Thierica Equipment At IWF 2006

Thierica Equipment Co. and the Victoria Group are joining forces to provide the best in flat line finishing equipment and systems. This partnership will be featured at the IWF 2006 Woodworking show in Atlanta, GA, August 23 through 26. Victoria will have on display their “Rotomax” flat line machine. Representatives from Victoria and Thierica will be on hand to answer your questions and assist you with any and all of your finishing needs. Please look us up in booth 6617. Hope to see you in Atlanta!

Will Electrostatic Systems Work For Me?

This question is frequently asked of paint systems and equipment suppliers, and, in most cases, the answer is “Yes”. Since Harold Ransburg invented the electrostatic process just after WWII, there has been more than a few refinements and improvements to the process. Today, most plastic parts for automobiles are finished with electrostatic applicators. Non-conductive substrates are made conductive by basically two methods: the application of a prep coat, conductive primer, or conductive adhesion promoter, prior to the electrostatic application; or by the introduction of a conductive “buck” to the part racks. Wood substrates can be finished electrostatically by maintaining 6% moisture content or by the prep coat method. Applying a conductive material prior to the electrostatic application can be done with conventional applicators or, if a prep coat material is used, with a prep coat tunnel. It is important that the racks are conductive and that a good ground is maintained from the rack to the conveyor to ground. The conductive material must also be used to “paint” the part to the rack thus causing the part to be grounded to the rack. Failure to “paint” the part to the rack can greatly reduce transfer efficiency and even create the conditions that could lead to a static build up on the parts with the potential for a discharge of electrostatic energy. Grounding is the key to reaping the benefits of electrostatics’ transfer efficiency while insuring maximum system safety. Metal bucks employ the same concept as a magnet through a piece of paper. When you place a piece of metal on a paper and place a magnet under the paper you can move the metal with the magnet. A similar event occurs when a metal casting of the back of a plastic part is incorporated in to the paint rack for that part. The grounded rack and casting is what attracts the charged paint. The plastic part just “gets in the way”. Most automobile fascias are processed in this manner. The paint cost savings and quality improvements of electrostatic painting are huge. Often the return on investment is in weeks rather than years. Cost savings along with reductions in VOCs make electrostatic painting an ever improving method for finishing your parts. Thierica Equipment Co. has the experience and knowledge to guide you through this decision making process no matter if you are purchasing a new paint system or looking for ways to improve your existing line. All our sales people have “process engineering” experience with companies very much like yours. No one is better suited to help you with your paint finishing needs.

"Quick Change" Spray Guns

Changeable end arm tooling is nothing new in the machining industry, but not many have attempted it in the paint industry. Thierica was challenged by one of it’s customers to change colors between racks without wasting solvent or paint. General Manager, Lou McGough, took on the project and developed what we are calling “Quick Draw Technology”. Not only does Quick Draw allow for fast color change between parts without waste, but you can even spray non-compatible paint chemistries because the fluid contact parts go with the gun. When a gun is not in use, the robot simply “holsters” it in a holder on the booth wall. You could even combine a flush box with the “holstered” gun(s) so you could flush and change color in them while you are spraying another color. The number of guns in the system is really only governed by the number of hoses that are practical in the booth and the robot reach. The sky is the limit when it comes to applications of this new technology. Do you have a use for “Quick Draw”? Or maybe you have another application challenge. Call us. We would be happy to work with you finding solutions to your finishing problems.

Thierica de Mexico Is Newest ITW Automotive/Ransburg Distributor

For some time now, Thierica has had an office and manufacturing plant in Monterey, Mexico, in order to better serve our many customers in that growing market. When ITW Ransburg came looking for a distributor to partner with in Mexico, they were excited by our existing customer base and our experienced workforce already in place. Thierica saw an opportunity to expand our product offering by partnering with the dominate manufacturer of finishing equipment in North America. It’s a win/win for both companies and for the many manufactures who have established plants in Mexico. Contact us for all your finishing needs anywhere in the world. We have the products and capabilities to improve your finishing line and your bottom line.

Get A Complimentary Process/System Evaluation

“You can’t see the forest for the trees.” It’s been said over and over and it is still true today. Sometimes we lose sight of the issues costing us time and money because we are too close to the situation. You see the same system every day. You spend most of your time “putting out fires” rather than finding new and creative ways to improve your process and reduce costs. This is where a “new” set of eyes can be very beneficial. Thierica’s salespeople come from a “process engineering” background. Our salespeople have been where you are. They see things through the eyes of someone who’s “been there, done that.” We understand the pressures and issues you face in the finishing department. With that in mind, Thierica is making the following offer: Let one of our “process engineers” evaluate your system. We will visit your facility, observe and gather information to help us understand your process/system, and then prepare a report with recommendations on how you can improve your quality, reduce your costs, and/or increase your production rates. What’s in it for us? We are confident enough in our abilities and knowledge to offer this service in the hope of gaining your trust and consideration as you look at systems and system upgrades. There is nothing for you to lose and much for you to gain. Call (616) 453-6570 or send an inquiry through our website.

Dominic Zerilli Named Sales Manager

Thierica Equipment Company is pleased to announce the promotion of Dominic Zerilli to the position of Sales Manager. Dominic has been in sales at Thierica for over ten years handling many of the key accounts throughout North America, Central America, South America, and Europe. Dominic has been instrumental in creating Thierica’s ability to offer a variety of creative process solutions for a diverse mix of customer products, a factor that has kept Thierica in the forefront of the systems business in an ever changing world market. Mr. Zerilli’s technical knowledge and value added approach to customer service will maintain and improve Thierica’s leadership role into the future.