Choosing the Right Powder Booth Technology | Products Finishing

Q: We currently have two dedicated cartridge reclaim booths for high-volume colors and a third booth where we spray to waste all other colors. The system has suited us well for many years; however, we have seen a shift in demand and are now spraying more “other” colors. Our marketing team tells us the trend will continue. What are the options for improving our process? We do not want to continue spraying to waste as the cost is becoming considerable. 

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A: Many manufacturers have faced the same challenge you have described. Your original systems were once very efficient regarding powder utilization and color change time — two key drivers. As trends have changed regarding the demand for custom colors or the desire to manufacture to order/just in time, the need for more flexibility in the powder coating process has developed. To address this, fast color change single booth configurations are available. Note that “fast” is a relative term. A color change can typically be accomplished in 8–10 minutes for a single powder booth configuration. Now, this may be longer than your current process with dedicated booths; however, there are many benefits to the most recently designed systems.

The primary benefit is the ability to change colors efficiently; the system is designed specifically for this purpose. The booth is a non-metallic design with an air space in the walls; while in use, the walls will repel the powder allowing it to flow into the recovery system. The booth is connected to a cyclone separator through seamless ductwork, minimizing areas where the powder can accumulate. The cyclone separates the fine particles from the larger particles, which fall to the bottom of the cone. Airflow through the system is created by the after filter, which collects the fine particles that rise up in the cyclone. Air from the after filter is exhausted back into the powder coating area. 

The powder center offers a central location for the operator to control the system and manage powder delivery and color changes. A powder box is placed on the vibrator table, and a transfer pump is lowered into the box. The transfer pump fills the fluidized hopper, equipped with an ultrasonic sieve that removes any contaminants in the powder. The fluidized hopper feeds individual venturi pumps for each manual or automatic applicator in the system. Additionally, the powder collected in the cyclone is fed back into the hopper and sieved. The reclaim powder is continually blended in the hopper with virgin powder, providing a better overall finish than your older system, where reclaim had to be collected and manually brought back into the process. The design of the system allows for up to 97% reclaim efficiency.

When it is time to change colors, the operator empties the powder from the hopper back into the box and then enters color change mode. The booth exit door closes, and the damper in the bottom of the booth that regulates airflow opens fully, allowing for maximum airflow through the booth and the powder center. The operator then uses an air lance to blow down the booth and equipment before loading the next color into the system.

Modern powder booths are designed to accommodate changing market needs for fast color change, high reclaim efficiency, and ease of use for the operator.

Encore HD pumps are built to deliver powder to spray systems with minimum of air for superior application efficiency. The most versatile operation is achieved by enabling the independent control of powder and air volumes. Superior recess coverage even at high powder output with the exceptionally soft spray patter.

For more information, please visit Fast color change booth(uz,es,el).

Encore HD pumps use HDLV® technology with High Density powder, Low Velocity air. They transport the powder from the powder feed hopper to the Encore HD powder coating guns. With the Spectrum HD powder feed center the pumps operate in a closed-loop for a cleaner plant and zero contamination risk. You benefit from over a long period of maintenance-free pump operation for minimum operating cost and maintenance downtime.

With more than 15 years of field-proven experience, Nordson remains at the cutting edge of HDLV technology in the powder coating industry.

ColorMax® 3 is a fast colour change powder coating booth. It improves quality, reduces downtime and maximises your production. The booth floor is made of durable Apogee® composite material, and is automatically purge-cleaned for no powder accumulation inside the booth. Proven air-intake design creates soft down-draft airflow for high powder application efficiency and reliable overspray containment.

Designed specifically for the highest quality color change, this compact system is configurable to your specific requirements.

Coating performance, cubed

With a proven installed base, the ColorMax³ booth delivers the highest color change quality in as short as 5 minutes, ensuring confident and consistent production. Manufactured from advanced materials and with a unique design the system features quick clean twin cyclones with direct operator access, Powder Feed Center and an ATEX certified cartridge after filter that provides the containment airflow within the booth.

Highly resource-efficient and clean operation

For more booth for multiple color shiftsinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

• Minimal powder in process at all times due to highest transfer efficiency and AirWash system contributing to a clean, and safe coating environment with less to color change
• Unrestricted operator access around the product for manual touch up facilitates perfect results and simple, easy coating inspection
• AirWash system continuously transports over sprayed powder from the patented Apogee booth floor, safely and quickly recycling it back to the powder feed container.
• Safe and clean environment: No need for the operator to enter the booth
• Maximize efficiency by recycling powder during the color change
• Quick and simple color change procedure, easy to carry out