One of the biggest criticisms I hear about the finishing and coating industry is the overall lack of innovation in technology and processes.
The way that electroplaters, anodizers, and powder and liquid coaters have applied their finishes over the last decade to 50 years has been pretty much the same as it has always been, albeit automation has been a big driver in a lot of that new technology.
It was refreshing to read the cover article by authors from Whirlpool, PPG, and IPG Photonics about their research and development of a new process that cures powder coating using lasers.
Regarding manufacturing, everyone is trying to become faster and leaner in their operations. Unfortunately, with the finishing and coating process always at the end of the entire manufacturing process, it often becomes a bottleneck for some in-house operations. Even more, it becomes a time crunch for job shops whose clients want their parts back faster than ever and at the same quality.
When it comes to finishing and coating, nearly every manager and owner knows by heart what their line speed is, and the goal always seems to be to increase throughput while maintaining quality—easier said than done.
Yes, infrared ovens and other newer technologies have improved line speeds throughout the years, but most in incremental amounts. One reason the push has been on in the last few years is to reduce the temperature cure levels so that parts can move faster through a line and back to the customer. Faster lines mean more money for everyone.
We'd like to congratulate the authors from Whirlpool, PPG, and IPG Photonics for sharing their knowledge and ideas with the industry. Innovation is costly and time-consuming and often results in failure. That's one big reason why some manufacturers shy away from spending a lot of money on developing technology that could hopefully lead to innovative breakthroughs. But when it pays off, it can be huge.
The authors of Whirlpool, PPG, and IPG Photonics say this could be a breakthrough in the finishing and coatings industry. Speeds should improve, and quality will be maintained. Parts will be shipped back to the customer faster, or—in the case of in-house coating operations—the finishing process won’t become the bottleneck that it is known to become.
Of course, the use of lasers to cure powder coating could be a novelty. It is hard to tell, but we applaud those who are taking the time—and writing the checks—to expand their horizons and explore new opportunities to make the finishing and coating industry more responsive to the manufacturing process and to its customers.
Innovation is a great thing if it works. And when it works, everyone benefits.
Tim Pennington is Editor-in-Chief of Finishing and Coating, and has covered the industry since 2010. He has traveled extensively throughout North America visiting shops and production facilities, and meeting those who work in the industry. Tim began his career in the newspaper industry, then wound itself between the sports field with the PGA Tour and marketing and communications firms, and finally back into the publishing world in the finishing and coating sector. If you want to reach Tim, just go 
