THE
REVOLUTION : How is Xiom Changing the Powder Coating
Industry |
With Xiom 1000,
powder coating is no longer a labor intensive process.
Traditional powder coating is actually a series of processes—surface
preparation, powder application, heating of the part,
curing of the coating.
Preparing the surface
ensures that the surface is dirt- and rust-free and
may include washing or blasting. When thermoplastic
powders are used, a primer is normally applied to promote
adhesion of the powder coatings. With thermoset powders,
the part to be coated needs to be electrostatically
charged to ensure adhesion. The coated part is then
cured or baked in an oven so that the powder melts and
flows into a smooth, solid layer.
In the past two decades,
powder coating revolutionized the finishing industry.
Powder coatings perform better and last longer than
traditional wet paints. Powder coatings are also more
resistant to chips, scratches, wear and fading. Other
benefits include reduced waste, easier clean-up, good
barrier protection, reclaimable and reusable overspray.
Powder coatings are environmentally friendly, too. Because
they don’t need solvents, powder coatings don’t
release volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) into the atmosphere.
But traditional powder
coating does have drawbacks. First of all, the product
that is being coated must be able to handle high temperatures
for moderate periods of time. This means that powder
coating temperature-sensitive materials such as wood
or plastic is very difficult. And conventional powder
coating is factory bound. Products that are to be coated
must fit into the powder coater's oven. Larger equipment
must be shut down, torn apart, hauled to the powder
coaters, and then hauled back to the site and reassembled
after coating. Oven-curing is a cumbersome and expensive
process in terms of energy use, transport costs, and
wait time--and there is the chance that the finished
coating may be scratched or scuffed during transport.
The need for oven-curing has, therefore, kept powder
coating out of the mainstream.
Until
now.
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The completely
portable Xiom 1000 system weighs just 70 pounds and consists
of a spray gun, powder feeder and control console. It
can be used anywhere compressed air is available. The
control console controls the flow of propane, oxygen and
compressed air, as well as the delivery of the coating
material. The gun, which permits users to start and stop
the spraying process, diffuses the gases, forming a “perfect
flame”. The flame heats the Xiom coatings to their
melting point and sprays them onto a surface. Like a person
that walks over hot coals with bare feet, the flame and
molten plastic will be hot for only a few brief seconds
before they cure and cool, so most materials aren’t
harmed. Virtually any surface can be coated, even cardboard
and other surfaces that would incinerate in a curing oven.
The Xiom
1000 system isn't meant to replace conventional powder
coating systems. In fact, many traditional powder coaters
have their own Xiom 1000 system operating alongside their
ovens to provide total customer satisfaction.
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Portability
:
The Xiom 1000 system is completely portable!
The entire system weighs just 70lbs. Mount to a cart,
wagon, or stand, or mount in a van or a truck and take
your powder coating operation on the road!
Flexibility
:
Apply plastic coatings where traditional powder coaters
can't!
Xiom's powders work with the Xiom 1000 system to provide
a full range of decorative and functional coatings.
Affordability
:
The Xiom 1000 system costs a fraction of the price of
a traditional powder coating oven or paint booth setup.
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