Innovative multifunctional aluminium coil finishing plants

Transcription

1 Innovative multifunctional aluminium coil finishing plants Richard Reed

2 A brief introduction to Cisart The Cisart group is an engineering company specialized in designing, manufacturing, and installing fully automatic turn-key aluminium anodizing and painting plants worldwide, as well as single equipment and accurate lay-outs. The Cisart Group, certified under UNI EN ISO 9001:2008, operates in the field of aluminium surface finishing since the early 70.

3 A brief introduction to Cisart Some of the aluminium finishing plants supplied by Cisart: All kind of Powder Coating lines for Architectural Sections, including Horizontal, Vertical an Compact ones, with or without Chemical Pre-treatment Waste Water Management lines; Horizontal and Vertical Anodizing and Colouring plants for Architectural Sections; Fully Automatic Anodizing plants for Small Items, including Chemical Polishing; -Continuous Coil Anodizing plants for Architectural Cladding and for Thin Foil Capacitors; Continuous Coil Anodizing for Lithographic Foils and Plates; - The Second International Powder Conference coil coating plants and Exhibition "

4 A brief introduction to Cisart Integrated 200,000 Amperes Vertical Anodizing & Powder Coating line

5 A brief introduction to Cisart 60,000 Amperes Horizontal Anodizing line

6 A brief introduction to Cisart Anodizing line for Small Items, with Chemical Polishing

7 Foreword Worldwide there is a growing demand for finished aluminium coils, together with the urge of running highly flexible plants capable of producing top quality anodized and paint coated material. The appropriate modification of a standard coil anodizing plant ensures that most current finishes are made, regardless of the available alloy. Manufactured finishes meet Qualanod and Qualicoat Standards.

8 Important notice: In order to prevent possible copyright issues, images and pictures included in this presentation are public and have either been taken from the internet or have been specifically approved by the organisation they belong to. On request we can supply missing photos of the continuous coil anodizing and coating plants made by us for which a specific request needs to be made to their owners, with whom we have signed non disclosure agreements and who have the right of refusal in case of possible competition.

9 What is an aluminium coil? -A A long aluminium ribbon wrapped around a stiff cardboard core to allow its handling. -Common Alloys: 1xxx, 3xxx, 5xxx series -Common Width (for Architectural use: mm (conventional width 1500 mm) -Thickness ( * ): mm (conventional thickness mm) -Aspect: various from bright to mill finish to decorated with various patterns (all produced during the rolling steps). -Note (*): Thinner coiled foils are very common but used for packaging aging or special applications and require finishes are than ones typical for architectural use. (Further information available on request)

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11 Common finishes on aluminium coils and strips Electro-graining (for printing plates) Anodizing Coating

12 Electro-graining It is an electrochemical process which produces a calibrated roughness of the aluminium surface, making it suitable for the adhesions of specific polymers in lithographic printing. The graining step uses an AC current in a mild acidic solution, normally followed by very thin conventional anodizing which strengthens and/ or stabilizes the calibrated roughness produced during the previous step. Further details available on demand.

13 Coil Anodizing Innovative multifunctional aluminium coil finishing plant Anodizing aluminium coils is technically similar to the conventional process used for aluminium sections in a batch treatment. However, plant layout and operative conditions are often related to some proprietary aspects. The produced quality is according to Qualanod Provisions for batch treatment. All specified tests will pass, including the abrasion test. Thick anodic coats, such as 20 microns are obtainable on specifically designed plants

14 Block scheme of a continuous anodizing plant

15 Coil coating Coil coating is a very common process. Common final applications range from buildings cladding to composite or sandwich panelsmanufacturing and to special packaging Basically, the treatment involves 3 main steps: degreasing and de-oxidizing chemical conversion (usually chrome free) painting (usually powder coating or wet paint)

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17 What is a Multifunctional Plant?? It is a plant capable of producing: top quality standard coil anodizing (including 20 micron coats) top class pre-treatment to any following painting process by alternatively employing an anodic coat instead of conversion coating. According to Qualicoat Specification a proprietary preliminary step followed by anodizing will produce such a top quality. It is i optional to the customer include the painting step on the same line or on the same plant or even in a different place: the conversion layer produced by anodizing is stable and reliable even weeks later.

18 Why a multifunctional plant? A A coil anodizing plant receives several demands, widely ranging in metal gauge, alloy and thickness of the anodic layer. At times the aluminium coils surface presents defects in both aspect and quality: in such conditions a standard process (i.e. degreasing, etching, de-smutting) is not always enough to guarantee an appealing finish. When 3xxx alloys are treated, more often than not an uneven aspect will show with extended 2cloudiness

19 Why a multifunctional plant? In such a situation, a proprietary electrolytic step, prior to anodizing plays an important role in improving the final aspect, remove heavy oils and prevent cloudiness. When this process is available on the line, it becomes possible to approach painting pre-treatment with an innovative procedure. The sequence prior to painting will thus be; degreasing, proprietary electrolytic process, de-smutting, brief anodizing, rinsing.

20 Why a multifunctional plant? Clearly, an additional electrolytic step to a standard anodizing line brings cheaper operational costs than a full conversion coating line, without any loss of quality which is actually improved With the suggested innovative proprietary treatment even difficult alloys used because of their ductility (e.g. 3xxx) become aesthetically acceptable when anodized.

21 Product mix of a multifunctional plant: Anodizing, to any standard thickness Treatment of difficult alloys (e.g. 3xxx) Treatment of normally non anodizable alloys and of material showing rolling defects or heavy with lubricating oil. Top quality, clean and converted layers ready for any further paint application. Such layers are by far more stable than any other conventional one and, provided the material is conveniently protected, the following paint coat may even be applied after some time.

22 Advantages of a multifunctional plant Reduced investment costs. Top quality conversion coating prior to painting. Difficult materials may also be treated to give good aesthetic quality. Conversion coats which may be painted at a later stage, even in a different location and several weeks later. Cheap conversion coating. No possibly harmful chemicals involved. A process suitable for a zero discharge water recycling system application.

23 Conclusions Innovative multifunctional aluminium coil finishing plant It is now possible to supply a continuous anodizing plant capable of producing both end quality finishes, such as anodic coating, and a special conversion layer suitable for even delayed painting applications. This is obtained by including in a standard anodizing cycle an additional electrolytic step before the actual anodizing one which is also capable of removing heavy oils and of properly activating the metal surfaces. A multifunctional plant will simplify treatment and reduce production costs. Further information can be made available on demand.

24 Innovative multifunctional aluminium coil finishing plant Thank you for your attention