluid Automation F4 series systems are designed to keep the dispensing of two-component LSR consistently precise, with two flow meters ensuring the material remains on-ratio. This is particularly critical in industries like medical device manufacturing, where pharmaceuticals added to the LSR make materials extremely expensive and where off-ratio dispensing can result in product defects.
“The introduction of the Graco Fluid Automation F4-5 and F-4-55 ushers in a new level of precision in the dispensing of LSR,” commented David Bordwell, global product manager for Graco’s Advanced Fluid Dispense division. “The equipment’s helical gear and unique flow meter construction allows the F4-5 series systems to measure material in extremely small increments, which increases the operator’s ability to detect even the smallest anomaly much sooner.”
The system’s two flow meters allow for constant oversight of dispensing ratios. If the system encounters an issue and off-ratio conditions exist, it automatically shuts down to prevent wasted material and unusable products. In medical device applications, where batches of both parts of the material are certified and qualified together and pharmaceutical materials are added to the LSR, precision is especially important. Any material left over due to off-ratio dispensing and any products produced during off-ratio conditions are no longer usable and therefore are wasted.
The stainless steel construction of Graco’s LSR dispensing equipment also makes it extremely well-suited to the medical device industry. Graco machines are easy to clean, making it less likely that contamination will occur after material switches. Additional benefits include a reduced machine footprint to provide more floor space for moving and storage, and
the substitution of PLC (Programmable Logic Controllers) with the more robust proprietary Graco Control Architecture (GCA).
“The move to Graco Control Architecture translates into easy startup and operation for the end user. GCA controls are more user friendly, thereby saving the user time, service and support requirements,” Bordwell added.
Graco has already begun accepting orders for the Graco Fluid Automation F4-5 series equipment. For more information about Graco AFD, call 1.800.746.1334 or email FluidMgmt@graco.com.
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ABOUT GRACO
Graco Inc. supplies technology and expertise for the management of fluids and coatings in both industrial and commercial applications. It designs, manufactures and markets systems and equipment to move, measure, control, dispense, and spray fluid and powder materials. A recognized leader in its specialties, Minneapolis-based Graco serves customers around the world in the manufacturing, processing, construction, and maintenance industries. For additional information about Graco Inc., please visit us at www.graco.com or on Twitter @GracoInc.
