In-House Powder Coat Paint Process

PB-44-Hammond-FourProcessPainting-400.jpg

April 28, 2021

Hammond Manufacturing uses a four step process for painting their enclosures, enclosure racks and rack mounts, which includes a four-stage pre-wash, bakes within specialized ovens for metal sheets, and application of a powder coat, all of which together reduces material waste by a significant amount according to Hammond.

Process Step # 1: Four (4)-Stage Pre-Wash

Alkaline Cleaner

Cleans steel surfaces of anti-corrosion oils, added by the steel producer.

De-Ionized Water Rinse

Lower levels of dissolved solids makes the water a better solvent to wash away remaining residue and alkaline cleaner.

Nano-Ceramic Conversion Coating

Helps with paint adhesion and corrosion protection while reducing the environmental impact.

De-Ionized Water (Halo Rinse)

Like the streak-free rinse in a  car wash, the halo rinse is the final rinse to remove any remaining contaminants from previous stages.

Process Step #2: Dry-Off Oven

Hammond Manufacturing’s dry-off oven ensures parts are dry prior to the powder coat application. If water is present during powder application, water marks and imperfections will appear in the paint finish.

Process Step #3: Electrostatic Powder-Coat Application

Electrostatic powder-coat is achieved by applying an electrostatic charge to the powder particles which are attracted to a grounded part. Spray guns are used to apply the paint using both automatic and manual techniques.

Process Step #4: Powder Coat Bake Oven

Hammond Manufacturing’s bake oven cures the powder into a seamless coating. The bake oven consists of a 33ft infra-red oven booster that brings the part up to the required cure temperature. The remaining 179ft is a convection bake oven that maintains a steady baking temperature of 400 degrees.

More About the Powder Coat Process

Is the Finish Rust-Proof?

When applied to mild steel and installed in a non-corrosive environment, the powder coat paint process holds up better than wet paint. UL/CSA Type 4 products are subjected to a 600 hour salt spray test.

The Nano-ceramic coating applied during the wash process helps with corrosion protection. In addition, a fully painted product resists external elements from corroding the base material.

Powder coated products are more resistant to diminished coating quality from impacts, moisture, chemicals, ultraviolet light and extreme weather conditions.

What is the Powder?

The main ingredient of the powder is a polymer resin in addition to curing agents, pigments, leveling agents, flow modifiers, and other additives.

During the baking process the polymer resin powder melts coating the sheet metal and binds the polymer into a tighter and denser finish.

Powder coating provides a more durable and longer lasting finish compared to conventional wet painting. Also, powder coating is typically a one-coat finish.

How Durable is the Finish?

To determine how durable the paint finish is and to ensure a quality finish, Hammond completes a “cross hatch” test. 

In accordance to the ASTM Standard D3359 procedure, the test is performed by scribing the paint finish in a cross hatch pattern followed by  applying a pressure sensitive tape and pulling the tape from the surface. The cross hatch grid pattern is examined with a magnify glass to determine the paint adhesion.

A pass is determined if the edges of the cuts are completely smooth; none of the squares of the grid pattern are detached.

Environmental Benefits

Paint Reclaim

Every year, Hammond reclaims 85% of paint used. Our paint process includes the ability to re-use (reclaim) paint that misses the product in the paint booth. This process keeps 146,200 kg of waste paint from ending up in landfill.

Water Treatment

Approximately 98% of water used in our paint process is recovered and reused. The remaining 2% is treated in-house to exceed municipal standards.

No Chemical Exposure

Unlike wet spray-painting environments, our powder coat paint process does not off-gas any fumes or chemical exposure making it ideal for education, healthcare and office applications.

Source

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • Eaton Canada Welcomes Dino Alimonti as New Vice President of Sales

    Eaton Canada Welcomes Dino Alimonti as New Vice President of Sales

    Dino Alimonti has been selected as Vice President, Sales, Eaton Canada, effective July 1, 2023. In his new role, Dino will be responsible for leading, developing and executing sales strategies across key targeted industry segments. He will manage and direct the growth activities of the Sales and Channel teams as well as provide business and operational leadership to the sales teams and associated support functions. Read More…

  • Roberta Nelson Shea from Universal Robots Receives Prestigious Robotics Award for Contribution to Robot Safety

    Roberta Nelson Shea from Universal Robots Receives Prestigious Robotics Award for Contribution to Robot Safety

    For the second time within five years, a key figure at Universal Robots (UR), the Danish manufacturer of collaborative robots (cobots), has been awarded the world’s most prestigious robotics prize, the Joseph F. Engelberger Robotics Award, often described as the Nobel Prize of robotics. Following in the footsteps of UR’s co-founder Esben Østergaard, who was given the Engelberger Award in 2018 in the Technology category, Roberta Nelson Shea, UR’s Global Technical Compliance Officer received the award for Applications at a ceremony last night at the Automate Show in Detroit. Read More…


Sponsored Content
The Easy Way to the Industrial IoT

The way to the Industrial IoT does not have to be complicated. Whether access to valuable data is required or new, data-driven services are to be generated, Weidmuller enables its customers to go from data to value the easy way. Weidmuller’s comprehensive and cutting-edge IIoT portfolio applies to greenfield and brownfield applications. Weidmuller offers components and solutions from data acquisition, data pre-processing, data communication and data analysis.

Visit Weidmuller’s Industrial IoT Portfolio.


For a Multiplied Value Unified

PB-62-Excelpro-MultipliedValue-400.jpg

During the last few years, the Excelpro Group has welcomed AIA Automation, Envitech Automation and Conrad Lavoie Electrical, all of which have become ‘Member of the Excelpro Group’.

It was with great excitement that in November of 2022, Excelpro announced that these three companies officially became Excelpro. This decision is part of a strategy to enhance the Excelpro Group’s brand in its market.

These companies already collaborate on various client projects. This merger brings together the complementary strengths of the employees and ensures a global synergy of the activities throughout the Group.

Read More


Service Wire Co. Announces New Titles for Key Executives

Bruce Kesler and Mark Gatewood have been given new titles and responsibilities for Service Wire Co.

Bruce Kesler has assumed the role of Senior Director – Business Development. Bruce will be responsible for Service Wire’s largest strategic accounts and our growing Strategic Accounts Team.

Mark Gatewood has been promoted to the role of Vice President – Sales & Marketing. In this role, Gatewood will lead the efforts of Service Wire Company’s entire sales and marketing organization in all market verticals.

Read More


Tri-Mach Announces the Purchase of an Additional 45,000 sq ft. Facility

Tri-Mach Elmira Facility

Recently, Tri-Mach Inc. was thrilled to announce the addition of a new 45,000 sq ft. facility. Located at 285 Union St., Elmira, ON, this facility expands Tri-Mach’s capabilities, allowing them to better serve the growing needs of their customers.

Positioning for growth, this additional facility will allow Tri-Mach to continue taking on large-scale projects, enhance product performance testing, and provide equipment storage for their customers. The building will also be the new home to their Skilled Trades Centre of Excellence.

Read More


JMP Parent Company, CONVERGIX Acquires AGR Automation, Expanding Global Reach

Convergix Automation Solutions has completed the acquisition of AGR Automation (“AGR”), a UK-based provider of custom, high-performance automation design and systems integration primarily to the life sciences industry.

Following Convergix’s acquisitions of JMP Solutions in August 2021 and Classic Design in February 2022, AGR marks the third investment in Crestview’s strategy to build Convergix into a diversified automation solutions provider targeting the global $500+ billion market, with a particular focus on the $70 billion global systems integration and connectivity segments. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Read More


Latest Articles

  • Emerson Helps Optimize Innovative Recycling Process That Increases Sustainability of Waste-to-Energy Industry

    Emerson Helps Optimize Innovative Recycling Process That Increases Sustainability of Waste-to-Energy Industry

    Emerson is helping the Swedish cleantech company HaloSep to optimize their unique process that turns hazardous incinerator flue gas residue from waste-to-energy plants into usable materials. Emerson’s control technology and software is being deployed at HaloSep’s plant for optimization, research and technology (PORT) in Gothenburg, Sweden, to manage an innovative chemical separation process that recovers valuable salt, metals and minerals from fly ash. Read More…

  • Efficient Power Supplies – An Investment in the Future

    Efficient Power Supplies – An Investment in the Future

    In the search for a suitable power supply, the costs play a major role, alongside the technical requirements. The focus is often on the initial purchase price, while other potential costs that may be incurred during the operation of the power supply are not taken into consideration. In this blog post, we demonstrate why the decision to purchase a high-quality power supply is a profitable investment for your company, by taking a close look at all the costs involved. Read More…