Increase Transfer Efficiency
Challenge
Customer was looking to improve transfer efficiency on their automated spindle machine spraying primer on various size metal housings. The existing system utilizes one spray gun set a considerable distance from the parts. This causes excessive overspray and waste. Customer also wanted to go from using 55 gallon drums to 5 gallon pails due to settling and solvent flash off in the primer. The 55 gallon drum sits for around 4 months. The viscosity needed to be regularly checked and adjusted.
Air Power’s Solution
Equipment utilized – Graco fixed automatic spray guns coupled to a Graco dual regulated pressure pot with agitation. All controlled via an Air Power custom designed pneumatic control panel for system optimization and performance.
Air Power, Inc. proposed replacing their single gun setup with two guns. These guns will be mounted on mounts that can be adjusted to effectively cover the various size parts. This will minimize the amount of overspray and improve the transfer efficiency of the system. The controls for this system will be contained in a centralized control box. Fluid supply will utilize a 5 gallon pressure tank. This will allow the operator to place a 5 gallon bucket of primer into the tank. This system will be enclosed to minimize solvent flash off. This will help improve the consistency of the coating as it will not need to be constantly adjusted. The paint supply will also be exhausted in roughly a week now. This will allow fresh primer to be sprayed, also improving consistency.
Results
- Customer experienced increased transfer efficiency which saved them money by minimizing the amount of overspray and waste. It also reduced the amount of filtration they were purchasing due to the reduced overspray saving them time and money.
- Customer reduced solvent flash off due to the switch from 55 gallon to 5 gallon pail saving the operator time from adding additional solvent to the 55 gallon drums.
