Air Power offers powder coating equipment from Gema Powder Coating.

A client needed faster color changes…Air Power and Gema to the rescue

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Problem:

Our clients operators were already using Gema box units for their non-recovery powder booths. While the units worked wonderfully these booths were connected and would be considered opposing. Each time they need to change color the operator must lift a 50lb box on and off the vibrating platform. This was a huge ergonomic issue for everyone involved.

Solution

After reviewing the setup and assessing the clients daily needs it was obvious that a Gema 8 color quick change package would allow for faster color changes, reduced material handling of the boxes of powder and would better prepare hard to fluidize powders in hoppers verses vibrating box units.

Results

Any time you can make a client’s operation more efficient, save wear and tear on their operators and show the how quickly the ROI would balance out….they are going to be happy. You almost always have to spend money to save money so having a team that understands your operation and knows all the available options to increase productivity is vital. Team Air Power got the job done once again.

Gema Quick Color Change Systems

 

 

 

 

Monti 3D Powder Coat Line Walkthrough

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Monti 3D Powder Coat Line Walkthrough

 

Air Power Manufacturing Solutions teamed up with GAT Finishing Systems, Rohner Powder Coating Booths and Gema Powder Application Equipment to create a unique automated powder coat line that can process large and small parts quickly and efficiently. Monti Inc’s new powder coat line was built with quality results in mind, with the capabilities to meet the strictest specifications.

This new 20,000 sq. ft. powder coating facility is located in Greenwood, SC. This powder coat system has been tested to exceed 1,000-hour salt spray, tested per ASTM B117 meeting requirements of UL-1332 including ASTM D7091-05, D1654-08, D610-01, D714-02. This automated powder coat line can handle parts up to 2 ft x 4 ft x 8 ft. The batch powder coat system can handle parts up to 8 ft x 8 ft x 14 ft. Either line can paint any color. The system currently has lots of capacity to offer. With regard to throughput, it paints a 1-3/4” X 7” part and can powder coat and package 36,000 of these during 1 shift.

Monti Powder Coat Line

 

Source: Monti Powder Coating

Gema Meets the Challenge

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Manufacturing facilities in today’s competitive market strive to produce the highest quality product. In this case study we will discuss the importance of recognizing every company’s desire to produce a premier product with the highest first place transfer efficiency.

 

CUSTOMER

A Custom Fabricator, producing products for the truck & and Bus industry

 

CHALLENGE

In order to distinguish them within the marketplace, the current manufacturing process needed to meet customer’s mil specs. Their current Powder Units were not producing enough Mils per MFG spec with a Quality finish. Examination by quality control engineers revealed that they were getting back ionization and orange peel when applying more powder and second coats. They determined that each operator had different settings and too much powder output. In addition they did not understand current and voltage and how they relate to a quality finish and high transfer efficiency.

 

Powder Coating Defects

SOLUTION

In partnership with the customer, Air Power implemented an Gema OptiFlex 2 manual powder unit. The unit comes with 3 presets: 1: Flat Parts, 2: Recess/complex parts and 3: Recoat mode. In addition these cannot be changed by the operator and allowed ease of use with a simple repeatable process. The Patented Digital Valve control allowed for consistent precise powder output, powder savings, and reproducible coating results.

 

Gema Powder Process

RESULTS

Currently, the customer is meeting their mil spec and producing repeatable results and has increased there transfer efficiently that has provided a 1 year Return on equipment investment.

 

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Gema Meets the Challenge

 

Can You Color Change Too Fast?

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Manufacturing facilities strive to improve the quality of their finish while reducing color changeover time in an effort to produce the most desirable product quickly. In this study we will discuss the importance of recognizing every company’s desire to improve in these areas and how improvements can be made within a custom powder coating operation.

Customer

 

A local wheel remanufacturer and custom coater located within North Carolina.

Challenge

 

This facility was constantly losing valuable production time due to quality rejections.  Once rejected, the part was reworked and coated a second time.  This caused a cumulative effect on both powder usage and man hours proving rework within this facility a high cost and overhead factor.  In addition, the existing manner of color change resulted in the facilities inability to keep up with current workload. Daily operation consisted of: 4 main colors, an occasional “custom” color, and a clear coat.

Air Power’s Solution

 

Air Power proposed a Gema OptiFlex 2 Wall Unit with multiple dedicated fluidizing hoppers.  These fluidizing hoppers are plumbed for the 4 main colors.  A Gema cup gun was provided for the “custom” colors and clear coat. Air Power was able to provide an onsite demo at the customers facility allowing the customer to test, prove, and inspect the proposed solution prior to investment.  The improvement in both quality product output and line throughput was dramatic.  In addition, the facility was impressed with Gema’s five (5) year manufacturer’s warranty and Air Powers local support and service.

 

Result

 

The immediate improvement was first observed within the finish quality which was noticed within the existing customer base.  Due to this improvement, repeat business was observed more readily and additional customers were earned, growing an ever increasing need for a more expansive customer base. Even though workload was increased, production never had to slow down. The quick color change system, with dedicated pump/hose combination, allowed operation to change color quickly removing the former bottleneck.   An added benefit of the system was the removal of pre-heating parts to achieve powder thickness and build.  This result was observed due to Gema’s industry leading transfer efficiency, new found operator control, and recipe programing within the system.

Can you color change too fast?  If you ask this custom coater the answer is no; and their ability to change colors faster with an increase in finish quality has taken the operation to new heights.

 

OptiFlex 2 Wall Unit color change system

 

Gema Gun with Cup for small and test batches

 

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