Canadian Finishing & Coatings Manufacturing Magazine Jan/Feb 2023 - 37

INDUSTRIAL FINISHING: SPRAY BOOTH TECHNOLOGY
PREP FOR SUCCESS
How to choose the right paint booth technology for in-house application needs
BY MIKE COOK
Y
our paint booth must be designed to accommodate
the largest object that you manufacture or refinish.
This will ensure there is adequate space and airflow
through your paint booth. The best place to start is
by identifing the largest object that you need to paint, then add a
minimum of two feet to the height, five feet to the width and five
feet to the depth. As you work out these measurements, be sure
to incorporate the dimensions of pallets, racks or carts. If you
are painting multiple parts, allow for three feet of empty space
between each part.
Not only should you consider the working dimensions inside
the paint booth, the space around the exterior of the booth is also
important. Take the following factors into account when deciding
on the layout and location of your booth:
· How will you be transporting products or parts (carts, conveyors,
tracks, etc.) in and out of the booth? Is there a clear path into the
booth?
· Does the layout of your booth (and any additional equipment)
make sense for your desired shop flow?
· If an air make-up unit/air heater will be used, where will it be
mounted?
· Are service ladders necessary?
· Where will exhaust ductwork go? Is there enough room between
the top of the booth and the ceiling of your building for exhaust
ductwork or will it have to exhaust out a wall?
Any complementary products to your paint booth, such as
paint mix rooms and hazardous material storage buildings, will
require additional space. That must be accounted for early in the
process to avoid layout headaches down the road.
When investing in a paint booth, choosing the ideal airflow
style for your business' needs is perhaps the most important
decision. The airflow style you pick for your paint booth plays
a big part when it comes to finish quality and contamination
control, as well as capital costs and operational expenses.
To ensure the product you are finishing gets the best possible
finish, look for paint booths that provide laminar airflow. This
ensures the spraying chamber is fully engineered to keep all the
air moving parallel in the same direction, without turbulence that
results in unpredictable spray patterns.
The following are the four primary airflow styles for paint booths:
Crossdraft
Crossdraft paint booths are the most cost-effective and popular
for industrial applications. They are generally less expensive
up front because they typically operate at a lower cubic feet per
minute (CFM) airflow rate, and therefore require smaller fans,
smaller air make-up units (AMUs) and fewer filters. This also
results in lower operating costs.
In addition to the less expensive price tag, industrial
manufacturers like crossdraft booths because they are easily
pressurised for climate control. They also provide a versatile
solution for a variety of coating applications-from wood
products to aircraft.
January/February 2023
37
Canadian Finishing & Coatings Manufacturing Magazine Jan/Feb 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Canadian Finishing & Coatings Manufacturing Magazine Jan/Feb 2023
