Sustainability is a very important topic among virtually all industries, including inks. Typically, the focus is on raw materials, but that is only the beginning. The reality is that processing the materials is just as important. For example, if the equipment you are using isn’t efficiently producing your products, you are wasting time and energy. If you can’t get the equipment to work properly, nothing gets done.
Aside from the environmental benefits of sustainability, the reality is that sustainability leads to cost savings and more profits. Less waste means needing less raw materials. Less cleaning leads to less downtime. Faster productivity results in greater efficiency and producing consistently excellent products is crucial in developing the reputation for quality. Ultimately, the investment in new equipment quickly pays for itself, and sustainability is a win-win for all parties.
Hockmeyer Equipment sees the importance of sustainability. The equipment manufacturer is growing along with its customers to help meet their needs and is pouring resources into R&D, developing new technologies and earning new patents in the process. The results speak for themselves.
Headquartered in Elizabeth City, NC, Hockmeyer Equipment has come a long way since it opened its doors as a welding and equipment repair shop in the Bronx, NY. Over the years, Hockmeyer has become an expert in particle reduction and has moved into industries such as paint and coatings, printing inks, agriculture, cosmetics, food, energy storage, and more.
Hockmeyer’s first paint mixer was launched in the 1950s, followed by agitator mills and horizontal paste mixers in the 1960s. The company moved to Harrison, NJ in the 1970s, before relocating to North Carolina in 1984 to accommodate growth. By 1991, Hockmeyer had successfully launched its patented Immersion Mill.
However, the past decade has seen the company’s greatest growth to date, both in terms of facilities as well as R&D and new products. First, the facilities: in 2021, Hockmeyer doubled its warehouse space to accommodate more stock of parts ready for next-day delivery, as well as machine subassemblies to help the company mitigate the effects of supply chain lead time issues.
Even more growth is underway now, as Hockmeyer Equipment is currently doubling the size of its applications testing lab as part of a 36,000-square-foot expansion. In addition, more space is being added for manufacturing, with new equipment being brought in, as well as additional space for assembling its mills. Along with its growth, the company is also bringing in talented people to add to its team, and the company prides itself on its growing research and development accomplishments.
That growth will come in handy as Hockmeyer Equipment continues to innovate. In 2021, Hockmeyer was awarded its 13th patent, this one for the NexGen™ Vacuum Rotor Stator, and the company has a new application in process for yet one more game-changing technology in particle size reduction equipment.
The NexGen™ technology has proved to be a winner for Hockmeyer and its customers. On the manufacturing side, processing equipment that can increase production while meeting sustainability objectives is extremely valuable to ink companies, who are always seeking cost savings and improving their return on investment. Equipment that conserves materials while emitting less pollution, operates more safely and is economically sound is a recipe for success.
This is where NexGen™ comes in. NexGen™ Recirculating Vacuum Milling delivers pure airless grinds and improves efficiency while delivering a tight particle size distribution. It combines an integrated vacuum to eliminate air trapped in the feedstock while recirculating through an aggressive shear zone with numerous impact points to maximize particle size reduction. And the NexGen™ Rotor-Stator disperser uses the same vacuum technology for an ideal pre-mix.
Here’s how it works: The air inside the agglomerates expands and forces the particles apart, exposing maximum particle surface area. In this case, 20 inches of vacuum expands the air bubbles by four times. Liquid and resin encapsulate each particle for fast and thorough wetting. The rapid pressure change inside the vacuum chamber creates micro vapor cavities in the liquid. When these short-lived vapor cavities (bubbles) collapse, they generate a shockwave through the feedstock that further aids in particle size reduction.
With high-speed recirculation as high as 300 GPM, the feedstock is recirculated through the shear zone at high velocity, to maximize the number of passes for every drop. The Interlocking ‘H’ Stator Design creates a unique shear pattern of vertical and horizontal slots for ultra-dynamic impact while offering maximum open area for the greatest flow.
The tight tolerances between the rotor and the stator create a short distance between particle acceleration and point of contact for the greatest shattering effect on agglomerates. Through its Dual Pumping Rotor Design, the product is pulled from both the top and bottom of the rotor, doubling the number of collisions per particle.
The entire process takes place in a temperature-controlled environment, to preserve formulae characteristics and function. The heat generated by the aggressive shear forces is quickly mitigated by a thorough cooling system covering the chamber and return lines. Another key advantage is that NexGen™ has a flexible, portable design and easily hooks up to your existing process tanks. It is also easy to clean and change over.
The result is a deaerated dispersion, a narrow particle size distribution band, volumetric accuracy, and an optimal dispersion pre-mix for milling into the nanoparticle size range in the NexGen™ Mill.
Hockmeyer Equipment’s technology isn’t limited to actual production equipment, as Hockmeyer offers state-of-the-art equipment controls that assist manufacturers in a variety of areas.
With Hockmeyer Equipment’s advanced controls, ink producers receive data in real time, which allows them to ensure manufacturing is running seamlessly and the machines are performing perfectly. Performance parameters can be set for automatic adjustments, ensuring consistency, saving crucial time and reducing waste of materials. Ink formulations and work instructions are stored, allowing companies to minimize operator error and record valuable data for future decision-making. All of this leads to improved cost savings and return on investment.
This connected manufacturing ecosystem ensures that the customer’s projects are completed on time, on budget, and with consistent excellent quality. Having a reputation for quality and meeting customer needs is the best way to develop long term company value.
The NexGen™ technology isn’t the only sustainable option that Hockmeyer offers. For another example, tank cleaning is an area that is ripe for a more sustainable solution. Hockmeyer’s CMX-200 Vessel Washer checks several boxes here. The CMX-200 uses less cleaning materials than traditional manual cleaning, reducing the need for solvents and detergents, which is better for manufacturers who enjoy more cost savings. Industrial tank cleaning equipment will pay for itself in a short period of time, which is the kind of return on investment that any manufacturer seeks.
Safety is also critical. Rotating brushes and spray nozzles remove the product from tank walls while a closed system lessens operator exposure to solvents and detergents. The brushes can be replaced on the fly to handle various tank sizes or shapes. Meanwhile, efficient solvent utilization limits HazMat waste, and the fast and highly effective cleaning process minimizes the chances of cross-contamination.
It is important to note that while Hockmeyer Equipment has a range of solutions for the ink industry, it also prides itself on its ability to develop custom products to meet its customers’ specific needs.
At the end of the day, a variety of factors are part of the sustainability equation. There are economic factors, such as the cost of manufacturing and energy; there are product aspects, such as quality, lifespan, and reliability; there are environmental issues, such as material, energy, and water usage, waste reduction and emissions, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs); and then social concerns, such as safety and health of employees and the community.
Ultimately, the kind of machinery a company uses has a direct bearing on meeting its sustainability goals. That’s why it’s essential that manufacturers only work with machines that are eco-friendly and score highly on sustainability factors. Hockmeyer Equipment can help you meet your sustainability mandates.
Aside from the environmental benefits of sustainability, the reality is that sustainability leads to cost savings and more profits. Less waste means needing less raw materials. Less cleaning leads to less downtime. Faster productivity results in greater efficiency and producing consistently excellent products is crucial in developing the reputation for quality. Ultimately, the investment in new equipment quickly pays for itself, and sustainability is a win-win for all parties.
Hockmeyer Equipment sees the importance of sustainability. The equipment manufacturer is growing along with its customers to help meet their needs and is pouring resources into R&D, developing new technologies and earning new patents in the process. The results speak for themselves.
Hockmeyer Equipment Then and Now
Headquartered in Elizabeth City, NC, Hockmeyer Equipment has come a long way since it opened its doors as a welding and equipment repair shop in the Bronx, NY. Over the years, Hockmeyer has become an expert in particle reduction and has moved into industries such as paint and coatings, printing inks, agriculture, cosmetics, food, energy storage, and more.
Hockmeyer’s first paint mixer was launched in the 1950s, followed by agitator mills and horizontal paste mixers in the 1960s. The company moved to Harrison, NJ in the 1970s, before relocating to North Carolina in 1984 to accommodate growth. By 1991, Hockmeyer had successfully launched its patented Immersion Mill.
However, the past decade has seen the company’s greatest growth to date, both in terms of facilities as well as R&D and new products. First, the facilities: in 2021, Hockmeyer doubled its warehouse space to accommodate more stock of parts ready for next-day delivery, as well as machine subassemblies to help the company mitigate the effects of supply chain lead time issues.
Even more growth is underway now, as Hockmeyer Equipment is currently doubling the size of its applications testing lab as part of a 36,000-square-foot expansion. In addition, more space is being added for manufacturing, with new equipment being brought in, as well as additional space for assembling its mills. Along with its growth, the company is also bringing in talented people to add to its team, and the company prides itself on its growing research and development accomplishments.
Hockmeyer Equipment’s New Technologies
That growth will come in handy as Hockmeyer Equipment continues to innovate. In 2021, Hockmeyer was awarded its 13th patent, this one for the NexGen™ Vacuum Rotor Stator, and the company has a new application in process for yet one more game-changing technology in particle size reduction equipment.
The NexGen™ technology has proved to be a winner for Hockmeyer and its customers. On the manufacturing side, processing equipment that can increase production while meeting sustainability objectives is extremely valuable to ink companies, who are always seeking cost savings and improving their return on investment. Equipment that conserves materials while emitting less pollution, operates more safely and is economically sound is a recipe for success.
NexGen™ Technology
This is where NexGen™ comes in. NexGen™ Recirculating Vacuum Milling delivers pure airless grinds and improves efficiency while delivering a tight particle size distribution. It combines an integrated vacuum to eliminate air trapped in the feedstock while recirculating through an aggressive shear zone with numerous impact points to maximize particle size reduction. And the NexGen™ Rotor-Stator disperser uses the same vacuum technology for an ideal pre-mix.
Here’s how it works: The air inside the agglomerates expands and forces the particles apart, exposing maximum particle surface area. In this case, 20 inches of vacuum expands the air bubbles by four times. Liquid and resin encapsulate each particle for fast and thorough wetting. The rapid pressure change inside the vacuum chamber creates micro vapor cavities in the liquid. When these short-lived vapor cavities (bubbles) collapse, they generate a shockwave through the feedstock that further aids in particle size reduction.
With high-speed recirculation as high as 300 GPM, the feedstock is recirculated through the shear zone at high velocity, to maximize the number of passes for every drop. The Interlocking ‘H’ Stator Design creates a unique shear pattern of vertical and horizontal slots for ultra-dynamic impact while offering maximum open area for the greatest flow.
The tight tolerances between the rotor and the stator create a short distance between particle acceleration and point of contact for the greatest shattering effect on agglomerates. Through its Dual Pumping Rotor Design, the product is pulled from both the top and bottom of the rotor, doubling the number of collisions per particle.
The entire process takes place in a temperature-controlled environment, to preserve formulae characteristics and function. The heat generated by the aggressive shear forces is quickly mitigated by a thorough cooling system covering the chamber and return lines. Another key advantage is that NexGen™ has a flexible, portable design and easily hooks up to your existing process tanks. It is also easy to clean and change over.
The result is a deaerated dispersion, a narrow particle size distribution band, volumetric accuracy, and an optimal dispersion pre-mix for milling into the nanoparticle size range in the NexGen™ Mill.
Creating a Connected Manufacturing Ecosystem
Hockmeyer Equipment’s technology isn’t limited to actual production equipment, as Hockmeyer offers state-of-the-art equipment controls that assist manufacturers in a variety of areas.
With Hockmeyer Equipment’s advanced controls, ink producers receive data in real time, which allows them to ensure manufacturing is running seamlessly and the machines are performing perfectly. Performance parameters can be set for automatic adjustments, ensuring consistency, saving crucial time and reducing waste of materials. Ink formulations and work instructions are stored, allowing companies to minimize operator error and record valuable data for future decision-making. All of this leads to improved cost savings and return on investment.
This connected manufacturing ecosystem ensures that the customer’s projects are completed on time, on budget, and with consistent excellent quality. Having a reputation for quality and meeting customer needs is the best way to develop long term company value.
Sustainability and Equipment
The NexGen™ technology isn’t the only sustainable option that Hockmeyer offers. For another example, tank cleaning is an area that is ripe for a more sustainable solution. Hockmeyer’s CMX-200 Vessel Washer checks several boxes here. The CMX-200 uses less cleaning materials than traditional manual cleaning, reducing the need for solvents and detergents, which is better for manufacturers who enjoy more cost savings. Industrial tank cleaning equipment will pay for itself in a short period of time, which is the kind of return on investment that any manufacturer seeks.
Safety is also critical. Rotating brushes and spray nozzles remove the product from tank walls while a closed system lessens operator exposure to solvents and detergents. The brushes can be replaced on the fly to handle various tank sizes or shapes. Meanwhile, efficient solvent utilization limits HazMat waste, and the fast and highly effective cleaning process minimizes the chances of cross-contamination.
It is important to note that while Hockmeyer Equipment has a range of solutions for the ink industry, it also prides itself on its ability to develop custom products to meet its customers’ specific needs.
At the end of the day, a variety of factors are part of the sustainability equation. There are economic factors, such as the cost of manufacturing and energy; there are product aspects, such as quality, lifespan, and reliability; there are environmental issues, such as material, energy, and water usage, waste reduction and emissions, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs); and then social concerns, such as safety and health of employees and the community.
Ultimately, the kind of machinery a company uses has a direct bearing on meeting its sustainability goals. That’s why it’s essential that manufacturers only work with machines that are eco-friendly and score highly on sustainability factors. Hockmeyer Equipment can help you meet your sustainability mandates.