Infra-red helps increase rate
July 1st 2007

By installing infra-red systems, a Chinese manufacturer of chainsaw blades has been able to increase its rate of powder coatings, while improving product quality.The new system, from Heraeus Noblelight also allowed significant cost savings by permitting better use of available space and cutting energy bills, compared with alternative drying and curing solutions.

Two medium wave systems were installed in a very small footprint. One of the systems dries the blades as they emerge from a washing treatment, while the other is fitted after the powder coating plant cures the powder at around 2000C. Both systems feature zonal control to save power when smaller parts are being coated.

In addition, the power output can be easily adjusted to cater for various coating colours, as dark coating requires less energy than lighter coatings. Speed of curling has also been a benefit of the new curing system, as line speed has now been increased by more than 50% compared with a convection oven.

Infra-red is targeted heat, so that there is no heat waste in heating up the surrounding area.

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