Kaymich is delighted with the market response to the new high capacity Gemini flavor application system and has seen a significant increase in the manufacture of product having significantly higher dosages of flavor, specifically menthol.
Kaymich uses a new pump significantly higher in capacity – up to one liter per minute depending upon materials – yet still capable of maintaining accuracy of +/-1% flow across a range of dosages between 0.91ml per minute to ≥1000ml per minute, subject to materials used.
While delivery accuracy is reliant upon the pump, any fluctuations due to outside factors such as fluctuating machine speed, are monitored using a none-invasive flow meter, which eliminates any negative effect on the flow rate of monitoring delivery rates. Any out of tolerance product is identified and rejected. In this way the consistency of product progressing through the cigarette manufacturing process is guaranteed.
The second technical obstacle to high speed high dosage application was the capacity of the tanks and their ability to melt flavor (menthol). Gemini has two 50-liter tanks which normally expect to have menthol melted ready for dispensing inside ninety minutes. To assist in the process of maintaining a supply of molten menthol for application by the Gemini, a re-circulation system has been developed to further reduce the melt time.
Using the feedback provided by level sensors in the tanks, flavor supply to the pump is alternated between the two 50-liter tanks ensuring continuity of supply and subsequently production. The large tank capacity means that operators are free to get on with their “day job” of making rather than managing the flavor application system and specifically the supply of flavor.