PAINT & POWDER
Measure post cure powder coating thickness
Powder coating is a popular finish used for functional and decorative purposes on products ranging from outdoor machinery to household items . Measuring the thickness of applied powder coating is a critical requirement for custom coaters and those performing incoming inspection of finished goods . Fischer instruments utilising the magnetic induction and eddy current methods are the instruments of choice for powder coating thickness measurement .
Application of Powder Coatings and Importance of Coating Thickness Measurement
Powder Coating is applied globally to everything from lawn and garden equipment to furniture , appliance , and automotive components . The thickness of the powder coating applied determines how long the part will last , the part ’ s appearance and even in some cases the part ’ s colour . Proper measurement of the thickness therefore is critical .
In today ’ s competitive climate it is extremely important for anyone applying a coating to adhere to the thickness specification . Monitoring powder coating thickness with Fischer handheld coating thickness gauges will ensure this and also potentially save tens of thousands of Euro in costs . The table below shows how using a Fischer gauge can provide cost savings based on annual powder purchases .
Comparison of Cost Savings Based on Annual Powder Purchase
FILM THICKNESS REDUCTION
COST SAVING BASED ON ANNUAL POWDER PURCHASES (€/ YEAR )
10,000 € 50,000 € 250,000 € 1,000,000 € 1.00 µ m 133 667 3,333 13,333 2.00 µ m 267 1,333 6,667 26,667 3.00 µ m 400 2,000 10,000 40,000 4.00 µ m 533 2,667 13,333 53,333 5.00 µ m 667 3,333 16,667 66,667 6.00 µ m 800 4,000 20,000 80,000 7.00 µ m 933 4,667 23,333 93,333 8.00 µ m 1,067 5,333 26,667 106,667 9.00 µ m 1,200 6,000 30,000 120,000 10.00 µ m 1,333 6,667 33,333 133,333
This table reflects the cost savings based on a customer baseline of approx . 75 µ m . Increments of 1 µ m used to demonstrate savings at the smallest measurable level .
Cost Savings through the Use of Fischer Measuring Instruments
Note in the table above opposite increments such as 1 µ m if measured and controlled properly can provide a significant reduction in costs thus making the custom coater more competitive .
However , only instruments with superior repeatability precision allow for the reliable measurement to this level . Likewise , utilising certified foils to adjust and verify gauge accuracy , something that comes included with the scope of supply of Fischer instruments vs . nonprecise shims will provide the trueness necessary to monitor and adjust a powder coating line properly .
The DUALSCOPE ® MP0R is quick and easy to use yet extremely repeatable . Patented conductivity compensation allows for measurements on various non-ferrous alloys without timeconsuming onsite calibration on the actual substrate material .
Your Measuring Instrument for the Post Cure Powder Coating Thickness Measurement
Because powder coating is applied to such diverse parts , selecting the most appropriate instrument and probe is highly important . Fischer offers a wide selection of instruments and probes starting with small , handy and robust DUALSCOPE ® MP0 and MP0R pocket instruments up to the flexible FMP family with numerous interchangeable highprecision probes for the most demanding measurement tasks .
To learn more about coating thickness measurement , material analysis , nanoindentation solutions and material testing please contact your local FISCHER representative :
FISCHER INSTRUMENTATION ( GB ) LTD - 12 Goodwood Road , Keytec 7 Business Park . Pershore , Worcestershire , WR10 2J Tel . 01386 577370 / https :// fischerinstrumentation . co . uk /
40 SEPTEMBER 2021 read online : www . surfaceworld . com