Electrostatic spraying of waterborne products safer with Sames Kremlin's ISOCUBE

Because it is a method that greatly reduces material waste, electrostatic spraying is an option for those who varnish or paint wood products. However, the association between water-based products and electricity scares many people away from this option in favor of other, less efficient alternatives. Sames Kremlin offers an insulated spray booth that eliminates the risk of accidental electrical discharge. With ISOCUBE it basically sets a new safety standard for electrostatic spraying.

Electrostatic spraying, one of the most cost-effective application methods

I don't think I'm telling you anything new when I say that hand spray losses can be as high as 60, even 80%. I've been in factories that finished products with atypical geometry and where more than double the lacquer was consumed compared to the finished surface area. The losses were very high which automatically led to a high product cost.

Even with hand spraying there are systems that considerably reduce losses, material transfer on the surface to be coated reaching over 90%. One is electrostatic. The system is based on the different electric charge between the varnish/paint particles and the object to be finished, the particles become attracted to the surface to be finished. The attraction is best seen when a paint is applied. Although spraying is done while holding the spray gun in front of the object, the paint will also settle on the back of the object, the amount of particles left in the air becoming negligible.

Reluctance to use electrostatic spraying for water-based products

For all this very good performance, the existence of electricity makes many people reluctant to use the system, especially with water-based products. Working directly with a gun that electrically charges varnish particles is not comfortable for many operators.

Automated electrostatic field application systems used in factories have safety systems that cut off the power supply in nanoseconds if a problem occurs. The workplace is very well organized so that the electric current does not reach the containers or risk areas. The concern for the safety of the production process is very high and time has shown that the investment in safety pays off. Sames Kremlin, which supplies more than 30% of electrostatic spraying systems to furniture manufacturers, says they haven't had any incidents over the years which has increased customer confidence in their products.

We need the same safety in manual application and systems that inspire operator confidence. This is what Sames Kremlin achieves with ISOCUBE, the booth that takes operator safety to the next level.

Who it is for, what it is and how it protects ISOCUBE

The system is suitable for workshops, small and medium-sized factories or wherever manual electrostatic spraying of waterborne or non-flammable products is used. It is very useful where more than one color is used because the changeover is quick and safe.

ISOCUBE is an insulating booth for paint containers. Due to the conductivity of water, the current electrically charges the entire quantity in the container (bucket) and therefore it must be separated from the operator as much as possible. The booth is made of polypropylene and is designed in such a way as to prevent paint spillage, to be easy to assemble and access, and to be easy to clean. It is earthed to allow for residual drains.

With ISOCUBE insulation from the sprayer is perfect and safe. The power supply to the system is interrupted when the trigger finger is removed from the gun trigger or when the cabin door is opened. At the same time there is automatic discharge of residual energy to earth.

The electrostatic spray guns accompanying the cabin can be Nanogan Airspray or Nanogan Airmix.

ISOCUBE performance

ISOCUBE is simple to use and maneuver. The advantages of using the cabin are:

• protects the sprayer very well, eliminating the risk of the sprayer coming into direct contact with electrically charged material;
• reduce maintenance costs for the whole system;
• enables quick color changes safely and without interrupting production;
• easy to operate with the control panel on the front of the cab;
• easy to install and maintain.

Safety first

I mean, safety first. I got used to the expression years ago when I worked in a multinational. No matter what event was taking place, even if we were just getting together to look at some graphs on a wall, the first time it was this "safety first". In the beginning I treated it superficially being convinced that it was done to absolve someone of possible guilt. With time I realized that whether or not it was someone's job, my life was important and I had to do whatever was necessary to protect it. Like when you cross at a pedestrian crossing on the green light, but make sure you make sure before. Yes, it's my right, but my life is far more important.

That is why I think such an initiative is important. I am convinced that electrostatic spray guns had some safety systems in place before. And I know that they could also be used with water-based products. But any system that increases the safety of those involved is very welcome. It can save a life and that is really important.