Finishing systems refer to a multitude of coating, spraying, washing, heating and pretreatment systems and facilities. These systems include spray and powder booths, environmental rooms, ovens, electrocoating devices, kilns and conveyors. They are used to apply a wide range of epoxies, paints, polyesters, enamels, lacquers and other finishes, as well as to treat coated or uncoated products.
Powder systems operate using a variety of techniques, including flame spray, electrostatic and fluidized bed application. In the flame spray method, a gun melts the powder coating as it sprays it onto the part. The melted powder sticks to the surface being coated and then dries into a heavy coating. Electrostatic powder application systems instill the powder particles with an electric charge so that they will adhere to the component being coated. After the component has been completely coated, it is treated in an oven, which melts and cures the adhered powder. In the fluidized bed application method, the part is heated and then immersed in a tank of aerated powder. The powder adheres to the heated part and is then treated in an oven.
Many finishing treatments require contaminant-free parts to be effective, and numerous pretreatment procedures are used on surfaces before finishing. These processes include chemical cleaning, oven heating and certain abrasive treatments. Additionally, powder and spray booths and tanks must be maintained at the appropriate temperature range, under clean room conditions, in order to ensure that they are contaminant free. A variety of conveyor and material handling systems are used to insert and remove parts from the finishing area, while proper ventilation and filters help remove any excess materials.
Finishing systems also include various blasting, peening, deburring and grinding devices, which are used on metal parts to remove potential imperfections. These parts may be treated to additional processes, or may be completed after surface treatment.
