Application: Precisely paint toys, scale models and miniature components
What this application is about
Various wet-spray processes are suitable for industrial application. Depending on the medium, component geometry, batch size and quality requirements, application can take place with a manual paint spray gun, a coating gun, an automatic spray gun or within a painting and coating system.
What the coating must achieve in the process
The application mainly concerns plastic, metal, wood, resin, foam and composite materials. The required effect occurs only when coating material, substrate, layer thickness and subsequent drying or curing fit together. The spraying process must therefore be adapted to the concrete material system and the real production conditions.
Alongside surface quality, material consumption, cleaning effort, system availability and reliable repeatability also matter. A sound technical solution therefore combines controlled atomisation with a stable material supply that is easy to regulate.
Challenges in spray application
Even small fluctuations in material pressure, viscosity, distance or movement control can change the coating visibly or functionally. Typical requirements include:
- precise details and small spray patterns
- frequent color changes
- even coating of filigree geometries
- low material loss with small batches
- Adaptation to sensitive plastics
- Reproducible decors in serial processes
Small geometries and frequent colour changes
Toys and model components often have fine contours, recesses and small viewing areas. A finely adjustable spray gun allows targeted paint and effect coatings with low material consumption. In serial processes, several compact automatic spray guns can process different colors or areas.
Compliance with product and safety requirements lies with the manufacturer of the toy and the coating material. Krautzberger supports the reproducible spray application.
- fine spray patterns and small quantities of material
- clean edges and detail surfaces
- fast color change
- gentle treatment of light components
- manual samples and automated series production
Krautzberger application technology for this application
Krautzberger treats application and material supply as a connected system. Depending on the task, manual and automatic spray guns, suitable air and material nozzles, material pressure tanks, diaphragm pumps, pump and lifting stations, and material pressure regulators can be combined.
In automated processes, spray guns can be integrated into mounts, lifting devices, axes or robots. Material changeover valves and flushing equipment support applications with several colours or media. The specific selection depends on viscosity, solids content, application quantity, cycle time and component geometry.
For fine surface finishes, various XLINE nozzle combinations and spray patterns are available. With highly viscous, abrasive or sedimenting media, sufficiently large flow cross-sections, suitable material combinations, agitators and pressure-stable delivery become more important.
The focus is on airbrush and manual spray guns, small flow cups or pressure vessels, fine nozzles as well as compact automatic spray guns and workpiece carriers. The technically and economically suitable combination is selected for the specific medium, components and required production output.
Typical components and areas of application
The application is used in different industries and component groups. Typical examples are:
- Models and miniatures
- Toy components
- Figures and decorative parts
- Prototypes and design patterns
- RC and model construction components
- Small series with changing colors
From manual application to automated installation
Manual spray technology offers maximum flexibility for details. Recurring series can be stabilized with templates, turning devices or small automated spray stations.
In addition, component feed, extraction or ventilation, cleaning, media change and accessibility for maintenance work must be taken into account during the system integration. This keeps the process stable not only in the pattern run, but also in everyday production.
Advantages of a coordinated spray solution
- fine details and clean color transitions
- Low material requirements
- fast color change
- Flexible small series production
- Reproducible decors
- Scalable from airbrush space to automation
Application trials at the Krautzberger technical centre
Liquid media and coating materials with similar names can differ considerably in viscosity, solids content, solvent base, wetting and drying. A reliable choice of spray gun, nozzle and material supply should therefore be made using the original material and a representative component.
Colour, plastic compatibility, nozzle, distance and masking are matched using real components.
On this basis, the spray pattern, material quantity, pressure, distance, movement and cleaning sequence can be defined. The result is an application solution suited to the medium, the geometry and the intended production process.
Related products
All products
Matching solution for your process
Looking for a spray gun, an automatic spray gun or a complete material supply for this process? Krautzberger helps you select and design suitable spray technology, nozzle configurations, delivery and regulation.
Contact Krautzberger to discuss your medium, component, production volume and desired result. Together, we assess how the process can be implemented safely and economically.
Industries for this application
With toys and model components small shapes meet frequent color changes. A controllable spray pattern and small quantities of material help to apply decorative or protective varnishes specifically even on small plastic parts.
