Powder coating ovens are designed to bond high-performance powder particles to the substrates of metallic components. This is achieved through electrostatic methods, which involves projecting a stream of charged powder particles onto the substrate of a conductive material and curing it under tightly-controlled temperature parameters. The resulting thermoplastic coating acts as a tough synthetic skin to improve the mechanical resistances or aesthetic finish of critical components.
This is the preferred surface treatment method for a range of industries, particularly where durability and uniformity are of paramount importance. The automotive sector regularly uses powder coating ovens to treat individual mechanical components and partially-fabricated vehicles. It enables manufacturers to improve the service-lives of mechanical parts, and increases the uniformity of exterior bodywork.
This article will explore the uses of powder coating ovens for vehicle manufacturing in more detail:
Automotive Powder Coating Ovens
Vehicle manufacturing is a hybrid industry that represents a true cross-section of development processes. Mechanics, electronics, and aesthetics must all be used in precise conjunction to ensure that high-value commercial automobiles are produced with outstanding degrees of repeatability.
Powder coating ovens are used throughout the automotive sector to protect critical machinery such as brake calipers and cylinders from corrosion due to water, chemicals or heat warping. They are also increasingly used to replace conventional spray-painting methods for automobile exteriors, reducing surface irregularities caused by liquid paints running from the panel substrates.
These components and superstructures of varying sizes require distinct treatment techniques to optimize the performance or tactility of individual parts in a high-functioning whole. Powder coating ovens are not required to operate at exorbitant temperatures, with most high-performance surface powders bonding to metal substrates through curing processes of below 200°C (392°F). Multiple furnace types are used to cure automotive powder coatings, including custom car bottom furnaces, multi-door recirculating ovens, box chamber furnaces, and more. These instruments can be manufactured with temperature capacities of up to 1700°C (3092°F), far exceeding the maximum required values of an automotive powder coating oven.
The most critical feature of this equipment is its volumetric capacity. Automotive furnaces must be big enough to facilitate larger components or structures, with exceptional degrees of control to ensure uniform conditions are maintained throughout the curing chamber. Integrated controls for automotive powder coating ovens are beneficial for process monitoring and data acquisition. These systems include air flow rotation and sensitive temperature controls for manufacturers to easily monitor and adjust the curing chamber’s conditions in real-time, to optimize the powder coating process.
Powder Coating Ovens from Thermcraft
Thermcraft provides a robust range of furnace products for numerous applications, including powder coating ovens for the automotive industry. With our demonstrable expertise and proven range of heat treatment components, we can design custom furnaces for auto engineering processes.
We have produced multi-door recirculating ovens with large heating chambers of 180” wide, and heating elements capable of curing components at temperatures of up to 177°C (350°F). This provides an excellent environment for heat treating powder coated automobile parts and fabrications.
If you would like any more information about our powder coating ovens, please do not hesitate to contact us.