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Page 42: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (October 2003)
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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