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Increase paint transfer efficiency

Written by Christopher Richmann on January 9, 2023. Posted in Aerospace & defense, Coating & Finish Systems, Coating & Finish Systems, Coating & finishing systems, Coating application equipment, Featured, Uncategorized. Leave a Comment

Paint transfer efficiency is critical to your industrial painting, whether you’re painting ambulances, marine vessels, pallets, or something else. Increasing the transfer efficiency saves money and meets state and federal regulations. Plus, it could even make your workforce more productive.

What is paint transfer efficiency?

Commonly referred to as “TE,” transfer efficiency is a calculation of how much paint spray covers a component, and how much is wasted. The higher the percentage, the better. But achieving high TE rates is extremely difficult, especially if your team is using mismatched, older, or insufficient equipment.

Understanding the standards

There are two standard models used for measuring transfer efficiency when painting equipment and parts:

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). This test simulates a conveyor system and generally results in percentages below 50%.
European Standard EN 13699-1 (EN). The EN test is performed by simply spraying a pattern in the middle of a large part.

The ASTM test almost always results in lower percentages than the EN technique does. For example, a test using the ASTM method may result in a transfer efficiency of 25 to 35%, while the same equipment under the EN test may show 70 to 80%.

Regardless, you must increase transfer efficiency at all times.

Why transfer efficiency?

High transfer efficiency is important for a few reasons. First, it’s essential to your bottom line. Suppose you have a transfer efficiency of 15%. This means for every $1,000 in paint, you are essentially using $150 while wasting $850 of paint. If you spend $10,000 coating a line of components, you would waste $8,500! Increasing the TE to an ASTM rate closer to 50% will create significant cost savings.

Second, better transfer efficiency reduces VOC emissions and waste. So it’s better for the environment. But … it’s not just important for air quality or to keep paint run-off from reaching water sources. Keeping your transfer efficiency high will help you stay within regulatory requirements. Learn more about federal standards. As you might imagine, some states (we’re looking at you, California) have stringent laws to protect people, land, and wildlife, including offering paint recycling programs with incentives.

Lastly, having a process and understanding how you’re using the equipment, including taking metrics for paint, increases productivity. That means you could paint more products in less time!

How to optimize transfer efficiency

There are many ways to enhance your transfer efficiency numbers, but the most important one is having the right equipment. Optimized equipment for painting, coating, and finishing will help increase transfer efficiency, especially if you have a paint booth or system recommended by knowledgeable industry experts.

Your coat and finish team should also be properly trained. Training team members on proper spray distance, angle (perpendicular coating), and trigger timing will all help your overall transfer efficiency, while also improving product consistency and increasing profit. This can be achieved only through consistent and ongoing training and assessment.

Luckily, Elevated provides that training and documentation, ensuring your entire workforce understands what to do and how to do it. We even offer parts service, replacing parts when you need them.

**Get help from experts and the right equipment**

Elevated Industrial Solutions is your source for top-quality coating and finishing equipment. Using the right tools and accessories is critical for maximizing transfer efficiency. Not only do we have spray systems, parts, and paint booths available from trustworthy partners, but our team has been implementing coating and finishing solutions across the U.S. We train and provide documentation so your team feels confident and productive.

Let us visit your site and give recommendations.

Time for rapid countertops

Written by Christopher Richmann on December 5, 2022. Posted in Adhesives, Countertop, Industrial, Industrial supplies, Uncategorized. Leave a Comment

Using the best products and materials for your manufacturing operation is imperative. Your tools, equipment, and materials need to meet your high standards, which is why we keep a full inventory of products from Integra Adhesives, a leader in glues and materials for various surfaces, including countertops.

Integra Adhesives’ (Integra) Surface Bonder Rapid is one of the top options for anyone who manufactures products that will be exposed to cold temperatures. With winter around the corner, you can create high-quality, reliable products with Surface Bonder Rapid from Integra! (And you can do it fast!)

About the Surface Bonder Rapid

Surface Bonder Rapid is a specialty adhesive designed for faster production output. It dries faster —without sacrificing strength — reducing wait time and significantly increasing productivity. That’s great if you’re a high-volume manufacturer who needs things done quickly. Because this adhesive is specifically designed to cure in half the time of other products, your fabrication efforts can continue with peak efficiency.

Rapid can be used in many situations, but it’s ideal for mitered edges, deck seams, and vertical applications. It’s no drip. With a high strength, it gives better performance to thinner sheets and can be counted on to create long-lasting surfaces.

Various materials can be fabricated with Surface Bonder Rapid, including:

Natural stone
Quartz
Compact ceramics
Porcelain

Surface Bonder Rapid has a working time of 4 to 8 minutes and a fixture time of 10 to 16 minutes, so your team can apply the adhesive and start working on the material faster than ever.

To meet your specific needs, Surface Bonder Rapid is available in a variety of colors, including shades of gray, brown, white, and black to match every application. Integra has a lab that combines advanced technology and practical knowledge to create color matching that is unsurpassed in the industry. But you don’t need to call their lab to get color information. You can use their app or contact us!

Comparing Rapid to other surface bonder products

We know selecting a specific surface bonder can be tricky. It’s why we developed a comparison chart, so you can select the best Integra Adhesives product for the job. Use this chart from the technical specs and know which product is best for which substrate (stone, engineered stone, porcelain, marble, etc.) and job.

Compare Integra Adhesives Glues

Your source for Integra Adhesives

Integra has a full line of top-quality adhesives, but they do not sell directly to customers. To get their products (which are in high demand), you need to work with a preferred vendor. That’s Elevated.

We’re proud to be one of the leading vendors for Integra Adhesives, with more than 4,000 tubes of Integra products available in warehouses across the nation. We can offer two-day shipping to most locations and have over 100 colors in stock. Plus, we can break a case for those smaller jobs. Our service is unparalleled with people committed to seeing your business succeed. And we carry all lines of surface bonders as well as a range of other countertop products such as caulks and polishers.

To improve your manufacturing and fabrication process, contact us. We have a staff of industry experts, ensuring you get the right materials to increase productivity while reducing costs.

Variations in coat drying time

Written by Christopher Richmann on November 28, 2022. Posted in Coating & finishing systems, Construction, Manufacturing, Metalworking, Uncategorized, Woodworking. Leave a Comment

Predictable dry times are essential for consistent paint application. Overall manufacturing and variations in that process can cause chaos to your finished product. To reduce unpredictability, you should first understand the factors that impact dry times and make the necessary changes to control these factors.

Understand the difference between “dry time” and “cure time”

Before we dive into the factors that impact the paint drying process, you should understand the basic differences between “dry time” and “cure time.”

Dry time is the time between painting and the next step. Essentially, it’s the time it takes for paint and other chemicals to dry enough to move to the next phase, which may be buffing, another coat, adding a protective layer, or moving to assembly.

As you probably know, just because something looks dry does not automatically mean it is dry. It may appear dry but could be soft or jelly-like when touched, meaning the paint underneath the surface is still wet.

Cure time is the amount of time that must pass before the part or product is ready to use. The curing process is important because it allows all layers to lock together. Keep in mind you may be able to move to other phases before cure time is complete.

Why are there variations in coating dry time?

So, why is there a variation in dry times, and what can you do to speed the process to create better consistency and predictability? First, let’s focus on the main factors that impact dry time:

Application thickness

The total thickness of the paint application will significantly influence dry time—thicker coats will dry slower, assuming all other factors are the same.

Humidity

The amount of moisture in the air will also impact dry times. If the air is thick with moisture, the water inside the paint can’t be released and won’t evaporate into the atmosphere as easily. If the air is dry, by the same token, the paint typically dries faster.

Air temperature

High and low temperatures will affect the drying process. In most cases, the warmer the air, the faster it will dry; however, high temperatures, especially if caused by direct sunlight, can cause blistering in the paint.

Low temperatures can cause the paint to thicken, resulting in a longer dry time. Extreme cold can virtually stop the drying process, and you certainly don’t want frozen paint!

How can you make dry times more consistent?

Regardless of your specific process, it’s best to have consistent, uniform dry times whenever possible.

To reduce variations, display a combination thermometer and humidity gauge in your paint booth. Then, keep the temperatures at whatever level is best for your specific application. (This can change, but between 70 and 75 degrees is ideal for most paints.) To keep consistent humidity, you may want to use a dehumidifier (or humidifier, if you are working in extremely dry areas) to maintain a steady level of air moisture throughout the day.

You can use dryers to speed up the process. It’s best to talk with professionals who can help you determine the best process and dryers to ensure a consistent coating. For example, Elevated Industrial Solutions employees can work with you on solutions.

With consistent dry times, you’ll be able to plan operations, streamline manufacturing, and reduce wasted time, resulting in increased production, efficiency, and profits for your business.

Elevated can help with dry times

Need help finding the perfect coating and finishing equipment and parts for your industrial operations? We’re here to help. We work with suppliers to provide premier brands from Wagner to RTT Engineering (previously known as Col-met). From filters to spray booths, we have everything you need.

Contact Elevated!

Compare Integra Adhesives glues

Written by Tami Matthews on October 25, 2022. Posted in Countertop, Industrial supplies, Uncategorized. Leave a Comment

Not all countertop glues are created equal, so don’t just grab the first surface adhesive you see. Matching the correct Integra Adhesives to your construction project will save you time, money, and frustration.

All Integra Adhesives (Integra) products are suitable for kitchen remodels, installations, and other countertop fabrication.

Use these glues indoors on solid surfaces, quartz, natural stone, and ceramic countertops, to seal countertop seams and mitered edges. Some glues are best for outdoor applications. Some are better in colder weather. And some are better on some surfaces.

No matter the adhesive though, they all have low VOCs and are environmentally safe with GREENGUARD certification.

Each Integra product offers unique properties that take you beyond simple countertop installation. Here are some of the highlights:

Surface Bonder XI

Surface Bonder XI comes in more than 200 premixed colors and has a variety of custom colors to get that perfect match. Use it indoors on mitered edges, decks, and even vertical surfaces. Use this component bonder on solid surfaces, quartz, natural stone, and ceramics. You can also use Surface Bonder XI on damp stone without having to wait for the slab to completely dry out before applying adhesive.

Surface Bonder Ultra — versatile

Indoors, outdoors — Surface Bonder Ultra has you covered as it’s versatile. UV and weather stable, use Surface Bonder Ultra instead of silicone on quartz, natural stone, ceramics, marble, porcelain, and even polished, honed, and textured surfaces. Its qualities on marble and porcelain are the most impressive — refusing to yellow.

Surface Bonder Rapid — for fast

Surface Bonder Rapid has the consistency of Zero combined with a quick curing time. It’s essential for sealing those 24” deck seams. It’s also a product some fabricators prefer during cold months due to drying and fix times. One of the newest of the Integra line, it’s already become a great option.

Surface Bonder Zero — no drips

This knife-grade adhesive is perfect for drop miters and waterfall counters. The Surface Bonder Zero glue doesn’t bleed into porous natural stones such as marble and quartzite. And it’s a no-drip formula, making it easier to handle on natural and engineered stone.

See the Integra Comparison Chart

For more information, or to see at-a-glance information about which Integra glue you should use, access this comparison chart.

Download Comparison Chart (PDF)

Elevated Industrial Solutions is tops in countertops

Elevated, formerly Lane Supply Company, is a preferred vendor for Integra Adhesives. Why? We have expertise in countertops, backed by 60+ years in the industry. We have thousands of tubes in our nationwide warehouses and more than 100 colors in stock. Because we have locations across the U.S., shipping to most locations is just two days. And some shipping is even free. (Call for details about that free shipping.) We’ll even break a case!

Ohio air compressor distributor and more

Written by Tami Matthews on February 26, 2021. Posted in Automotive, Compressed Air, Distribution, Uncategorized, Woodworking. Leave a Comment

In the Buckeye state, we’re in the southwest and the northwest selling compressed air solutions, coating and finishing systems, and industrial supplies. We service any major brand of air compressor, too – providing audits, analysis, maintenance, and more to ensure your facility compressor stays up and running. It’s our goal to make your plant more efficient and effective, saving energy and money.

It’s why our Ohio businesses have been in business for more than 30 years.

In Monroe, Ohio

In Monroe, Ohio we’re Elevated Industrial Solutions, formerly Compressed Air Technologies. There we have more than 20 employees who sell and service every major brand of compressor Kaeser, Sullair, Ingersoll Rand, Gardner Denver, Atlas Copco, and more. (Of course, we’re an authorized Kaeser distributor.)

Just recently, our team started selling industrial supplies and coating and finishing to people in this area. Soon, we’re looking forward to selling precision tools, such as Stanley Tools. So don’t be surprised if our team asks what more we can help you with to keep your facility up and running.

In the southwest corner of the state, we take care of customers in a variety of industries, including woodworking, food processing, countertop fabrication, distribution, manufacturing, chemical processing, healthcare, and government. And we’re not limited to Cincinnati or Dayton, we sell and service in northern Kentucky and eastern Indiana. If we can’t take care of your facility, due to Kaeser agreements, we’ll recommend someone in your area who can.

From sales to service, count on our team to keep your facility up and running with the right audits and analysis, preventive maintenance, and emergency repair service.

In Sylvania, Ohio

Near Toledo, in Sylvania, our team of nearly 30 provides compressed air products and services to all brands and models of air compressors including Kaeser, Sullair, Ingersoll Rand, Gardner Denver, Atlas Copco, FS-Curtis, Sulzer, Bostitch, Campbell Hausfeld, Dewalt, and more. We’re an authorized distributor here too for Kaeser, providing throughout northern Ohio, including Toledo, Columbus, Akron, and more. And we’re known for taking care of business. Installation, energy audits, rental air compressors, dryers, preventative maintenance, parts, oil, and so much more – we deliver every day.

Elevated here has customers in these major industries: food and beverage, industrial, pharmaceutical, mining, construction, auto manufacturing, building, electric vehicle production, and much more. Because of our proximity to the motor city, the manufacturing capital of the world, we keep busy!

This team just started selling industrial supplies and coating and finishing systems as well, providing more options to our well-served customers.

Count on Elevated

Throughout the state of Ohio, we have a team of people ready to help. But we’re not just limited to Ohio – we’re authorized to sell Kaeser and service all major air compressor brands in South Carolina and Michigan, too.

Nationwide, we sell coating and finishing gear for all your painting needs, including industrial spray booths, spray guns, and filters. And we’re here to provide you with industrial supplies – abrasives, adhesives, tapes, sealants, saw blades, tools, safety, and more.

In other words, Elevated is your one-stop shop in virtually every part of the country. Yes, but especially Ohio.