TST: Of robots and precision

Sales meeting in Milan – Seated: Charl du Pisani (Cape Karoo International), Stella Massaro (Cartigliano), Arné Husselmann (TST). Standing: Marco Bidoggia (Cartigliano), Gert Bosch (TST), Ali Hakimi (Fusion Leather World).
African Leather: What is interesting about the Barnini spray arm?
The Barnini Robot system is the first multi-patented leather loading system in the world, that is capable of automatically loading leather from a stand, platform or chain.
The robot system is also capable of finishing panels or whole skins, simulating production systems and of making decorations, such as lines, shades and designs thanks to the intuitive software it is equipped with.
African Leather: What were the Italprogetti products that were of interest, and why?
The dry milling drums from Italprogetti allow a precise control of the milling process and give the operator the possibility to set times, temperature, humidity level, rotational speed, chemical injection and also to store and recall working cycles which can then be repeated at any time.
It can also adapt the water or chemical introduction times in accordance to the real quantity of leather that’s currently in process.
The dust collection system, with self-cleaning sleeves, is automatically controlled. This guarantees the complete separation of the dust during the process without affecting the internal temperature and humidity parameters.
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