Method of Powder Coating
Powder coating is a popular finish used for functional and decorative purposes on products ranging from outdoor machinery to household items. Measuring the thickness of applied powder coating is a critical requirement for custom coaters and those performing incoming inspection of finished goods. Fischer instruments utilising the magnetic induction and eddy current methods are the instruments of choice for powder coating thickness measurement.
Application of Powder Coatings and Importance of Coating Thickness Measurement
Powder Coating is applied globally to everything from lawn and garden equipment to furniture, appliance, and automotive components. The thickness of the powder coating applied determines how long the part will last, the partโs appearance and even in some cases the partโs colour. Proper measurement of the thickness therefore is critical.
In todayโs competitive climate it is extremely important for anyone applying a coating to adhere to the thickness specification. Monitoring powder coating thickness with Fischer handheld coating thickness gauges will ensure this and also potentially save tens of thousands of Euro in costs. The following table shows how using a Fischer gauge can provide cost savings based on annual powder purchases.
Comparison of Cost Savings Based on Annual Powder Purchase
| Film Thickness Reduction | Cost Savings based on annual Powder Purchases (โฌ/year) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10,000 โฌ | 50,000 โฌ | 250,000 โฌ | 1,000,000 โฌ | |
| 1.00 ยตm | 133 | 667 | 3,333 | 13,333 |
| 2.00 ยตm | 267 | 1,333 | 6,667 | 26,667 |
| 3.00 ยตm | 400 | 2,000 | 10,000 | 40,000 |
| 4.00 ยตm | 533 | 2,667 | 13,333 | 53,333 |
| 5.00 ยตm | 667 | 3,333 | 16,667 | 66,667 |
| 6.00 ยตm | 800 | 4,000 | 20,000 | 80,000 |
| 7.00 ยตm | 933 | 4,667 | 23,333 | 93,333 |
| 8.00 ยตm | 1,067 | 5,333 | 26,667 | 106,667 |
| 9.00 ยตm | 1,200 | 6,000 | 30,000 | 120,000 |
| 10.00 ยตm | 1,333 | 6,667 | 33,333 | 133,333 |
Cost Savings through the Use of Fischer Measuring Instruments
Note in Table 1 that increments such as 1 ยตm if measured and controlled properly can provide a significant reduction in costs thus making the custom coater more competitive.
However, only instruments with superior repeatability precision allow for the reliable measurement to this level. Likewise, utilising certified foils to adjust and verify gauge accuracy, something that comes included with the scope of supply of Fischer instruments vs. non-precise shims will provide the trueness necessary to monitor and adjust a powder coating line properly.
Your Measuring Instrument for the Post Cure Powder Coating Thickness Measurement
Because powder coating is applied to such diverse parts, selecting the most appropriate instrument and probe is highly important. Fischer offers a wide selection of instruments and probes starting with small, handy and robust DUALSCOPEยฎ MP0 and MP0R pocket instruments up to the flexible FMP family with numerous interchangeable high-precision probes for the most demanding measurement tasks. Your local contact person for Fischer products is happy to assist you in selecting the instrument and probe best suited for your measurement application.
