The production of plumbing and sanitary products today faces the challenge of achieving significant volumes while offering a diverse range of models in terms of geometry and size, using plastic materials that are both durable and aesthetically high-quality.
The traditional process—applying Gelcoat on a mold and then manually laminating or spraying a reinforcement layer made of fiberglass and resin—does not provide an optimal or modern solution to these challenges.
This has created demand for highly automated production lines capable of integrating multiple technologies:
Single-station or in-line thermoforming machines capable of producing large volumes, multiple geometries, and various sizes
Reinforcement spraying units ensuring consistent layer thickness and fast application
Machining centers that provide high-speed perimeter cutting and drilling for drains and jet nozzles
Self Group Comi has already supported many leading global manufacturers of plumbing and sanitary products in this process innovation, developing solutions tailored to the specific needs of its clients.
Among the projects carried out in this sector, single-station thermoforming machines were designed and installed:
LaborForma model, capable of producing bathtubs, shower trays, and other standard-sized sanitary products
LaborForma model, designed for molding medium-to-large relaxation/jacuzzi bathtubs (square up to 2.4 x 2.4 m, rectangular 2.4 x 4–7 m, up to 1.2 m high)
LaborPool model, specifically developed for coil-fed thermoforming of mini-pools (2.4 x 12 m) with production capacity designed to meet the client’s expected sales growth over a 5–7 year horizon
Several clients have relied on Self Group Comi to integrate robotic or manual units that accelerate the spraying process of the reinforcement layer on the back of the external plastic shell, including systems for residue recovery.
Prestigious manufacturers have completed their production lines with machinery dedicated to perimeter cutting and drilling of their sanitary products, including:
5-axis CNC machining centers (LaborMix model) for processing standard bathtubs and shower trays
Robotic units with pass-through shuttles for medium-to-large sanitary products
