Historically, control of spray nozzles in most manufacturing plants has been a manual task or handled via a PLC. However, new options from AutoJet® Technologies, our turnkey systems division, have changed the way many plants approach spray system control.

Our new dedicated spray controllers save on programming time with pre-defined, pre-tested control modules that are application specific. Spray controllers are able to optimize the performance of air atomizing nozzles and automatic spray nozzles because they provide very fast response times — up to 10 times faster than PLCs — and have nozzle performance data built in.

If product quality is affected by spraying, or high-cost fluids are being sprayed, the benefits of precision spray control can be significant. The following spray control strategies may help you increase efficiency and improve product quality:

• Closed loop temperature control (constant temperature, fluid pressure varies).
• Closed loop flow control (constant flow rate, fluid pressure varies).
• Open loop pressure control (constant fluid pressure).
• Open loop flow control (constant flow rate with tight tolerances).
• Open loop flow pulse width modulation (constant flow rate and constant fluid pressure).
• Open loop batch control (variable spray parameter for multiple spray applications on a single line).
• Open loop speed control (constant application rate, variable fluid pressure).
• Open loop speed pulse width modulation (constant application rate, constant fluid pressure).

Visit our Automated spray control systems page for more information on how automated spray control systems often pay for themselves quickly through productivity gains and lowering of costs such as labor and production consumables.