Machinery and Equipment Used in the Coatings Industry

Test and Measurement Instrumentation – Accelerated Weathering

Accelerated weathering is the simulation of the damaging effects of long-term exposure of coatings, materials and products to outdoor conditions. There are a number of different types of outdoor conditions accelerated weathering addresses, including wind, rain, icing, sand and dust, and of course, UV exposure. (Source: National Technical Systems website, https://www.nts.com/services/testing/environmental/accelerated-weathering/)

Test and Measurement Instrumentation – General Laboratory Equipment

Among the many items that would be considered general lab equipment are pipettes, scales, centrifuges, Bunsen burners, freezers, hot plates, incubators, coolers, stirrers, water baths and fume hoods — to name a few. (Source: Labcompare website, https://www.labcompare.com/General-Laboratory-Equipment/)

Test and Measurement Instrumentation – Misc. Testing Instruments

Equipment used to test various aspects of coatings, including flow, hardness, resistance to abrasion or scratching, bond strength, thickness, tack, etc. (Source: Equipment Handbook, Adhesives & Sealants Industry, June 2020)

Manufacturing Equipment – Curing Systems

While some coatings, adhesives and sealants can cure at room temperature without assistance, many require a curing step in order to achieve their final desired characteristics. The specific equipment needed (e.g., lamps, conveyors, ovens) depends on the material to be cured and the curing method, such as electron beam (EB), LED, ultraviolet (UV), infrared curing or convection curing.  (Source: Equipment Handbook, Adhesives & Sealants Industry, June 2020)

Manufacturing Equipment – Infrared Curing Equipment

Infrared energy is a form of radiation that falls between visible light and microwaves in the electromagnetic spectrum. Like other forms of electromagnetic energy, IR travels in waves and there is a known relationship between the wavelength, frequency and energy level. That is, the energy (temperature) increases as the wavelength decreases. Unlike convection, which first heats air to transmit energy to the part, IR energy may be absorbed directly by the coating. It may also be reflected or transmitted to the substrate. Infrared cure is gaining increased attention from coaters as a result of shorter cure cycles and the possibility of smaller floor space requirements when compared to convection oven curing. (Source: Products Finishing website, https://www.pfonline.com/articles/understanding-infrared-curing)

Powder Coating Equipment – Curing Systems

Industrial cure ovens are used to cure powder coatings. These ovens need to be capable of sustaining 450 °F and are big enough for parts to fit inside. The ovens can be electric or gas powdered, batch or automated. (Source: https://www.powdercoatingonline.com/powder-coating-ovens-page1/)

Another option to cure powder coatings is UV light. Powder coatings cured with UV light offer increased benefits over thermosetting coatings such as faster curing cycles with lower temperature requirements. This allows heat-sensitive substrates such as wood, plastics and heat-sensitive alloys to be coated using powder. (Source: https://www.pcimag.com/articles/85628-uv-curable-powder-coatings-benefits-and-performance#:~:text=provide economic advantages.-,Powder coatings cured with UV light offer increased benefits over,to be coated using powder)

Manufacturing Equipment – Mixers

Mixers are machines that blend, emulsify, homogenize or otherwise mix material into a single substance. Mixers thoroughly combine virtually any solid or liquid that is necessary to form a final product. Mixer selection is based on a number of factors, including viscosity profile, shear requirement, order of addition and throughput. Types of mixers include high-speed dispersers, high-shear mixers, ultra-high-shear mixers, multi-shaft mixers and planetary mixers. Understanding their differences is an important step in choosing the right mixer for your process. (Sources: Thomas Publishing Company website, https://www.thomasnet.com/articles/process-equipment/types-of-mixers/; and High-Speed Mixers for Coatings and Inks, by Charles Ross & Son Company, Paint & Coatings Industry, February 2015)

Manufacturing Equipment – Blenders

An industrial blender is a machine for large-scale production that consists of a large tank capable of mixing and blending batches of manufacturing materials to create a reaction between the materials. There are a variety of blender types. Here are a few of them:

• Agitator industrial blenders provide constant churning for liquids. The agitation process is based on the concept of non-specific movement, which mixes materials with turning paddles. It is designed for low-viscosity materials but can be adjusted with thicker paddles for high viscosity substances.
• Ribbon blenders have sharp blades for blending solid materials. The name of a ribbon blender comes from the shape of their blades, which is like a ribbon. The blades rotate around a central axis. Ribbon blenders are ideal for removing lumps from liquids that have been left sitting.
• Rotary blenders, or rotary drum blenders, do not include blades or paddles. They have blades that are welded to the interior of the rotating drum, which means that there are no moving parts inside the mixer. The process of a rotary blender provides a gentle mixing process that does not shear or damage the contents.
• A double cone blender is a tumble blender that rotates to blend the materials. They have a small footprint and require less room. During the rotation of the cones, the contents slide to the bottom of the vessel. They operate on the free flow method for gentle blending of granules and powders and can mix up to five ingredients at once.
• The V shaped blender, or twin shell blender, is a rotational blender that tumbles the materials. As the metal V rotates, the materials separate into the two wings of the blender and then recombine. The interior of a V shaped blender does not have any moving parts. The blending process of a V shaped blender requires very few rotations and takes less time than other types of blenders.
• A homogenizer blender operates like an emulsifier by breaking down unlike and unmixable substances. It is an excellent method for blending materials using pressure and force. The purpose of a homogenizer is to break down liquids or materials into a smooth and uniformly consistent substance.
• Vacuum blenders can be horizontal or vertical. They use a combination of heat and internal vacuum pressure to blend materials. Vacuum blenders have the additional function of performing as a dryer during the blending process. A vacuum blender has the same structure as a traditional blender with a vacuum pump attached to the airtight blending chamber. (Source: https://www.iqsdirectory.com/articles/mixer/industrial-blenders.html#:~:text=An industrial blender is a,a reaction between the materials)

Glossmeters

A glossmeter is an instrument used to measure specular reflection gloss of a surface. Gloss is determined by projecting a beam of light at a fixed intensity and angle onto a surface and measuring the amount of reflected light at an equal but opposite angle.

Many international technical standards are available that define the method of use and specifications for different types of glossmeter used on various types of materials, including paint, ceramics, paper, metals and plastics. Many industries use glossmeters in their quality control to measure the gloss of products to ensure consistency in their manufacturing processes. (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossmeter)

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