Paint Supply and Distribution Systems

The operational efficiency of paint application systems and the level of product finish quality achievable in any process are strongly impacted by the paint supply and distribution system.  

• Paint supply conditions at the applicator strongly impact the level and uniformity of paint atomization.  This affects finish quality and consistency in every way.

• Paint flow control systems strongly impact the dynamic and steady-state fluid delivery.  This affects atomization, overspray, material usage, and quality across the part.

• In the booth, paint supply conditions strongly impact levels of paint overspray and cleanliness.

Paint supply conditions can and do contribute directly to poor finish quality on the final product, creating or exacerbating orange peel, low gloss, color mismatch, dark or uneven metallic effects, and non-uniform film build.  Paint supply conditions can and do contribute to increased levels of booth overspray, contamination and related dirt, and decreasing paint transfer efficiency.  Because of this, if the performance of the paint supply system is not compatible with the application process, your business will incur increased costs associated with operation, quality, rework, and scrap, and these issues may very well begin to weigh heavily with your customers.

A paint supply and distribution system must provide paint to the applicator in accord with process requirements.  Depending on the application, the general criteria can include,

• To supply paint at a steady and controllable rate, free of pulsations and fluctuations, and responsive to the dynamic system demands.

• To supply paint per the manufacturers recommendations for application temperature, viscosity, and other mechanical and chemical properties including mixing and solid suspension.

• To protect the paint from moisture, oil, corrosion, dirt, and other forms of contamination.

• To provide a continuous and maintainable supply to meet production needs with due regard to occupational health and safety.

When material contains metallic flakes, paint supply systems should be designed to minimize flake degradation.  Other systems require the flexibility to supply more than one material, with many changeovers each hour.  All systems should be compatible with the material and the application.

Some of the various types of paint supply systems are discussed below and in Flexible Color Paint Supply Systems.  You are welcome to contact us should you feel we can help you design or install a new paint supply system, or evaluate, modify, or upgrade your existing system.

Oil Free Paint Supply Systems

Historically, all paint supply systems have used oil for lubrication of system components, especially for pumps, agitators, and other air motors used in the paint kitchen.  Frequently, the supply of compressed air to the paint kitchen and paint processes contains oil or oil vapor.  Oil in paint processes is a significant potential source of contamination and defects in the paint finish.

Today, paint process components are available that do not require external sources of lubricating oil.  The use of these specialized components allow paint kitchens and paint storage areas to be oil free, eliminating this substantial source for oil contamination.

Dead Head Paint Supply Systems

When material does not require continuous mixing beyond its place of storage, it can be supplied direct from the pump with a single or branched feed terminating at the point of use.  Many clear coats and catalysts are supplied in this way.  

Such systems should achieve a level of performance to efficiently support paint application process requirements.  We can help you design and specify the most efficient and the most economical deadhead paint supply system available.

Recirculating Paint Supply Systems

When material does require continuous mixing beyond its place of storage, it can be supplied direct from the pump to the point of use, or to one or more color selection valves, and then loop back to the point of supply, continuously recirculating within this circuit.  Many paints that contain solids or are otherwise prone to separation of ingredients are supplied in this way.  

Such systems should achieve a level of performance to efficiently support paint application process requirements.  We can help you design and specify the most efficient and the most economical recirculated paint supply system available.

Reducing Paint Sheer

Some paints, and especially those with metallic content, physically degrade when exposed to continuous mechanical forces of a recirculated paint supply.  This happens in metallic paint, for example, when the flakes become deformed and damaged by high sheer, by collisions with pipe or other system components, or as a result of pumping action.

There are many ways to increase the lifetime of this category of coatings and we can help you design and specify the most efficient and the most economical methods for achieving this.  

System Evaluation

We will gladly discuss with your business the benefit of efficient paint supply systems.  Efficient and effective implementation of these systems require a special knowledge paint processes.  We can recommend modifications to existing systems or design new installation.  We can provide designs for your use or we can offer turn-key services.  We promote a paint system audit for a comprehensive assessment of paint system operational efficiency.  This audit can focus on efficient methods for paint reclamation but often identifies other areas where significant efficiency can be realized.  

This service offers enormous potential value to North American businesses and their communities.  We also recognize that a healthy, efficient paint shop is good for your business and ours, and therefore make every effort to keep audit costs low.

If you value such an audit, contact us.  For even small paint shops, payback for our audits are generally measured in hours or days.  While on site, we can also document as-built system installation and provide for a very reasonable fee, quick turn-a-round on as-built pneumatic, affluent, or electrical drawings and flow schematics.

Feel free to give me a call to discuss . . . Joe @ (708) 980-3758.

North American

Paint Application Company

info@napaint.com

www.napaint.com

All rights reserved.