Conformal Powder Coating

The Basics:

1. The powder is a ground, partially cured epoxy.
2. The parts are heated and introduced to the powder in carefully controlled ways.
3. The powder is melted by the of the part heat and adheres to the part.

Definition:

 Conformal refers to the coating conforming very closely to the surface of the part.

Operation:

In all of the coating lines, the part is first heated (preheat is the standard industry terminology) and then brought to the coating area.

The powder is applied in a carefully controlled fashion, and in most cases the part and the coating it has just received are heated again (reheat) and coated again. For most kinds of parts, this process is repeated to build up desired coating thickness.

After the desired coating is achieved, the parts are heated (postheat,) usually until they will no longer stick to each other so that they can be bulk cured in a separate oven system.

W. D. McCoy Co. Inc. Equipment Lines:

1. The BETA line uses a fluidized bed of powder and dips the parts in this bed. For example, a picture of a Beta 900 series machine.
2. The ALPHA and DELTA lines move the parts through a trough of powder.