Page 41 - CFCM Jan-Feb-2021_Neat

The control system operates as an interface for the automation
of the powder coating process and enables intelligent networking
of all application components. As a result, the production process
is optimized and the line management efficiency can be maximized
with relevant operating data retrievable at any time. All system
components, warnings and error messages as well as storage of
application programs are controlled by touchscreen. Parameter
settings can be individually adapted to different powder types
resulting in constant consistency and improved surface quality
combined with minimal powder consumption.
Hale says more new products are coming this year, though he
cannot comment on those at this time. Nordson Encore.
Nordson offers a complete line of spray systems to dispense pow-
der coatings, including dense-phase and tribomatic technologies.
Its new Dynamic Contouring Movers (DCM) System, combined
with HDLV technology, increases the automatic coverage of com- stored in the extension cups for later use. A color change of the gun
plex forms and achieves process control in the powder coating ap- takes 20 seconds, Wagner adds.
plication, the company says. Wagner also offers it Tribo and Corona lines of automatic pow-
“The DCM system automatically detects the product geometry der guns for a range of applications where each gun can be tuned to
and delivers superior coating performance by adjusting the posi- the particular application and powder.
tion of each spray gun – and all this without any programming,” Gema’s Hale says despite the pandemic, customers are continu-
Nordson says. ing to explore and move forward with capital equipment purchases.
Product geometries are scanned, with accuracy detecting pro- “Certainly the methods that companies are choosing to employ
trusions larger than 5 mm at a line speed of up to 5 m/min, the com- for meetings and demonstrations are different, however, I think ev-
pany says. The information is then processed by the PowderPilot eryone is adapting and getting more comfortable with the various
HD system controller and sent to the DCM. methods in order to have productive meetings.”
“The system has a positioning speed of up to 500 mm/sec and To facilitate this, Gema is conducting virtual trials from its
accuracy of ± 1 mm to bring the soft spray to the optimum distance Swiss lab to engage with customers who are not able to visit the
of the target product surfaces,” Nordson says. “The result is super- company’s facility, but who are still seeking a demonstration of
ior coverage of complex shapes.” their product being coated. Hales says this usually involves video-
Wagner says its equipment enables optimal conferences from a lab conference room as well as streaming live
coating results on all types of surfaces. It touts video of the product being coated.
its manual systems as very simple to operate, “Customers may also choose to send key individuals to view
and automatic systems as high efficiency. the test in person and then have others join
The Wagner Cup gun PEM-X1 CG is a man- throughout the day for remote involvement,”
ual cup powder gun that the company says is Hale says. “While in-person meetings and dem-
suited to laboratory and development purposes, onstrations will always be preferred, virtual
as well as for powder coating of single parts and meetings and demonstrations are an alternate
small quantities. choice for companies to learn and experience our
In the case of automatic systems, small batches products, services and capabilities.”
or individual workpieces often have to be coated in Nordson says while the scientific principles
different colors at the end of a shift, Wagner says. and technology behind state-of-the-art powder
“The common practice is to do this in a spray- coating are complex, it strives to make application
to-waste operation using the existing components easy. “We believe that with just the squeeze of a
including powder center, guns and powder hoses in trigger, you should be able to unleash the power of a
order to keep cleaning and time expenditure due to perfectly balanced system and get expert results.”
color change as low as possible. With everyone working together in new ways to achieve that
“With the PEM-X1 cup gun, coat small batches best finish, it results in purchases all the way down the supply
without the use of cleaning and time-consuming system compo- chain. Gema’s Hale says the company is gratified.
nents. All you need is the extraction capacity of the booth, which “We are very appreciative of all businesses that are choosing to
continues to operate in a spray-to-waste mode.” be progressive and work toward gaining a competitive advantage
The gun can be extended with a one-liter powder cup, which is by investing in new capital equipment,” he states. n
equipped with a special valve to ensure proper powder flow. This
also allows coaters to do individual workpieces as well as smaller
Above Centre: Gema OptiStar-All-in-One.
batches without refilling powder. Any remaining powder can be
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