Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/993770
TIPS FOR COATERS FOSTORIA PROCESS EQUIPMENT Fostoria Portable Infrared Banks save time and lower curing costs. Problem. Most of your parts are fully cured at optimum line speed. However, there may be some parts that don't get fully cured at that speed, so the line speed has to be reduced, thereby creating interruptions and costing time. Solution. Heavier parts or thicker gauge metals do not cure at the same rate (and other variables cause cure rates to differ as well). When parts with slower curing rates are powder coated, you can add a pair of electric infrared banks around the conveyor and prior to the curing oven, to create a booster heat environment. In most cases, you can achieve a complete cure on normally slower curing parts, and still run your conveyor at the higher speed used for the majority of the parts. Fostoria FPB electric IR banks offer the flexibility needed for quickly providing a boost to the curing process, as well as other flash-off, gel or pre-gel processes. The banks are easily wheeled to the curing area, provide clean electric IR heat for consistency and safety, and can be quickly stored when not in use. Fostoria Process Equipment, a Div of TPI Corp. 1-800/495-4525 www.fostoriaprocessequipment.com Advertisement POWDER COATING, June 2018 55 ECHO ENGINEERING Utilize Proper Masking Plugs to Eliminate Re-Work Problem: Surface finishers sometimes run into the issue of having paint seep- ing into holes even though a masking plug is present. Solution: When contamination is still occurring with masking coverage, the contamination is most likely due to using an inadequate masking solution. When choosing a masking solution, first, think of the basics: diameter, temperature rating, chemicals, and cure time. The diameter of the plug needs to be slightly larger than the hole size, and the plug needs to be the right material for the process, as well as having a high enough temperature rating to endure the cure time. Next, look at the application. For high temperature finishing processes, plugs with leading and exit flanges are best to mask weld nut threads, hollow plugs work to protect blind holes of similar sizes, and plugs with a counter sink flange are efficient in masking off a chamfer. For low temperature protection, plugs with a thick flange provide a grounding area around the hole, while self-tapping plugs are perfect for a custom seal to a threaded hole. With the right masking solution, surface finishers will reduce labor costs, time, and improve profits. Echo Engineering and Production Supplies, Inc. Indianapolis, IN 888.echo.365 www.echosupply.com