OCTOBER 2008 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 9

E-COATING & POWDER COATING

STRIPPING APPLICATIONS
CONTENTS

Stripping e-coat and Many methods are media blasting to re-

COVER 1 powder from racks, available for removing move e-coat and pow-
STORY
in-plant powder coating and e- der, either by doing it
coating from produc- in-plant or by sending
INDUSTRY 2 By: Samuel L. Miles,
Miles Chemical Solutions tion hooks, racks, and the racks out to strip-
EVENTS
fixtures. The most ping services.
beneficial means avail-
This article is an Burn-off ovens
NEWS & 3 able can be the same
NOTES overview of the three Benefits: The burn-off
for both coating proc-
most common stripping oven method provides
esses. Before you can
methods used by fin- fully measure the
adequate results for
FROM THE 6 ishers to clean hooks, coating removal. The
FORUM benefits of chemical
racks, and part rejects. benefit of the burn-off
stripping, you must
The article points out oven is the coating
first understand the
FINISHING 9 the major benefits and buildup on the rack can
common practices used
SPOTLIGHT concerns of each accumulate from 3 mils
method with users of to clean racks.
to more than 50 mils in
electro-deposition coat- The finishing industry’s some cases, and the
THE LAST 15 ing (e-coating) and rack cleaning practice burn-off oven continues
WORD
powder coating in has been to use burn- to provide adequate
mind. off ovens or abrasive- cleaning results.

Inside This Issue: Continued on page 4

Finishing Spotlight:
From the
Forum: Anodizing
Aluminum;
First Annual Gebhardt Award
where went presented at SMF 2008 Economic Instability can
(page 6) wrong? Promote Innovation (p.15)
(page 9)
Page 2
FINISHING TALK

INDUSTRY EVENTS 2008

October 14-16: October 27-28: November 5-6:

FutureCoat! 2008 Electroplating Know How Basics Powder Coating School
Chicago, IL Dallas-Fort Worth, TX San Diego, CA
fsct@coatingstech.org www.platingschool.com surfacefinishingacademy.com

October 14-27: October 28-29: November 7:

NASF Trade Tour - China Applications of Nanotechnology N. England Rgnl SF Conference
Beijing-Shanghai, China Ypsilanti, MI Hyannis, MA
www.nasf.org stanner@emich.edu mduffy@macdermid.com

October 15-17: October 28-30: November 7:

International Coatings Expo Chemical Engineering 2008 Metalform Mexico Exposition
Chicago, IL Birmingham, England Mexico City, MX
www.coatingstech.org www.chemeng08.com www.metalform.com/mexico

October 23: November 3-4: Have an upcoming event? Tell

ASTM Committee B08 Meeting Aluminum Finishing Course us about it at
West Conshohocken, PA Chicago, IL www.finishingtalk.com!
jadkins@astm.org www.nasf.org

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 9
8
Newport News, VA Andrew
George Bachmann, inventor, entre-
preneur, and business leader, died
on Sept. 15, at the Riverside Re-
gional Hospital in Newport News,
Va. He was 68. Founder and Chair-
man of the Dymax Corporation,
Bachmann's adhesive inventions and
successful marketing led to the
creation and development of prod-
ucts used in the manufacture of
medical, electronic, automotive,
aerospace, and consumer products.
Bachmann's adhesives changed the
way many of the items used daily
are manufactured, helping compa-
nies to become "green" manufactur-
ers while becoming more competi-
tive in the global marketplace.
Independence, OH The newly
released September 2008 Precision
Metalforming Association (PMA)
Business Conditions Report indicates
metalforming companies expect
business conditions to weaken
somewhat during the next three
months. When asked what the trend
in general economic activity will be
during this period, metalformers
anticipated a slight decline. 53%
predict activity will remain un-
changed (compared to 52% last
month), while 31% forecast a de-
cline in business conditions (up from
28% in August). "Increased eco-
nomic uncertainty in the credit and
financial markets are having an im-
pact on PMA members, giving them
less confidence that there will be
any rebound in orders and ship-
ments in the fourth quarter," said
William Gaskin, PMA president. For
a complete copy of the report,
please visit www.pma.org/about/
stats/BCreport.
Milwaukee, WI Milwaukee Wire
Products has been renamed Charter
Automotive to reflect its commit-
ment to global automotive custom-
Page 3
NEWS & NOTES
ers. The firm, a division of Charter prevention plans to protect water
Manufacturing Co., Mequon, WI, quality. Facilities are required to
manufactures engine dipsticks, install control measures that meet
transaxle retaining rings, valve keys established technology- and water
and valve-spring retainers. To fur- quality-based effluent limits and
ther its global reach, in February must develop a stormwater pollution
2007 Charter Mfg. acquired Valve prevention plan. The new permit
Train Components Limited, Lichfield, offers several improvements from
England; and recently opened a the previous MSGP, including easier
manufacturing, warehouse and dis- to understand discharge require-
tribution facility in Wuhu, China. ments; fast and easy electronic filing
Learn more at charterautomo- of Notices of Intent (NOIs) and
tive.com. monitoring reports; web-based tools
for locating waterbodies and deter-
Netherlands DSM Powder Coat-
mining impairment status; and up-
ing Resins recently launched Ura-
dated monitoring, inspection and
lac® Corres – a new technology
corrective action schedules. More
platform, based on breakthrough
information on the MSGP: epa.gov/
innovative polyester resins for corro-
npdes/stormwater/msgp
sion protective coatings. The first
product from this line, Uralac® P Cuba, MO Paul Fredericks and his
7604 is specifically developed for company Usona Metal Finishing Co.
top coat and primer applications and were indicted on federal charges
provides exceptional corrosion pro- involving the illegal transportation,
tection in metal coating. For top storage and discharge of hazardous
coat applications, the unique Ura- waste at the company’s Cuba, Mo.,
lac® Corres technology offers the plant, U.S. Attorney Catherine
possibility to significantly reduce and
Hanaway said Thursday. The indict-
sometimes completely eliminate ment alleges that in April 2007, the
chemical pre-treatment Usona powder coating plant on Clin-
steps.Through the reduction of pre- ton Street ceased operations and
treatment chemicals, less process that Fredericks, 44, of St. Louis,
waste is created, resulting in a sig- directed the illegal transportation of
nificant reduction in environmental drums of hazardous waste to his
impact. DSM Powder Coating Res- plant in Cuba. Between April 2007
ins, the global leader in powder and April 2008, approximately 100
coating resins and part of the Busi- drums of hazardous waste were
ness Group DSM Resins, specializes illegally stored at the Cuba plant,
in innovation, development and and in April 2008, Fredericks alleg-
manufacture of polyester resins for edly directed the illegal discharge of
powder coatings. More information those pollutants into the sanitary
on DSM can be found at sewer drain at the Usona plant in
www.dsm.com. Cuba. If convicted, violations of the
Washington, D.C. The U.S. Envi- Resource Conservation & Recovery
ronmental Protection Agency (EPA) Act carry a penalty range of two to
is issuing a new Stormwater Multi- five years prison and/or fines up to
Sector General Permit (MSGP) for an $250,000; and violation of the
estimated 4,100 industrial facilities Clean Water Act carries a maximum
in 29 different sectors to implement penalty of three years prison and/or
site-specific stormwater pollution fines up to $250,000.
Page 4
STRIPPING APPLICATIONS... (CONT FROM PG 1)
Concerns:
Burn-off ovens operate at tem-
peratures up to 1,000°F for du-
rations of 1 to 8 hours. These
temperatures and cycles over
time can cause stress, brittle-
ness, and metal fatigue on the
steel rack substrate. In addi-
tion, residual coating ash is left
behind on the rack surface af-
ter burning and must be re-
moved by pressure water rinse
or acid chemical pickle to pre-
vent dirt contamination. The
cost of gas (energy) to operate
a burn-off oven must also be
absorbed by the end user.
Abrasive-media blasting
Benefits: Abrasive-media
blasting is another common
method used in the finishing
industry to clean e-coat and
powder coating deposits from
racks. Abrasive-media blasting
provides adequate cleaning and
coating removal. One of the
benefits of rack cleaning with
abrasive media is that any rust
or oxidation that may be pre-
sent is removed with the coat-
ing, and this is accomplished at
ambient, or room, temperature.
Concerns: Using abrasive me-
dia to clean racks on a regular
basis results in loss of metal.
This means that over time the
racks must be completely re-
placed. Another concern associ-
ated with this method is that
the residual blasting media, if
not completely removed from
the racks, can create dirt con-
tamination upon subsequent
use. In addition, abrasive me-
dia is often carried out with the
racks and distributed on the
plant floors, creating safety
concerns. The cost
of abrasive-media replacement
must be absorbed by the end
user.
Chemical stripping
solutions
Benefits: A chemical stripping
process can be done in-plant at
considerably less expense than
the burn-off and the abrasive-
media blasting methods, which
require higher equipment, en-
ergy, and media costs than
chemical stripping requires.
Chemical stripping operates at
moderate temperatures, usually
150°F to 200°F, which keeps
energy costs down. Chemical
stripping also leaves the origi-
nal surface of the racks intact
and very clean after a freshwa-
ter rinse.
Chemically stripping e-coating
from parts is also easy and
quick because of the low film
build created during the first
pass through the e-coat tank.
First-pass film build is usually
about 1 mil. As a result, strip
time is normally 20 to 30 min-
utes. In less than an hour, the
racks are ready to be returned
to the coating line.
FINISHING TALK
E-coated and powder-coated
rework parts can also be recy-
cled and restored to their origi-
nal surface quality, and reproc-
essed through the coating lines
in less than an hour. Powder
coating racks can also be
chemically stripped, as long as
the racks have fewer than 10
mils of powder buildup and are
cleaned daily.
Concerns: Common questions
concerning chemical stripping
for racks and coating rework
involve the proper training and
knowledge associated with en-
vironmental and operator han-
dling. The latest chemical strip-
ping solutions are more envi-
ronmentally and operator
friendly than those in the past.
Powder coating and e-coating
sludge must be removed regu-
larly, either by filtration equip-
ment or by decanting on an as-
required basis. The cost of
chemical replenishment must
be absorbed by the end user.
Samuel L. Miles, owner -
Miles Chemical Solutions,
LLC
Kissimmee, FL
248-765-9946.
For further information on
chemical stripping, visit:
www.mileschemicalsolutions.com

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 9
FIRE DAMAGES BELTON NICKEL PLATING PLANT
Belton, SC — On September
25th an early morning fire broke
out in the Belton, SC based B &
B Plating plant, part of the Bel-
ton Standpipe Industrial Park.
The fire is expected to sideline
about 30 workers in a plant that
uses high-voltage electricity to
coat metal with nickel.
Jim McGee, owner of the facility,
said he was notified of the fire
around 4 a.m. - two hours after
the plant's second, nine-hour
shift had closed the plant.
Belton Fire Chief Alan Sims said
Thursday afternoon that the fire
was accidental, caused by over-
heated chemicals in a vat.
McGee, noting that roof panels
and wiring were destroyed, but
the building was saved from
other damage by Belton City
Page 5
Firefighters, said damage to the dled the cleanup of sulphuric
interior of the metal building is acid. McGee said the acid, used
“considerable.” in the electroplating process,
spilled and Hepaco workers were
Though at least one of the two
attempting to neutralize it before
production lines is likely up and
it became mixed with storm wa-
running again by this point, em-
ter runoff. An official with the
ployees on the other line could
South Carolina Department of
be out of work for about two
Health and Environmental Con-
weeks.
trol was monitoring the cleanup.
“Nickel has to be heated to 140
degrees,” McGee said. “It ap-
pears to have gotten too hot and
shorted out a 208-volt power
line.”
Many of the workers in the facil-
ity have been affected, and as
many as 10 are involved in
cleanup operations.
Later that afternoon, crews from
Cleaning Crew member, being sprayed
the Charlotte-based Hepaco,
down with decontamination solution.
wearing protective clothing, han-
 Page 6
F R O M T H E F O R U M : ANODIZING ALUMINUM; WHERE WENT WRONG?
Posted on February 16, 2007
October is all about cruising through the country-
side, watching the leaves change. What better way
to do that than from a motorcycle? Unfortunately,
Hard Color is having a hard time anodizing the
clutch on his Yamaha, but has received some ex-
pert advice forum members Zurv, Labrat, Ryan
Cook, DustinGebhardt, Smittys800, and John
Hu. Feel free to add your thoughts to their ongo-
ing discussion by visiting the forums at
www.finishingtalk.com/community and choosing
the “Anodizing” forum. For more ‘From the Forum’
discussions, check out our internet television show,
Finishing Talk Live, where hosts Paul Fisher and
Paul Skelton bring the boards to life!
www.finishingtalklive.com
Hard Color
Where am I going wrong, guys? I am trying to
anodize the clutch lever on my Yamaha motorcy-
cle, but it will not take color and I don’t know if it
even took any anodizing. I am using the battery
charger method, if you are familiar with it. These
were my steps:
1. rinsed part in muratic acid to ensure perfectly
clean.
2. used 14ga alum wire to hang part in a solution
of
3. 50% premixed battery acid, 50% water
4. which should have given me about a 20% sulfu-
ric acid solution.
5. had lead for neg in solution and attached bat-
tery charger to lead
6. attached positive to aluminum rod that the part
was hanging off of
7. turned charger on and the lead ground bubbles
a lot
FINISHING TALK
8. my bushing in the part dissolved quickly (ok b/c
old bent lever used for test)
9. left on for 20 min until neg stopped bubbling
and
10. the charger showed zero current was being
drawn
11. took part out and rinsed in cold water
12. dipped in Rit black dye for 15 min
13. rinsed off in water, and it looked just like I
started!
Do you guys have any ideas of where I went
wrong, or of where I could look for a better proc-
ess? I would really like to figure this out, it is driv-
ing me nuts. Some teenagers are doing this and I
can’t even get it...:confused:
Hard Color
(update) Okay, I just found a different "how to"
online that says that I need 3 parts water to 1 part
battery acid to get 20%. A different source said
50/50, and even another said 2 parts battery acid
to 1 part water! Ahh, my head!
edit: Wikipedia says battery acid is 33.5%, battery
acid (used in lead-acid batteries) (pH 0.5). That
means a 1/1 ratio of water/battery acid should
have been right on. Hmm...at least I am learning.
This is a fun new challenge for me.
Zurv
Haha, yeah... you will find that. Hopefully one of
the many experts that visit our forums will be able
to help your with you problem.
Hard Color
Okay guys, I decided to go with LCD anodizing per
the caswell instructions. I ordered up their dyes
and got a CC/CV power source off eBay. When
everything gets here, I will try again with that
method.
Labrat
Most dyes are sensitive to temperature and pH.

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 9
Check to make sure these 2 components are within
the recommended ranges per the technical data
sheets that should have been included with the
dyes. Also, you said you clean with muriatic acid.
This will remove metallic contamination from the
surface (oxides, etc.), but not organics like soils,
fingerprints, etc. You’ll need to pre-clean in a de-
tergent based cleaner to remove these contami-
nants. Make sure the cleaner is not caustic based,
or it will etch or dissolve the aluminum. You may
also want to include a deoxidizer prep to remove
any smut that could be present on the surface.
50% nitric acid works well. There are also proprie-
tary deoxidizers on the market.
Welcome to the forum!
Hard Color
Muratic acid attacks aluminum the same as it does
other metals, correct? So, shouldn’t muratic acid
work as an etcher also?
Ryan Cook
Let’s do this…
Go to the kitchen. Get out the big old bottle of dish
detergent - Dawn, Joy, etc…all have a great deal of
surfactants and emulsifiers in them that will rid
your not so pristine clutch handle of any dirt, oil, or
grease. If you can heat the solution, great! Heat
at 130 degrees, and soak it for 10-15 minutes, agi-
tating the part occasionally. Next, rinse the part
really well, and prepare to anodize it. The concen-
tration of the bath should be about a 15% sulfuric
acid solution, at around 70 degrees. Lead cathode
will work, but make sure your cathode is at least 2
times the size of your part. Anodize the part at 16
volts for about 45 minutes and you should achieve
a thickness of at least .7 mils. Rinse the part thor-
oughly, as any acid left in the anodic pores will ruin
the dying process you are about to perform.
DO NOT TOUCH THE PART WITH YOUR HANDS
AFTER ANODIZING!! (not yet, anyways.)
Your dye tank should be at a generic PH of 5.5 at
130 degrees (each dye is different, tech data
sheets are great to find parameters). Dye the part
for at least 10 minutes, longer for lower tempera-
tures. Finally, you will need a boiling pot of Dis-
tilled/Deionized water; submerge your freshly
dyed/rinsed-off handle in the boiling DI water for a
Page 7
minimum of 30 minutes (this is the poor boy’s style
of sealing the anodized coating; crude, but effec-
tive.) Voila - you should have a good, black, ano-
dized part. Post your findings here and feel free to
contact me at Ryan.cook@teammetalfinishing.com
Smittys800
Sounds like you did not have a good connection to
the part.
John Hu
Your problem seems to me to lie in not having con-
trol of anodizing temperature. Anodizing is a com-
petitive process. Electric current makes the anodiz-
ing thickness grow, while electrolyte consumes the
layer of anodizing. As during anodizing, lots of heat
is released, and it will make the solution tempera-
ture go up quickly if no chilling system is there -
and higher temperature in the solution consumes
the anodizing layer more quickly. If the speed of
consuming is faster than that of growing, there will
be no anodizing layer.
DustinGebhardt
If you have a conductivity tester, you can test for
the presence of a non-conductive layer (i.e. the
anodized aluminum oxide layer). I've seen them at
Harbor Freight for about $10. It looks like an ice
pick with a light in the handle and a wire lead with
an alligator clip attached.
To make sure that the part is clean before anodiz-
ing, do a water break test. Remove the part from
your rinse after the acid and see if the water beads
up or breaks. On a clean part, the water should
sheet perfectly. If there is any debris or oils, the
water will break or bead up (just like a freshly
waxed car).
Make sure that your anodizing acid is cold. When
you mix up the acid and water, you will generate
heat and the bath will be too hot to use for anodiz-
ing. 70F is generally considered the optimum temp
for anodizing. As the temperature increases, the
anodizing layer starts to be consumed during the
process. At a high enough temp, the oxide is dis-
solved at fast as it is formed. An aquarium chiller
can help keep the temps down for those of us on a
budget. Just be aware that the acid can and will
eat up the internals of the aquarium chiller unless
Continued on page 13...
Page 8
FINISHING TALK

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A NEW METAL FINISHING SALESMAN

By: Matt Greenway,

Finishing Market

I started my new job as a salesman of new and

used metal finishing equipment only two months
ago – but I graduated from the University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a German Lan-
guage degree in 2005. What have I been doing
with myself since graduation, one might ask? I
asked myself the same question. I was working
as a bartender, and it was time for something
new.
After quitting my dead end job and taking a short Fast forward two months…
vacation, I was offered an opportunity to work
I have taken an Introduction to Plating course,
for my cousin (by marriage, not by blood) at his
and I have the certificate to prove it. I’m thinking
warehouse in my hometown in the foothills of
I will frame it and hang it beside my di-
NC. I packed up and left Hillsborough, NC, and
ploma. Today, I got up at 5:30am and toured
allowed my living situation to regress ever so
three plating companies. I finally got to see
slightly (i.e. moved back in with the parents). For
those beastly rectifiers turned on and work-
the record, I am currently house hunting. But I
ing. Wow, what a site! I was amazed, not only
digress.
by the functioning rectifiers, but by the total pic-
So, I jumped headfirst into my new job. Imagine ture. Robotics moving the racks, experienced
my surprise when, on my second day at the forklift drivers going 30mph (in reverse…uphill),
warehouse, I was asked to prepare a rectifier for the product coming out of the final rinse, etc...
shipment. My first question, of course, was: What a day in the life of a new metal finishing
"What's a rectifier?" And my second set of ques- salesman!
tions were, "Where is it?” and “Can you point it
Matt is a next generation metal finishing
out to me?" I couldn't believe they trusted me to
professional in training. He currently works
maneuver that beast of machinery around the
for Finishing Market, one of the world’s
floor with only one day of forklift training under
largest resellers of used metal finishing
my belt. Fortunately, I accomplished the mission
equipment. Visit them online at
with no broken bones - or rectifiers.
www.finishingmarket.com.

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 9
FINISHING SPOTLIGHT:
T he 2008 Southern Metal
Finishing Conference, Septem-
ber 14-16 in Charleston, SC,
ended on a jovial note, with an
awards ceremony and luncheon
the final day of the show.
There were many prizes to be
handed out - from golf and
scavenger hunt awards (I-pod
shuffles!), and a special award
presented to Travis Stirewalt of
Tiger Drylac in recognition of 5
years of excellence and service
through powder coating in-
struction.
Once the awards were handed
out, Paul Fisher, Executive Di-
rector of the Surface Finishing
Academy - a sponsor of the
conference - and publisher of
Finishing Talk, announced from
the podium that a new award
was to be presented on behalf
of Finishing Talk. Mr. Dustin
Gebhardt of Charlotte, NC is
the recipient of the first ever
Gebhardt Award for Out-
standing Contribution to the
Surface Finishing Community.
As one of Finishing Talk’s most
avid forum contributors, it was
only fitting that he receive rec-
ognition for the seemingly end-
less advice, tips, and assistance
he has provided forum mem-
bers since the inception of the
web site almost two years ago.
This honor will continue to be
bestowed in subsequent years
upon Finishing Talk community
Page 9
1ST ANNUAL GEBHARDT AWARD
members who give of them-
selves through their time and
expertise to benefit others in
the surface finishing commu-
nity.
Dustin, a native of San Diego,
CA, “somehow managed to sur-
vive” high school and street
racing his Datsun 280ZX, while
pursuing his passion and feed-
ing his curiosity through Chem-
istry. After attending UCSD on
a full academic scholarship, he
graduated in 2001 with his BS
in Biochemistry/Chemistry. Not
wanting to be cooped up all
day in a research lab like his Dustin Gebhardt—recipient
friends, many of which went on (and namesake) of the 2008
to work in the pharmaceutical Gebhardt Award.
and medical industries ,
Gebhardt wound up as a Lab when that company started
Tech for a plating company in having financial problems, he
Vista, CA. approached his friends at A
Brite for a job recommenda-
“I had been working there for a tion—and ended up with a job!
year or two when I was intro-
Dustin spent the next two
duced to A Brite Company.
years working for A Brite out of
With their extensive support
Yuma, AZ, covering the South-
and mentoring, I gained much
west US and Northwest Mexico
of my foundation on plating.”
regions. During this time, he
During this time, Dustin also gained additional knowledge
finished his CEF coursework, and experience with a variety
becoming a Certified Electro of finishing processes. How-
Finisher. He gradually became ever, with 4 kids, and a wife at
more involved in the daily pol- home, traveling daily started to
ishing, plating, powder coating, become a strain on him and his
and wastewater treatment op- family, so he sought a more
erations that his company per- stable position. This brought
formed. him to his current job as Value
Dustin’s next job was at a small Stream Engineer (Plating Engi-
factory in Tijuana, MX. But Continued on next page...
Page 10
F I N I S H I N G S P O T L I G H T , CONTINUED...
neer) for Danaher Tool Group
in Gastonia, NC.
“We left Arizona wearing shorts
and sandals with a temperature
in the 70’s, and arrived in Char-
lotte to a light snow storm. Talk
about a change in scenery.”
Gebhardt says that he first
learned about Finishing Talk
through Paul Fisher, whom he
met for the first time at the Los
Angeles Powder Coating School
(sponsored by the Surface Fin-
ishing Academy) while he was
still working for A Brite. “When
I moved to NC, I realized he
was just down the road, and
we met up several times. He
mentioned his ideas for an
online forum and I signed up
when it went live. The rest, as
they say, is history.”
In addition to a successful ca-
reer in metal finishing, Dustin
enjoys spending time with his
family - 5 year old twin boys,
3 years old and 1 year old
daughters, and his beautiful
wife. As far as pets go, they
are down to two dogs and a
large freshwater fish tank.
Dustin spends his free time on
“tinkering in the garage”,
working on his car, woodwork-
ing, computers, fish-keeping,
camping, and on role-playing
games.
FINISHING TALK
“But all of those take a back
seat to hanging out with the
kids, where I am a coach for
the boys’ flag-football team
and unofficial cheerleader for
my daughter’s gymnastics
class. First and foremost, I am
a family man.”
Dustin hopes to stay in the
metal finishing industry for a
long time. He aspires to ac-
quire the skills and knowledge
possessed by the “gurus” that
he’s met along the way, includ-
ing Bruce Anderson, Scott
Dunigan, Bob Kosier, Larry
Farnsworth, and Dianne Patter-
son.

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 9
NEW PARTNERSHIP SPANS THE OCEAN
T wo capital equipment sup-
pliers are announcing a part-
nership that will provide indus-
trial facilities a single source
solution for their dryer, oven,
and air pollution control needs.
Anguil Environmental Systems,
Inc., a United States based oxi-
dizer manufacturer, and
Spooner Industries, a convec-
tion dryer supplier located in
the United Kingdom have part-
nered to better serve each of
their respective markets and
regions.
After working together on mul-
tiple turnkey projects, the two
companies have decided to
make their partnership official.
Anguil Regenerative Thermal
Oxidizers (RTOs), as well as
Direct-Fired, Catalytic and Ther-
mal Recuperative oxidizers are
used for the destruction of
Volatile Organic Compounds
(VOCs), Hazardous Air Pollut-
ants (HAPs), NOX and odorous
air emissions often generated
from the drying and curing
equipment manufactured by
Spooner. By combining the
complimentary product lines,
customers and prospects can
get a complete turnkey solution
for their industrial drying, cur-
ing, coating and air pollution
control needs. In addition, the
Anguil Heat and Energy Recov-
ery products can be applied on
these industrial systems to re-
duce operating costs and en-
ergy consumption.
Under the new agreement,
Spooner Industries will fabri-
cate and install the Anguil oxi-
dizer designs on air pollution
control applications throughout
Europe. They will work exclu-
sively together for the supply of
oxidizers for European convert-
ing, coating and printing opera-
tions. The systems will incor-
porate the established, proven
designs of Anguil Environmental
and the quality, dependable
fabrication of Spooner Indus-
tries. Spooner’s new 60,000
square foot facility will be the
primary manufacturing location
for Anguil oxidizer systems go-
ing into Eastern and Western
Europe. The local UK fabrica-
tion capability will allow Anguil
to serve the European region
without expensive transporta-
tion costs.
In the United States and North
America, existing Spooner cus-
tomers will now have the assur-
ance of working with a dryer
company that has local air pol-
lution control and energy recov-
ery capabilities. Anguil’s exten-
sive service capabilities will also
be utilized in America for
Spooner customers with emer-
gency or long-term service
needs. In addition, Anguil cus-
Page 11
tomers with dryer and coating
systems will have the experi-
ence of Spooner’s technologies
through Anguil.
Both Spooner and Anguil are
long standing companies with
excellent reputations, having
been in business since 1932
and 1978, respectively. “We
are extremely excited about this
new partnership” says Gene
Anguil, CEO of Anguil “Not only
are our product offerings com-
plimentary but our firms have a
similar philosophy and focus
with custom engineered indus-
trial systems”. Steve Newell,
Sales & Marketing Director at
Spooner Industries agrees “This
partnership with Anguil fits ex-
tremely well with Spooner in
terms of technology, markets
and culture. The disciplines
involved with these units are
very similar to our core compe-
tence”
For more information, contact
Kevin Summ of Anguil Environ-
mental Systems Inc.
www.anguil.com at (800) 488-
0230 or Steve Newell of
Spooner Industries Ltd
www.spooner.co.uk at +44 (0)
1943 609505
Page 12
A 21ST CENTURY CLEANING PERSPECTIVE
L earn and teach: Those were
my two goals in presenting my
course about cleaning technol-
ogy (21st Century Cleaning) at
the fifth annual Southern Metal
Finishing Conference, held Sep-
tember 15 and 16 in Charleston,
SC. The class included a cross-
section of suppliers and end us-
ers, with points of view provided
by a military organization, envi-
ronmental staff, industry sales
personnel, and operating man-
agement.
As so often happens in these
experiences, I learned a lot from
my students. I want to share
some of that because it speaks
to what the cleaning sector of
the metal finishing industry be-
lieves we need now. In lively
group discussions, the following
opinions were voiced. While spo-
ken by others, these specific
opinions are consistent with my
general view of our sector.
1. Information is Key -- and
we don't have it. The level of
distrust of supplier claims has
risen, reminding me of the bitter
maelstrom during the CFC phas-
eout of the 1990’s. Users want,
and apparently value cleaning
science (knowing how things
work); competent training of
some staff (so work is done right
and consistently); correct and
limited commercial claims (so
management expectations are
fulfilled); and a belief that there
is a commercially-sound future
for some metal finishing opera-
tions, so they can continue to
FINISHING TALK
BY: DR. JOHN B. DURKEE
feed their families.
2. Energy prices are driving
and lower energy costs of sol-
vent cleaning spur this inquiry.
Because change from aqueous
change, whether or not the
to solvent cleaning hasn't sig-
technology is available to sup-
nificantly happened, misapplica-
port cleaning work with reduced
tions lead to misinformation,
energy costs. Users want to
which is misdirected by com-
clean with water and detergents
petitive suppliers. Of the many
at room temperature – not 100,
topics covered, this one had the
not 120, not 140, or 160̊F. They
participants' highest level of in-
don't want to heat the cleaning
terest.
bath and then cool the parts.
The technology doesn't exist to Dr. Durkee is an Industry
do what's wanted, at least at leader and professional con-
the same level of cleaning qual- sultant in developing and
implementing new technol-
ity that they currently enjoy (or
hate). We don't have detergents ogy in the critical, precision,
to do that, and allow efficient and industrial cleaning sec-
separation of the soil from them. tors, as well as an Educator
in cleaning science. He is
3. Floor space is driving
the author of several indus-
change. Users want to skip the
trial cleaning textbooks, in-
rinsing step because it requires
cluding his most recent
a second tank and its associated
Management of Industrial
utilities. The product they seek
Cleaning Technologies &
is a "no-rinse" cleaner. Claims
Processes. He is also a fre-
for its existence precede its ac-
quent contributor to Metal
tual commercial arrival. One
Finishing Magazine.
knowledgeable, experienced stu-
dent was adamant about this.
4. Users want to do aqueous
cleaning because they be-
lieve it removes concern
about environmental, safety,
and health (ESH) issues
from their already thick list
of worries. But they dislike it
John B. Durkee, PhD, PE
because of its high cost and
complexity of operation. Rising Consultant in Industrial Cleaning
energy prices have exacerbated POB 847 Hunt, TX 78024
this situation.
(830)-238-7610
5. Users are intrigued by and
attracted to use of cleaning jdurkee@precisioncleaning.com
solvents, chiefly n-propyl bro- www.precisioncleaning.com
mide. Remembered simplicity

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 9
F R O M T H E FO R U M , CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6...
they can withstand the acid.
Heating the dye can speed the
penetration of the dye into the
pores of the oxide layer. There
is a limit, of course, but around
130-140 is pretty common.
Your power supply may be un-
dersized for the part. I'd imag-
ine that the shift lever is no
more than 0.25 square feet of
surface area, which needs about
3-4 amps of constant current.
Hard Color
Why can I not repeat the proc-
ess? I had great success anodiz-
ing a single piece of ali 1 inch
sq. at 175 ma for 1 hour, rinsed
and rinsed again, soaked in dye
for 30 minutes, boiled for
45...beautiful
Page 13
BUT WHY CAN I NOT REPEAT same; battery acid cut 50/50 wit
THE PROCESS? DI water. I store acid in a clear
plastic container, outdoors, be-
I tried the above process with
hind my shed from direct
the same bit of metal, this time
sunlight. I have also noticed
only filed the anodizing away to
that the acid color is now clear
reveal virgin material, and in-
instead of that very light yellow
creased the size of the lead…but
when first mixed. Do I need to
nothing happens. The metal
change the acid, dye after every
only turns grey after boiling. I
job...this is extremely frustrat-
tried the same process with
ing. Please help.
other bits of metal, used a dif-
ferent power supply, checked
Do you have something
temperature, distance of anode
and cathode, and polarity. I
to add? Log on to the
even "over cleaned” the work Finishing Talk forums to-
with ultrasonic - most bubbles day to join in on this dis-
at the lead, and still no joy. I cussion – or start a dis-
notice there is a bit of crystalli- cussion of your own!
zation at the acid waterline with
the metal. I am using 2 liters of
acid and fresh de-ionized water www.finishingtalk.com
every time to rinse. Acid is the
Page 14
FINISHING TALK

San Diego, CA………. November 5-6


THE LAST WORD
ECONOMIC INSTABILITY CAN PROMOTE INNOVATION
By: Anna Levitsky, Editor
T he past few weeks have been
marked by a steadily increasing
economic turmoil - with financial
institutions lined up and falling like
dominos, echoing down the corri-
dors of Wall St. But it isn't just
banks, credit card companies, and
other lending institutions that are
feeling the crunch; every individ-
ual, organization, or business that
relies on these institutions (which
is basically everyone) is being ei-
ther directly or indirectly affected
by the crisis.
While it's tempting to let the me-
dia's constant economic updates
and premonitions of disaster en-
shroud you with despair, it is not
necessarily the only way of ap-
proaching the issue. Historically
(and philosophically), times of cri-
sis or upheaval - anything that
blatantly resembles an uncomfort-
able change - are not simply de-
fined by their obvious jolt to the
status quo, but by their ability to
transform and create. Think about
it: when the American Colonists
first decided to challenge the au-
thority and rule of the British Em-
pire, the ensuing revolution was
by no means a pleasant response,
but it was in fact a change; one
that would later lead to the crea-
tion of one of the most long-
standing, thoroughly composed,
and well known governing docu-
ments that the world has ever
seen - the United States Constitu-
tion. (The reason I use this as an
example of a transcending result
of tumultuous times, in addition to
its analogous pertinence, is be-
cause this past September 17th
marked the 221st anniversary of
the U.S. Constitution.) Then as
now, the people of America faced
a changing economy and way of
life, and they chose to build some-
thing from the ashes.
Today, as we face mass lay-offs,
falling property values, an increas-
ing gap where the middle class
once reigned, and other harbin-
gers of economic recession, we
too are challenged to either fall
behind with the rest of the coun-
try, or use innovation to regain a
semblance of stability; and who
knows, maybe even prosperity?
What can we do, as employees
and business owners alike to com-
bat high energy costs, rising raw
material prices, a shrinking dollar
value, and financial insecurity?
The answer lies in community and
collaboration. These two concepts
are pivotal to Finishing Talk's busi-
ness ideology, and for good rea-
son. When times are tough, recen-
tralization occurs en masse in
communities and industry alike.
People will pool their resources,
knowledge, and skills with every-
one else, because they end up
gaining stability through contribu-
tion to the whole. People will also
cut down on superfluous expenses
(which, unfortunately, often re-
sults in downsizing in industrial
situations), leaving them with only
the bare necessities. This phe-
nomenon is occurring all over the
country right now, and in all sec-
tors. Businesses are laying off em-
ployees by the thousands, and
people are cutting excessive ex-
penditures from their family budg-
ets. But the upside of this seem-
ingly negative trend is the first 'C'
I mentioned - the resurgence of
community. This is a subject we
have covered in several past is-
sues, and it appears to have been
well-timed in light of current
events.
But the title of this article suggests
Page 15
a discussion on Innovation, and so
far I have digressed. The most
effective way to break out of a
failing system, in my opinion, is to
create your own. This is the es-
sence of innovative thinking. If all
around you people are struggling,
and they are all trying to stay
afloat using the same old, worn
out, and ineffective methods, it is
up to you to come up with a new
and novel solution. To get you
started, here are a few areas
which you might want to collabo-
rate on with some coworkers to
come up with solutions to kick
start your business during these
trying times:
* Reevaluate and consider adding
or removing steps in your business
processes.
* Combine steps for better effi-
ciency
* Find ways to conserve energy in
the office, factory, or warehouse
* Determine which materials can
be reused to cut down on ex-
penses
* Simplify your products
These are just a few challenges to
get your creative juices flowing.
Here is another challenge: branch
out to your comrades in the in-
dustry, and learn from each
other. Our online forums have
become a great resource for con-
structive and professional feed-
back on finishing related ques-
tions and more, posed by industry
members across the country
and around the globe. Have
a problem that you can't quite
figure out on your own? Visit
www.finishingtalk.com and click
on "Community". See how others
are handling current economic
conditions, get inspired, and let
the innovation begin!
 PRST/STD
US Postage Paid
Rutherfordton, NC
Permit # 154

PO Box 349
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
Please deliver this informative newsletter to the
following valued Finishing Talk reader:
October 2008

Anna Levitsky, Editor

Phone: 704-995-2263
anna@finishingtalk.com

www.FinishingTalk.com