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Jim Destefani
Senior Editor
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Finishing 101?
During a recent interview, a manager of a contract finishing
shop--an engineer who gained substantial experience in other technical areas before signing aboard in our industry--decried the lack of attention paid to finishing in most engineering schools. Most designers coming out of engineering school have essentially no knowledge of finishing, yet they’re charged with specifying finishes for the products they develop, he said.
On the other hand, he added, the lack of finishing education allows finishers to lend their expertise to product designs--when the designers allow them to do so.
Unfortunately, this is often not the case. Instead, designers spec a finish that may not be suitable for the application. The result can be disappointment and fingerpointing at best, or even disaster if a poorly designed finish causes failure of a critical component in service.
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ALSO In this issue..
- The Finisher's Perspective
- RE: The Finisher's Perspective
- Powder Coating
- Plating
- Anodizing
- New Products
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Share your views, win an Amazon gift certificate.
What do you think? Would a primer (no pun intended) course covering types of finishes, their properties and applications, be of value for engineering students? Or should we just cross our fingers and hope designers will be smart enough to try to leverage the expertise of finishers?. Click here to respond.
Respondents will be entered into a drawing for a $50 gift card to Amazon.com and will be published in the next issue of the Digital Dispatch.
Last month we asked whether you use automation in your facility, how it’s working, and, if you don’t have automation, why not. Responses were about what you’d expect: automation is good for high production, less applicable in a job shop environment. Here are two typical responses; we’ll give each a $50 Amazon gift certificate.
Claudia Duranceau of Ford Motor Company said. . .
Robots make the quality of life of most of our manufacturing operations easier. They can deal with substances of concern without the side effects and ergonomic concerns with routine tasks. What's really nice is the vision capability, which can make routine tasks no-brainers.
Brian Kauffman of Performance Plating Inc. said. . .
As a custom job shop doing show-quality chrome plating on a wide variety of parts, automation would be almost impossible for us. If we did thousands of the same part I could see it. But, as our business is now, the human element is very important.
Thanks and congratulations to both Claudia and Brian.
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Feature Article--Understanding Infrared Curing
Infrared cure can shorten cure cycles and reduce floor space requirements when compared to convection oven curing. This article gives removes some of the mystery and myth associated with IR curing systems.
Powder Coating Clinic--Outgassing in Die-Cast Parts
A reader applying epoxy powder to zinc die-cast parts is experiencing outgassing problems. To read the response of our powder coating expert Nick Liberto, click above.
Powder Coating Forum--Poor Adhesion of Clear Topcoat
A reader is having adhesion problems with a clear topcoat over a textured “mock rock” finish. Think you might be able to help? Click here
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Feature Article--Selecting SCR Power Controllers
When selecting control components, it’s important to look for those that minimize assembly time, provide flexible wiring options and allow smaller enclosures. This article gives finishers tips on how to choose SCR power controllers.
Plating Clinic—What is Permalloy?
A reader has questions about the composition and applications of permalloy plating. To read the response of our expert Art Kushner, click above.
Plating Forum—Antique Finish
A finisher is looking for a way to antique a brass substrate without using an oil or wax. If you think you can help, click here
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Feature article--Questions for the Ages
Preventing waste is a mutual goal for anodizers and their customers, and effective communication is critical in this respect. This article outlines common questions anodizers should be prepared to address with both new and existing customers.
Anodizing Clinic--Dual-Purpose Anodizing Bath?
A reader would like to know whether his company can perform both type III hardcoate and Type II anodizing in the the same tank. To read the response of our expert Larry Chestefield, click above.
Anodizing Forum--Outsourcing of Large Parts
A reader is trying to outsource anodizing of large aluminum plates up to 120 x 140 x 2 inch in size. Think you can help? Click here
From the product repository of PF Online
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