Finishing - March-April 2021

March/April 2021
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THE
POWER
OF
MEMBERSHIP
THE SEA HAS ALL THE ATTRIBUTES YOU NEED
Save money
Save time
Keep a step ahead with industry updates
Enhance your reputation
Gain political clout and expertise
SURFACE
ENGINEERING
AWARDS
FRIDAY 8 th OCTOBER 2021
PARK REGIS BIRMINGHAM
Visit www.sea.org.uk/2021-awards for
sponsorship opportunities; if you wish
to enter; or should you just wish to
attend and support your industry.
SEA SUPPORTS UK
SEA members are working hard in the
manufacturing supply chain, supporting
programmes to improve the working lives
of those on the frontline in the NHS as
well as the comfort and survival of those
suffering from Coronavirus in hospitals across
the world. This includes parts produced for
the UK Ventilator Challenge and 3D printing
straps for masks, amongst many other things.
Throughout these difficult times our members
have undertook various activities to ensure that
they are able to continue supporting industries
that are reliant on the work they do. As an
organisation we are proud to say that our
members have continued to underpin
manufacturing in the face of adversity.
Visit the members’ directory today to find a supplier or get help with your surface treatment requirements:
https://www.sea.org.uk/member-directory/
For further details of how the
Surface Engineering Association
can support you, please contact
Michaella Mais on 0121 237 1123
or email michaella.mais@sea.org.uk
Surface Engineering Association
Federation House
10 Vyse Street Birmingham
West Midlands B18 6LT
+44 (0)121 237 1123
info@sea.org.uk
www.sea.org.uk
A

www.finishingmagazine.co.uk CONTENTS 3
Editor
John Hatcher
Tel: 01923 437618
E.mail: j.hatcher@turretgroup.com
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Stewart Freshwater
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Published by
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Printed by Stephens & George
March/April 2021 – Volume 45 Number 2 – ISSN no. 0264 2506
In this issue...
As Spring is coming it seems right that there is optimism in the air. Better weather and
hopefully a better outlook for the country, with lockdown beginning to ease. I hope that
this means the economy will get the bounce that it needs. This may also bring the
ramifications of Brexit to the fore, so we are in for an interesting few months, one way
or another.
I’m also pleased to say that you can also read Finishing Magazine on-line now at
www.finishingmagazine.co.uk.
We realise that this is long overdue, but hopefully you will find the page turner as easy
to read as the physical magazine.
I hope you are all getting your vaccinations and looking forward
to a positive 2021!
News
Newsdesk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Features
Continued use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Unlocking incentives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
A new power in powder coating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Supplying the full package . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
All members of the SEA
automatically receive Finishing Magazine
American expansion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Modular concept . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Quick conversion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Time to clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
It pays to conform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
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Regulars
Installations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Workshop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Classified listings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Finishing (formerly Finishing Industries) was established in 1947 and incorporates Metal
Finishing journal, Electroplating & Metal Finishing, The Plant Journal, Surface Coatings, and
Industrial Finishing & Surface Coatings. Finishing is a member of the Metal Finishing
Association, a sustaining member of the Institute of Metal Finishing and the UK representative
of the Groupement International des Revues de Traitements de Surfaces.
Finishing – March/April 2021

4 NEWS www.finishingmagazine.co.uk
Two new at Vertik-Al
Route to the top
A Wednesfield employee who started her career as an administrator at
a local galvanizing plant 24 years ago has been appointed its general
manager.
Anita Bate, who joined the team at Edward Howell Galvanizers Ltd
back in 1996 to provide administrative support, has been named the
first ever female general manager of both the plant and wider Wedge
Group Galvanizing Ltd business. Her appointment follows the
retirement of her predecessor, Kevin Addiss, who retired in 2020 after
44 years with the company.
Anita said: “I first joined the team at Edward Howell as short-term
maternity cover helping out with the many administrative tasks
involved in running the business. But, when the lady ended up not
coming back, it was mine to keep — and I’ve never left! Over the last
24 years I’ve worked my way up through the ranks, gaining as much
knowledge and insight as I can about the business and wider
galvanizing industry.
“While I’ve enjoyed every single role, my appointment as general
manager is the one I’m most proud of. As a family business, the
Wedge Group is extremely flexible and open in its approach, always
providing opportunities for individuals to progress and grow. In fact,
I’ve always said that Wedge is a place where you can truly create a
career, not just have a job - if you have ambition and are willing to put
yourself forward, you can literally achieve anything.”
Chris Woolridge, managing director at Wedge Group Galvanizing,
added: “Anita is an extremely experienced and committed member of
staff who has been instrumental over the past two decades in helping
us to continually do business better and I look forward to her valued
input and direction in the years to come.”
New role for the BCF CEO
Tom Bowtell, CEO of the British Coatings Federation, has taken over as
chair of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Surface Coatings Interest Group.
The group now has over 300 members, with a very active
committee organising events and outreach to help bring together the
industrial and academic communities with an interest in surface
coatings. The first meeting in 2021 was held remotely earlier in
January, and has led to two events planned for the Spring – Raising
the Standard of Standards for the Coatings Community in March, and
a ChemCareers webinar in April on Careers in Coatings.
On his new role, Tom Bowtell commented, “I am pleased to have
taken over the role of Chair at the RSC Surface Coatings Interest
Group. Inspiring the future generation of chemists and highlighting
the benefits of working in the coatings industry are imperative to the
sustainability of our industry, which will be one of the drivers during
my period in the Chair.”
Powder coating specialist, Vertik-
Al has appointed two new
specialists to its business
improvement and maintenance
teams as part of its continuous
investment and improvement
strategy.
“We’re excited to bolster our
team with a wide range of
expertise,” says, John Park-
Davies, managing director of
Vertik-Al. “Regular
improvement plays a vital
strategic role in developing the
entire business and supporting
our customer base.”
With Angus Mackie moving
into the Allumette group
managing director role, Park-
Davies stepped up to Vertik-Al
MD in 2020, taking the
business into a new era of
leadership. Building on its 55
years lineage, Vertik-Al has built
a reputation for delivering
consistent high-quality finishes,
fast, through a programme of
strategic investment and
technological advancement.
With quality and efficiency
central to the Vertik-Al
proposition, Darryl Thompson
joins the planned and
preventative maintenance team
as electrical engineering
manager and is responsible for
the electrical needs across the
Birmingham site. Darryl brings
over 30 years of mechanical
and electrical engineering
expertise and experience to the
role.
Kevin Driscoll will head the
company’s business
improvement team, focussed on
building stronger partner
alliances. With 25 years’
experience in the aluminium
fenestration industry, customers
will benefit from Kevin’s
knowledge, industry insight and
client-centric approach.
“We’re experiencing
tremendous momentum as
more and more businesses and
specifiers turn to powder
coating as their finish of choice
which is why we have focussed
on strengthening our team with
talented individuals who will
support us in achieving
excellence,” says Park-Davies.
Price increase
Beckers Group says it will increase prices for its main coil and
industrial coatings product groups by up to 8% globally due to
significant raw materials cost rises. Increases will be implemented in
the first quarter of 2021, or as permitted by contract.
Strong growth in coatings demand in emerging economies has led
to shortages worldwide, which over recent years have fuelled a rise in
traditional raw material costs. Beckers Group absorbed many of the
escalating costs through cost control measures and strong support
from the Procurement and R&D teams. The recently escalating rise in
costs, however, is forcing Beckers Group to adapt their pricing to the
market changes to maintain the same service level.
Christophe Sabas, CEO of Beckers Group, emphasized the severity
of the inflation on raw materials during the last quarter and the
forecast for the rest of the year: “Not only is Beckers facing a historic
price increase in its key raw materials, but we are also dealing with
tension in the supply chain on some products. Our teams are
implementing all the actions needed to mitigate this risk; nevertheless,
we have to offset the soaring rise in raw material costs by increasing
our prices. This will allow Beckers to continue to deliver the same level
of service, secure the supply chain, and maintain our product quality.”
Finishing – March/April 2021

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6 NEWS www.finishingmagazine.co.uk
Market growth
According to a report by Grand View Research, the global
antimicrobial coatings market is expected to grow at a compound
annual growth rate of 12.8 per cent from 2020 to 2027 – and
antimicrobial additives provider BioCote has reported an
unprecedented increase in revenue over the last year – with many of
its customers requiring antimicrobial paints and coatings. David Hall,
managing director of BioCote, comments:
“Demand for products containing integrated antimicrobial additives,
which significantly reduce the growth of a wide range of microbes, is
increasing. In recent times, and particularly over the past year, people
have become much more aware that everyday objects and surfaces
can harbour microbes. To help prevent cross-contamination, we are all
spending more time washing our hands and sanitising the surfaces we
touch and the products we use – but antimicrobial additives, which
can be manufactured into a wide range of products, including paints
and coatings, are becoming more popular too. Supporting stringent
cleaning regimes and good hand hygiene practices, antimicrobial
technology makes surfaces easier to keep clean.
“The Grand View Research antimicrobial coatings report suggests
growing concern regarding cleanliness in various industries has led to
increased demand. And it is a significant market for us. Our sales have
been rising over several years, and, as you might expect, there has
been a dramatic surge in enquiries since March 2020.
“To help meet the current customer demands for antimicrobial
additives, we increased our headcount by 30 per cent in 2020,
delivering further skills and enhancing service levels across sales,
partner support, marketing, technical, warehouse and logistics. We
have also doubled our production capacity on liquid additives for
coatings and have been developing new and exciting antimicrobial
additives to deliver new product technologies with added features and
benefits.
“Antimicrobial additives can be manufactured directly into all types
of paints and coatings – whether solvent-, oil- or water-based, liquid,
powder, ink, lacquer or varnish, and whether used internally or
externally. Our technology acts in minutes and can reduce the number
of microbes on a protected surface by up to 86 per cent in just 15
minutes and by up to 99.99 per cent in a 24-hour period.
“Introducing an additive will not affect the colour of a paint or
coating, the finish, or the application process. Durability will be
increased compared to an unprotected product, and staining,
unpleasant odours and material degradation will also be minimised.
The technology will work continuously for the expected lifetime of the
paint or coating; if manufactured in properly it does not wear out or
wash off.”
Virtual open days
LANXESS is hosting Virtual Days EMEA: From April 19 to 23, 2021,
existing and potential customers of the specialty chemicals company can
learn about new product developments, technologies and general
industry trends at the online event.
LANXESS experts from nine business units will lead a total of 27
online sessions on the topics of "Construction and Coatings," "New
Mobility," "Plastics and Sustainable Flame Retardants and Sustainability,"
and "Consumer Protection Products and Specialty Treatments."
Overarching industry topics such as the "Circular Economy" and the new
EU chemicals strategy for sustainability will also be discussed. In addition,
all participants can interactively experience the company's product worlds
on a virtual campus.. In a 3D world, all participating business units
present themselves to visitors and provide detailed information about
products and solutions. Retrievable videos and brochures round off the
extensive offering.
If you would like to participate you can register for the LANXESS
Virtual Days EMEA free of charge online at http://virtualdays.lanxess.com/
The BCF says that Brexit has had a negative impact on its members,
as Finishing found out
A recent survey of British Coatings Federation (BCF) members
demonstrates how Brexit has impacted negatively on the coatings
sector in the form of new customs red-tape and higher costs since
1st January. The survey reported higher shipping costs, increased
costs of imported raw materials, and new administration costs to
complete customs paperwork, with 30% of companies estimating
increases in total operating costs of 3-10%.
As a result, significant risks to the competitiveness of BCF
members’ UK production and exports, despite the industry investing
in preparing for Brexit (86%) and being experienced exporters
beyond the EU (75% of companies).
The new Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will have a significant
negative impact on the UK exports of paints, coatings and printing
inks.
Key findings:
• Two thirds of companies fear losing EU export customers due to
the additional cost and complexity of doing business
• Seven out of ten say their opportunities to trade with the EU will
decrease
• Only 10% see opportunities from new trade deals with the rest of
the world
• On a more positive note, a quarter of companies thought the
FTA might mean more chances to increase trade within the UK.
BCF members also fear the new trading relationship will have a
significant impact on the UK manufacturing of paints, coatings and
printing inks. 82% of respondents have UK manufacturing, 35%
were UK SMEs and 60% foreign owned business.
Key findings:
• 50% believe the new FTA will reduce the competitiveness of their
UK factories compared to EU competitors.
• 25% were concerned there was a risk their company would
reduce UK production and move it to the EU
• Three quarters of those same companies (18.5% of total
respondents) believed there was a risk their company could stop
operations in the UK altogether
• Seven out of ten believe the UK diverging from EU REACH in
future will reduce their competitiveness
• Almost 60% are worried about future effects of UK REACH on
raw material prices and potential lack of availability of chemical
substances
Commenting on the survey results, Tom Bowtell, CEO of the
British Coatings Federation, said:
“We need the UK Government to act in two ways. Firstly, it needs
to do more to support all businesses coming to terms with the new
customs and borders procedures. More resources are needed to iron
out problems with IT systems and other processes, as well as to
communicate what is needed to both UK and EU companies,
through training and marketing campaigns. Secondly, it needs to
amend the UK REACH legislation to further mitigate against some of
the extra costs and impacts on raw material availability that will
inevitably arise based on its current plans. Failure to do so will lead to
our members – and other businesses in similar sectors – reaching
the higher end of their additional cost estimates and, ultimately, see
many reducing or relocating manufacturing in the UK as we become
a less competitive country to do business in.”
Finishing – March/April 2021

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8 NEWS www.finishingmagazine.co.uk
Qualicoat continues to meet online in 2021
More price increases
Hempel will increase sales prices of products and solutions as raw
material prices continue to escalate.
The cost of key raw materials used in the manufacturing of coatings
is now significantly higher compared to the beginning of 2020, and
the trend is continuing.
For example, from January 2020 to January 2021, the cost of epoxy
increased by 60 per cent in Europe, 40 per cent in North America and
20 per cent in North Asia (source: Technon Orbichem Epoxide Resins;
Liquid Spot). In the same period, the price of zinc increased more than
16 per cent globally, while copper prices rose more than 30 per cent
(source: London Metal Exchange).
“We’re witnessing an ongoing rise in prices for key raw materials
due to increased global demand for feedstock as well as logistic
challenges. This has a heavy impact on global supply and contributes
to higher prices,” says Michael Hansen, executive vice president &
chief commercial officer at Hempel.
He continues: “We have made every effort to control and absorb the
increases over the last 12 months. It is no longer possible for us to fully
absorb the effects as raw material prices continue to rise. We have no
other option than to increase the prices of products and solutions. Our
focus remains on delivering value to and serving our customers across
the world.”
Awards date changed
Due to the ongoing situation
with the global pandemic, the
date of Surface Engineering Gala
Dinner & Awards has been
moved.
The evening will now be held
on Friday 8th October 2021 at
the Park Regis, Birmingham.
This event will recognise,
reward, and celebrate the very
best that the surface engineering
and finishing sector has offered
over the last three years.
Because of the change of date,
there’s still plenty of time to get
your entries in for the awards,
categories of which are as
follows:
• Marketing
• Quality
• Environmental
• Innovation
• Outstanding company
achievement
• Outstanding international
contribution
• Meritorious service to the Heat
Treatment industry
• Ray Alford Individual
Achievement award
Tickets are now available for
the event, and the cost covers
pre-dinner drink reception, 3-
course meal, entertainment
during the Awards ceremony,
and after dinner music and
entertainment. To buy your
tickets, please contact Michaella
Mais, business development and
membership manager on 0121
237 1161, or via email
michaella.mais@sea.org.uk
Once again the Association meets online for its first members
meeting of 2021 and it is hoped by all that the next meeting in the
year could be back to some sort of normal! There was a very good
turnout of members at the meeting and a broad agenda to cover.
The Association has updated the QUALICOAT Specification and is
now dated rather than numbered, the latest issue is freely available
on the QUALICOAT website and is dated January 2021.
Membership inspections, undertaken by independent test house
IFO, have continued unabated through the pandemic as they have
been conducted virtually from their head office in Belgium.
Unannounced and undertaken twice a year, the inspections reviews
the quality procedures in place through the members coating
process. IFO confirmed that almost all inspections had been
completed for 2020 with no major non-conformity issues against the
QUALICOAT Standard. QUALICOAT members are the only
powder coaters in the UK, and indeed across the globe, who are
independently checked this way and maintain a licence of
conformity issued by QUALICOAT.
On the membership front, there are a further three powder
coating applicators in the UK & Ireland that have requested to join
the Association and work towards becoming a QUALICOAT
licensed applicator. In order to become a member of the
Association, applicators will need to be physically inspected and this
can only be done once lockdown has eased. The Association is
hoping, Covid 19 permitting, to begin inspections and to induct
these coaters into membership by the end of 2021.
One of the major topics discussed at the meeting was the
pending introduction of ‘QUALICOAT 3.0’. This specification is
intended to take powder coating into a new territory of quality, for
even further resilience and sustainability. QUALICOAT test many
thousands of samples through their independently appointed test
laboratories and a small number of samples continued to fail
accelerated tests even though pretreatment and coating have been
completed to the highest standard. It was only when the alloy of
the aluminium was accurately determined when a correlation was
found between coating failure and aluminium composition in
combination with the extrusion process, that this issue could be
researched further.
For a number of years QUALICOAT members from around the
globe have now been working on the suitability of aluminium alloys,
their composition and in particular the presence of trace elements.
It turns out that from this research that there is a direct correlation
between certain alloy compositions, including production techniques,
and an increased incidence of future corrosion failure.
QUALICOAT 3.0 will continue to qualify the tests the powder
coating and the pretreatment, but will now test and approve a third
element, the alloy stock itself. This tighter aluminium alloy
specification will need to be maintained and approved for a coating
to be able to carry a QUALICOAT 3.0 specification. It is expected
that this powder coating standard will be specified on projects
located in some of the harshest environments across the globe,
including the coastline of the British Isles, and will offer extended
life expectancy in these regions. It is planned that the new standard
will be launched later in 2021.
The next meeting of the Association is planned to take place at
the end of June and the Association welcomes anyone within the
powder coating supply chain in the UK and Ireland to join.
Finishing – March/April 2021

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10 CHROMIUM
Continued use
The SEA is working with chemical
suppliers, the Health & Safety Executive
and downstream users to ensure the
continued use of chromium trioxide in Great
Britain in a responsible and sustainable
manner. We should not be offshoring to other
countries where health & safety and
environmental standards are considerably
lower and always remember that we all have
a duty of care to the world as a whole. Why
not join us and ensure that Great Britain
retains and expands its world class
manufacturing capabilities. Full details at
https://www.sea.org.uk/membership/10-goodreasons-to-join/
Hard Chromium Plating
The EU approved the application for
authorisation for the continued use of
chromium trioxide for functional chromium
plating before the end of the transition period
and, therefore, you can continue to operate.
The authorisation is for functional
chromium plating where any of the following
characteristics are required - wear resistance,
hardness, layer thickness, corrosion resistance,
coefficient of friction, or effect on surface
morphology.
You must notify the HSE before 2nd March
2021 that you will be operating under this
authorisation. You should send an email to
ukreach.authorisation@hse.gov.uk
using the subject 'GB-based DU of an
existing EU authorisation (Art 127h)’
Your supplier should provide you with all
the necessary information eventually, so just
get the email notification done and state that
you are still awaiting full information from
your supplier if you don’t already have it.
Decorative Chromium Plating
The application for authorisation for
functional chromium plating with decorative
character was not approved by the EU. So,
since this authorisation was not granted
before the end of the transition period, if the
GB-based applicant wishes to seek
authorisation for this use under UK REACH,
they will need to submit the ECHA opinion
and other relevant information to DEFRA
within 180 days of the end of the transition
period so that the DEFRA Secretary of State
can make a decision. This is a sort of fast-track
process for so called “in flight” applications.
Any GB-based downstream users of these
GB-based applicants can continue with their
use providing the GB-based applicants submit
the information to DEFRA within the required
timescale.
A possibly difficulty could arise for GBbased
companies that carry out decorative
chromium plating, but are supplied from EUbased
members of the consortium. If these
companies wish to retain their current
supplier, they will need to submit their own
applications for authorisation to HSE and will
not be able to benefit from any fast-track
process. However, as a transitional measure,
both the Latest Application Date and the
Sunset Date have been extended to 30 June
2022. This extension applies only to GBbased
downstream users that had been reliant
on an upstream application made by an EUbased
applicant and who have been left in a
position of potential non-compliance due to
that cover being removed due to EU exit.
Any questions? Get in touch
dave.elliott@sea.org.uk
Finishing - March/April 2021

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BS EN ISO 9001:2008
Call Longworth today for a no obligation meeting on how we can help you and your business
call
01254 680501
email
enquiries@bmlongworth.com
visit
www.bmlongworth.com

12 TAX
Unlocking incentives
Aleading surface adhesion company has
transformed its approach to innovation
after unlocking nearly £10,000 in
government incentives for work that
unexpectedly qualified as R&D, tax relief
specialists Catax has revealed.
Tantec UK specialises in highly advanced
plasma surface treatments that are used across
the aviation, medical, automotive and
electronics industries to bond materials
together.
However, differences in the material
composition, type of ink, adhesive and coating
being applied mean that every solution is
unique and has to be tailored to each client’s
specific needs.
One project proved particularly challenging.
In 2018 the firm, based in Redditch, near
Birmingham, was asked to find a way of
bonding automotive plastics to various
components, including tapes, spray adhesive
and leather. The company had to rely on a
bespoke solution and was delighted when
Catax’s experts unexpectedly identified activity
that qualified under the HMRC R&D tax
credit scheme resulting in a £9,412 tax benefit
paid back to the firm as a lump sum.
Using an off-the-shelf solution may have
worked, but specific materials, high volume
throughput and a variety of technical
requirements needed to be explored first.
That involved sitting down with the customer
to discuss these aspects before performing
trials on the parts that were crucial to solving
the problem.
There are normally two aspects to testing,
starting with looking at the surface energy of
a material before and after different amounts
of treatment are applied using a range of
techniques. Common plastic Polypropylene,
for example, is hard to adhere to due to its
low surface energy. In an attempt to find the
correct solution, Tantec had to experiment
with different treatment levels to ensure that
the desired result could be achieved without
exceeding deadlines that dovetailed with the
timetables governing other elements in
production.
The size of components and the processing
time informed by studies of surface energy
are crucial in deciding whether standard
machines can be used. A fast processing time,
coupled with smaller components and
generous production times might permit a
standard machine to be used. However, larger
Finishing - March/April 2021

TAX 13
parts requiring faster cycle times or specific sum.
tooling requirements would typically call for a Many firms don’t realise the work they do
custom solution. In those circumstances, qualifies as R&D, which is defined as any work
Tantec designs and builds bespoke pieces of that seeks to resolve a scientific or
equipment that better suit the customer’s technological uncertainty, whether that’s a new
requirements.
process, product or service, or an
A bespoke unit was ultimately needed for improvement to an existing one. Crucially,
this customer, which included specific
R&D work does not need to have been
elements such as automated doors to reduce successful to qualify and claims can be made
floor space, upgraded hardware to improve up to two years beyond the end of the tax
cycle time and a connected system for remote year in which the work took place.
viewing and diagnosis in case problems arose. Chris Howey, who is managing director of
This was especially important to this customer, Tantec UK as well as a chemistry graduate,
as it was a company that produced parts commented:
required by various automotive manufacturers “While we do sell standard systems, or
and the firm would not want to be responsible repeat bespoke systems, nearly all first time
for having to hold up the final assembly line. enquiries require some degree of
Tantec UK is now eyeing future growth of investigation. Whether it’s a different adhesive,
the business, aided by the extra support it material to bond or process to follow, no two
now knows will be provided in the form of problems are the same.
R&D tax credits. They will prove especially “We now realise this means some of our
valuable as Tantec expands into new areas to more advanced work qualifies as R&D under
reduce its reliance on third-party suppliers. the tax credit scheme and it was a fantastic
Plasma technology is found almost
surprise to also learn that staff costs qualify
everywhere in modern manufacturing.
too, as this is a significant overhead.
Examples include the application of medical “Our first claim may not be huge but it has
print to syringes, bonding together aircraft led to a renewed focus on future innovations,
components, sealing electrical systems and inspired largely by the knowledge that we can
ensuring print adheres to food packaging. rely on this government support to help get
R&D tax credits were introduced by the us there. We will be seeking out more
government in 2000 to incentivise innovation, complex projects knowing that the scheme
and result in either a reduction in a limited makes them much more worthwhile for us as
company’s actongate corporation - address tax alts.qxp_Layout bill or a cash 1 lump 09/11/2016 a business, 08:51 and Page we 1 have plans to employ
someone full time to really drive our R&D
forward.”
Kully Nijjar, associate director of specialist
R&D tax consultancy Catax, said:
“The overall size of this claim wasn’t as
valuable to Tantec UK as the lessons it learned
in how R&D tax credits can be applied. It’s no
understatement to say that, now Chris and his
team know they can benefit, it has
transformed the company’s prospects and its
approach to the most difficult projects.
“We couldn’t be happier that this claim is
going to result in a massive expansion in the
scope of their trailblazing work. This promises
to have a huge impact on the cash flow and
success of the business for years to come.”
In the next issue:
Powder Coating
Ovens and Curing
Equipment
Dust and Fume
Extraction
Acton Gate Systems Limited - Tel: 01902 249299
Hilton Hall Business Centre, Hilton Lane, Essington, Staffordshire, WV11 2BQ
web: www.actongate.co.uk - email: enquiries@actongate.co.uk
Finishing - March/April 2021

14 POWDER COATINGS
Getting the treatment
The quality of any powder coating relies
on its ability to adhere to the substrate. If
there is no ‘key’ to adhere to, or the
substrate could oxidise, then no matter the
quality of the powder coating that is applied, it
simply will not adhere over time.
The debate goes on about which
pretreatment is best to use for powder coated
aluminium outdoor construction and
infrastructure use. Due to ongoing concerns
raised by REACH regarding the use of
chromium trioxide, many architectural coaters
have now moved to chrome free alternatives.
Chrome free systems have been around for
many years and, whilst more difficult to apply
consistently, they are reported to perform as
well as their chrome counterparts.
Increasingly, specifiers and facade engineers
are turning to anodising as a pretreatment for
powder coating on aluminium, this is
sometimes referred to as PREOX or Flash
Anodising. This process requires a completely
new plant to be installed at considerable
expense hence there are few powder coaters
in the UK that can offer this service.
The anodising pretreatment process consists
of providing a thin anodised film of just five
microns created on the surface of the
aluminium and then left unsealed. The
process of powder coating then needs to be
undertaken quickly in order to avoid potential
contamination of the surface of the anodising
or further oxidisation as the anodising is
unsealed. This being the case, it is only
powder coat plants with an anodising facility
that can offer this form of pretreatment.
In the UK there are two main standards for
architectural powder coated aluminium, either
BS EN 12206-1 (2004) or QUALICOAT now
in its 16th Edition (2020) of the standard.
Each of these standards allow chrome,
chrome-free and anodised pretreatment
systems to be used. BS 6496:1984 -
‘Specification for powder organic coatings for
application and stoving to aluminium alloy
extrusions…’ was withdraw in February 2017
and should not be used.
Whilst the BS EN Standard is a European
national standard, the QUALICOAT Standard
has worldwide recognition. The QUALICOAT
Standard is also kept up to date continuously
with new editions being issued every two
years with regular amendments added
between editions.
Technically, the QUALICOAT standard is
more robust as it specifies minimum etch
requirements within the pretreatment process
and a finished powder coated surface test for
filiform corrosion resistance, which BS EN
12206-1 does not require. Crucial to removing
contaminants from the extrusion process is an
acid or alkaline etch of 1g/sm, without this
potential corrosion could form on the
aluminium substrate once coating has been
completed. Furthermore, QUALICOAT offer a
‘Seaside’ class of powder coating where the
minimum etch is increased to 2g/sm.
QUALICOAT, with their global
headquarters in Zurich, recognise the increase
in specification of anodising as a pretreatment
system and have a working group dedicated
to developing the technology further.
Research is constantly undertaken by
QUALICOAT members in collaboration with
independent testing laboratories which results
a robust anodising pretreatment methodology
based on extensive testing which is then
independently monitored and specified in the
QUALICOAT Standard.
Whilst both BS EN 12206 and
QUALICOAT are similar, in fact, QUALICOAT
was heavily involved in the writing of BS EN
12206-1 in 2004, the BS EN 12206 requires
any alternative conversion coating processes
to be tested to ISO 8565 (2011) for a
duration up to five years ‘Industrial and
Coastal Outdoor Weathering’. However,
QUALICOAT uses both accelerated laboratory
testing together with Florida and Genoa
outdoor weather testing for higher correlation.
The matrix of tests laid down in the
QUALICOAT standard requires location tests
for up to two years duration repeated every
three years for all alternative conversion
coating processes.
So which one to use? Like many processes
it is down to the quality of the application,
each pretreatment process, chrome based,
chrome free and anodising are all approved
and offer guarantees. Whilst some companies
can claim to powder coat to BS EN 12206-1
(2004) it is only QUALICOAT that monitor
QUALICOAT licensed applicator plants twice
yearly for the correct application and ongoing
testing of pretreatment and coatings.
Specifiers are recognising the importance of
this independent assessment of compliance
and as a result the number of QUALICOAT
specifications being received by applicators is
on the rise, which in turn is increasing
membership in QUALICOAT UK & Ireland
association.
Finishing - March/April 2021

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16 POWDER COATINGS
A new power in
powder coating
Following significant investment in new
processes and technology at its Glasgow
plant, Vivalda Group has launched Prism
Powder Coating – Scotland’s most accredited
PPC applicator and one of only a handful of
Qualicoat quality-approved providers in the
UK.
The launch of the standalone powder
coating business comes in the wake of
Vivalda’s acquisition of MSP Scotland in 2019.
Previously run as an in-house PPC facility,
newly-named Prism has continued to win new
customers due to its reputation for high
quality products and customer service. In the
light of investment in new computing and
improved pre-treatment capacity, the rebrand
is already bringing in new business to Prism
Powder Coating.
Kenny Carmichael, branch manager at
Prism Powder Coating, said: “While our
powder coating operation has been around
for more than 25 years, it’s only now that it’s
had the investment and attention it really
deserves. Over the last few years, we’ve seen
more architects and contractors coming to us
for bespoke, specialist PPC solutions and
realised now – despite Covid - was the right
time to set up Prism Powder Coating in its
own right. We have a healthy order book for
2021 and are even on the lookout for more
skilled people to add to our team of 12.
“With the backing of Vivalda, we’ve been
able to invest in the business to create a
world-class operation here at our
Cumbernauld plant. Being part of a larger,
team-minded organization has also created
some exiting new business opportunities for
us.”
Prism Powder Coating provides a huge
range of colours and finishes, in addition to its
chrome-free, eight stage pre-treatment
process, which has achieved full Qualicoat
accreditation and approved applicator status
from Akzo Nobel.
Available in a range of gloss levels and
finishes, the company can supply more than
1,000 colour options to architects, specifiers
and contractors within the construction sector.
As only one of 20 powder coaters in the UK
to hold both Qualicoat accreditation and Akzo
Nobel approved applicators status, Prism
Powder Coating provides specifiers of
cladding, gutterings and other architectural
features with an unrivaled service.
Working closely with Akzo Nobel’s
Interpon brand plus many other powder
suppliers such as Axalta, Valspar and Tiger,
the Scottish-based business provides a truly
tailor-made service to the UK construction
industry, with a firm emphasis on high-spec
cladding and facades.
With a fully integrated, UK-based facility,
Prism Powder Coating can fulfil both planned
and urgent project requirements thanks to its
location and capability. Running a modern,
high-volume process as well as a controlled
spray booth facility gives Prism the flexibility
to offer specifiers the best of both worlds –
responsiveness and world-class quality. All
powder coating is undertaken using chromefree,
environmentally-friendly processes.
Finishing - March/April 2021

EASY OPERATION.
DOUBLE PRODUCTIVITY.
SuperCenter EVO
Powder preparation & supply center
• Ideal for frequent & fast color changes
• High degree of automation for optimum efficiency
• Double-designed fresh powder station for increased productivity
wagner-group.com
Contact
Wagner Spraytech (UK) Ltd
a Member of WAGNER GROUP
Telephone: 01327 368410
enquiries@wagner-group.com

18 PROFILE
Supplying the full package
Unitech Machinery is a supplier of all
types of paint finishing plant and
equipment. From its Staffordshire
factory and offices, the company designs and
manufactures specialist equipment which it
can then install throughout the UK and
abroad.
The company is continuously investing in its
manufacturing facilities. This ensures they are
kept up to date at all times. When you
combine this with its highly experienced
workforce, it means the company can provide
its customers with a number of quality
systems. The range of products consists of
single spray booths and industrial ovens, to
complete turnkey plants.
Unitech Machinery offers both standard
and bespoke spray booth solutions. The
company’s experienced designers, engineers
and installation teams can build a spraybooth
to meet its clients exact requirements.
The booths are all manufactured in the UK.
The company says its equipment is always
high quality, robust and designed to last in
the busiest of environments. Unitech
Machinery says it takes great pride in
providing equipment that delivers high
performance and reliability.
All styles of spraybooth are incorporated in
the range from full downdraught, semi
downdraught and cross-draught. With
excavated or raised floor designs or floor
mounted rear or side wall designs. Many
booths incorporate LED lighting, flash off
systems and variable speed drives as
standard.
The full range comprises;
• Dry filter extraction units.
• Dry filter spray booths and rooms (open
fronted and enclosed).
• Water wash spray booths (open fronted)
with rear water curtain. Pumped and
pumpless.
• Enclosed underfloor extraction systems.
• Large industrial dry filter spray booths for
aircraft, railway carriages and other large
equipment.
• Down draft spray booths for aircraft,
railway carriages and construction equipment.
• Wastewater treatment facilities.
Dry Filter Spraybooth
The dry filter spraybooth is designed to
create efficient, effective (and most
importantly) safe working environments for
both the operators that use them and other
personnel in the vicinity. Their primary
purpose is to maintain safe airflows, extracting
potentially harmful fumes and particulate
matter away from the operators. It then passes
through a filter system prior to discharge into
the atmosphere.
Inferior designs and poor extraction systems
lead to poor quality and hazardous working
conditions for people in and around the
booth. The booths provide full compliance
with all relevant performance and Health and
Safety legislation.
Water Wash Spraybooth
The water wash spraybooth range provides
an efficient air scrubbing system, using both
pumped and pumpless methods of operation.
The water scrubbing action effectively
removes particulate matter from the airstream,
whilst banks of eliminators remove excess
moisture prior to discharge into the
atmosphere.
The booths are highly effective and are a
great choice in high throughput environments
where constant performance is essential. The
booths provide full compliance with all
relevant performance and Health and Safety
legislation.
The products can be small one-off booths
for manual application, to precision automated
systems featuring robotic material application.
This could also include multi-component
material mixing / delivery and sophisticated
handling equipment. All equipment is backed
up with state of the art control systems.
The company offers support equipment
such as air replacement plant, sludge
coagulation systems, paint kitchens and mix
rooms, de-ionisation and application
equipment.
Unitech Machinery will advise, consult and
design the concept needed to paint your parts
in the most effective and economical way.
This goes for all types of surface finishing,
surface preparation and paint drying projects.
The company will complete a design concept
with one of its experienced design teams and
this will help to ensure it can meet its clients
exact specifications. Whatever the process,
Unitech Machinery will provide your solution.
To get in touch, ring 01543 685565,
Finishing - March/April 2021

SERFILCO INTERNATIONAL
Global Products, Local Service & Advice You Can Rely On
SerDuctor Airless Agitation for Improved Process
Control & Emissions Compliance
SerDuctor Airless Agitation
systems provide controllable,
turbulent movement where you
need it most whilst driving down
chemical emissions to help meet
legislative targets
• Reduce airborne emissions by ≥90%.
• Save tank heating costs up to 25%.
• Save metal as a result of more uniform brightness
and thickness distribution.
• Improves Throw deposit thickness in blind,
through holes and recesses.
• Permits use of increased current density,
especially compared to air or cathode rod
agitation, for faster plating rate.
• Reduces carbonates in alkaline processes.
• Reduces or eliminates gas-pitting.
• Provides constant agitation because SERDUCTOR
systems don’t clog.
For more information on our complete range of equipment & our competitive service
rates, or to talk to an engineer about your application contact Serfilco International:
+44 (0) 161 775 1910 global@serfilco.com www.serfilco.co.uk

20 PLATING
Selective choice
Remanufacturing is on the rise. Already
commonly used in the automobile,
heavy equipment and off-highway
vehicles (OHV) sectors, this manufacturing
trend is expected to continue growing across
even more industries and applications. This
includes marine, aerospace, general industry
and more, as businesses seek to reduce
capital costs and extend the life of equipment
and machinery.
Growth of remanufacturing can be further
attributed to the constant desire to drive down
the total cost of ownership of expensive
equipment. Examples include landing gear in
aerospace, diesel engines in OHV, pumps,
valves and turbines in many industries, and
much more. There’s a greater need now,
more than ever, to minimize repairs and
replacements, while enhancing agility
throughout engineering processes – and
remanufacturing fits this need perfectly.
The ever-present need for remanufacturing
In all industries, all equipment, from the
smallest component to the biggest (and most
expensive) machines are constantly subjected
to unpredictable field conditions harsh
operating environments, and sometimes even
abuse, all of which combine to increase the
risk of wear and tear, corrosion and damage.
If not properly maintained, many of these
components – or entire pieces of machinery –
may need to be scrapped, increasing capital
equipment costs and downtime. These worn,
corroded, or damaged components contribute
to the 73 million metric tons of ferrous metal,
and millions more tons of non-ferrous metals
and stainless steel in the US scrap rate. This
result is far from inevitable though – if site
managers and manufacturers can find a way
to head off component failure and remove the
need for scrapping equipment.
This is where remanufacturing comes into
play, returning OEM parts back to original
specification – or better – for a longer, more
reliable lifespan.
Extending operational lifespan
without lengthy downtimes
It’s clear that remanufacturing is an
increasingly prominent way to extend the
operational lifespan of equipment. However,
it’s just as crucial to ensure that downtime is
minimized when doing so, especially as the
costs of such downtime can quickly rack up.
In industries like marine and shipping, power
generation and mining, any way to quickly,
cost-effectively and sustainably enhance
components, improve wear resistance and
repair damage is key. Here, selective
electroplating offers a vital benefit.
Selective plating (also known as brush
plating) is a method of repairing and restoring
critical dimensions and surface properties of
worn components back to OEM standards,
using an array of tried-and-trusted solutions,
such as copper, nickel, nickel-tungsten and
cobalt. Even more crucially, it can be
completed on site, to reduce the downtime
and cost associated with disassembly,
transport and reassembly.
This is due to the ability of selective
Finishing - March/April 2021

PLATING 21
electroplating to treat specific areas of a
component, with accurate, selective brush
plating of materials onto localized surfaces and
diameters, enabling in-situ repair and
enhancement that is typically faster than
alternative surface coating methods.
As opposed to tank plating – the other
major method in electroplating –– brush
plating does not require extensive masking or
special fixtures. It can also plate deposits
between 30 to 60 times faster, with no risk of
part distortion thanks to the process taking
place at room temperature. All of which
combines to make this particular
remanufacturing process a faster, more costeffective
and lower-risk option.
The science in selective
electroplating
Given the continuous use and sometimes
harsh direct impact experienced when
equipment and machinery is in operation,
selective plating needs to bond at the atomic
level. This is something not provided by
traditional surface coating methods, such as
thermal spray, which only forms a mechanical
bond.
To create this atomic bond, selective plating
uses electrochemical principles: an electrolyte
solution, containing ions of the deposit
material, is introduced between the negatively
charged plating surface and the positively
charged tool. This is powered by a portable
power pack, enabling precision control over
amperage, voltage and duration.
When the tool – or anode – touches the
surface, a circuit is created, with a cover
material around the tool providing a reservoir
to ensure even distribution. The current within
the circuit causes the ions between the
interfaces to bond – building up the plating
layer and delivering a highly adherent and
dense metal deposit.
Selective plating also allows for more
accurate control of deposit thicknesses – often
allowing parts to be plated to size with no
post-machining. With the portable nature of
brush plating, repairs are able to be
undertaken either in the shop or on the job
site – meaning accuracy is matched by a
fundamental flexibility in the process.
Plating in practice: Hydraulic
rod and ram defect repairs
So, selective electroplating has been
discussed in theory, but what happens actually
out in the field? One example is SIFCO ASC’s
work with a well-known heavy equipment and
OHV manufacturer.
Due to size, cost and lead time, replacement
parts or components for heavy equipment are
not typically available on short notice.
However, many components with wear and/or
surface defects can be repaired, rather than
replaced.
A common scenario is damage to hydraulic
rods and rams, ranging from light scratches to
deep impacts and corrosion damage. This can
be permanently repaired by selectively plating
using the SIFCO Process®. Defects are
typically repaired with one or more layers of
copper, then covered with a wear resistant
deposit with good release or wetting
characteristics.
These types of repairs are easily completed
on rods and rams made up of carbon or
stainless steel that have been plated with
chrome or nickel. Copper is applied to the
damaged area and then dressed back to just
below the surface. Finally, a thin layer of
cobalt-nickel is applied to a slightly larger area
and then polished to match the surface
texture.
Reducing environmental impact
Sustainability is at the heart of
remanufacturing – and any way that we can
cut down the demand for Earth’s resources is
a welcome one. Brush plating fits the bill here
– especially given its far lower impact
compared to other surface coating methods.
Using less solution and chemicals, and
generating very little waste, as well as
reductions in the carbon costs of emissions,
transport and shipping, it’s a more sustainable
option at an ecological level. Even for workers’
health and wellbeing, the reduction in fumes
and hazardous waste requiring disposal
delivers a safer, healthier working
environment.
Maximizing uptime – and minimizing costs
In a fast-moving quarter of the world’s
industrial landscape, remanufacturing and
selective plating present a distinct way to do
things better: returning vehicles, machines,
and equipment to operational effectiveness for
a longer life of efficient and reliable service,
with minimal downtime in the process.
Increased wear resistance, surface hardness
and low electrical contact resistance, or
corrosion protection, are just some of the
benefits of the process.
Finishing - March/April 2021

22 PRE-TREATMENT
American expansion
Walther Trowal has significantly
expanded the facilities of its subsidiary
in Grand Rapids, Michigan, that was
founded in 2005. It now offers its customers
in North- and South-America “just-in-time“
delivery times for the mass finishing media
and compounds. In the substantially
upgraded “Process Development Lab“
experienced and knowledgeable application
engineers assist the customers to optimize the
surface finishing solutions for their work
pieces.
With the move into a substantially larger
facility the Walther Trowal LLC in Grand
Rapids, Michigan, has now eliminated the
disadvantages of two separate physical
locations. With a total area of more than
4,000 m² all the company’s business functions
are now under one roof: Sales, service and
administration and a threefold larger
warehouse area for machines, compounds
and media.
Walther Trowal has also expanded the
“Process Development Lab“ that is now
equipped with a variety of different finishing
machines. It allows the American customers to
quickly run processing trials with their work
pieces in Walther Trowal machinery and,
jointly with the company’s application
engineers, improve their finishing processes.
The lab is not only equipped with mass
finishing and shot blast machinery but also
coating systems for mass produced small
parts.
In the “Tech & Training Centre“ Walther
Trowal offers application and training
seminars, which are primarily attended by
distributors but also by customers from the
automobile, machinery building and
aerospace industry.
With the new facility Ken Raby, vice
president and general manager of the Walther
Trowal LLC, can now serve his North- and
South-American customers even better: “We
have significantly expanded our warehouse
capacity. This enables us to ship standard
media and compounds to our customers from
Grand Rapids “just-in-time”. In addition, we
are stocking numerous mass finishing
machines, which can now be shipped
instantaneously.”
Several application and sales engineers at
the Grand Rapids office support the already
existing nine distributors in the United States
and Canada, including the subsidiary
company in Queretaro, Mexico. At this
location the Walther Trowal LLC founded the
Walther Trowal S.A. de C.V. in January 2020.
With initially three employees this office has
also a test lab and a sizable stock of Trowal
products.
Christoph Cruse, general sales manager at
Walther Trowal in Haan/Germany, explains
why the company is further expanding its
presence in the Americas: “We see a
continuously growing flow of customer
enquiries and purchase orders from North- as
well as South-America. Both markets are
undergoing a steady growth. With short
response times, a large warehouse capacity
and intensive on-site technical support, our
American customers have perceived us for
quite a while as a local player in the field of
surface finishing”.
Walther Trowal produces all its mass
finishing, shot blasting and coating
equipment, as well as compounds and plastic
media, at its headquarters in Germany.
Ceramic grinding and polishing media are still
produced in Great Britain at a facility in Stokeon-Trent.
Finishing - March/April 2021

The Choice for the Professional Powder Coater
Gema UK
01202 763942
uk.sales@gema.eu.com

24 COATINGS
Modular concept
Surface treatment in industrial furniture
production is an important, and possibly
even the most important part, within the
entire production. A lot of money can be
spent here and just as much can be saved.
Expensive coatings, time-consuming machine
cleaning, compliance with environmental
regulations and constantly changing trends in
materials and coatings require technical
equipment that offers the customer required
flexibility and therefore investment security for
the future.
Overall concept with individual
solutions
The overall system concept for surface
treatment described here serves as an
example of what modern coating systems can
achieve. The Venjakob system was developed
for coating processes like furniture surfaces,
glass surfaces, and special materials. The
individual machines - from the preparation of
the workpieces, through spray coating, to
drying - were optimized with individual
equipment and assembled to create a
complete system.
Traditional wood coatings, water-based or
with organic solvents can be used, as well as
UV coatings. The most common coatings for
glass surfaces, 2-component polyurethane
systems or enamel coatings can be used in
the system.
Central control panel for all
machines
All relevant system parameters are available
via the integrated internal communication
system (Ethernet) and can be preselected and
set via a central control panel. This enables
flexible interaction of all individual
components. Each product has its own recipe.
Each color can be prepared in parallel with
ongoing production and activated within a
very short time.
High availability of the system
Regarding the amortization of the
investment in the system, Venjakob focused
on the greatest possible flexibility of the
machines when planning the production line
Finishing - March/April 2021

COATINGS 25
presented here. The technical equipment was
chosen with a particularly focus on spray
coating. The breakdown of the total
production time into production and cleaning
time is typical for spray coating applications.
This defines how efficiently and profitably the
system works. The advantages of the modular
design are therefore particularly clear with the
spray coating system. The customer has the
possibility to configure the machine in such a
way that a non-stop operation without
interrupting, due to cleaning, is possible.
Important "time wasters", such as cleaning the
belt cleaning systems, can take place in
parallel with production.
Essential: Machine and Process
Data
Important information about the processes,
the productivity of the system, as well as key
data that document the wear and tear are
essential for the consistent production quality,
the logistical planning, and the maintenance of
the system. The advantages of process data
acquisition include:
• Characteristic data provides maintenance
necessary wear and tear data before the
system must be shut down due to a
maintenance issue.
• Production management receives reliable
data on productivity and can therefore meet
the specified goals.
• Material flow and resource planning are
easier within the information network because
a requirement is identified at an early stage.
• As the productivity is known, the entire
supply and discharge logistics can be planned
flexible.
The surface treatment in three
steps
1. Cleaning: The preparation of the
workpieces
The upstream workpiece cleaning removes
contamination from the workpiece surfaces via
consumption-optimized, rotating, contact-free
blow-off nozzles. The swirled-up particles are
collected via an efficient extraction system
which is connected to an on-site dust
collection system. The cleaning is followed by
neutralization of static surface charges on the
workpieces via an ionization system. The
workpieces leave the pre-cleaning in a clean
and charge-neutral state.
2. Spray Coating: Completely
Automated Color Change
The spray machine conveys the workpieces
via a closed belt system under the spray guns
moving perpendicular of the direction of
travel. The machine is equipped with an
automatic color change system. Together with
the central control system, the color change
takes place automatically. An applicationadapted
exhaust system, in conjunction with a
sophisticated fresh air supply, enables optimal
removal of the resulting overspray. The
workpieces are recorded on the infeed side by
a workpiece scanner and the machine control
system creates a consumption-optimized spray
coating program for each spray gun installed.
The remaining coating material, that collects in
the offset area of the workpiece edges, on the
conveyor belt is recovered and cleaned using
a patented belt cleaning system. The cleaning
system is designed that different water-borne
or solvents coatings can run in the system in
free alternation. Alternatively, non-stop
production can be set up, using external
cleaning of the belt cleaning system while
production is running. Due to its modularity,
the machine is equipped with a high level of
production availability, which can be achieved
by installing a second washer. The highest
energy and environmental standards are
observed.
3. Drying System: Freely Configurable
The drying system consists of modules that
were process variables like, air speed,
temperature and optionally humidity, can be
freely configured. The usual drying phases
adapt to the coating systems used. Everything
is possible: from short evaporation phases to
intensive drying phases, supported by infrared
heat radiation with subsequent UV curing. The
final cooling via a controlled conditioned
cooling process, leads to a repeatable and safe
overall drying process.
Finishing - March/April 2021

26 COATINGS
Quick conversion
From metal workpieces to automotive
components and wood: WAGNER's
high-speed rotary atomizers can be used
in numerous industrial sectors and achieve
extremely efficient coating results on both
small and large workpieces.
The TOPFINISH Bell 1S and TOPFINISH
RobotBell 1 products available to date are
equally well suited as all-round units for
water-based and solvent-based coatings. Both
models are now available as variants with
external charge with the suffix "ECH"
("external charge"). They have been specially
developed for demanding applications with
water-based paints, where a particularly high
coating quality is required.
The external charge of the coating material
is decisive here: The high voltage emitted via
the electrode ring ionizes the ambient air in
such a way that the sprayed material is
charged. The grounded workpiece is
electrostatically coated. Compared to internal
charging, external charging has the
considerable advantage that the overall system
does not have to be specially insulated for use
with water-based coatings, ultimately to
ensure a safe coating process. The equipment
costs for water-based coating applications are
therefore significantly reduced.
Compared to the WAGNER market
competitors, these two models can process
even higher-viscosity materials too. Thanks to
the modular concept, they can also be
converted in just a few minutes to a version
with internal charging for use with solventbased
coatings, without having to modify the
complete structure of the overall system.
Various designs
WAGNER has extended its range of highspeed
rotation atomizers to serve the growing
demand for automated liquid paint
applications for the different motion
technologies available today. The TOPFINISH
RobotBell 1 ECH is mounted on a robot arm,
while the TOPFINISH Bell 1S ECH is specially
designed for use with reciprocators and linear
axes systems. The proven RBC 1E control
system is available for both versions.
Flexible application and high
efficiency
Just like the already proven versions with
internal charging, the new versions also
enable large spray pattern variations (70 - 800
mm). Alternative disk sizes and adjustable
steering airs are available, which can be
adapted to suit the respective workpiece
geometry and also the material used.
An internal and external flushing device of
the bell disk, as well as the direct disposal of
excess material via a drain valve, ensure short
color change times - for fast cycle times in
highly automated coating.
Depending on the material, flow rate and
workpiece, an application efficiency of over
80% can be achieved thanks to the very fine
atomization. Compressed air consumption is
around 20% lower with all WAGNER highspeed
rotary atomizers than with comparable
products. An exhaust air concept, which
discharges the exhaust air to the rear,
additionally optimizes the coating result.
Easy maintenance without
special tools
WAGNER uses the same basic components
for all high-speed rotary atomizers, for
example for the turbine or bell disks and the
easily replaceable valve blocks. The spare and
wear parts are also identical. The simple
operation, robust technology and durable
components made of stainless steel reduce
the effort required for assembly and
maintenance and therefore also the operating
costs.
Finishing - March/April 2021

AT
Pull-Off Adhesion Testers
Measure the adhesion of coatings to
metal, wood, concrete and more
Automatic Features
n Impact and scratch resistant color Touch Screen display with keypad
n Wirelessly connect the PosiTest AT-A to your smart device using our free app
n Record the results as pass/fail and the nature of fracture —
cohesive, adhesive and glue failures
WiFi
AT-A
Automatic
Model
Also available
AT-M Manual Model
DFT Instruments UK LTD
16A Long Drive, Meadway, Berkhamsted, Herts HP4 2PN
t: 01442 879494 f: 01442 879595
www.dftinstruments.co.uk e: sales@dftinstruments.co.uk
Proud supplier of DeFelsko Inspection Instruments

28 COATINGS
Finishes at a fraction of the cost
Stainless steel is a premium material used
in the manufacturing of a variety of
products but its high price has made it
unaffordable to many customers. While
simulated stainless steel laminates have
lowered the cost of achieving the “look of
stainless steel”, industry innovation has made
attaining a stainless steel finish much more
affordable.
In one such innovative approach, a highperformance
industrial finish – comprised of a
protective coating, paired with a special
substrate – is adhered to a variety of lower
cost metals. The durable combination results
in the brilliance of a polished and brushed
stainless steel look. It also meets or exceeds a
battery of domestic appliance tests, such as
that for kitchen and laundry appliances and
resists scratches, stains, chemicals, and
fingerprints.
In the appliance sector, for instance, this
enables larger designer appliances – including
refrigerators, freezers, ovens, dishwashers, and
washing machines as well as smaller items
such as microwave ovens, ranges, and fume
hoods – to continue to have products which
look like stainless steel but at a significantly
lower cost.
A similar approach is also being used by
manufacturers in other markets to simulate a
wide range of brass and copper coated
products ranging from blinds and curtain rods
to decorative food containers and tobacco tins
as well as cosmetic and mason jar lids.
A Cost-Effective Alternative
When challenged by an OEM to come up
with an affordable alternative to costly stainless
steel that also met the appliance industry’s
functional requirements, one innovator found
a way.
“The simulated, stainless steel finish is
basically a durable protective coating system
which includes a printed stainless steel
pattern on a variety of substrates, which can
include tinplate, cold rolled steel or other
metals depending on performance
requirements, which provides the underlying
metallic shine independent of the substrate
base,” explains Dan Chin, CTO of Universal
Chemicals & Coatings (Unichem), a company
that specializes in custom adhesives and
coatings used in the coil coating process.
When implemented in this way, as part of
the company’s uniPON line of interior
decorative and performance coatings, the
simulated stainless steel coating passed a wide
range of appliance industry tests. This
includes tests for water vapor, detergent and
grease resistance, stain resistance to over 20
household chemicals, and ASTM’s B117 Salt
Corrosion test of 750 hours.
By varying the coating color from clear to
opaque in a variety of tints, the coating can
also be made to look like brass, copper,
brushed nickel, or antique bronze, says Chin.
As an example, he explains how to achieve
a brass finish. “A brushed tinplate has a fairly
bright finish, so applying a thin transparent
gold or brass colored coating over the
tinplate,” he says. “Enables you to pick up the
brightness of the tinplate and get the right
color that simulates a natural brass-plated or
brushed brass product.”
Whether simulating stainless steel, brass, or
another high-end metal, however, the process
usually saves the OEM and consumer a
significant sum, while offering a high quality
looking product.
“The simulated stainless steel and other
simulated coatings are often less expensive
than the comparable laminate,” says Chin.
“That’s because laminates are usually in the
four to eight mil range in thickness, while the
coatings are well under a mil. So, the material
cost would be less. Since it is applied
efficiently in a high-speed coil coating process,
it is also less expensive to apply the coating
than a laminate, whether on a coil-line or inhouse.”
Because the simulated metal coatings with
their accompanying substrates are formable,
and can be made ductile enough to even
withstand deep draw forming, they can
conform to virtually any appliance or product
configuration.
When utilized with appliances, the
simulated stainless steel coatings maintain the
ability to magnetically hold artwork, so in both
appearance and function retain much of the
charm of the premium metal, but at a
significantly lower cost.
Finishing - March/April 2021

OVENS CONVEYORS SPRAYBOOTHS
PRE-TREATMENT SYSTEMS
When Performance
and Quality Count
AUTOMOTIVE, AEROSPACE AND
INDUSTRIAL FINISHING SOLUTIONS
Innovative design
Proven performance
Renowned build quality
Curing, drying, heat treatment solutions
Gas, electric and steam heated options
Batch type and conveyor handling systems
Dry filter and water wash paint spraybooths
Powder paint and ‘ATEX’ approved extraction
systems
Nationwide installation and aftersales service
Tailored solutions from
start to finish
n Dry filter and Waterwash
Spraybooths
n Box and Tunnel Ovens
n Enclosed Spraybooths with
air replacement plant
n Ventilation systems
n Wet paint and Powder systems
n Pre-treatment plant
n Custom built racking, trolleys,
turntables and specialist
equipment
the next dimension in
paint finishing systems
Process Ovens and Paint Finishing Systems
Mindon Engineering Unitech House,
Prospect Road, Burntwood, Staffordshire WS7 0AL
a Unitech Industries company
01543 687077
spraybooths@unitech.uk.com
www.unitechmachinery.co.uk
Burntwood Spraybooths & Systems Limited
Unitech House, Prospect Road, Burntwood, Staffordshire WS7 0AL
a Unitech Industries company
spraybooths@unitech.uk.com
www.unitechmachinery.co.uk
call our solutions team on
01543 685565
a Great British
company
since 1961

30 INSTALLATIONS
New partnership
HMG Paints has announced a new distribution partnership with West
Midlands based Breakwells Paints Ltd. Offering some of HMG’s most
popular products from industrial coatings to narrowboat and specialist
UPVC coatings, Breakwells are already moving on to their next phase
of expansion by introducing HMG’s low VOC, child friendly decorative
paint in the first quarter of 2021.
Entering its 20th year, Breakwells Paints Limited are now under the
ownership of general manager Russell Eynon. Russell, a qualified
accountant, who has been with the business for 18 months, has set
challenging growth plans to re-establish the Breakwells Paints business.
Already established in the Narrowboat sector, Breakwells have hit the
ground running with HMG’s specialist coatings complimented by an
in-house tinting machine. The distributor based in Walsall are actively
setting up supply partnerships locally into myriad businesses, with
individual paint needs.
Military options
A world-renowned manufacturer of military aircraft required cleaning
equipment for overhauling components during routine maintenance.
After spending considerable time selecting suitable vendors, the
military aircraft manufacturer chose Layton Technologies Limited.
Because military aircraft require scheduled maintenance at locations
all over the world, including in some extremely harsh climates, routine
precision cleaning must be carried out using flammable solvents
together with ultrasonic agitation and heat-soaking of various
components.
The preferred batch cleaning system had to be robust, easy to
maintain and have an extended warranty. As the military aircraft
operate in countries with hot climates, the solvent had to be chilled at
temperatures below the flash point using cooling coils. A safety cut-out
had to be in continual use should the fluid or ambient temperature rise
above 40˚C.
Layton Technologies designed and manufactured a 3-stage in-line
system that successfully met all the customer’s criteria:
• The system includes chilled plates and an external chiller unit to
ensure that the temperature requirements are always observed.
• The tanks are heavily insulated to keep temperatures at the
required level with minimal power consumption.
• Each tank features in-line particle filtration and ultrasonic agitation
to provide excellent and repeatable cleaning of the components.
• Two of the tanks are heated to 85 deg C and, in combination with
the flammable fluid tank, can remove limescale and carbon from the
parts.
• All tanks include fluid level detectors with automated fill and drain
capabilities.
Spanish connection
Guyson International with its Spanish distributor, Materias Primas
Abrasivas, S.L. (MPA), has recently supplied and installed a Guyson
Euroblast 8 Airwash cabinet, into Metro Madrid's main maintenance
workshop for removing dust particles and other contaminants from the
braking systems of underground trains.
The health and safety and wellbeing of Madrid Metro’s maintenance
staff was the primary concern when selecting the Guyson airwash
system. The Euroblast 8 blow-off cabinet provides a sealed work
chamber for safely air-washing braking systems utilising a handoperated
airwash gun. Removing dust, dirt and debris from
underground train braking systems is a daily maintenance task for the
Metro team so maintaining a clean and safe work environment without
leaking dust, dirt, debris and noise into the work environment is
essential.
The cabinet is fitted with two airwash guns, high pressure and low
pressure, which can be easily selected by the operator depending on
the type and/or volume of contaminant, high pressure for aggressive
removal of caked-on dust or low pressure for lighter material.
In order to retain high-visibility during the brake cleaning process a
Guyson C400 cartridge Dust Collector is connected to the rear of the
cabinet effectively removing the loosened dust and airborne particles.
Kleen-ing up
With the UK continuing its battle against COVID-19, businesses
everywhere are facing the unenviable task of ensuring virus-free
workplaces for staff and customers alike. For this reason, HI-KLEEN
from Hi-line Industries has been proving exceptionally popular since its
introduction in the summer of 2020.
A single, quick application of HI-KLEEN ensures full sanitisation of all
contact surfaces, providing at least five hours of protection from further
contamination once applied. The product is completely safe for any
member of staff to apply without need for PPE.
Hi-KLEEN’s special formulation ensures it kills and inhibits both
bacteria and viruses (including enveloped viruses such as COVID-19)
on hard or soft surfaces. This odour-free, clear product is ideal for a
vast range of facilities, including factories, food plants, warehouses,
offices, showrooms, sports clubs, conference centres, hospitals, health
centres, care homes, educational buildings, theatres, cinemas,
restaurants, pubs, and even vehicles.
Finishing – March/April 2021

32 CASE STUDY
Sculptures take
centre stage
A
renowned firm of artistic metalworkers
has called on the services of Manchester
Galvanizing Ltd to assist in the creation
of a series of mining memorial sculptures.
Cumbria-based CB Arts were
commissioned by artist and memorial
designer Stephen Broadbent to create the
larger than life-size statues as part of the
Walking Together project at Markham Vale in
Derbyshire.
The memorial commemorates 106 miners
who lost their lives in three tragedies at the
Markham Colliery in 1937, 1938 and 1973.
More than 70 statues have so far been
commemorated. The design depicts miners
‘Walking Together’ to and from the pit –
figures walking towards the mine are
galvanized and those that are walking away
are galvanized and patinated to appear darker
in finish - reflecting a day’s work down the
mine.
Cathy Burrows, who oversees new projects
at CB Arts, said being involved in the project
was a “huge honour”.
“We are really proud to be part of the
wider team delivering the Walking Together
project – each figure represents a life lost so
when the fabrication process is underway it
really makes the craftsmen think about the
person behind the sculpture – it’s really quite
moving,” she added.
Each 2m tall steel statue features a handcrafted,
bronze commemorative tag featuring
the miner’s name, age, job role, and in which
disaster they lost their life.
To date 77 of the 106 men who died have
been commemorated and family, business
and community fundraising continues for the
remaining figures.
Cathy explained that just as CB Arts were
the fabricator of choice for artist Stephen, the
metalworkers had worked with Manchester
Galvanizing for several years.
“We have a longstanding relationship with
Manchester Galvanizing. We do send some
quite unusual pieces to them. Often we send
photographs of the design first and they will
then work out the very best way to galvanize
the piece whether that be a bridge, sculpture
or other large scale structure.”
Mark Waters, sales manager at Manchester
Galvanizing, said the project had been one of
the most unusual the plant had been involved
in.
He added: “We do get some really
interesting pieces coming through the plant
but the Walking Together project has been
truly fascinating. To play a part in such a
moving tribute to the miners who lost their
lives has been very special and to know that
their memories will live on in the life size
sculptures is very rewarding for us.”
Finishing - March/April 2021

COMPLETE RANGE OF
INDUSTRIAL COATINGS
• Waterborne • Powder • Solventborne
• High Solid • E-coat
SERVING A RANGE OF MARKETS
• General Finishing • Heavy Equipment • Design
• Architectural • Transportation • Energy
• Military
www.sherwin-williams.eu
www.synthapulvin.co.uk
CONTACT
The Sherwin-Williams Company, Goodlass Road, Speke,
Liverpool, L24 9HJ, United Kingdom
T: +44 (0)151 486 0486| liverpool.sales@sherwin.com
a brand of The Sherwin-Williams Company

34 CASE STUDY
Time to clean
MecWash has supported the healthcare
industry during the coronavirus
pandemic by supplying Meditech with
a new AVD ultrasonic washer.
North Essex-based medical equipment
specialists Meditech supplied medical oxygen
equipment to the Nightingale hospitals during
the peak of the pandemic, and turned to
MecWash for their cleaning requirements,
following a dramatic increase in demand
caused by Covid-19.
The medical equipment specialists markedly
increased production of medical gas
regulators, flow meters and resuscitators
throughout 2020, and the requirement to
upscale their cleaning capabilities resulted in
the purchase and commissioning of a new
MecWash AVD machine.
Duncan Riches, stores manager at
Meditech, said: “It has been an extremely
busy year production-wise for our complete
range of products. At the busiest time we saw
an increase in business of around two years’
worth of orders in the space of 10 days, and
our existing ultrasonic washer wouldn’t cope
with the demand. Our new MecWash
machine takes a huge quantity of parts
compared to our last one.”
The exacting requirements of cleanliness for
parts in the healthcare industry meant
Meditech turned to MecWash for a machine
to aid removal of machining swarf and oils
from the production process.
Riches said: “If the parts aren’t cleaned
properly then there may be remnants of swarf
from the production process. Given the items
we produce are for resuscitators and oxygen
regulators the last thing we need is
contamination of the oxygen supply. The
cleaning quality of the MecWash machine
gives us full confidence that everything we
produce is cleaned to the highest of
standards.”
MecWash has a long history of supplying
companies within healthcare and the
production of healthcare devices, both in the
UK and overseas.
John Pattison, MecWash managing director,
said: “We’re delighted to have played a part in
supporting the healthcare industry during an
incredibly challenging year. Immaculate
cleaning of parts is crucial in medical
applications, and MecWash has an excellent
reputation for facilitating this, having
previously supplied machines to clean items
ranging from knee replacement and other
orthopaedic implants, to parts for dental
systems.”
Finishing - March/April 2021

Coating Thickness Gauge for Non-Metal Substrates
NEW Design and Features
Non-destructively measures paint thickness
over wood, concrete, plastic and more using
proven ultrasound technology. Advanced
models measure up to 3 individual layers
with graphics.
n Ready to measure—no adjustment required for most applications
n Responsive transducers provide fast, accurate readings
n Max Thick Mode displays the deepest ultrasonic echo
eliminating the need to adjust the Lo Range—ideal for
ignoring unwanted surface echos.
n Conforms to ISO 2808 and ASTM D6132
Ideal for measuring
polyurea and other
thick protective
coatings on
concrete
DFT Instruments (UK) Limited
Long Drive, 16A Meadway, Berkhamsted, Herts HP4 2PN
t: 01442 879494 f: 01442 879595
www.dftinstruments.co.uk e: sales@dftinstruments.co.uk
Proud supplier of DeFelsko Inspection Instruments

36 CONFORMITY
It pays to conform
Wojciech Brozyna - MD of Aluprof UK
Since the beginning of 2021 the UK now
sits outside of the European Economic
Area (EEA) complete with a late
brokered ‘deal’ which helps businesses trade
without tariffs between the EEA and the UK.
Despite the increased levels of paperwork
required for such imports and exports, it is
‘almost business as usual’. Over the last few
years conformity with legislation and
standards present in Europe has been a
prerequisite for producing and selling any
goods within the EEA, either produced in the
EAA or from overseas. Known as ‘CE’
marking, it is applicable equally to the
manufacture and sale of a paper clip to a
curtain wall facade.
So what is a ‘CE’ mark? A CE mark
indicates conformity with a harmonised
product standard, and assures the user that
the product is classified to the relevant
essential characteristics, within Annex ZA, for
the member state whose market it is placed
on. Construction products are different to
say medical devices for CE marking as
regulations differ.
So now that we have left the EEA, what
now?
The UK has set up its own conformity
marking known as the ‘UKCA’ mark. Broadly
the same as the current CE marking the new
UKCA mark will allow the UK to begin to
adjust its conformity standards to suit UK
businesses and the UK’s legislative
requirements in the longer term. As far as
timing is concerned, CE marking is still fully
accepted in the UK this year, but all
companies manufacturing and selling in the
UK must have UKCA marking on their
products by the end of 2021. Importantly for
Aluprof UK, we will comply with the new
UKCA marking and are already scheduling
our products for conformity with UK
‘approved bodies’ this year.
Now a note of caution, we often use Great
Britain, the United Kingdom and the British
Isles interchangeably, but this is not correct.
‘Great Britain’ consists of England, Scotland
and Wales, the ‘United Kingdom’ consists of
‘Great Britain’ and 'Northern Ireland’. The
‘British Isles’, consists of the 'United Kingdom’
and ‘Ireland', plus numerous smaller island
groups, which include the Hebrides, the
Shetland Islands, the Orkney Islands, the Isles
of Scilly, and the Isle of Man.
In Northern Ireland, matters get a little
more complicated as manufacturers there
have their own UK(NI) mark to comply with
which must be used alongside the CE
marking. Whilst Great Britain will accept the
UK(NI)+CE marked products known as
‘unfettered access’, products manufactured in
Northern Ireland only need to carry the CE
mark if they are to be sold solely in the EAA.
Part of the reason for the difference in
Northern Ireland is that whilst Northern
Ireland sits within the EAA, from the 1st
January 2021, it is now outside the EU
Customs Union. It must be reiterated that for
products manufactured and sold in Northern
Ireland, they must always carry both the CE
mark and the UK(NI).
It is also important to remember that a
Finishing - March/April 2021

CONFORMITY 37
separate Declaration of
Performance/Conformity (DoP) must be
provided for each UKCA, UK(NI) and CE
mark. Whilst at the moment these will broadly
be the same, it is likely that with changes to
legislation here and in the EAA over time,
these will begin to differ. It has also been
confirmed that both CE and UKCA marks can
be used together on products as long as they
are separate and are clearly visible. As the UK
‘approved bodies’ move to offer UKCA
marking, CE marking ‘approved bodies’ for
products to be sold in the EAA, can only be
provided by an EU based ‘approved body’.
Whilst new conformity marks are being
introduced, UKCA and UK(NI), nothing else
changes at this time regarding the products
that require labelling. The marking
convention and conformity continues for
construction products as it has done for CE
marking for the last few years.
So what does this mean for supply of goods
from the EAA to our customers in the British
Isles and in particular, products imported by
Aluprof?
As a European manufacturer, we will
continue with CE marking which will confirm
with the requirements for Ireland and
Northern Ireland, for Great Britain (England,
Scotland and Wales) all our products can
continue to be used with CE marking in 2021
are being lodged with a UK ‘approved body’
to ensure they can carry UKCA compliance
markings.
There is also one caveat to the conformity
marking, that is the marking is only applied at
the time of manufacture, so there could be
products manufactured in 2021 in compliance
with CE marking that may enter the Great
Britain market in early 2022. At this point we
begin to get into some of the grey areas of
compliance and the government is still
working out some of the detail. What is
known is that for our customers who
manufacture our systems into products that go
on site, you will need to demonstrate
compliance with the new UKCA marking from
the 1st January 2022.
As ever with our loyal customers in the
British Isles, we are on-hand at Aluprof to give
any of our customers guidance on the
compliance and marking convention.
Surface Technologies
CWST have developed a Post Additive
Manufacturing process to:
l Improve surface finish and surface
characterisation
l Improve component cleanliness
l Remove support structures
l Remove sintered surface
l Surface compression and densification
l Management of residual stresses
l Improve fatigue life
www.cwst.co.uk | eurosales@cwst.com | 01635 279621
Finishing - March/April 2021

38 PAINTING
New painting method
In almost every industry sector, the number
and diversity of workpieces being coated
are growing. To be able to paint these
diverse components with greater efficiency
than before, Dürr has developed a new
technique that applies paints over large areas
or in simple patterns with high edge definition
– and absolutely no overspray. The innovative
EcoPaintJet applicator won this year’s
innovation award “Deutscher Innovationspreis”
in Germany, and is now available for the
general industry in an easily integrated set.
Paint company Adler has already developed
paints tailored to the new application
technology.
In woodworking, shipbuilding, electronics
manufacturing, and many other industry
sectors, product and component surfaces are
coated to protect them or add colour. Up to
now this involved a lot of effort if the coating
had to be applied with high edge definition,
since the surfaces either need to be manually
masked or film-wrapped. There is also a lot of
waste, both in terms of adhesive tape and
paint lost to overspray. With the new
overspray-free application set from Dürr, both
of these are a thing of the past. EcoPaintJet,
the innovative applicator contained in the set,
is already successfully in use in automotive
series production. Since 2019, the new Dürr
technology has made it possible to paint car
roofs in contrasting colours with no masking.
More options for painting
The EcoPaintJet applicator delivers precise
coating with no overspray. This increases
coating efficiency and offers companies more
options when it comes to product design and
the transportation of goods. Instead of
adhesive film, decorative surfaces can be
protected for transport through the targeted
application of a spray film. This can be simply
pulled off again at the destination. The
technology also enables new options for the
function and design of products. For example,
the precise coating method means that
window frames can have a weatherproof
coating applied to the outside and get a
decorative or differently coloured application
on the inside. Decorative effects can be easily
realized on furniture fronts. “The oversprayfree
application set enables application with
high edge definition, fast colour changes, and
a custom surface design,” says Holger
Beiersdorfer, vice president industrial products
at Dürr, in summarizing the benefits.
No atomizer air means no
overspray
The most important component in the
overspray-free application set is the paint
supply, combined with the cleaning and prepainting
process. The EcoPaintJet controls this
using three valves. The beating heart of the
applicator itself is a nozzle plate that produces
several dozen parallel paint jets depending on
the design. These can be activated or
deactivated at any given moment to start or
interrupt the coating process. Unlike painting
processes involving spray guns or high-speed
rotary atomizers, this process does not require
any atomizer air. The overspray that must be
Finishing - March/April 2021

PAINTING 39
filtered from the booth air in a complex
process when using conventional methods
therefore does not occur.
Another big difference compared with
classic atomizers is that the width of the
painting path can be adjusted by means of the
applicator’s angle of application. This enables a
painting path from 30 to 50 mm in width.
Narrower path widths can also be produced
by adapting the nozzle plate. The desired
coating thickness is controlled via the
applicator speed and solid content of the
paint.
All the benefits in one
application
Application techniques that save paint are
particularly important when dealing with large
surfaces. Even with airless guns or high-speed
rotary atomizers, up to a fourth of the
material used is lost. Recovering this paint is
both time-consuming and energy-intensive,
and only works with certain paint types. The
so-called pouring technique, where the excess
paint is collected in tanks, avoids overspray
but does not permit fast colour changes.
Other surface design options such as applying
films or decorative strips often mean a high
level of manual effort.
The new Dürr technology eliminates all the
disadvantages of the individual methods and
makes painting faster, more cost-efficient, and
more environmentally friendly in all industry
sectors. “This makes our technology attractive
even in scenarios where an automated
painting method was not previously
conceivable,” says Holger Beiersdorfer, hinting
at other application possibilities.
The Austrian paint manufacturer Adler is
promoting the new application technology
together with Dürr, coming up with
colourless and pigmented coating solutions
that, in addition to the usual paint
requirements, are precisely tailored to the
special features of this technology. “For this
visionary application technology, we
developed innovative and environmentally
friendly, water-based products that deliver
maximum durability and at the same time
visual individuality for more than just sheet
material,” says Dr. Albert Rössler, CTO at
Adler, impressed by the new painting
technology.
Automated Water & Effluent Ltd have been supplying process control equipment
to the metal finishing and surface finishing industry.
We have an in-house team of qualified engineers able to design and build
control panels and process equipment specific to fit your requirements.
A wide range of our control instrumentation, dosing pumps and chemical process
equipment is available on short delivery.
CALL
TODAY ON
01785 254 597
• Custom Designed & Built Control Panels
• pH & Redox Controllers & Electrodes
• Conductivity Controllers
• Liquid Level Controllers
• Open Chanel & Magnetic Flow Meters
• Data Loggers
• Dosing Pumps & Tanks
Automated Water
& Effluent Ltd
Get in touch for a quote today!
AWE House, Antom Court, Tollgate
Industrial Estate, Stafford, ST16 3AF
awe-ltd.co.uk Finishing - 01785 March/April 2542021
597

40 SHOT BLASTING
Digital love
While digitization has already
established itself in various industrial
sectors, it is still not very common in
the surface treatment industry, especially in
the field of shot blasting and mass finishing
operations. To promote the digital
transformation in these areas, Rösler
Oberflächentechnik is developing innovative
digitization solutions. The Rösler Smart
Solutions activities focus on the
comprehensive monitoring and control of
work and production processes and the
intelligent linking and handling of the
respective data. This creates added value for
the equipment users and represents an
important milestone in the digitization of shot
blasting and mass finishing operations. The
first digitization packages will be available for
commercial use in spring 2021. Further
solutions for the equipment portfolio of the
Rösler brand “AM Solutions - 3D post
processing technology” are already in the
planning stage.
Nowadays digitization and intelligently
linked work and production processes are
hot subjects. Generally, developments in this
field are focused on improving quality and
productivity within a more flexible
production environment, achieving better
financial results and generating continued
growth. The overall goal is, of course, to
make a business more competitive and to
make it fit for the future. This trend poses
also new challenges for the suppliers of
surface treatment machinery. In order to
create added value for the equipment users,
intelligent solutions must be developed,
which – with the use of dedicated sensors –
collect and evaluate precisely defined
equipment and process data.
The benefits of the Rösler Smart
Solutions
To date the available solutions for shot
blasting and mass finishing operations were
limited to stand-alone systems with no or very
limited networking possibilities. To promote
the digitization of its own equipment range,
the Rösler Oberflächentechnik GmbH is
actively pursuing the development of suitable
solutions under the trade name “Rösler Smart
Solutions”. The company’s ultimate goal is to
make processes more transparent and reduce
their costs, actively monitor the processes to
develop suggestions for specific actions and,
on the basis of already archived data, to allow
quick correction of deviations and equipment
faults. All this is intended to create an
intelligent process and equipment control
system, which also allows a wide variety of
consumption and wear forecasts to be made.
Moreover, with the new smart solutions
package the company wants to achieve the
optimum usage of resources and, thus,
contribute to an improved cost-efficiency. Of
course, this approach will also help to
document all relevant equipment and process
conditions, which is already a requirement in
the automobile and aerospace industry as well
as for medical engineering companies.
The begin of digitization in the
Rösler product portfolio
The company intends to quickly implement
the digitization of the Rösler equipment
range. This will extend to solutions in the
fields of mass finishing and shot blasting as
well as the Rösler brand “AM Solutions - 3D
post processing technology” for the
automated post processing of 3D printed
components. In a first phase the digitization
package for the entire shot blast equipment
range will include software and hardware
modules in the areas of work piece quality,
operating parameters and maintenance. These
modules can be used individually or as entire
packages and are, therefore, ideal for
customer specific digitization strategies. The
first solution in the field of mass finishing
deals with process water cleaning & recycling
with centrifuges. A dashboard will display all
relevant equipment and process data, and the
user will be able to obtain suggestions for
immediate corrective action in case of
detected problems or deviations.
All Rösler Smart Solutions described above
will be available by spring 2021 and will be
regularly updated. They represent only the
beginning of further developments in the field
of digitization, which will cover the entire
equipment portfolio of the Rösler
Oberflächentechnik GmbH, including the
brand “AM Solutions – 3D post processing
technology”.
Finishing - March/April 2021

HoldTight 102 - Half Page Advert.qxp_HoldTight 102 Half Page Ad 07/07/2017 12:05 Page 1
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With 14 plants across the UK, Wedge Group Galvanizing
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almertron_quarter page_yb2020.indd 1 08/11/2019 07:01

42 PRINTING
New to the UK
Metal component surface finishing
specialist, Fintek, have become
exclusive UK agents for RENA
Technologies Austria GmbH H-series range of
machines that use their patented Hirtisation
process for reliable finishing of 3D printed
metal parts.
Fintek managing director, Jonathan Dean,
commented, "The RENA H-series
complements our existing disc, drag and
stream finishing ranges from OTEC. They
expand considerably our subcontract
capability and machine offering for the surface
finishing of additively manufactured metal
parts. RENA is a global company, and we are
pleased to be able to draw on their extensive
experience."
The Hirtisation process effectively removes
support structures and powder cake but goes
further by reducing the surface roughness of
metal parts manufactured additively by 3D
printing. The process is suitable for all
common metals and alloys and all types of
metal 3D printing technology such as
Selective Laser Melting (SLM), Direct Metal
Laser Sintering (DMLS) and Electron Beam
Melting (EBM).
Importantly, the fully automated chemicalelectrochemical
process is able to reach deep
into cavities, undercuts and other design
intricacies inherent in many AM parts and
often impossible to reach by manual or
mechanical methods. Along with support
structures, partially melted grains are also
eliminated. As there are no harsh mechanical
processing steps, the smoothing effect does
not compromise the precision of edge
profiles.
Printed metal parts leave the machine clean
and vacuum dried in perfect readiness for
subsequent finishing processes such as
protective coatings. Cycle times are short,
from just 30 minutes depending on part size
and target quality. H-series machines are easy
to operate, requiring the minimum of training
for personnel, even if they have little or no
surface finishing experience. Designed to
scale-up to any metal 3D printing operation,
all process chemicals are fully integrated and
can be safely refilled.
Available in three versions, the H3000
entry level is ideal for part sizes up to 300 x
300 x 150mm and can handle the part feed
from up to three AM-printers. The H6000
takes parts up to 500 x 500 x 350mm and
can handle the part feed from up to four AMprinters
at a rate of up to 100 parts per hour.
The H12000 is designed to integrate
seamlessly into larger industrial additive
manufacturing processes and can handle the
part feed from up to 25 AM-printers using
four different materials at once. It also has a
parallel post processing capability of up to
500 parts per hour.
Fintek operations manager, Jamie Phillips,
concluded, "Achieving a commercially viable
surface finish on additively manufactured
metal parts has prevented the adoption of the
technology for many applications. The
Hirtisation process removes this barrier and at
Fintek we also have the capability with the
OTEC range of high energy stream finishing
systems to take external surface roughness
down to Ra values of 0.01 m."
Finishing - March/April 2021

Gas Process Burners
Lanemark gas burner systems offer users reliable, high efficiency,
process heating solutions.
FD-C high turndown oven/
dryer air heating burners.
Midco HMA high efficiency,
high turndown, air replacement
or “make-up” air heating burners.
FD-GA modulating gas + air
process air heating burners.
FD-E low cost high turndown
oven/dryer air heating burners.
TX high efficiency small diameter
immersion tube tank heating
systems.
FD Series Packaged Oven/Dryer Burners
• Specifi cally designed for process air heating applications in convection
ovens and dryers
• High turndown/short flame lengths providing accurate process
temperature control
• High effi ciency gas + air modulation, gas only modulation and simple
high/low control options
• Heat Input Range: 9 kW – 1550 kW
TX Series Gas Fired Process Tank Heating Systems
• High effi ciency (80%+) heating of all types of spray and dip process tanks
• Compact high effi ciency small diameter immersion tube heat exchangers
occupying minimum tank space
• Accurate performance modelling using Lanemark TxCalc design software
• Heat Input Range: 15 kW (1½") – 1150 kW (8")
Midco HMA Series Air Replacement or “Make-Up” Air Heating Burners
• Direct fired, high effi ciency burner systems, for high volume air heating
applications such as paint spray booths, ovens and dryers.
• Supplied either as Midco burner heads for OEM system integration or
as Lanemark DB or FDB complete packaged systems including modulating
gas valve trains and controls
• Wide range of firing rates to suit alternative temperature rise and air
velocity system requirements
• DbCalc system design software
Lanemark Combustion Engineering Limited
Lanemark House, Whitacre Road, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV11 6BW United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 24 7635 2000 Fax: +44 (0) 24 7634 1166 E-mail: info@lanemark.com
www.lanemark.com
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All the required consumables including
anodes and bonnets plus training courses and
technical services. Dalic’s unrivalled application
systems including rectifiers and the patented
“closed loop” Dalistick Station for full control
of the application and no exposure to
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pexa_quarter page.indd 1 05/11/2020 11:23

44 ALUMINIUM
Material gains
The aluminium industry needs materials
expertise to continue to develop new
markets or new products for existing
markets, to fend off attacks from competitive
materials such as plastics and composites, and
to face the future sustainability challenges.
This applies throughout the supply chain, to
companies rolling and extruding aluminium,
to companies making end-user products and
to suppliers of equipment to the industry.
Whilst some technical expertise can be
distilled into operational practices or captured
within computer models, most aluminium
materials expertise resides within certain
individual employees and is so often lost when
that employee leaves or retires from the
company.
The most significant advances are made by
those employees who have developed a deep
understanding of an aluminium process, an
aluminium product or a specific industry
problem. These aluminium experts take many
years to develop their knowledge, often within
the R&D or technical divisions of the
company, and represent a significant asset
value to that company.
Aluminium experts are certainly hard to
come by, making recruitment very difficult.
We are always on the lookout for such people
and will recruit at any time if the right person
becomes available.
Nurturing materials expertise
The nurturing of materials expertise is a
significant long term investment for any
company. However, the value of this
investment can be lost so quickly as a result of
short-term decisions to close technical facilities,
even when attempts are made to relocate staff
to other sites within the same company.
The trend for company mergers and
changes of ownership that we have seen over
the past 15 years has resulted in rationalisation
and relocation of technical centres and a
significant loss of aluminium materials expertise
from the industry. This has been compounded
during times of slow economic growth in the
developed countries of the world, resulting in
pressure for companies based in these regions
to reduce costs. The technical centres are all
too often seen as a pure cost to the company,
with little understanding of their true long term
strategic value.
I speak from personal experience. In my
case it was the closure of one of the
aluminium industry’s leading technical centres,
Alcan’s Banbury Laboratory, back in 2003. In
this instance, the closure resulted in the
formation of an independent technical
consulting company, Innoval Technology
(Innoval). Innoval provided a home for many
of Alcan’s top materials experts and has gone
on to become a profitable company and a
valuable source of expertise for the
downstream aluminium industry.
Danieli certainly understands the value that
this sort of aluminium materials expertise can
bring to an organisation, as demonstrated by
their purchase of Innoval to support the
growth of their aluminium business.
Measuring the financial value of
expertise
Assessing the financial value of materials
expertise and technical support has always
been a difficult task. One approach is to
estimate the loss of market share if that
expertise is no longer being applied to (a) the
solution of product or process issues or (b)
improvements to the product. The value of
protecting market share can be enormous.
Other more direct approaches involve valuing
the increased sales that result from the
solution of a specific problem, for example a
speed constraint on a bottleneck processing
machine.
It only takes a few successful technical
solutions to provide a positive net present
value in excess of the total cost for all
technical projects. When a company decides
to forgo investment in R&D and development
of new technology, then there is a strong
likelihood that it will lose any lead it may have
had in markets and become a follower of
other companies, with consequential loss of
market share and revenue.
There is no doubt that the population of
aluminium experts in North America and
Europe has seen a steady decline over the
recent decades. Yet the market for aluminium
remains strong with exciting predictions for
future growth in many sectors, especially
automotive. The emerging regions of the
world, where growth has been strongest, must
develop a new and significant body of
materials expertise, in order to take on the
many challenges facing the aluminium
industry in the future.
Finishing - March/April 2021

PUMPS 45
Pump efficiency
Reliable, leak-free pumping of hazardous,
more challenging chemicals is a
prerequisite in all chemical processing
applications and sealless, magnetically driven
pumps are the established preferred option.
The Finish Thompson ULTRAChem (UC)
Series of Tefzel (ETFE) lined centrifugal pumps
represent a good example of well-engineered
and durable leak-free pumps and following
recent modifications there are new options
resulting in extended capabilities and a wider
performance envelope.
Available from Michael Smith Engineers the
UC Series of pumps now includes the
UC436L model, which features smaller
impeller trims to allow for lower flows and
heads and the UC3210 model which has
been up-rated for 2-pole motors. The new 2-
pole motor option operates at a higher
rotation speed than the existing model and
enables the pump to generate higher flows at
higher heads, thereby extending its
performance range. Also, the innovative single
piece snap fit impeller / inner drive magnet
feature has also been extended through all
models in the ULTRAChem range helping to
simplify maintenance and reduce servicing
costs.
As with all the Finish Thompson
ULTRAChem pumps these new options
combine a tough ductile iron casing with an
ETFE lining to ensure outstanding corrosion
resistance and feature powerful neodymium
magnets which drive the impeller through a
carbon filled PTFE lined barrier for
dependable, leak-free operation.
In addition, the pumps incorporate other
features which optimise efficiency and
performance ensuring minimal wear on
components, lower running costs and
extended periods between routine servicing.
For example, a Dri-coat silicon carbide bearing
/ shaft option to prevent catastrophic failure in
the event of short-term dry-running. Also, a
two-piece dynamically balanced outer drive
magnet with multiple pole options matches
drive to motor for greater efficiency.
This outer drive magnet incorporates Finish
Thompson’s “Easy-set” mounting system so
that the drive magnet can be fitted to the
motor shaft without having to measure the
magnet set-height. This ensures a perfectly set
magnet which removes the potential cause of
misalignment and so improves safety and
reliability.
Other features include a Kevlar reinforced
barrier which reduces the air gap between
driven and driving magnet and so maximises
magnetic power to transmission. Using Kevlar
for the barrier reinforcement enables
maximum working pressure to be increased
to 300 psi (20.7 bar).
These latest options and features further
underline the effectiveness of ULTRAChem
pumps as the ideal choice for extreme
pumping applications. These typically occur in
chemical manufacturing, blending and
distribution, water treatment, plating and
surface treatment applications, paper mills,
fume scrubbers and other similar challenging
situations which demand robust and reliable
leak-free pumping.
Finishing – March/April 2021

46 WORKSHOP
Waste water system
New MiniMag thermocouple
PhoenixTM (Phoenix
Temperature Measurement) has
launched a new MiniMag
thermocouple to complement its
extensive thermocouple range.
The thermocouple is a critical
component of the thru-process
temperature profile system
offered for product temperature
monitoring of paint and powder
coating applications. A perfect
addition to the new PhoenixTM
PTM1500 Epsilon-x ATEX
approved paint monitoring
system. The thermocouple
design is ideal for automotive
steel car body shell monitoring
through continuous paint cure
ovens. As its name suggests, the
compact size allows easy quick
placement in the tightest of
product recesses on any
production or test body. The
sensor head is only 30 mm
diameter and 15 mm high so the
MiniMag will fit in places
previously impossible using
traditional magnetic
thermocouple designs.
The design allows for use even
in areas where the surface may
not be flat. The strong samarium
cobalt magnet allows quick
reliable strong fixing (Max
Energy Product 32 MGOe) to
any steel surface and is almost
totally unaffected by temperature
even at 200°C/400°F. The
Samarium Cobalt (Sm2Co17)
magnet has a magnet
temperature coefficient of only -
0.03% per degree °C. This
means only 7% loss in magnetic
strength even when operating at
250 °C. Other magnet types can
suffer from significant loss of
magnetic power with increasing
temperature. With a sprungloaded
hot junction, sensor
contact with the substrate is
guaranteed ensuring a high
accuracy of measurement. The
magnet is encapsulated within
the sensor housing, so no direct
contact is made with either metal
or surface coating. This
eliminates any damage or loss of
magnet post run if sensor
removal is difficult due to coating
adhesion (eg Ecoat process).
Provided with an ergonomic
shaped housing the MiniMag is
easy to handle even with a
gloved hand for quick safe
placement and retrieval. Being
constructed of Aluminium the
sensor head is light weight and
minimizes thermal mass effects.
An innovative unique design
feature of the MiniMag
thermocouple permits
replacement of cable and sensor,
significantly reducing
consumable costs.
The thermocouple is
compatible with most
competitive profiling systems
which means that even users of
competitive systems can benefit
from reduced consumable costs.
Replacing a complete
thermocouple due to damage to
the cable is both frustrating and
wasteful. This feature offered
with other Phoenix
thermocouples also allows
customization of the
thermocouple with different
cable lengths allowing the
thermocouple to be adapted to
suit the size and form of body
shell being monitored.
MecWash has launched a new waste water treatment system that
reduces disposal costs by up to 95%. The new high capacity Aqua-
Save Ultra can process up to 30 litres an hour of waste water from
manufacturing processes, complementing the smaller Aqua-Save Junior
system, which processes up to 15 litres per hour.
The Aqua-Save range has been developed for the treatment and
recycling of industrial waste water, including wash water from parts
cleaning equipment, coolant and dye penetrant, reducing the need for
expensive off-site treatment and disposal.
The fully automatic Aqua-Save Ultra water treatment system can be
added to any aqueous wash system to maintain solution cleanliness
and washing performance, to reduce machine downtime, minimise
effluent disposal and save money.
The machine boils the waste solution and evaporates the water,
concentrating the remaining waste oil and contaminants, which are
then discharged. The clean distillate can be reused in the wash system
or coolant, or disposed of, subject to appropriate controls and
permissions.
While processing twice the volume of the smaller Junior, the Ultra
retains a close family resemblance. The versatile nature of the Aqua-
Save Ultra facilitates easy relocation from a wash system to a coolant
intermediate bulk container (IBC). The self-contained system comprises
a built in waste receptacle and antifoam dosing, in case the waste
stream requires it.
Colour confirmation
Datacolor has launched the Spectro 1000/700 series, a family of closetolerance
benchtop spectrophotometers designed for high efficiency
and confidence in colour formulation and quality control in a wide
range of industries.
The new series features the high inter-instrument agreement
Datacolor customers have come to rely on, to ensure uniform colour
assessments across various instruments and multiple locations
throughout the supply chain. The systems are designed to increase
productivity and improve workflow efficiency through high
measurement speeds and seamless backward capability with other
Datacolor benchtop instruments. The Spectro 1000/700 family is
optimized for the future of colour management, featuring internet
connectivity for upcoming remote services.
Users of the Spectro 1000/700 series will also enjoy greater
confidence in their colour measurements thanks to its ability to capture
the temperature of samples measured. This is an essential new quality
control feature for those who work with materials that need be within
certain temperature ranges to assure accurate colour measurement.
Finishing – March/April 2021

Products & Services
Stewart Freshwater
tel: 01923 437615 • fax: 01923 432770
email: s.freshwater@turretgroup.com • web: www.turretgroup.com
Leading manufacturers of
Jigs, Racking systems, Baskets, Heaters, Coils and many other
products for the Anodising & Electroplating industry
T: 01283 529314 • E: Sales@Supreme-Eng.com • W: www.supreme-eng.com
abrasive blast cleaning equipment
HODGE CLEMCO LTD
Abrasives
Blast Rooms
Blast Cabinets
Portable Blast Machines
Paint Spray Equipment
Abrasive Recovery
Safety Equipment
Dust Collection
Spray Booths
Servicing
Training
Tel: 0114 254 8811
36 Orgreave Drive, Sheffield, S13 9NR
www.hodgeclemco.co.uk
Supplier and manufacturer of
abrasive blast cleaning and surface
treatment equipment since 1959
abrasive blast cleaning equipment
HEAVY DUTY
SHOTBLAST MACHINES
LARGEST UK STOCKS
NEW MACHINES
PLATE & SECTION CLEANERS
TABLE & SPECIFIC MACHINES
HOOK / HANGER MACHINES
BARREL & TUMBLER MACHINES
AIR BLAST ROOMS & CABINETS
EXTRACTION / DUCTWORK SYSTEMS
OVER 60 MACHINES IN STOCK
DOUG BOOTH UK LTD
(Est 1971)
SPECIALIST ENGINEERS
Tel: 01924 274887
Fax: 01924 262219
M/C Sales 07850 744377 Txt/WhatsApp 24hr
Email: paul@dougbooth.co.uk (machines)
jonny@dougbooth.co.uk (parts & service)
Website: www.dougbooth.co.uk
SURPLUS & TRADE IN MACHINES WANTED
AGENTS/FINDERS REQUIRED
abrasives
boilers
Modern Coil Type Steam
Generators & Fire Tube Boilers
• 100Kg/h – 25,000Kg/h
• High efficiency – up to 96%
• Low overall emissions
• Improved safety
• Simplicity of control
• Quiet, clean & cool in operation
Tel: 020 8953 7111
info@babcock-wanson.com
www.babcock-wanson.com
coating applications
Delivering highly
engineered, critical
function products
and services to
the commercial,
industrial, defense
and energy markets
n Shot Peening
n Laser Peening
n Coating Services
n Analytical Services
Please contact us on:
01635 279621
www.cwst.co.uk
rdm_4x1_FNGCLASS 15/7/14 14:06
complete finishing plant
(paint or powder coatings)
R.D.M. Engineering Ltd, Est. 1951
Stakehill Lane, Stakehill,
Middleton,
Manchester M24 2RW
Tel: 0161 643 9333
Fax: 0161 655 3467
Web: www.rdmengineering.co.uk
E-mail: sales@rdmengineering.co.uk
Contact: Mr R. Horwich
spraybooths • rooms • ovens •
conveyors • pretreatment • powder
plant • air replacement units
computer systems
Do you know what your production
line is doing? ORPHEUS DOES!
ORPHEUS... Proven Production
control software
Barcode technology provides
TOTAL ORDER TRACKING and
TRACEABILITY
Interested?
Why not give us a call for a
demonstration.
Mark Dimmock
Acton Gate Systems Ltd,
Essington, Staffordshire, WV11 2BQ
01902 249299 actongate
www.actongate.co.uk • enquiries@actongate.co.uk
conveyor systems
Overhead Conveyors
& Lifting
Equipment
coatings
E/M Coating Services
Engineered coating solutions:
● High lubricity/low friction
●
●
Anti-corrosion
Resistance to erosion/galling
T. 01926 813111
sales@niko.co.uk
www.niko.co.uk
abrasives
ball covers floating
●
Chemical/environmental
protection
High Carbon Steel Shot and Grit.
Medium Carbon Steel Shot and Metal
Bead. Stainless Steel Cr and Cr/Ni.
High Chrome Grit.
Aluminium Oxide.
Full Technical Support.
Tel: 01952 299777 Fax: 01952 299008
Email: sales@pometon.co.uk
Thermal
Insulation Spheres
Frogspawn by
Manufacturing in the UK since 1957
braude.co.uk
●
EM/RF shielding
A business unit of Curtiss-Wright Surface Technologies
Please contact us on:
01386 421444
www.emcoatingsuk.co.uk
To advertise please call
Stewart Freshwater
on 01923 437615 or email
s.freshwater@turretgroup.com
CALDAN Conveyor Ltd.
Kirkleatham Business Park
Redcar • TS10 5SH
Tel. +44 1642 271118
salesuk@caldan.dk
www.caldan.dk
Caldan Conveyor Solutions -
simply perfect.
March/April 2021 - Finishing

48 for all your classified needs call Stewart Freshwater on: 01923 437615
effluent treatment plants
electrophoretic coatings supplier
infra red emitters
www.neutralac.co.uk
TENNANTS
TENNANTS DISTRIBUTION LIMITED
Polypropylene Tanks
PVC Tanks
PVC/GRP Tanks
Bund Tanks
Tank Linings
Rubber Linings
HDPE Tanks
Established 1976
Fume Scrubbers
Fume extraction
Pipework
Ducting
Repairs & Refurbishment
Flexible PVC Linings
Guards in all materials
One off Fabrications and installation
Tel: 01543 462 802
Email: plasbrun.plastics@outlook.com
Web: www.plasbrunplastics.co.uk
t Bruest ATEX-certified
Flameless Gas
Catalytic Infrared Heaters
t Gas-saving industrial ovens
t “CATBOX” box ovens for
wood-finishing
t Servicing, spares & repairs for
most brands of catalytic heaters
electrophoretic coatings supplier and applicator
MANUFACTURERS AND
APPLICATORS OF SPECIALIST
ELECTROPHORETIC COATINGS
• A TRULY UNIQUE FINISHING SERVICE
• SIMULATED BRUSHED NICKEL, CHROME AND STAINLESS STEEL
EFFECTS APPLIED DIRECTLY ONTO BASE METAL SUBSTRATES.
• BESPOKE COLOURS AND EFFECTS TO CUSTOMER SPECIFICATIONS
• ALL FINISHES AVAILABLE WITH ANTI-BACTERIAL CAPABILITY
Hawking Electrotechnology Ltd
T: +44 (0) 1384 483019
E: sales@hawking.co.uk • W: www.hawking.co.uk
electroplaters
finishing systems
• Water wash spraybooths
• Water treatment chemical additives
• Paint separation solids removal systems
• Dry filter spraybooths
• Fixed or portable spraybooths
• Sprayroom enclosures
• Air replacement systems
• Full installation and commissioning
• After-sales service and maintenance
• Spray process engineering
Product complies fully with current environmental
protection and health and safety legislation
Unit 4 Brook Road Industrial Estate,
Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 2BH
T: 01202 840900 • F: 01202 889477
www.dynaclean.co.uk • sales@dynaclean.co.uk
hooks & jigs
Unit 1b Brown Lees Road Ind. Est. Forge
Way, Knypersley, Staffordshire ST8 7DN
Tel: + 44 (0) 1782 511880
www.thermocatalytic.com
thermocatsys@aol.com
jigs & baskets
To advertise please email
Stewart Freshwater at
s.freshwater@turretgroup.com
laquers
fume extraction
Orchard Environmental Systems
Unit 2C, Webner Industrial Estate, Ettingshall Road, Wolverhampton WV2 2LD
Specialising in the
Upgrading and Servicing of existing plant equipment
We also design and manufacture:
• Chemical Cleaning Plant • Fume extraction & purification
• Effluent treatment plant • Water purification and recycling
• Turnkey systems are our specialty
Tel: 01902 408766 • Fax: 01902 495032
Email: sales@oesgroup.co.uk
Masking • Hooks • Jigs
HangOn Ltd
Leintwardine, Craven Arms,
Shropshire, SY7 0NB, UK
Tel. +44 (0) 1547 540 573
Fax. +44 (0 1547 540 412
Email. sales@hangon.co.uk
Web. www.hangon.co.uk
T: 01202 661300 jane@hitekproducts.com
www.hitekproducts.com
Hi-Tek stocks not only an extensive range of
masking products including plugs, tapes, caps and
discs, but also has the distinction of being the
European distributor for the US based TOLBER
range of lacquers and
associated products. Hi-Tek
imports bulk supplies from
Tolber and converts or
decants into commercially
usable volumes for the UK,
and European trade. The
association with Tolber has
evolved over many years.
Finishing - March/April 2021

for all your classified needs call Stewart Freshwater on: 01923 437615
heating equipment for corrosive solutions
Specialist manufacturers
of acid proof equipment
fl uoropolymer immersion heaters •
temp & level control •
heat exchangers •
external heating systems •
metal immersion heaters •
chemical pumps •
sales@braude.co.uk
01252 876123
braude.co.uk
rdm_4x1_FNGCLASS 15/7/14 14:06 Page 1
oven stoving & curing
R.D.M. Engineering Ltd, Est. 1951
Stakehill Lane, Stakehill,
Middleton,
Manchester M24 2RW
Tel: 0161 643 9333
Fax: 0161 655 3467
Web: www.rdmengineering.co.uk
E-mail: sales@rdmengineering.co.uk
Contact: Mr R. Horwich
spraybooths • rooms • ovens •
conveyors • pretreatment • powder
plant • air replacement units
powder coating manufacturers
pumps & filters
49
jigs & baskets
SALT&SADLERLTD
Automotive • Aerospace • Oil & Gas • Petrochemical • Defence • Medical • Precision Engineering
masking
Specialist manufacturers in:
Jigs • Baskets
Coils • Heaters
Fasteners • Tanks
0121 622 3887 • info@saltandsadler.co.uk
www.saltandsadler.co.uk
The Sherwin-Williams Company
To advertise
please call
Stewart Freshwater
on 01923 437615 or email
s.freshwater@turretgroup.com
Hi-Tek Products Ltd
2A Dawkins Road Industrial Estate
Hamworthy, Poole,
Dorset BH15 4JP
Tel: 01202 661300
E-mail: jane@hitekproducts.com
Web Site: www.hitekproducts.com
Contact: Jane McMullen
Masking Caps • Tapes/Discs • Tapered
Plugs • Tubing • Pull-Through Plugs
• Custom Design • Stopping-Off
Lacquers • PTFE Lubricant
nylon coating powders
Tel: +44 12 96 43 37 54
Fax: +44 12 96 39 22 85
Email: sales@nyloncolours.co.uk
To advertise
please call
Stewart Freshwater
on 01923 437615 or email
s.freshwater@turretgroup.com
nylon colours_3x2_FNGCLASS 17/5/11 16:29 Page 1
NYLON
A TOUGHER COATING
Nylon Colours Ltd manufactures
Nylon Coating Powders for
Electrostatic or Fluid Bed.
A wide range of colours including
metallics is available.
Nylon Colours is also the UK distributor
for RILSAN range of Nylon Powders.
pre treatment chemicals
BC METAL FINISHING
BC
MF
METAL FINISHING TREATMENTS
FINISHING PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
METAL FINISHING CONSULTANTS
Contact: Brian Carroll
Specialist in Phosphate Pretreatment Chemicals
B C METAL FINISHING SERVICES
7 RAVENSWOOD DRIVE
HEATON, BOLTON BL1 5AJ
Tel: 01204 495818
Fax: 01204 845206
E-mail: brian1.carroll@homecall.co.uk
To advertise
please call
Stewart Freshwater
on 01923 437615 or email
s.freshwater@turretgroup.com
ptr treatment
Aqueous Cleaners/Degreasers
Metal Brightening Solutions
Alkaline and Acid Etches
Desmuts/Deoxidisers
Chrome passivates and treatments
Qualicoat Approved Non-Chrome
treatments
Phosphates and Non-phosphate
treatments
Pickling Solutions
Paint Strippers
Special Formulations
and Approved Systems
Supplied with technical support
and advice
Tel: + 44 (0) 1978 660 297
Fax: + 44 (0) 1978 661 104
E-mail: info@almetron.com
Web: www.almetron.co.uk
serfilco_5x1_FNGCLASS 18/11/13
pump & filtration specialists
●
●
●
●
rectifier equipment
SERFILCO
Pumps, Filters
and Agitation
Systems
TITAN Auto Backwash Filter
Carbon Purification & Cartridges
Premier Washed & Pleated Reusable
Drum and Air Diaphragm Pumps
● Electric Immersion Heaters
Tel: 0161 775 1910
Fax: 0161 775 3696
SERFILCO delivers
clear solutions
E: sales@serfilco-international.com
www.serfilco.co.uk
Switchmode and SCR DC Power Supplies
for any metal finishing process.
Options include:
Local / Remote control.
Constant Current / Constant Voltage.
PLC controllable. Touchscreen control.
Process timer. Ampere hour / minute meter.
Digital meters. Outputs fully recordable.
Outputs from 10 Amp x 6 V to 6000 Amp x 200 V.
Prices available on request
For more information please contact us on:
Tel: +44 (0) 121 526 6847
Fax: +44 (0) 121 568 8161
e-mail: sales@britishelectrical.co.uk
Website: www.britishelectrical.co.uk
March/April 2021 - Finishing

50 for all your classified needs call Stewart Freshwater on: 01923 437615
salt spray environmental
cabinets
uni-spray_5x2_FNGCLASS 18/1/10 15:22 Page 1
spray nozzles
spray booths
UKAS/NADCAP CERTIFIED SALT
FOR SALT SPRAY TESTING
Supplied in 5Kg and 25Kg Packs
To meet the requirements of:
ASTM B117 • ISO 9227 • DIN 50 021
and all other standards.
Full traceability guaranteed.
SPECIALIST LAB SALT LTD
Paytoe Lane . Leintwardine . Craven Arms.
Shropshire . SY7 0NB
Telephone: 01547 540573
Email: sales@specialistlabsalt.com
Website: www.specialistlabsalt.com
specialised coating supplier
FreiLacke -
System coatings &
application solutions
We develop and produce all conventional
coating systems under one roof.
We are able to offer our customers
not only all the important coating
technologies but can also match these to
the respective coating structure and finish
to optimum effect.
FreiLacke UK Ltd
Tel: +44 (0) 1827 288418
Fax +44 (0) 1827 287912
sales@freilacke.com
SPRAY NOZZLE PRODUCTS FOR PRE-TREATMENT
• Quick Release Nozzles
• Quick Release Stand pipe couplers
• Eductors
• Air Knives
• Pipe Supports
• Complete Pipe Systems
Tel No. 01273 400092 • Fax No. 01273 401220
E-mail. info@beteuk.com
BETE Ltd, PO Box 2748, Lewes, East Sussex, BN8 4HZ
tanks & protective linings
Polypropylene Tanks
PVC Tanks
PVC/GRP Tanks
Bund Tanks
Tank Linings
Rubber Linings
HDPE Tanks
One off Fabrications and installation
Tel: 01543 462 802
Email: plasbrun.plastics@outlook.com
Web: www.plasbrunplastics.co.uk
thermal fluid
Established 1976
Fume Scrubbers
Fume extraction
Pipework
Ducting
Repairs & Refurbishment
Flexible PVC Linings
Guards in all materials
wychwood water_v2_5x1_FNGCLASS 18/11/13 11:58 Page 1
water purification
Purified Water Systems
■ Deionisers
■ Reverse Osmosis
■ Filtration
■ Rinse Water Recovery
Fast Responsive Service
Your problems solved
web design
Unit K, Country Park,
Avenue Two, Station Lane,
Witney, Oxon, OX28 4YD
Tel: 01993 892211
Fax: 01993 892212
www.wychwood-water.com
Excellent surfaces
WAGNER offers a wide range
of systems and products for
perfect coating solutions in
liquid and powder.
Applying
Feeding
spray nozzles
Mixing
Thermal Fluid
Heating
Technology now
for the future
• Up to 50% energy savings
• Compact size
• Easy & safe to use
• Works up to 350°C
• Low exhaust emissions
• High efficiency
• Requires no specialist
knowledge
Controlling
Tel: 020 8953 7111
info@babcock-wanson.com
www.babcock-wanson.com
Editorial Calendar
Each issue of Finishing Magazine includes the following regular columns:
4 News and views 4 Products 4 A-Z company shorts
4 Business and technical issues 4 Personnel changes
4 Company focuses 4 Questions and answers 4 Special reports
4 Company forecasts 4 Industry comment
4 Plus monthly special features
MAY/JUNE 2021:
n Powder Coating n Ovents and Curing Equipment
n Dust and Fume Extraction
For Editorial enquiries, please contact:
John Hatcher, Editor • E: j.hatcher@turretgroup.com
VIEW FINISHING MAGAZINE ONLINE AT finishingmagazine.co.uk
Booths & Systems
Wagner Spraytech (UK) Ltd.
Tel. 01327 368410
enquiries@wagner-group.com
www.wagner-group.com
Finishing - March/April 2021

Poison under control.
SLOTOLOY ZN „Generation VX“
The alkaline zinc-nickel processes SLOTOLOY ZN „Generation VX“ are operated with an anode (special anode VX 1)
specially adapted to the process and respective additives. Because of this, the formation of breakdown products and cyanide
on the anode is inhibited. The practical application at customers showed in converted electrolytes that even the cyanide
content is reduced actively.
Advantages of the zinc-nickel
processes „Generation VX”
· No cost-intensive membrane technology necessary.
· Improvement of current efficiency and appearance.
· Simple conversion of existing electrolytes.
· Low additive consumption.
· The formation of cyanide is significantly reduced and
may falls below the detection limit.
· Since there’s less non-active tetracyanonickelate there’s
a lower demand of nickel.
Decrease of the cyanide content after the conversion to
SLOTOLOY ZN „Generation VX“
cyanide content [mg/L]
500
400
300
200
100
0
0 500 1000 1500 2000
bath throughput [Ah/L]
Schloetter Co. Ltd.
Abbey Works
New Road, Pershore
Worcestershire WR10 1BY
United Kingdom
T +44 (0)1386 552 331
info@schloetter.co.uk
www.schloetter.co.uk