Products Finishing magazine is the No. 1 industrial finishing publication in the world. We keep our readers informed about the latest news and trends in plating, painting, powder coating, anodizing, electrocoating, parts cleaning, and pretreatment.
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PaintinG Example: Pneumatic Pump vs. Electric Pump Hand Mixing vs. Electronic Proportioning can be set up to operate only when absolutely needed, and these off-production settings greatly reduce or eliminate energy consumption during off shifts or non-peak operating modes. Another area to evaluate for efficiency is the process of proportioning plural component materials. More finishing operations are using plural component paint because it offers better adhesion, hardness and durability, and lower VOC output and oven cure. But in order to be successful with 2K and 3K coatings, the material needs to be mixed at the correct ratio and used before it cures. One way to manage this process is to use electronic proportioning machines that not only mix the materials accurately, but also mix on demand as you spray them. In addition to saving an operator's time when compared with hand mixing, electronic proportioners reduce waste and contain state-of-theart diagnostics that can keep manufacturing processes running smoothly and efficiently. In most cases, an electronic proportioning system pays for itself within months of purchase. Facility Assessments Even with these large savings opportunities, evaluating longterm cost savings is critical when considering the expense of 26 SEPTEMBER 2013 — pfonline.com purchasing and installing new equipment. There are several manufacturers that offer facility reviews to help identify product or process improvements. They may also provide other tools such as return on investment calculators to help determine if installing new technology is right for your application. In addition to this, many utility companies provide resources and rebates for manufacturers that install new energy-efficient equipment in their plants. The U.S. Department of Energy also has many free tools that help manufacturers through an energy-efficiency process, from measuring energy use at specific points in a production line to determining the best approach to installing more efficient equipment and developing an energy-savings plan. These include the department's Pumping System Assessment Tool, the Compressed Air Scorecard and many other energy-management resources. Overall, developing a long-term plan is essential for manufacturers looking to achieve significant energy and bottom-line savings. Operating with the most energy-efficient technology available and proper training on equipment may provide the largest savings, but no opportunity is too small, because it all adds up. Nick Strauss is the marketing manager, Industrial Products Division, for Graco Inc. in Minneapolis. For more information, please visit graco.com. Painting Proportioners Becoming Popular with Finishers To read about how electronic proportioners have become increasingly popular in many finishing operations because of their ability to maintain ratio accuracy and reduce waste, please visit pfonline.com/articles/painting-proportionersbecoming-popular-with-finishers.