A Beginner’s Guide to Powder Coating Equipment

Powder coating has become an increasing trend across numerous industries. You’ve likely seen it used on everyday items like antennas and lighting fixtures, as well as gym equipment and bicycles.

Before embarking on a powder coating project, acquiring some essential professional powder coating equipment is necessary.

Understanding the Basics of Powder Coating

Powder coating offers manufacturers seeking durability and efficiency in their finishing processes an effective and economical finishing option. Powder coating’s innovative finishing technique reduces waste through recyclable overspray, cuts energy costs and curing times dramatically, creates durable bonds between materials that protect products from moisture, chemicals, sunlight and impacts and produces durable bonds between surfaces that protects products against moisture, chemicals, sunlight and impacts.

Powder coating does not use solvents that emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere when being applied and cured, potentially contributing to nasal, throat and eye irritation, headaches, memory impairment and other health problems.

Powder coating requires industrial equipment, such as an oven and electrostatic booth, which may make the cost prohibitive for smaller businesses. Furthermore, matching colors or making touchups with powder coats may prove challenging.

Essential Components of a Powder Coating System

Powder coating is a dry finishing process that employs dry powder materials composed of pigments for color and resins for adhesion. Electrostatic charges at gun tips charge the powder before being deposited onto an electrically grounded part where it will eventually melt and fuse to create a durable finish before curing in an oven.

Before applying powder coating, the surface must first be thoroughly cleaned – this process is commonly known as degreasing and involves chemical cleaners and solvents for metal substrates, while for non-metals abrasive blasting can be used to clear away debris while creating an ideal porous surface that allows powder coatings to adhere.

Powder coating can be applied to various metal substrates, but steel remains the go-to choice due to its durability, strength, and versatility.

Demystifying the Powder Coating Spray Gun

Powder coating is used in various industries, including automotive manufacturing, structural construction, and aerospace engineering, to create durable finishes with pleasing aesthetics. The process uses electrostatically charged powder to spray onto products before curing under heat to form skin-tight finishes that outperform liquid paint finishes.

A special gun specifically designed for this task must be used to apply powder coating. Compressed air is used to move powder through this gun while its voltage setting (kV) determines how much powder will be charged up before heading towards parts being coated.

Different gun attachments, like flat spray nozzles and extension tips, can assist with reaching difficult-to-reach areas or penetrating corners on complex-shaped parts. This will enable uniform coverage on all surfaces without missing spots or blind spots.

Curing Your Finish: Exploring Curing Oven Options

If your finished product is improperly cured, it could experience discoloration and poor adhesion problems that compromise its durability, aesthetic appeal, and function. Therefore, investing in an industrial powder coating curing oven is vital.

This type of oven provides precise heat regulation to aid powder coat melting and flow for an even, solid, and durable finish. Furthermore, its design accommodates multiple product sizes, so you can process multiple batches at the same cycle without compromising quality.

Based on your facility’s safety needs, a class A or class B powder coating oven may be best. Class A ovens meet stricter safety requirements and may be mandatory if you work with explosive, combustible, or volatile materials.

Additional Equipment Considerations

Powder coating equipment is highly efficient but requires additional accessories to produce optimal results. From powder recovery systems and air filters, these items help manufacturers maintain a clean working environment and prevent contamination due to overspray.

Safety should always be at the forefront of manufacturing operations, and metal fabricators using powder coating should have all of the appropriate personal protective equipment on hand, including respirators, masks, and protective clothing.

Due to the nature of the items you will be coating, pretreatment steps such as abrasive blasting or chemical cleaning (etching) may be required before beginning coating operations. As this could add time and costs, be mindful when considering your capacity.