Material-Handling System Allows High-Volume Finishing in Less Space

Therma-Tron-X’s SlideRail Square Transfer (SST) material-handling system allows for high-volume finishing operations using a fraction of the space required by traditional monorail systems. Parts index along a pair of slide rails rather than a chain conveyor, and racks of product suspended from load bars raise and lower in and out of processing tanks simultaneously, then move in unison through the finishing process, minimizing material-handling time.

The company says the system also is a “green” approach to finishing, using a combination of pumps and mixers that reduces energy usage. The durable, stainless steel, fully enclosed environment is operator-friendly; automatic voltage control reduces paint costs; and maintenance-friendly water treatment and handling systems eliminate chemical handling and reduce water usage. All paint system components are contained in one compact unit and managed by a programmable logic controller. The PLC also makes it easy to automatically lengthen immersion times and ensure proper coating thicknesses, as well as monitor tank levels and oven temperatures, TTX says.