Wagner France [UV-Powder Coating of MDF Furniture]

UV-Powder coating of MDF-furniture

Powder coating and the benefits associated with this method of finishing have been profitably utilised for decades. The technology involved and the powder used have been developed and refined to the point where, today, more or less any product can be powder-coated. A new technology using UV-powder, IR/UV-ovens, modern powder application and powder recovering systems makes it now possible to powder coat heat sensitive material such as in this case MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard).

Powder coating offers a number of advantages:

The benefits of powder coating in general can be summarised as follows:

Powder doesn't contain any solvents
Powder doesn't produce any paint-sludge
Powder over-spray is recovered and reused in the powder cycle
The exhaust air from the recovery system can be returned into the work area
Powder coating allows a high degree of automation
Powder coated surfaces are very resistant to chemical and mechanical demands

Additional advantages with UV-curable powders:

The UV technology also offers a number of specific advantages compared to the thermo-curing system:

Better surface quality because melting and curing take place in separate steps
The extremely compact oven system needs less space
Lower energy consumption because of very short melting and curing time

The first UV-powder coating plant for MDF-furniture - High speed curing at Stilexo Industrial (UK) Ltd

In July 1999, the first complete series powder-coating line in the world based on the UV concept was delivered, and by the end of August the production line was up and running.

Stilexo manufactures TV tables and other components for the furniture industry. The UV powder method has improved the quality of the products and produces at a lower cost compared to previous methods using PVC and melamine laminate or wet paint. There is also a greater scope for modifying and improving the design of the product than with laminated products.

Specifications

Work pieces	MDF and chipboard for TV-stands and office furniture components
Conveyer speed	2 m/min
Powder	DuPont UV-TEC™, texture
Layer thickness	60 - 80 microns
Melting point	100 °C
Colours	Black, brown, blue and silver metallic
Melting and curing time	3 minutes
Powder application and powder recovery	6 Electrostatic Automatic Powder Guns ICM Powder recovery booth 12000 by J. Wagner GmbH
Melting and curing	UV-SPEEDOVEN technology, by Triab, SE-43150 Mölndal, Sweden

By:
Lars Karlsson
TRIAB / TRI INNOVATIONS AB
e-mail:

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