Page 42: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (October 2003)

Repair & Conversion

Cutting & Painting a Clear Path

The Evolution of Marine Painting

Evolution is an interesting word. The

Dictionary defines it as "an ongoing process of development". While the term is most closely associated with

Human development, it also applies equally well to manufacturing and tech- nology. In the Marine Industry, exam- ples of evolution in the production process include: Computer Aided

Modeling Computer Controlled

Machining; Computer Controlled

Systems Management.

When compared to older methods, the newer technologies offer levels of effi- ciency and predictability that were pre- viously unattainable. This is due, in large part to the increased use of automation and the upgrading of manu- al labor to a role of programmer/techni- cian. Ask a Shipyard Manager how this

Evolution affects Production and you are likely to hear terms like " lean, increased through put, dependability and consistency" sprinkled throughout his response. Not all the areas of the

Marine Industry have been evolving at the same rate, however. In the marine coatings sector, the area of coatings development has been rapidly moving from the many layered, lower solids coating systems to advanced high solids or zero solids materials that are applied in fewer passes. But, in the equally important areas of Surface Preparation and Coatings Application, the continu- ing dependence on labor intensive man- ual methods has kept these two areas of

Marine Coatings from achieving the efficiency and quality that has become synonymous with Automotive produc- tion lines.

In the Automobile coatings industry, wherever it has been economically fea- sible and technologically possible, the worker holding the spraygun (old

Labor) has been replaced with a com- puter controlled painting robot that is programmed and operated by trained technicians (new Labor). In layman's terms, the painter is replaced with a robot (automation) and then trained to operate it. The incorporation of advanced technologies into it's produc- tion methods has made the Auto indus- try a window to the future for other industries.

With automation, the company bene- fits from the speed, dependability, improved consistency and reduced labor costs possible with computer controlled robotics. The coatings worker moves away from direct exposure to hazardous materials and receives valuable training in advanced technology and last but not least, the customer benefits by having his contract completed faster and with greater quality and accuracy. An exam- ple of evolutionary development in marine manufacturing is CNC Mold production for composite craft. In this process, plugs and molds for boats are designed with the aid of computers and specialty software programs and then milled to the proper shape by computer controlled robotic equipment. This well established production method delivers greater accuracy in substantially less time and makes the older practices of manual design and mold making ineffi- cient and outdated by comparison.

Marine Coatings is poised to take a similar step forward as robotic water blasting units and computer controlled, plural component painting equipment give us a glimpse of the next step in the

Evolutionary process-automated sys- tems.

For more information from Visions East

Circle 40 on Reader Service Card

By Steve Morton, President,

Visions East, Inc.

Visions East, Inc. has patented the first robotic system for preparing and paint- ing ship surfaces. By automating the marine coatings process, labor costs are reduced, uniform quality is delivered through precision application and con- tracts are completed on time.

Machinery - Methods - Manpower - Materials

OLD

METHODS

A

E .C

C o o 0)

V)

Q)

O

O •

NEW

TECHNOLOGY

OLD

Sandblasting Airless

UHP Water

Blasting

Sandblasting

Sandblasting

NEW

Air Assist, Airless or Electrostatic

OLD

OLD

Airless

Airless

UHP Water

Blasting

Sandblasting

NEW

Air Assist, Airless or Electrostatic

OLD

Airless

NEW

UHP Water Air Assist, Airless

Blasting or Electrostatic

NEW

UHP Water

Blasting or Electrostatic

OLD OLD

Manual Low Solids

Standard VOC Paint

OLD OLD

Manual Low Solids

Standard VOC Paint

NEW OLD

Computer Controlled Low Solids

Automation Standard VOC Paint

OLD NEW

Manual High Solids

Low VOC Paints

NEW OLD

Computer Controlled Low Solids

Automation Standard VOC Paint

NEW NEW

Computer Controlled High Solids

Automation Low VOC Paints

OLD NEW

Manual High Solids

Low VOC Paints

NEW NEW

Computer Controlled High Solids

Automation Low VOC Paints

EVOLUTION.

BEST

PRACTICE