Canadian Finishing & Coatings Manufacturing Magazine September/October 2021 - 24

INDUSTRIAL FINISHING: POWDER COATING QUICK COLOR CHANGE
THE
NEED
SPEED
FOR
C
olor change is an important issue in a powder coating
system when compared to a liquid coating system.
The downtime required for a color change in the
powder coatings system can extend to more than two
hours, says Adroit Market Research, and therefore presents a
major obstacle for those looking to adopt the coating method.
The process hinges on improving first-pass transfer efficiency
(FPTE) and integration of advanced technology to achieve a
quick color change.
Transfer efficiency is the ratio of the amount of powder
deposited on the substrate to the amount of powder directed to
the substrate. Powder materials are attracted to the surface of
the grounded component through the electrostatic charge caused
by the gun generator. A higher charge on the powder particle
improves the transfer efficiency. A high first-pass transfer
efficiency can be attained through numerous processes such as
maintaining high gun voltage, maintaining gun target distance of
six to 12 inches, optimum powder output velocity, and proper part
orientation.
Other variables impacting the time required for color change
are associated with a reclaim system that includes booth type
(manual or automatic), number of booths, spray-to-waste,
recovery system (cyclone separator, or cartridge booth), booth
canopy type, powder gun type, and number of powder guns.
Modifications to any of these variables could enhance system
capability and a quicker turnaround.
" Color change is a very important part of the powder coating
process, " says Jeff Hale, Marketing Director, Gema. " For many
companies, color flexibility is a key element of their business
strategy. "
Modean Industries agrees and adds that in order for the
electrostatic powder coatings industry to grow, powder coating
users must have the option to rapidly change colors online
whether they are employing manual or automatic application
equipment.
" With powder coating, a key advantage is the ability to collect
the oversprayed, unused powder and reuse it to make the system
pollution-free as well as energy-efficient, " Modean says. " Speedy
color change both is a major strong point and a key problem for
manufacturers. "
24
www.cfcm.ca
Gema's OptiCenter OC09 is a powder management center that
promises fast color changes, stable coating results and clean
working conditions.
New powder coating innovations that
allow automatic
systems to change colors in less than six minutes opens up the
potential for many industries to begin using powder coating -
industries that up until now were not able to consider it, due to
the numerous colors required in the production of their products.
" Now automatic powder coating color change can be almost as
easy as automatic liquid coating color change, " the company adds.
In order to address limitations involved with color change,
industry has made several significant changes, Modean says.
First, the powder booth walls have been redesigned to prevent
powder from adhering to the inner surface of the booth, as was the
case in earlier booth designs. In the new design, the electrostatic
charge is reduced so that the powder does not adhere to the walls
of the paint booth.
" With powder coating, a key advantage
is the ability to collect the oversprayed,
unused powder and reuse it to make the
system pollution-free as well as energyefficient. "
-
Modean Industries
http://www.cfcm.ca
Canadian Finishing & Coatings Manufacturing Magazine September/October 2021

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