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Automation will help break the finishing bottleneck

In this five-part series, Cefla America will provide readers with some of the automation choices available to make the transition from manual application of finishing materials to automation, if even on a limited basis.

Automatic spraying machines

The previous article in this series stated that many companies look to automation of their finishing process as a means to overcome some of the many problems associated with manual spray applications. The necessity to increase production, decrease rejects and improve material costs, as well as a shortage of qualified finishing personnel, encourages automation as a finishing solution. These all lead to “bottlenecks” in productivity and shipping.

Spraying machines are the most common method of finishing since they are the most versatile and the most compatible with current hand-spraying materials and techniques.

There are three types of automatic spraying machines:
• Widebelt – where the parts are placed on a horizontal conveyor.
• Vertical – the parts are hung on an overhead monorail.
• Moulding – long narrow parts are placed on a narrow conveyor and passed through fixed position spray guns at high speeds. Due to space limitation this editorial will only deal with the most common of these three, the widebelt, since the other two types are more specialty applications.

There are many manufacturers of spraying machines worldwide, but only five companies are well represented in the United States. All five companies are headquartered in Europe and have sales/service facilities in North America. Spraying machines, like all machinery, vary widely in price, which usually correlates with productivity, longevity and sophistication. When purchasing an automatic spray machine, be sure the company has a long history of service in the United States and is financially stable enough to withstand the serviceable life of the machine, which can be 15 to 20 years.

Spraying machines are available in four styles with many different model variations:

1) Reciprocating
Reciprocating or oscillating spray machines have one or two arms with four spray guns mounted on each arm. The guns oscillate back and forth across the part in a motion perpendicular to the forward motion of the conveyor. These spray machines are the most common type found since they operate at a speed range of 10 to 25 fpm. This speed is the typical range of most automatic finishing lines.