According to their website masicindustries. com, the business now offers coating specialties, including thin-film ceramic coatings, Physical Vapor Deposition( PVD), Diamond- Like Carbon Coating( DLC), and powder coating.“ PVD( Physical Vapor Deposition) is a process in which a material transitions from a condensed phase to a vapor phase and then back to a thin-film condensed phase. DLC is an example of a thin-film coating deposited using a PE-CVD( Plasma- Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition) process.”
Senior Account Manager Todd Cook was initially hired to help implement an ERP system and now works with customers. He is their primary contact for a telecommunications company that provides coatings for satellites. They have also worked in the cutlery industry for Benchmade Cutlery, coating 100,000-150,000 pieces per month.
THE PARTS WILL BE IN
Cook stated that adding the robotic
SPACE FOR FIVE YEARS paint cell was a big reason they picked up the telecommunications work:“ They were having trouble with another supplier regarding a paint thickness issue.” He said the parts, which will be in space for five years, are measured in nine cylindrical locations. There are two coatings: a primer and a top coat, and the product requires a specific non-light-reflective black color. One side
of the satellite / product is white; the other is black. One side is for sun absorption; the other side is for the moon, as a flat black surface deflects the stars.
With the high-tech nature of many of their parts, employees are highly skilled. Cook said that when he started at the company, he introduced 3D printing to create 3D-printed masking stickers that would cover fixtures before painting. Casey Mason, a production manager and 23-year employee, supervises employees in masking, painting, and assembly. Mason also plays a role in programming the robots, training employees, and quality and inspection. He commented on their proficient employees, saying,“ Some of the masking is difficult, and I’ ve noticed the awesome ladies we have working for us are impressive. They are detail-oriented, and it is an impressive skill to have.” Because they work efficiently and prepare the products, they don’ t need to use razor blades or scrape off any paint once the products are complete.
Additionally, the company offers detailed quality assurance, inspection, and testing. Mason added,
“ We do testing on all coatings and all orders, cross-hatch testing, and adhesion testing, and it should hold up to the standards of the paint manufacturer.” He said that aerospace painting requires even more scrutiny.
AUGUST | SEPTEMBER ISSUE NO. 52 11