With the EcoDose 3K, Dürr is growing its product family of paint mixing systems with a solution for three-component fluids based on the tried-and-tested two-component injection technology. The mixing system boasts a number of features including high precision, long service life and smart functions.
Just like the proven EcoDose 2K used by hundreds of customers worldwide, the new EcoDose 3K boasts a long service life and ease of maintenance. The new mixing system is used wherever three components of a fluid needs to be merged shortly before application. Three-component coating systems are popular in aviation, woodworking, yacht and boat building.
Precise Mixing Thanks to Injection Technology
The EcoDose 3K is based on the same inline injection technology as Dürr’s established two-component mixing system. In an upgrade to the EcoDose 2K, a color changer, a measuring cell and a mixer have additionally been integrated into the system. The controller has also been enhanced to fully enable it to automatically meter, merge, and mix all three components just before they are used. This is done by monitoring the continuous flow of the first component using a measuring cell. The other components to be injected are metered as required to the desired mixing ratio by opening and closing valves. To ensure the correct mixing ratio is maintained, the metering quantity is monitored using measuring cells.
Particular precision is needed for the third component, which typically determines the viscosity. This is because it often has very low viscosity and only a small amount of this agent is added. As the most efficient way of dealing with low viscosities, Dürr uses Coriolis measuring cells in the EcoDose 3K. These measuring cells are maintenance-free, offer high measurement accuracy and provide additional measurement functions for density and temperature for example. The EcoDose 3K meets the high precision requirements with proven Dürr valve technology that enables injections in particularly short cycles.
Robust Valve Technology for Long Service Life
Despite the high switching frequency of 5 Hz, the lifetime of the Dürr valve technology is second to none. The valves that Dürr launched three years ago from the first series are still in operation today, and have successfully completed over 10 million switching cycles without any maintenance at all.
In the event of minor leaks during normal operation, the clever valve design ensures that fluids are unable to get into the valve’s pilot air piston and prevents undesired reactions with the moisture in the air. If maintenance is ever required, the valve can be quickly replaced by simply undoing four screws – which means that the system is ready to use again within just a few minutes.
Smart Functions Complement the Ecodose 3K
Dürr’s EcoDose 3K is complemented by a 7-inch color touchscreen display where users quickly find their bearings, since operation is similar to Dürr’s other controller-based products. The standard delivery contents also include an Ethernet communication interface that can be integrated into the particular controller landscape. In addition, the mixing system has smart functions to minimize both detergent consumption and fluid loss, significantly reduces the time required for rinsing and loading a new medium.
