Product category:
Coatings and coating systems
News Release from: Universal Finishing Systems | Subject: Coating systems
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 19 November 2004
Door and window coatings improved
Leading door and window manufacturer has seen huge improvements in the coating quality of its components, thanks to a system that maintains consistency of coating.
Leading door and window manufacturer Premdor has seen huge improvements in the coating quality of its components, thanks to new equipment installed by Universal Finishing Systems at its sites in Hedingham (Essex), Bridgwater and Bonlea sister company in Stockton on Tees As the UK division of the Masonite group, the world's No1 door manufacturer, Premdor has invested in a total of four systems
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 21 Mar 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
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All are versions of Universal's standard Minivac and Supavac application systems specially adapted to feature a new pressure maintenance device which maintains consistency of coating even on problematic comb joints.
General Manager Peter Smith was so impressed with the design, installation and running of the new coating systems at Premdor's volume Hedingham site, where two stainless steel Universal machines apply the base coat and base primer respectively, that he recommended colleagues on other sites consider changing their production lines accordingly.
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By using a vacuum coater components can be coated consistently all around in one pass with no loss of the surface coating.
Previously, Hedingham used a deluge coating system, which without the benefit of fine spray control is heavy on its use and loss of coating, and causes maintenance problems with the brushes it requires.
Furthermore, drying times are extremely long.
The sites at Bridgwater and Stockton on Tees used a dipping system, which also uses a lot of coating and can pose health and safety risks through contact, inhalation and the bacterial degradation of such large tanks of liquid left standing.
In contrast, Universal's vacuum coating systems are totally enclosed, and with their 100% transfer efficiency, have significantly reduced Premdor's coating costs.
Their consistency of application also gives a better uniform finish.
Because the timber does not have time to absorb it, there is less use of coating.
And drying times too are well down on previous production.
Components enter and leave the coating machine via a template in order to maintain constant pressure during application.
The new pressure maintenance device prevents excess air entering the system when comb joints pass through the system.
As a result, component joints are prevented from any build-up of coating, making assembly as smooth as its finish.
All four of Premdor's new systems apply coatings to all four sides in one pass at speeds up to 40 metres per minute.
Unlike Hedingham, the smaller volume sites at Bridgwater and Stockton on Tees opted for one coating machine each, fitted with Teflon hyperslip surfaces for speed of cleaning and to reduce downtime between applying the base coating and base primer.
General Manager Peter Smith commented, "At Premdor, we are continually reviewing and investing in our production processes to further improve the quality and value of our products, as well as considering the environmental benefits.
This finishing system fits the bill".
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