Dispense Solutions
Don’t Buy Another Boat Anchor. Most vendors of Industrial Formula Dispensers make grand claims of accuracy and speed in their sales pitch, but usually deliver reverse payback and compromised accuracy and function. This is a great example of “Over Promise / Under Deliver.” Unfortunately, this is pervasive in the dispense industry.
For the unsuspecting that have purchased these boat anchors, it becomes difficult to explain why:
  • It takes longer for a machine to dispense then when previously done manually
  • There are as many, if not more, “off spec” dispenses
  • Many viscous materials keep stalling the pumps
  • Formulas which require tight accuracy still need to be made manually
These nightmares are the reason many industrial formula batches are still laboriously mixed by hand today.
This guide provides an overview of common dispenser technology issues and illustrates the many advantages and benefits of the Generic Fluid Systems line of dispensers.
With our equipment, here is what you gain:
  • Fast, accurate, dependable dispense with our servo-style gear pump, high-resolution controls, proprietary-dispense valve, automatic calibration, and multi-mode, simultaneous dispense capability
  • Easy operation with our configurable point-and-click Graphical User Interface, Formula Editor, automatic calibration, bulk-feed capability, level tracking, and multi-lingual capability
  • Flexible production with our wide viscosity, multi-batch size, and multi-material capabilities, and with our X-proof C1/D1 design
  • A high level of material hygiene with our stainless steel design, recirculation system, conical-supply canisters, and leak-proof top
  • Easy maintenance with our compact, modular design that still has plenty of space to access all components, with sanitary clamp-style fittings, and with our maintenance warning system

Issue - Accurate Dispensing. Measuring Ingredients.

A scale used as a measuring device, especially with the gravimetric method, must have sufficient resolution to obtain the desired accuracy. Gravimetric machines are often advertised with 0.1 gram accuracy, however, most 55-gallon drum scales have a resolution of +/- 50 grams.
A scale is never truly accurate because the force from the pumping system is transmitted to the scale, as is the weight of the material, causing the scale to read “heavier.”
Our competitors typically address this problem using a software algorithm in the controller to look ahead or “guess” the weight while dispensing. In addition, multi-step dispensing processes are used with a staged valve for full, medium and fine flow, as follows:
  1. Full flow for the first 80%
  2. Stop and wait for the scale to “settle” to get the true weight
  3. Medium flow for the next 15%
  4. Stop and wait for the scale to “settle”
  5. fine flow for the last 5%
  6. Stop and check the scale to pulse in that last amount
    
That's six steps!
Our Solution        
Generic Fluid Systems uses a unique Weight Displacement Encoder that is not immersed in the wet material. A single “reference” is provided for all pumps in the system, much like a scale.
The Weight Displacement Encoder tracks the weight for each individual ingredient, even when they are all dispensed at the same time! The encoder can also be combined with optional scales for dual-reference checks for each batch. This high-accuracy, real-time device allows for flexible methods of dispense with all of our machines.
That's one step!


Issue - Methods of Dispense. Gravimetric, Volumetric, Ratio and Priority.
Gravimetric method dispenses one ingredient at a time onto a scale until all ingredients in the formula are added.
Volumetric method dispenses all ingredients at the same time, which is much faster dispensing than a gravimetric machine.
Ratio or proportioning dispenses are common when a catalyst is involved in the formula, such as lamination adhesives and multi-component paints. With this method, formulas do not require stirring or agitation after being dispensed.
Priority Mode dispenses are useful when bases or inert portions of the formula are dispensed first and then checked for weight compliance, followed by the addition and weight-compliance check of active ingredients.
Our Solution        
Our equipment line is capable of all methods of dispense: Gravimetric, Volumetric, Ratio, Priority and combinations of the above.

Issue - Accurate Dispensing. Pumping the Liquid.
Fluid delivery must be smooth and repeatable, without pulsation for any system to be consistently accurate. Pneumatic-diaphragm pumps, which are typically used with gravimetric machines, produce pulsations with each pump stroke, so design and installation of equipment such as pulse dampeners and back-pressure regulators are often needed. This can be further aggravated when a wide variety of material viscosities are pumped, since each material will have unique pressure and surge characteristics.
Our Solution        
Generic Fluid Systems’ Volumetric and Ratio machines typically use electric motor-driven positive-displacement pumps that produce smooth, repeatable fluid delivery.
Our Pump Drive Train system uses a single motor/gearbox coupled with a Weight Displacement Encoder to drive multiple pumps. This single motor and encoder combination provides the most reliable, repeatable, and accurate fluid delivery system for all these types of applications.

Issue - Safe Dispensing in Hazardous (Explosive and Flammable) Enviroments.
Many solvent-based materials require that dispenser equipment meet National Electric Code compliance for Class 1/Division 1 (explosive) atmospheres. Many vendors purge the enclosures of their water-based equipment to achieve compliance; however, purged enclosures are a maintenance nightmare since all power must be off when the enclosure is opened.
Our Solution        
Based on our vast experience designing for solvent compatibility and hazardous environments, our equipment uses explosion-proof or intrinsically-safe electronics and does not require purged enclosures.


Issue - Effective Dispensing. Feed Stock Options.
Most vendors do not provide options for ingredient feed methods to your dispenser, typically relying on the customer to supply 55-gallon drums to each dispense pump.
Our Solution        
Generic Fluid Systems’ line of dispensers features multiple feed stock options:
  • Feed direct from 55-gallon drum
  • Feed from remote recirculation mother tote pumping systems using our Bulk Tap option
  • Feed from internal, canister wings supplied by Generic Fluid Systems, which contain various combinations of 3-gallon or 6-gallon canisters. This allows smaller amounts to be loaded into the dispenser, typically from one or five gallon cans.
  • Gravity feed from day tank/tote combinations


Issue - Effective Dispensing. Dispense Batch Sizes.
Dispenser equipment typically comes configured to output one batch size, for example, 55-gallon drums. Need something smaller for production? Tough, hand mix it.
Our Solution        
Our dispensers can output into container sizes ranging from a pint to large chemical totes. The dispensers can output in U.S. Gallons, U.S. Quarts, Liters, Pounds, Grams, or Kilograms.


Issue - Fast Dispensing. Need for Speed.
Does your process have time (and thus money) to waste? Obviously, the faster one attempts to dispense a formula, the more challenging the accuracy component becomes. Gravimetric and volumetric dispenser machines address speed of dispense in different ways. Since a volumetric machine dispenses all ingredients at the same time, it is inherently much faster than the gravimetric method. This advantage becomes even larger in formulations that have many ingredients.
Our Solution        
Our dispensers can be switched on the fly from gravimetric to volumetric dispense modes. So no matter how much time you have to waste (or not waste), we can accommodate your process.


Issue - Effective Dispensing. Ease of Operation.
Our competitors’ dispenser equipment often requires setting many calibrations and dispense factors in a software interface to handle various viscosities, pump rates, container sizes, valve anticipator settings, etc.
Our Solution        
Generic Fluid Systems dispensers are “one button” fully automatic. All factors are automatically set for you by the controller.

Issue - Effective Dispensing. Serviceability.
Most vendors cram all the components into the smallest spaces and provide electrical drawings, BOMs and user manuals which are at best poorly detailed or at the worst non-existent.
Our Solution        
We design equipment with easy access to components and utilize common industrial standard fittings, tubing, and simple to understand mechanicals.
Generic Fluid Systems provides fully detailed electrical, pneumatic, and component assembly drawings as well as thorough user manuals and troubleshooting guides. In addition, we provide parts and onsite service for our equipment.



Generic Fluid Systems - Accurate Industrial Dispense Equipment ♦    Sales@Genericfluidsystems.com

3315 N. Centennial Road ♦    Sylvania, Ohio 43560 ♦    Toll Free # 1-888-488-8555 ♦