Sandblasting and powder coating are two reliable and long-time industrial processes for preparing and protecting surfaces. Even though they’ve existed for a while, there’s still room for new techniques in both! Here are a few emerging innovations in sandblasting and powder coating, making them more efficient, effective, and environmentally friendly.
Innovations in Sandblasting
Sandblasting has been a staple in industrial and commercial applications for decades, primarily used for cleaning, smoothing, or adding textures to surfaces. However, traditional sandblasting methods have their challenges, such as dust generation, potential health risks, and environmental concerns. Here are a few examples of addressing these problems.
Alternative Media
Just because it’s called sandblasting doesn’t mean you always need to use sand! Recent innovations include the creation and use of alternative blasting media. Environmentally friendly materials—crushed glass, garnet, and walnut shells—reduce the health risks associated with inhaling silica dust while minimizing sandblasting’s environmental impact.
Dampening the Danger
Wet abrasive blasting is another advancement. Combining water and abrasive media reduces dust and renders the process safer for operators. Wet abrasive blasting improves health and safety conditions while enhancing the quality of the finish, preventing warping and other surface damage.
Robot Friends
Automation and robotics are modernizing sandblasting, creating consistent results, reducing labor costs, and increasing efficiency. Programmable systems handle complex parts and surfaces while providing a higher level of precision.
Advancements in Powder Coating
Powder coating is a finishing process involving the application of a dry powder to a surface. Then, it undergoes curing to form a protective and decorative layer. Widely used in automotive, furniture, and architectural industries due to its durability and aesthetic appeal, powder coating is entering more industries while keeping environmental and efficiency concerns in mind.
Keeping Cool(er)
Low-temperature curing is one of the newer advancements. Traditional powder coatings require high temperatures to cure, an energy-intensive process that limits the number of materials that may be coated in order to avoid warping, melting, burning, and other damage. Low-temperature curing powders reduce energy consumption and expand the range of materials we can coat. Smart powder coatings are other applications, with the ability to change color based on environmental conditions like temperature or sunlight exposure.
Colorful Innovations
Going beyond aesthetics, color-changing coatings could, for instance, indicate overheating in coated machinery or equipment. Other advancements include electrostatic spray guns and improved powder recovery systems. They make the powder coating process more efficient and cost-effective, ensuring even coverage, reduced waste, and the sustainable practice of recycling overspray.
Those are just a few emerging innovations in sandblasting and powder coating. Interested in learning more about aluminum sandblasting, new powder coating techniques, and the like? Contact us for a consultation! Whether you want to enhance your current processes or explore new finishing techniques, we’ll help you stay ahead of the curve.