From its inception, Platinum Ceramics has been committed to innovation and advanced technological content along with forward-looking vision. Constant upgrading of technology and infrastructure has enabled Platinum to deliver high-quality products that satisfy the customers as well as sustain the environment. Platinum has been a pioneer in several hi-tech innovations that have set the trend in the industry. These include:
Double-firing is a special technological process that creates sharp colours and contrasts in tiles. Through this process, tiles can be given different shades, patterns and tints, creating a wide range of options for designers and consumers. The process involves firing, first at the base of the tile and then the enamel. These tiles are obtained by dry grinding own-quarried clays and fire clays and then mixing, dampening and compacting them in hydraulic process.
Once the base has been formed, it is then quick-cycle fired in roller kilns that reach temperatures of approximately 1100 degrees.This kind of tile is ideal for interiors, adding a touch of class to kitchens, bathrooms and work areas.
Digital ink-jet technology represents a new system of floor and wall tile decoration that is positioned to alter the way ceramic and porcelain is decorated. Digital printing is a method of printing using digital techniques in which data and images are printed directly from a computer onto the tile. Ink-jet printing is a non-impact printing technology. It uses droplets of ink jetted from a small aperture to a specified position on a surface to create an image. Four colours - cyan, magenta, yellow and black (CMYK)-are combined in various ways to create virtually any colour required.
This technology has now evolved to allow the same printing process to be used on ceramic tile. Using an ink-jet printing machine and four specially designed inks, the technology is used to create an unlimited number of high-quality patterns and decorations, with fewer materials, less waste and less development and production time than conventional processes.
Ink-jet is a non-contact decorating process. Tiles exit the machine as quickly as they enter, achieving speeds as high as 50-metres per minute possible with photographic-quality reproduction. This new technology allows us to achieve almost infinite design variability. Ink-jet printing offers a greatly reduced colour palette, high versatility, ultra-fine resolution, 100 per cent edge-to-edge decoration, full relief decoration, completely random designs and computer control over the entire process. With this new process, tile design and decoration is easier, less time consuming and less costly.
Three-firing producers have used ink-jet equipment since its inception and we can forsee even greater adoption of this technology in the future. We can create tiles and panels of various sizes with photographic quality using 3, 4 or 6 basic colors made from normal and very fine ceramic pigments stable for these temperatures. Only by ink-jet is it possible to lay down decoration on top of frit grains because it is done without contact. Innovative effects can be obtained with semi-transparent colors and diffusion. For third-firing, ink-jet represents a huge opportunity for savings for on-demand production (reducing warehouse stock and the number of pigments needed).
For single fired wall tiles we have developed new effects that define new quality in the high rank market. While better definition is normal for ceramic pigments, the layer is very thin and therefore cannot withstand polishing or heavy traffic without a protective over glaze. We can combine the ink-jet process using inks and those made using traditional ceramic pigments with standard roller printing machines to obtain exquisite effects.
Fast and precise, allows loading of large sizes to be managed with the same quality and repeatability as small sizes.Pre-loaded loop structure designed using the fi nite elements technique; ensures absorption of the massive forces in play even at high output rates without any long-term problems.
Doubles the pump delivery rate, thus shortening cycle completion times even with very thick tiles. Doubles pump pressure, thus increasing pressing power so that very large tiles can be made.
This technology has now evolved to allow the same printing process to be used on ceramic tile. Using an ink-jet printing machine and four specially designed inks, the technology is used to create an unlimited number of high-quality patterns and decorations, with fewer materials, less waste and less development and production time than conventional processes.