In this blog post we will look into how to choose the right powder coating oven size for your production volumes. As you are probably aware, there is a range of different sizes and capacities available on the market. And while most manufacturers will offer some appropriate guidance regarding which one is right for your particular needs, it can still be rather overwhelming when trying to make the right choice. Here we’ll go through some key points you need to consider before making that final decision for a 10x10x50 powder coating oven.
Confirm your production volumes and desired coating thickness
One of the first things you need to assess is the amount of parts that you are currently producing. This will help you determine how much you’re currently down. Now, if you look at the coating thickness, it’s important to make sure that it’s sufficient for your application. And especially if you’re going for outdoor/heavy-duty usage, then you need to make sure that you have an appropriate finish for your parts. When it comes to powder coating, there are two main types of finish that are being used in the industry, which are the standard or the normal finish and the high-end or the premium finish. Now the standard finish will typically have a thickness of around 2 mils or 0.002 inches, while the premium finish is going to yield a thickness of 2.5 mils or 0.025 inches. So you want to make sure that you are coating your parts at the appropriate thickness.
Know what affects your production volume
The next thing you want to do is to assess what affects your production volume. Now, you want to be careful here because you want to make sure that you don’t go with a larger oven than you need. Because if you go with a larger oven than you need, then you’re going to be paying for a whole bunch of extra capacity that you don’t need. And that’s going to eat into your profits. So you want to go with the smaller oven that you need. Now, the main factors that will affect your production volume are going to be the coating hours per day and the number of days per week that you are operating the equipment.
Check the temperature variances in your environment
Now, the next thing that you want to look at is the temperature variances in your environment. So ideally, you are going to want to find an oven that is able to operate at some sort of consistent temperature. Now, if you are working in an environment that is prone to fluctuations, then you want to make sure you go with a cabinet-type oven. These types of ovens will typically have some sort of built-in air conditioning system that will help maintain that temperature in the oven. Now, you want to make sure that the temperature in the oven is sufficient for the type of powder coating that you are doing. Now, if you are finishing with an epoxy-based coating, then you want to make sure that the temperature in the oven is above 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
Determine how much space you’ll need for the coating equipment
The next thing that you want to look at is how much space you’ll need for the coating equipment. Now, one thing that you want to make sure is that the inside of the oven is sufficient for what you are coating. So you want to make sure that there is ample space for the parts to move around. Now, when it comes to the size of the oven, you want to make sure that you are measuring from floor to ceiling, as well as from one side to the other. Now, when it comes to the weight of the flakes that you are finishing with, that can help you determine the type of conveyor system that you are going to have in the oven.
Find out the size and weight of flakes currently being used in finishing process
The next thing that you want to do is find out the size and weight of flakes that you are currently finishing with. Now, if you find yourself finishing with a specific type of coating and you have no idea what the coating composition is, then you want to make sure that you contact your powder coating supplier and ask them what they are using. Now, information that you want to look for specifically is the flake size and the percentage of solids in the coating.
Conclusion
If you are serious about your production volume, then it’s important to choose the right powder coating oven size. It’s important to assess the factors that affect production volumes, check the temperature variances in your environment, and determine how much space you’ll need for the coating equipment. It’s also important to know the size and weight of flakes currently being used in the finishing process. By doing all of this, you will be able to find the right powder coating oven size for your production volumes.
