Australian and International Manufacturing

'To attain knowledge, add things every day.' You must be wondering what this phrase has to do with your job as a metal fabricator. Well, if you intend to meet client demands, then it has everything to do with your business. Metal fabricators primarily deal with cutting, forming, joining and bending metal. However, powder coating is another service that most fabricators offer nowadays. Therefore, if you provide powder coating services, it is essential to stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the technology. Here are three powder coating developments to watch.

Uninterrupted Colour Change -- As clients continue to demand faster delivery times, metal fabricators have to find ways to satisfy these requirements. One way to achieve faster turnaround is by performing colour changeouts as fast and as frequently as possible. However, it is not possible with traditional cartridge systems that take at least 30 minutes to change. Cyclone technology eliminates the problem by capturing an overspray and directing it to a recovery system. The cyclonic motions created in the powder coating booth move very fast thereby removing powder particles from the air. Also, fabricators do not have to spend time cleaning the cabin in preparation for newer units. Most importantly, the technology eliminates the risk of colour cross-contamination thereby reducing the possibilities of repeat jobs.

Reduced Phosphate Levels -- The pre-treatment stage of the powder coating process uses chemicals laden with phosphates, particularly iron and zinc phosphates. While these compounds are not toxic, they contribute significantly towards the process of eutrophication. When phosphates find a way into a body of water with plants, the vegetation thrives, which can be attributed to the steroid effect that phosphates have on plants. As a result, the plants absorb more water rapidly thereby leading to excessive growth of plants and algae. As such, local councils are discouraging the use of phosphate chemicals in the metal fabrication industry. To abide by the new regulations, metal fabricators are turning towards environmentally friendly metal pretreatment alternatives such as zirconium.

Unique Finishes – Quality finishes are what clients look out for when choosing powder coated products. The impressive finishing is made possible by the sublimation process that also ensures the durability of finishes. Additionally, powder coating allows for customisation of finishes based on unique preferences of clients. For instance, it is possible to imprint a client's design on a film then reproduce the design on a product through powder coating. As such, customers can get customised and elegant products through powder coating.