Powder coating is the finish of choice at Lee Manufacturing. The powder used in our process is a mixture of finely ground particles of pigment and resin which is electrostatically sprayed onto the surface to be coated. The charged powder particles adhere to the grounded surface until the powder is heated and fused into a smooth coating in the curing oven. The result is a uniform, durable high quality finish that is more resistant to chipping, scratching and fading than other finishes. Powder coating is also highly protective of our environment. While liquid finishes contain solvents that contain VOC’s, powder coating contains no such solvents, and therefore releases no VOC’s into the atmosphere. We offer 7 different reclaim modules that are adaptable to either line, so that if can use one of our standard colors; your cost is reduced due to nearly 100% utilization of the powder paint.
Lee Manufacturing has two separate powder paint lines, both of which utilizes a multiple step, fully automated process which begin with six stage washing machines, a dry-off ovens, Nordson automatic spray booths, followed with the curing ovens.
The process both starts and ends in one of our 3 packing areas, where the unfinished enclosure is hung on a 750 foot conveyorized monorail system on the way to one of our JR Green six stage stainless steel spray washers.
The six stage wash process prepares the enclosure for painting and provides corrosion protection. In the first stage, the enclosure is given an iron phosphate treatment that removes the oils from the metal. The enclosure is then rinsed with fresh water in the second stage, and then cleaned again with more iron phosphates in the third stage. The forth and fifth stages are clean water rinses, while the sixth stage rinse de-ionizes the steel in order to prepare the enclosure for coating.
The enclosures then pass through a drying oven. After drying is complete, the enclosures then pass into an environmentally controlled room in order to be electrostatically powder coated with six Nordson automatic paint guns.
After painting, the enclosure moves into a 350 degree cure oven for 20 minutes. The enclosure then passes through a cool-down loop, as it is conveyed to the inspection and packing area.
Once in the packing area, Lee Manufacturing can package further add value to your enclosure by pad printing or silk-screening a logo to the cover of your enclosure. We can then package to your specifications; from simple bulk packaging, to more elaborate individual packaging with added UL or FM labels where appropriate.