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Filter Conversion to Eliminate Overspray

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Overspray in industrial finishing applications is one of the most common causes of parts being rejected by quality control inspections. This can result in constant costly reworks and low-quality finish on parts. In this case study, Air Power proposes a solution that completely eliminates overspray for this customer.

Customer

Manufacturer of plumbing and water-related fittings and valves

Challenge

This customer was experiencing paint buildup on their booth due to overspray. This was caused by inefficient airflow through the booth. This customer was using an old baffle style booth that uses offset layers of metal to catch the initial overspray and then redirects the overspray into the second layer of filters. As a second layer of filtration, the customer used Styrofoam baffle filters that allowed a high volume of bypass of a mixture of tacky and dry overspray. This type of baffle filter works better with wet paint overspray.

Without proper airflow collecting the overspray in the booth, this customer experienced a higher number of rejected parts, a lower quality finish on products, and paint buildup on their spray booth and surrounding areas.

Overspray build up

Overspray Build-up inside Booth

Air Power Solution

 

Air Power proposed a solution that updated the filtration system to a more efficient style. This solution included completely removing the metal vertical baffles that were the first stage of filtration. The second stage Styrofoam baffle filters were then removed and the 20×20 grid was scraped clean of all the overspray buildup.  Then we installed Kem-Wove P3 20×20 panel filters in the second stage, installed snapper bars on the front of the filter wall, and added RP 3252 paper/poly blankets (RTT Engineered Solutions / Col-Met) as the first stage of filtration to improve overspray capture and airflow.

Baffle Style Filter Wall

Baffle Style Filter Wall

Filter Install

Results

 

This customer was amazed by the change in airflow and overspray capture in their spray booth. This new filtration system collected all the overspray in the booth and allowed nothing to bypass for the first time. These changes improved the painting conditions for operators in the booth, allowing for a higher quality finish on products. This customer is currently in the testing stage with this system to determine the length of life for one layer of filtration to ensure this system is cost-efficient and establish best practices for their finishing operation.

 

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Filter Conversion to Eliminate Overspray

 

 

Increase Transfer Efficiency

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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.

 

Before Before 2

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

Air Power Solution Air Power Solution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Eliminate Overspray