Innovative approach for the digital ceramic tile glazing process, using a continuous inline glazer

Tecno Italia (TI) is an International leader in the manufacturing of Screen-Printing Machines for the Ceramic Industry, with special attention to environmental pollution’s issues. Some of the products are the outcome of valuable resources invested in research for efficient and high-quality systems, suitable to the requests of the most demanding markets. TI has the mission to create a disruptive solution for the glazing process in the ceramic industry, solving the problem of poisoning of the working environment due to silica and toxic vapors, using an innovative digital technology with unparalleled efficiency. This new technology is focused on developing a novel family of machines, Glazetile: DigiGlaze & DigiGraphic, designed for ceramic tile manufactures, that can achieve in-line deposition of fully water-based glazes through a digital printing process with precise definition of the printing area with the consequent elimination of glaze losses (~40wt%). Glazetile will improve production efficiency and reduce the total cost of the yield tiles with increased quality while reducing workplace and environment pollution. TI unique selling points are: first continuous ceramic tile glazer that uses fully water-based suspensions; no pollution, no toxicity; elimination of suction cabins, aspiration systems, air filters maintenance and cleaning issues; efficient process in terms of energy, water consumption and sustainability; increased quality of glazed surfaces: stronger colors and reduced roughness. DigiGlaze & DigiGraphic target respectively the 2 glazing steps of ceramic tile manufacturing, offering annual savings of up to €450 k per manufacture line for the end users. Glazetile machines will be supplied to manufacturers in the ceramic tile market, ready for a smooth incorporation into their production lines. TI will carry out the commercialization activities by entering first the Italian and Spanish markets since they are the largest tile manufacturer markets in the EU.