How To... - Painting Equipment - Finishing Techniques

Airmix® spraying with Sames guns - Efficiency and quality in paint application

Created by Sames company for the wood industry in 1975, Airmix® (or "Air Assisted Airless") technology combines the qualities of conventional spraying with those of Airless spraying. The concept has been so successful that it has become the industry standard in areas where high finish quality is a mandatory criterion.

Sames spray guns are made in France and are the most appreciated on the market for industrial paint application due to their outstanding performance, combining efficiency and quality of finish.

What is Airmix® spraying

Airmix® is a unique medium-pressure spraying technology that combines the advantages of spraying Airspray (high quality but limited flow, preferably up to 400 cm³/min) with those of spraying Airless (high flow but lower quality). As a result, Airmix® offers uniformity and the highest finishing quality with high productivity at flow rates of 250-2000 cm³/min.

To achieve this, Airmix® combines spraying at medium pressure (generally between 30 and 120 bar) and the indirect addition of atomizing air (at very low pressure). This combination results in a remarkable control of the spray radius, thus ensuring a controlled application and an efficient transfer of the material on the surface.

Unlike conventional spraying, where air compresses the paint particles, or Airless spraying, where the paint is pushed at high pressure through a nozzle, Airmix® technology uses a combination of the two. The paint is atomized under pressure, and a controlled airflow helps refine the particles and direct them precisely to the work surface.

Advantages of Airmix® spraying

1. Excellent application control

Thanks to the combination of pressure and air, Airmix® spraying allows precise control over paint flow and spray pattern. This results in a uniform application and a high quality finish, without drips, clumps or spills.

2. Reducing material losses

Sames Airmix® guns increase the transfer rate, reducing paint loss through overspray. This means lower material consumption and high efficiency, especially in industrial painting processes. The material transfer efficiency of Airmix® spray guns is up to 86%. This reduces both VOC emissions (volatile organic compounds) as well as the costs of maintaining the spray booth.

3. Improved application speed

Compared to conventional spraying, Airmix® technology allows faster material application due to higher flow rate and atomization efficiency.

4. Top quality finish

Thanks to their fine atomization, Sames Airmix® spray guns produce a smooth, even and blemish-free finish, ideal for industries where final appearance is essential, such as automotive, furniture or industrial equipment.

5. Flexibility and versatility

Airmix® systems are suitable for a wide range of materials including varnishes, enamels, primers, both solvent and water based. Sames guns are available in manual or automatic versions and are compatible with a wide variety of materials and application conditions, making them a versatile choice for many industries.

Sames spray guns

Sames is recognized for its innovations in spraying and paint application equipment. Airmix® spray guns from Sames are designed for efficient application, durability and ease of use. Popular models include:

  • Sames Xcite+™ Airmix® Xcite+™ Airmix® gun. This model is renowned for its ergonomics, light weight and excellent maneuverability. It is designed to reduce operator fatigue during long application sessions without compromising performance or accuracy.
  • Sames XCITE™ Light Airmix®.A lighter version of the Xcite+ range, designed for applications requiring increased mobility and fine spray control.

How Sames Airmix® guns work

Sames Airmix® spray guns use a pump that pushes paint at medium pressure through a specially designed nozzle, where the material is atomized under the influence of pressure. The added air helps refine and control the paint flow, resulting in a uniform spray. The nozzles and air heads in these spray guns are optimized to produce fine particles and minimize overspray, thus maximizing coverage and reducing material loss.

Fields of application

Airmix® spraying with Sames guns is widely used in various industrial sectors, including:

  • Automotive industry - for topcoating where a flawless finish is required.
  • Wood industry - for coating wooden surfaces, giving a smooth and even finish.
  • Metalworking industry - for painting industrial equipment and metal components that require high wear and corrosion resistance.

Conclusion

Airmix® spraying with Sames guns is an innovative solution for the application of paints and varnishes in industrial environments. With excellent application control, high efficiency and a high quality finish, this technology offers significant advantages for users who need precision and productivity. Sames guns are prized for their reliability and ease of use, ensuring optimum performance in a wide variety of industrial applications.

For more information visit www.sames.com or contact Falk Consulting (0744 315 659 - Gabriel Mănoiu), the Romanian representative of the French company.

About the author

Mihaela Radu

Mihaela Radu is a chemical engineer but has a great passion for wood. She has been working in the field for more than 20 years, wood finishing being what defined her during this period. She gained experience working in a research institute, in her own company, as well as in a multinational. She wants to continuously share her experience with those who have the same passion - and more.

Add comment

Add a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Categories

Subscribe to newsletter

Newsletter Friday morning
Information and advice from the experts

en_USEnglish