When to Use Air Spray Guns or Rotary Bell Atomizers for Robotics
For automated finishing, are air spray guns or rotary bell atomizers better? Mark Dion from Dürr Systems explains the pros and cons of both for robotic painting.
How to Troubleshoot and Fix Nickel Show from Hex-Chrome Baths
Nickel show on parts from hexavalent chromium baths can have many causes. Adam Blakeley of MacDermid Enthone lays out potential causes and how to fix them.
How to Handle and Eliminate Powder Coating Defects
For powder coating operations, an error report can turn defects and imperfections into an opportunity to improve.
How to Choose Between Sulfate and Chloride-Based Trivalent Chromium
There are several factors to consider when choosing between sulfate and chloride-based baths for trivalent chromium plating. Mark Schario of Columbia Chemical discusses the differences and what platers should keep in mind when evaluating options.
How to Avoid Orange Peel in Powder Coating
One of the most common quality issues with powder coating is an uneven “orange peel” texture. Bruce Hilbert, applications/technical manager for Tiger Drylac, offers advice for avoiding this common defect.
Data Collection Trends in Metal Finishing
The finishing industry is moving towards the automation of process and production data collection. Roger Smith outlines new technology to help finishers automate and streamline.
Increasing Low Current Density (LCD) Coverage in Trivalent Chromium
Many factors can influence the low current density (LCD) coverage in a trivalent chromium system. Pavco decorative team manager Shane Moore discusses ideas for improving both chloride and sulfate systems.
How to Design an Effective Racking System
Well-designed racking is an important part of any finishing operation. Richard Lang, who handles technical sales for EPSI’s racking and hanging division, offers insights for designing an effective racking system.
How to Address Declining Powder Coating Coverage Over Time
Fine particles from reclaim could be to blame for powder coating problems that emerge over time. Avoid problems by keeping hooks clean, maintaining guns and using reclaim powder quickly to avoid accumulation of fines.
Choosing the Right Paint Booth
When investing in a paint booth, choosing the ideal airflow style for your business’ needs is perhaps the most important decision. Royce Day of Global Finishing Solutions explains the pros and cons of the four primary paint booth airflow styles.
Avoiding Adhesion Failure Due to Paraffin
For plating applicators, paraffin residue can cause poor adhesion, delayed blistering or other poor-quality performance of the plated deposit, including poor corrosion resistance. Coventya director of business development Greg Terrell explains how to remove paraffin-based lubricants prior to plating.
What's the Best Coating Method for Extended Outdoor Performance?
For long-lasting powder coating that holds up outdoors, consultant Rodger Talbert suggests pretreatment and washing options, a primer layer and a top coat.
Selecting PPE for Your Paint Shop
Guidelines for determining the appropriate personal protective equipment for a painting operation.
Tips for Optimizing or Expanding Your Anodizing Line
Jim Acquaviva, director of business development for Technic Equipment, offers advice for assessing areas of process improvement for anodizing operations, outlining helpful steps for an end-user self-assessment.
Pressure and Flow Control in Spray Guns and Rotary Atomizers
Tighter controls of paint flow and pressure may help finishers improve efficiency and profits.
Understanding Paint Atomization
BASF coatings development expert Tim December explains how paint atomization works for both pneumatic spray applicators and high-speed rotary bell applicators.
Reducing Waste in Your Powder Coating Facility
Finising industry consultant Rodger Talbert explains ways to reduce waste, heat in your powder coating facility.
Troubleshooting Bright Nickel Processes: How to Identify the Problem
For bright nickel process troubleshooting, Doug Lay of Coventya suggests narrowing the scope with a checklist.
Controlling Quality of Zinc Flake Coatings on Steel Fasteners
Scott McEuen, North American business development manager of zinc flake coatings at Atotech, explains how the quality of zinc flake coatings depends on good adhesion and bonding to the substrate of the fasteners.
Silane-based Multimetal Pretreatments for Powder Painting
When looking to switch from phosphate conversion coatings, Stewart Tymchuk from Dynamix suggests looking at silane-based products for powder coating pretreatments.
Electric vs. Pneumatic Agitators: What Makes Sense?
When determining the need for an agitator, says Mike Elberson from Autoquip, you must look at budget versus long-term energy conservation.
How Does Aluminum Impact Dry Film Thickness Readings?
Jay Kunick from Fischer discusses why different dry film thickness gauges will give different measurements on aluminum, and how to get accurate readings.
Jay Kunick
Product Line Manager, Tactile, Fischer Technology
Fixing Dull Parts From Alkaline Zinc-Nickel Bath
A lack of expected brightness is a common malady affecting many alkaline zinc-nickel platers, and MacDermid Enthone’s Adam Blakeley provides some answers to fix it.
Phosphorus Copper Anodes for Acid Copper Plating
Copper anodes produced from pure copper cathodes will result in a copper purity of greater than 99.99% copper, including silver and the alloyed phosphorus, according to Univertical’s André Depew.
Using Alternatives in Pretreatment Baths for Degreasing
Effective cleaning at low, even ambient temperatures, is possible, says Atotech’s Brandon Lloyd, and creates a safer work environment and reduces energy demands.
Improving Standard Operating Procedures for Powder Coating Operations
Expert Rodger Talbert says be sure to use instant feedback to let the operator know when a problem first appears.
Finding What Causes Defects in Ecoat Systems
The first step in solving defects in ecoat, says Axalta’s Joe Subda, is to determine if the defect is on all parts, one part, or a certain type of part or substrate.
Summary Report on USCAR Field Test for Trivalent Chromium
Mark Schario from Columbia Chemical explains USCAR’s multiyear project to determine how various trivalent chromium systems would perform in the real world.