Get in the Lab: Investing in Automation

Q: I am looking to upgrade from a manual application process to an automated one. How do I figure out the best equipment, process and if it will even work? 

A: The key to equipment testing and automation is to seek the best support. This is a common question among shops, and the options can be overwhelming. One approach is to ‘try before you buy,’ where a supporting company can lend you equipment for trial. However, automation introduces complexity, as shipping and installing a robot or reciprocator at your facility is not a simple task.

Some equipment manufacturers have demonstration labs where you can send your product, coating material and part hangers, and they will set up the automation process you are looking for. They will simulate your plant conditions as closely as possible. They can make recommendations or even try different methods to find the best result if you don’t know what is needed. Their experts can make recommendations for better results with their application equipment, coating enhancements or part-hanging concepts. Some can make these changes in-house for a quick trial.

Keep in mind that you aren’t limited to the application process. Consider the pumping and mixing of 2K or even 3K materials, your booth type (water wash, down draft or side draft), and the final curing process (convection or IR heat). Moving to electrostatics? They can demonstrate the benefits of increased the transfer efficiency and maybe increased production output. Waterborne with electrostatics can be tricky, too. This can be shown and offer initial training tips on the benefits and how to isolate the material. Consider all of these factors when looking for a valid lab test.

You need to talk to the salesman first to understand what you need, and they can determine what can be done. Be honest about your intentions. Automation is a big step, and you want your bases covered. Once you get a game plan and a date scheduled, arrange for parts, hangers and coating to be shipped to the location. They will set it up. Then, get ready to travel to their facility and see it in action. Your input is critical to getting you the results you want. I always recommend the paint rep and local distributor rep be on site to get the whole team on board.

The end result is an implied guarantee that you will be able to reproduce the results achieved during the lab test — a process created while using your coating, on your part hangers, all on your end product. Contact your coating supplier, distributor or your equipment manufacturer directly, and see what they can do to get you in the lab.