We want our machines to look good while they age. Part of our strategy for this is to use a two-component polyurethane enamel to paint our base castings, structural frames, machine enclosures, or any fabricated metal parts in our machines. Recently, we targeted our painting department for investment to keep up with our growing company and expanding product line.

Paint Booth interior

PAINT BOOTH INVESTMENT: PRECISION PAINTING FOR UNISIG MACHINES

Paint Booth interior

UNISIG machines are designed to run for 20 years or more in production. While operating, the machines are exposed to factory conditions that are not ideal for precision machinery. Cutting fluid—whether straight oil or water-soluble—contains extreme pressure (EP) additives that improve tool performance but can degrade or damage seals and paint on the machines over time. We want our machines to look good while they age. Part of our strategy for this is to use a two-component polyurethane enamel to paint our base castings, structural frames, machine enclosures, or any fabricated metal parts in our machines. Recently, we targeted our painting department for investment to keep up with our growing company and expanding product line. Our goals for investment were clear:

  • Improve the shop environment in the painting area
  • Improve the quality of the finished product
  • Increase the dimension of parts we could paint
  • Reduce the amount of paint used and wasted
  • Increase the productivity in painting
  • Increase the throughput in the paint department

Manufacturing engineers researched the technology available, and as in most cases in manufacturing, we were even more excited about the project after learning what was possible.

DIMENSIONS AND INTERIOR

The paint booth’s workspace measures 16 feet wide by 30 feet deep, allowing us to paint large single components—such as machine bases and columns—or groups of smaller enclosure parts.

To handle large workpieces efficiently, the booth features a crane access slot in the roof that automatically opens for a bridge crane to place components, then closes and seals for painting.

Bright, well-planned lighting ensures clear visibility during painting and inspection, supported by targeted task lighting for detail work. Floors and walls are maintained regularly to preserve brightness and the overall quality of the painting environment.

“It’s an investment in long-term quality, efficiency, and the appearance of every UNISIG machine that leaves our facility.”

DIMENSIONS AND INTERIOR

The paint booth’s workspace measures 16 feet wide by 30 feet deep, allowing us to paint large single components—such as machine bases and columns—or groups of smaller enclosure parts.

To handle large workpieces efficiently, the booth features a crane access slot in the roof that automatically opens for a bridge crane to place components, then closes and seals for painting.

Bright, well-planned lighting ensures clear visibility during painting and inspection, supported by targeted task lighting for detail work. Floors and walls are maintained regularly to preserve brightness and the overall quality of the painting environment.

“It’s an investment in long-term quality, efficiency, and the appearance of every UNISIG machine that leaves our facility.”

Paint Selection

AIR HANDLING AND PAINT MIXING

Once the basic dimensions and working areas were defined, we specified a makeup air unit that draws in fresh air, filters it, and exhausts it to the outside. The system also heats and conditions the air to maintain optimal painting temperatures, then provides a curing cycle that raises the booth temperature for an hour after painting before rapidly cooling the parts. The air handling aspect of this project improved our throughput significantly because we can handle the painted items soon after painting. It also eliminated any odors from curing, which improved the working environment in and around the painting department.

The high-tech enamel applied to UNISIG machines is not cheap, and the formulation of the two parts must be carefully measured, or the result will not be consistent. UNISIG manufacturing engineers added an automatic mixing system to the project to precisely meter the individual components near the painting gun. This assures the exact mix is used, but also drastically reduces wasted paint. Our painting technicians have bulk color components in different pots, and choosing the paint color is as simple as pressing a button on the touch screen. Solvent for cleaning the gun or prepping the workpieces is also available as a selection on the control.

TRAINING, MAINTENANCE, AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

The final step was training our team on the new technology and changing the expectations of what was possible. A regular maintenance schedule is followed, and paint quality is constantly evaluated as we continue to improve our painting performance. This investment represents more than a new paint booth—it’s an investment in long-term quality, efficiency, and the appearance of every UNISIG machine that leaves our facility.

AIR HANDLING AND PAINT MIXING

Paint Selection

Once the basic dimensions and working areas were defined, we specified a makeup air unit that draws in fresh air, filters it, and exhausts it to the outside. The system also heats and conditions the air to maintain optimal painting temperatures, then provides a curing cycle that raises the booth temperature for an hour after painting before rapidly cooling the parts. The air handling aspect of this project improved our throughput significantly because we can handle the painted items soon after painting. It also eliminated any odors from curing, which improved the working environment in and around the painting department.

The high-tech enamel applied to UNISIG machines is not cheap, and the formulation of the two parts must be carefully measured, or the result will not be consistent. UNISIG manufacturing engineers added an automatic mixing system to the project to precisely meter the individual components near the painting gun. This assures the exact mix is used, but also drastically reduces wasted paint. Our painting technicians have bulk color components in different pots, and choosing the paint color is as simple as pressing a button on the touch screen. Solvent for cleaning the gun or prepping the workpieces is also available as a selection on the control.

TRAINING, MAINTENANCE, AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

The final step was training our team on the new technology and changing the expectations of what was possible. A regular maintenance schedule is followed, and paint quality is constantly evaluated as we continue to improve our painting performance. This investment represents more than a new paint booth—it’s an investment in long-term quality, efficiency, and the appearance of every UNISIG machine that leaves our facility.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

UNISIG machines are built to perform for decades in production environments, often exposed to cutting fluids and other challenging factory conditions. The investment into advanced paint technology helps protect critical components, maintain a professional appearance, and ensure long-term durability.

The upgraded booth allows UNISIG to paint larger machine components with greater precision and efficiency. It features improved lighting, controlled air handling, and a crane access system for handling large parts—resulting in higher quality finishes and increased throughput.

The automatic mixing system precisely controls the two components of the polyurethane enamel at the spray gun. This ensures a perfect mix every time, reduces paint waste, and gives painters better control over color selection and solvent use—all contributing to consistent, high-quality finishes.

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