We regularly receive enquiries asking about the specifics of our processes, so we’re creating a series of blogs highlighting each service we offer. This blog covers our automated powder coating service and what your products go through before being packaged and sent to the customer.
Step 1 – Preparation
Before parts can be powder coated, the surfaces need to be prepared. Any parts that are welded or cut with oxygen or anything other than nitrogen require shot blasting in our automated or manual blasting booths to remove surface contaminants. Products cut with nitrogen do not require this preparation and can be sent straight to the powder coating facility.
Step 2 – calculating loading procedure and track speed
The dimensions and thickness of the parts are used to calculate the hanging method of the parts – we can typically coat parts up to 1.4m in our automated facility, with smaller parts being organised to maximise capacity while ensuring complete coverage of the product.
Step 3 – loading the parts onto the track
Parts then go through an intensive cleaning process to ensure no surface contaminants are present, consisting of an alkaline cleanser and a cleaner rinse. This is then followed by an Oxsilan pre-treatment to ensure adhesion of the powder coating.
Step 4 -Powder Coating
Once the parts have undergone pre-treatment and passed through the drying oven, they are ready to be powder coated. Our facility features an automated spray booth, allowing complete coverage of the product to a consistent thickness. The coverage of the spray is calibrated to the customer specification, taking into account the speed of the track and the parts that are being coated.
Step 5 – Initial Quality Check
Before oven curing, the parts undergo an initial visual quality check to ensure adequate coverage. A manual powder gun is used to cover any hard-to-reach areas that were not reached by the automated booth.
Step 6 – Bake
Once coated, parts pass through the curing oven to set and harden the powder. The temperature of the oven is calculated using several variables, such as the particular powder used, size of the parts and track speed.
Step 7 – Quality Check
Once cured, parts then undergo a more intensive quality check comprising of a visual inspection in conjunction with digital measurements of the coating thickness, before parts are unloaded from the track.
Step 8 – Packaging and Delivery
Once the finished products have cooled and are ready, they are then packaged in line with the requirements of the customer. They are then ready to be loaded for delivery to the customer or collected depending on the arrangements made during the enquiry process.
And that’s it for this look into the workings of Pym & Wildsmith’s automated powder coating service, we will be releasing new content covering our other processes, so follow us on social media if you want to stay updated. In the meantime, if you have products in need of a protective powder coating finish, then Contact Us today for your personalised quote.
