As detailed by The Fabricator in their article “An Overview of a Powder Coating Line for Fabricators,” many metal fabricators are bringing powder coating operations in-house to avoid handling damage, gain control over production schedules, and reduce coating costs. However, setting up a powder coating line requires understanding key system components and options.
Why Choose Powder Coating?
Powder coating offers a durable, chip-resistant finish that withstands environmental exposure, such as moisture and sunlight. The coating material, applied as a powder, is electrostatically charged and attracted to grounded metal parts. Once heated in a curing oven, the powder melts and forms a uniform, durable coating.
Types of Powder Coating Systems
- Batch Systems:
- Parts are hung from racks or placed on carts and manually moved through the process.
- Suitable for large or complex parts and shops with low throughput needs.
- Conveyorized Systems:
- Parts move along a conveyor through the cleaning, coating, and curing stages.
- Available in manual and automated options. Manual systems require operators to apply coatings, while automated systems handle all processes with minimal human intervention.
- Ideal for operations with high throughput and uniform part sizes.
Factors That Determine the Right Setup
The choice between batch and automated systems depends on the type, size, and variety of parts to be coated, as well as throughput requirements. For shops coating a few parts per week, a batch system is cost-effective and flexible. In contrast, companies with high-volume demands may require automated systems to maintain efficiency.
Cost Considerations
- Batch Systems: Most affordable to purchase and install.
- Manual Conveyorized Systems: Costlier than batch systems but more affordable than fully automated options.
- Automated Systems: Typically 3 to 12 times the cost of a batch system, depending on complexity and capacity.
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Article with all rights reserved, courtesy of thefabricator.com.