Parts Cleaning
Powder Coating Clinic: Measuring Film Thickness before Cure
Q. How can I tell if the powder film build is thick enough before I cure the powder coating? We coat a lot of square footage and we need to control our cost. We often put on too much powder to avoid light coating. I need to know what my uncured film thickness is.
Read More
Powder Coating Clinic: Sanding for Repair
Q. We sand aluminum die-cast parts that have minor defects in the powder coating before recoating them. The small areas of dirt, metal blemishes, fibers or similar particles are sanded using 120-grit sandpaper on an orbital sander. After recoating the parts, we often find more little specks and other defects and lines from the sanding disk in the coating. My question is, does this happen because of the sandpaper we are using, or because we sand all the way to the aluminum, exposing the surface and causing it to outgas?
Read More
Parts Cleaning Clinic: Cleaning of Inconel
Q. What cleaning methods are recommended for finishing Inconel 718?
Read More
Parts Cleaning Clinic: Phosphate Coating Problems
Q. We electrocoat sheet metal, iron castings (machined and non-machined) and aluminum castings (machined and non-machined surfaces) and are having problems with poor phosphating on aluminum substrates. We maintain the free acid at 0.7-1.1 points and total acid at 20-24 points, and the total fluoride at 1,500 ppm. Bath temperature is 40°C to 45°C. Any suggestions?
Read More
Parts Cleaning Clinic: Pretreatment Equipment Suppliers
Q. I am researching manufacturers of aqueous part washers and phosphate pretreatment systems for powder coating, looking for companies that build conveyor systems, washers and treatment systems; not parts washers. The parts to be cleaned are various sizes of steel, stainless and aluminum fabrications from stampings, cut to length steel tubing, and sheet metal fabrications up to 6 feet long and 3 feet wide. What are my options?
Read More
Downdraft Versus Cross-Draft Booths
Q. We are considering a new spray booth, and we’ve read a lot about the different types of airflows. What can you tell me about downdraft booths and cross-draft booths, and what should I consider in adding one to my shop?
Read More
The Making of a World Class Manufacturer ... A Long-Term View
Firms empowering employees with higher skill levels will be light-years ahead.
Read More
Data-Driven Coater Uses Technology to Improve Finishes
Iowa’s Co-Line is a Top Shop that uses analytics to improve efficiencies.
Read More
When Good Enough Never Is
Get ready for the Products Finishing Top Shops Benchmarking Survey.
Read More
