Robots designed specifically for the paint industry have been used worldwide since 1998 and have proven their performance under full production conditions. Recently, a second-generation paint robot has been developed specifically to facilitate the replacement of older paint machines in existing paint cells.

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed an “antimicrobial paint” that can kill influenza viruses that land on surfaces coated with it, potentially offering a new weapon in the battle against a disease that kills nearly 40,000 Americans per year.

Four basic stripping methods are typically used to remove cured powder coatings: mechanical, thermal, thermomechanical and chemical. Each method has advantages and disadvantages that must be considered in making a selection. Recently, a new chemical process has been developed that offers quick coating removal at ambient temperatures and is safe for workers and the environment.

Dry ice blasting can safely remove coatings and contaminants from surfaces without the secondary waste treatment and disposal often required with pretreatment chemicals and other cleaning methods. As a result, it offers benefits such as cost reductions, extension of equipment's useful life, minimized substrate damage and improved environmental safety compared to other cleaning methods.

A new atmospheric plasma technology has been developed to eliminate common problems and improve the quality of the finish, thereby driving down the number of rejects. The technology can produce ultrafine cleaning and high activation on a wide range of surfaces, including plastics, metal and glass; these benefits, in turn, can promote the optimum adhesion of paints and coatings.

In life and in business, it’s always nice to know that you have options. As a chemical agent resistant coating (CARC) applicator, you should already know that two exterior topcoats are available, both of which are fully supported by the Army: MIL-DTL-53039 and MIL-DTL-64159.

Ames True Temper needed to increase its ultrafiltration capacity significantly, but additional floor space was not available. Complicating matters was the need for all new UF equipment to quickly accommodate changes in paint color. The company asked three membrane companies to submit proposals for systems and provide price quotations.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting some of the staff from Finishing Today at the predominantly plating-oriented National Association for Surface Finishing (NASF) Southeast Regional conference in Orlando. This magazine, which has a rich history rooted in the painting side of the metal finishing industry, was stretching its boundaries - an exercise we all could benefit from.

While inventories continue to shrink and lean operations rapidly replace yesterday’s traditional production methods, choosing powder coating can be a giant step toward greater efficiency, productivity and cost effectiveness in your operations. Yet to maximize your capital equipment investment, you should first wisely invest both time and thought into your current - and future - requirements before making the move.

"Can a bad tree bear good fruit?" This concept has surfaced repeatedly throughout my career in the coatings field. A finisher facing trouble with corrosion resistance, blistering, peeling, impact resistance or color often would consider the coating as a probable cause of the defect. My mind would always take a couple steps back, recalling the words from my youth.