Tintometer for Tanneries: machine that allows the operator to minimize possibility of error in identifying color.
The determination of 'color recipe' is one of the most critical moments to finish leather.
“fine-tuning” is the identification of correct percentages of colors and additives necessary to perfectly replicate the tone required by client.
This is one of the most delicate phases for high-fashion items creation because color is the most impactful signifier within collections and it is a result of research and study, which brings together brand identity, awareness of contemporary society and calculation for future forecasts.
The amount of time and resources for fine-tuning is cause of the real criticality because it consists in highest amount of uncertainties in many test steps.
Therefore color fine-tuning is an essential phase for work in tannery and it causes a number of difficulties and time-consuming index: even if we start from constant products (therefore the same manufacturer), it is necessary that the operator makes available all his knowledge, experience and competence to obtain perfect result.
As mentioned above, fine-tuning requires test in series like manual spraying for precise identification of color tone required by the stylist; then operator sets a small pilot production to create base for production process of large quantities (that it is industrialization).
Once operator has results by pilot production, he starts with industrialization which involves a further final fine-tuning of the formulations and operating conditions.
INNOVATION
The TRUE COLORS project aims to create a new highly automated tintometric mixer to support fine-tuning for finishing recipes. It will reduce, if not eliminate, human error.
In addition tintometric mixer will consist of an automated finishing booth equipped with a mixing system for preparing coloring chemicals (pigments, anilines) and a multispectral camera, through which the measurements of shades of samples and leathers will be objective.
These measures has specific correlation algorithms and will provide an objective evaluation of color in order to create a color recipe reasonably similar to the target.
The automatic mixing system will allow us to quickly test optimized recipes and identify the process parameters for recipes.
Once operator has a definitive recipe, he can start production directly with significant savings in time, resources and chemicals.
PARTNERSHIP
BCN Concerie SpA (LEADER): BCN Concerie produces chrome and vegetable tanned calfskin and cowskin, intended for the production of footwear, clothing and leather goods.
In TRUE COLORS, BCN Concerie will host the pilot tintometer: here we will work on fine-tuning and we will test performance on leather produced.
Elettrobaldi Srl: Engineering company of industrial automation.
In TRUE COLORS, Elettrobaldi will be responsible for carrying out the mechanical and electronic projects of the painting station and the mixing system. It will also have the task of supervising operational production, installation and fine-tuning.
Ami Costruzioni Meccaniche Srl: The company designs and manufactures industrial plants, also customized ones.
In TRUE COLORS they will construct the mixing machinery envisaged by the project.
Giulio Gozzini Srl: The company designs and installs systems of water, heating, electrical, air conditioning and gas distribution.
Gozzini in TRUE COLORS will assemble and install the systems, as well as their commissioning.
Kentec Srl: Engineering consulting company specializing in the analysis, design and implementation of multispectral industrial vision systems related to production processes.
Kentec in TRUE COLORS will select the most suitable multispectral cameras and perform the installation, including interfacing with the database.
Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa (DICI): DICI has extensive experience in the characterization of materials, robotics and industrial automation, chemical reactor design, process control and development of sustainable technologies.
DICI in TRUE COLORS will develop a CFD model of color mixing, a subsequent mixing control model and finally the algorithmic system for the predictive statistical control of optimal sequence, in process operations.
SUED Srl (subcontractor): The company develops management software for companies operating in leather and footwear area, which allow the computerization of the entire production chain: from the initial supply of leathers to tanning, up to the shipment of various products finished, for clothing, leather goods and footwear.
SUED in TRUE COLORS will take care of the creation of management software, the database and the user interface for managing models and algorithms developed during the project.
Laboratori ARCHA Srl (subcontractor): Analysis and research laboratory.
In TRUE COLORS they will deal with the characterization of various chemical products that will be used to formulate the recipes and, in collaboration with Kentec and DICI, develop the mixing control model, through the statistical analysis of spectral data collected.
Poster Project True Colors
