Fluidized Bed Coating
EVCO Engineered Solutions is your one stop shop for fluidized bed applications. We are experts in the design and implementation of fluidized bed coating applications. These fluidizing bed system can be used with many different powder applications including: primer base coats, finish coats and epoxy.
A fluidized powder bed is a container where fine paint powder is suspended and agitated by an upward flow of compressed air. The process causes dry powder particles to separate and behave like a gently boiling liquid, allowing metal parts to be dipped for an even, flawless coating.
How It Works
Instead of using static paint or a spray gun, the fluidized bed relies on the principles of air suspension and thermal bonding:
- Fluidization: Compressed air is forced through a porous membrane at the bottom of the container, fluffing the powder paint and making it act like a liquid.
- Preheating: The part to be painted is placed in an oven and heated to a specific temperature (typically between 350°F and 500°F).
- Dipping: The hot part is submerged into the floating cloud of powder. The residual heat melts the powder instantly, causing it to bond to the surface.
- Curing: The coated part is placed back into an oven to fully cure, creating a seamless, durable finish.
Fluidized bed coating has various advantages vs traditional spray coating:
- Superior Uniformity and Thickness
- Repeatable process (if using an auto dipping system)
- High efficiency and cost savings
- Perfect for complex geometry
- Exceptional durability
Some limitations include:
- Pre and Post heat ovens often required
- very thin parts tend to not hold heat long enough and thus difficult to coat
- Some Complex parts tend to trap excess powder
- Coats thinner than 8 mills difficult to achieve.
There are many other solutions available for powdercoating, epoxy coating and primers.
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