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A Guide to Automated Spray Coating Machines

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Many products benefit from a protective finish. There are two ways to apply this coating  — either manually or automatically. Manual application can lead to inconsistent or thick coatings. Instead, many businesses are streamlining their processes by using automated spray coating machines. Automatic spray coating machines are faster and more accurate, saving you time and money. 

What Is Spray Coating?

The manual or automatic process of applying a coating — either a protective finish or paint — to finished products is spray coating. Spray coatings can be a powder, liquid or solidifying agent. It’s a common surface finishing technique because many products made of materials like wood, metal and plastic across a vast number of industries benefit from spray coatings. 

What Is An Automated Spray Coating Machine?

Automated spray coating systems utilize robotic technology to spray a mist of coating onto your products, workpieces or substrates. Their position is fixed in the production line, so they are common at factories and other production sites. Many companies prefer automated spray systems because they only use the necessary amount of coating and apply it evenly.

Why Use Automated Spray Coating Machines?

Front-facing view of a Dubois spray coating machine

An efficient way to increase output while maintaining quality is by incorporating new technology into your processes. The benefits of automated spray coating systems include:

  • Improved productivity: Automated spray coating machines can perform the same tasks as manual ones quicker. They require less human intervention and monitoring, can spray various liquids and are programmable for different coating types.
  • Reduced waste: Automatic spray coating reduces waste in a variety of ways. Because they make fewer errors, they use less finishing products to produce a uniform layer.
  • Higher-quality coating: These machines adjust the spray and nozzle height and fluid volume as they coat, ensuring a higher-quality coating that’s clean and consistent.
  • Simple operation: Automated spray systems are easy to use and usually only require minimal training.

Types of Automated Spray Coating Systems

There are many types of automated spray coating systems perfect for different applications. The main automated spray machines are:

  • Fan coaters: These compact sprayers coat moulding, siding and trim.
  • Reciprocating spray machines: Reciprocating spray machines apply finishes to drawer fronts, raised panel doors and flat panels.
  • Rotary spray machines: Rotary spray machines can coat interior and exterior doors, 3D and contoured substrates, cabinet doors and flat panels.
  • Linear spray machines: Linear spray machines coat moulding, door jambs, wood flooring, siding and cabinet components.

Fan Coaters

These coaters are powerful compact units excellent for UV and water-based moulding, trim and siding coatings. Fan spray coating uses a fan-shaped nozzle to apply a mist of coating to your product’s surface. The Dubois fan coater has many features, including:

  • Three easily adjustable fan tips
  • A top curtain coating head 
  • Dual filters, so you can clean one while the other is in use
  • Easy installation and removal of splash guards
  • Ability to handle substrates up to 12 inches wide at 100-800 FPM

Reciprocating Spray Machines

Reciprocating spray coating machines use oscillating spray guns, hence the name, to coat a variety of products. The machines apply the product in overlapping waves for a high-quality finish. Dubois has two types of reciprocator spray machines — LD and MD. Both are great for applying finishes to flat panels, drawer fronts and raised panel doors. The primary difference between the LD and MD reciprocating spray machines is that the LD has one oscillating arm, while the MD has spray guns on two independent circuits. 

LD-Reciprocator Spray Machines

The Dubois LD-Reciprocator is suitable for small-and medium-sized enterprises. It offers many features, including:

  • Four spray guns
  • Color change capabilities
  • An exhaust extraction fan
  • Dual-stage dry filtration
  • Pneumatic Logic Control (PLC) for easy, precise adjustments
  • Quick change gun mount
  • Spray widths up to 52 inches
  • Line speed up to 10 FPM
  • Overhead intake air blower
  • Self-winding paper conveyor belt for less cleaning

MD-Reciprocator Spray Machines

The Dubois MD-Reciprocator provides a clean finish with its precise spray patterns. Its other benefits include:

  • Switching between spray guns for different finishes
  • Ability to clean and prepare the other spray gun while one is operating
  • Color change capabilities
  • PLC control
  • Automatic part detection
  • Filtered air makeup
  • Efficient cleaning
  • Rapid finishing material changes
  • Exhaust extraction fan
  • Dual stage filtration

For optional features, you can select a paper belt or belt cleaning system and choose equipment that’s compatible with medium pressure or HVLP guns. 

Rotary Spray Machines

The spray guns on rotary spray coating machines move in patterns to create a consistent coating. These machines have a head that rotates as pieces move underneath it, which creates a fine, even mist perfect for interior and exterior doors, cabinet doors, flat panels and 3D or contoured substrates. As the parts pass under a scanner, the machine automatically defines their shape and size, then varies the line speed and rotation rate to enhance the coating’s quality. The features of rotary spray machines include the following:

  • Four to eight rotating arms
  • Programmable spray guns
  • Line speeds greater than 30 FPM
  • Color change capabilities
  • Coating recovery system
  • Exhaust filter system

This machine’s optional features include medium pressure or HVLP gun compatibility and a paper belt or belt cleaning system.

Linear Spray Machines 

Linear spray coating machines prime, seal and finish linear stock. As the substrates go through the machine via a conveyor belt, an overhead spray gun coats them. These machines reduce downtime and increase productivity. They’re excellent for coating moulding, door jambs, wood flooring, siding and cabinet components. Dubois has the SP-12 and SR-12 Linear Spray Machines.

SP-12 Linear Spray Machines

The SP-12 has many benefits, such as being easy to clean, and its features include: 

  • Water-and solvent-based coatings compatibility
  • Three adjustable gun arms
  • Infeed guide fences
  • Ability to individually enable and disable the guns
  • Adjustable fluid pressure
  • Automatic on-and-off for guns
  • 9 foot long conveyor 
  • Adjustable air pressure
  • Top roller hold-down

SR-12 Linear Spray Machine

 The SR-12 industrial spray machine features: 

  • 24/7 operation
  • One or two pump circuits
  • Six gun arms
  • Hold down roll
  • Infeed guide fences
  • Gun atomization regulator
  • Pump pressure regulator
  • 200 feet per minute maximum line speed
  • Manual gun triggers
  • Filter system
  • Compatibility with conveyors, material handling and curing equipment
  • High-efficiency overspray arrestors

Explore Premium Surface Coating Machines at Dubois Equipment

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The automated spray coating machines at Dubois Equipment can give you the edge you need. They will help you achieve a sleek, even coating and increase your efficiency and output, setting you apart from your competitors. We have been the primary producer of flat-line finishing systems for more than 25 years. Our advanced equipment helps businesses meet their product demand by increasing efficiency and productivity. 

Browse our spray coating machines today to boost your profits. Request a quote once you know what you need.