Application: Apply anti-fingerprint and anti-smudge coatings precisely
What this application is about
Different wet coating processes are considered for the industrial application. Depending on the component geometry, coating material and production volume, the application can be performed with a manual paint gun, a coating gun, an automatic sprayer or within an automated coating system. The co-ordinated interaction of atomization, nozzle technology, material pressure, material supply and motion sequence is decisive.
What anti-fingerprint coatings achieve
Anti-fingerprint coatings are often referred to as anti-smudge, dirt-repellent or easy-to-clean coatings. The aim is to make fingerprints and impurities less visible, to reduce their attachment or to facilitate cleaning. Depending on the coating material, additional water or oil-repellent properties, a pleasant feel or higher resistance to repeated cleaning cycles can be required.
How well the coating works depends on the material used, the pre-treatment, the substrate, the spray application and the subsequent drying or curing. Therefore, the application technology should always be adapted to the concrete coating system and the production process.
Challenges in spraying thin functional layers
Anti-fingerprint coatings and other thin functional coatings place high demands on the spraying process. Deviations quickly become visible on glossy, transparent or dark areas of view. A restless spraying pattern, fluctuating material pressure or unsuitable atomisation can lead to cloud formation, runs, dry spraying areas or uneven wetting.
Typical requirements are:
- even and finely dosed material application
- Reproducible layer distribution with low application quantities
- homogeneous spray pattern without visible start or overlap areas
- Stable material pressure even in automated switching operations
- low overspray and economical handling of high-quality coating materials
- suitable material guiding components for the medium used
- good flushability during material changes and production interruptions
- process-safe integration in existing painting and coating systems
Krautzberger application technology for anti-fingerprint coatings
Krautzberger considers the application as a complete system. Depending on the coating material, component size, cycle time and degree of automation, the solution can consist of hand sprayer or automatic spray gun, suitable air and material nozzle, material pressure vessel or diaphragm pump as well as a finely adjustable material pressure regulator. For more complex processes, lifting devices, material change technology, control components or a complete painting or coating system can also be included.
Finely atomizing paint guns with a well-adjustable spray pattern can be useful for manual workstations. In automated series production processes, compact automatic spray guns can be positioned precisely and integrated into existing plant concepts. The choice of nozzle size and beam shape depends on viscosity, solid content, desired application quantity, component geometry and required surface quality.
The Krautzberger XLINE nozzle technology offers reproducible nozzle quality and different beam types for industrial coating tasks. Material pressure regulators can reduce pressure fluctuations and finely adjust the amount of material. Depending on the process, compact material pressure vessels are suitable for smaller quantities of materials or frequently changing media. Membrane pumps can be used for continuous supply from pressureless containers. What combination is technically and economically useful is defined in terms of application.
Typical components and areas of application
Anti-smudge and anti-fingerprint coatings are used in many industries where visual quality, ease of cleaning and a permanently high-quality surface are important.
- Touchscreens, displays and user interfaces
- Cover glasses, technical glass and optical components
- high-gloss plastic parts and piano-black surfaces
- Control elements and interior components in the vehicle
- Housing and viewing areas of household and electrical appliances
- Metal surfaces, fittings and high-quality design components
- Consumer goods, watches, fittings and other frequently touched surfaces
From manual workstation to automated coating system
For small quantities, samples or difficult to access geometries, the manual application with a manual paint spray gun can be useful. Automatic spray guns with defined motion sequences, constant material pressure and coordinated spray parameters are used for larger quantities and reproducible series production processes. Rotationally symmetrical or uniform components can also be coated in automated painting systems.
The design depends, among other things, on component dimensions, surface shape, desired cycle time, application quantity and necessary masking. Exhaust air flow, avoidance of transport as well as cleaning and rinsing concepts should also be taken into account in process planning.
Advantages of a coordinated spray and material supply
- Uniform optical and functional surface properties
- Reproducible results in manual and automated processes
- reduced material consumption due to adapted atomisation and dosing
- less scrap due to stable material pressure and defined process parameters
- flexible adaptation to different components, coating materials and batch sizes
- easy integration into existing production and coating systems
- matched components from application technology and material supply
Coating tests in the Krautzberger technical test centre
Anti-fingerprint coatings can differ significantly in viscosity, solvent base, solid matter content, wetting behaviour and curing. A flat selection of pistol, nozzle and material supply is therefore not useful. Coating materials and components can be tested under practical conditions in the Krautzberger technical test centre. Among other things, spraying, application quantity, material pressure, distance, movement speed and overlap can be coordinated.
On this basis, an application solution is created that fits the medium, component and intended production process - from the individual paint gun to the automated coating system with material supply.
Related products
All products
Suitable solution for your coating process
Are you looking for a paint gun, coating gun, automatic sprayer or a complete material supply for anti-fingerprint and anti-smudge coatings? Together we check your requirements and choose the appropriate spray technology, nozzle design and supply solution for your process.
Get in touch with Krautzberger and talk to us about coating material, component, production quantity and desired surface properties.
Industries for this application
Glass, plastic and high-quality viewing surfaces should also have a clean effect with frequent contact. To do this, the protective layer must be applied evenly and without visible disturbances – depending on the industry under different conditions.
