Lasers Target the Coatings Industry
Cedar Falls, IA - Production within the spray coatings industry involves a multitude of factors. Technicians deal with their transfer efficiency, overlap, overspray and gun-to-part distance to produce a quality finish, while keeping in mind hazardous health and environmental risks. Adding to those factors, coatings application can also be very time consuming and include excessive amounts of materials, costs and wastes. It was with all of that in mind that the Iowa Waste Reduction Center developed a targeting tool known as the LaserPaint(TM) to help spray technicians.
The LaserPaint(TM) enhances spray technique while decreasing the costs, materials, wastes and time utilized in the spray application process. The use of this technology can improve the overall process and production of spray paint application by teaching untrained spray technicians the proper techniques as well as refining the skills of experienced technicians.
Using the LaserPaint(TM) helps spray technicians determine the optimal gun-to-part distance. When at this optimal gun-to-part distance, two laser beams converge to form a single dot projected onto the part being painted. A small knob adjusts the lasers to best suit any project at hand. The image of the single dot provides spray technicians with visual feedback assuring them that they are performing at their maximum efficiency. When the spray technician's distance or angle changes, the two beams separate and the spray technician is able to make the necessary adjustments in technique in order to maintain the single dot (optimal distance) and improve overall performance.
Taking spray application one step further, the LaserPaint(TM) provides a visual feedback cue that can assist in producing the proper amount of overlap. Visually following the single dot with each pass of the part helps the technician produce a consistent spray pattern and an even overlap, resulting in a uniform finish while consequently reducing the total paint consumption.
Proper use of the LaserPaint(TM) results in a reduction of paint usage as well as a reduction in costs. It is also successful in reducing VOC emissions, hazardous wastes and ozone causing air pollution. Transfer efficiency has been shown to increase by up to 24 percent as well.
Adding the LaserPaint(TM) to the production process can give spray technicians the opportunity to become more consistent and produce an even overlap with every pass of the spray gun. Combining all the features that the LaserPaint(TM) has to offer, spray technicians can repeatedly provide a high quality finish with enhanced environmental benefits.
The LaserPaint(TM) is available for all automotive, military and industrial customers and can be ordered at laserpaint.us. Included with your purchase are two specially designed mounting brackets which allow the LaserPaint(TM) to readily attach to any spray gun.
For additional product and ordering information regarding the LaserPaint(TM), contact the Iowa Waste Reduction Center at 319-273-8905 or visit the website provided. The Iowa Waste Reduction Center is a service of the University of Northern Iowa.
Contact: Lea Schellhorn
E-mail: leaann@uni.edu
Phone: (319)273-8905
