Summary for teflon coating of aluminum molds Discussion
Teflon coating of aluminum molds is discussed mainly as an in-house capability question. Scott Howard explains that his company currently sends aluminum tooling out for Teflon coating, even though a nearby shop exists, because the distant coater guarantees a 24-hour turnaround; he wants to know what equipment and research are needed to bring the process in-house for better lead-time control. Jordi Pujol replies that the basic setup would include sandblasting equipment, one liquid and one powder gun, a spray booth, an oven that can reach 400°C at the metal part temperature, and Teflon dispersion and/or powder. He says the process is not very difficult, but someone should teach the shop how to do it. A later question from Raghu Kidambi asks whether aluminum-deposited candy molds need surface treatment before recoating, but no answer is shown in the excerpt.
Q. Hello Everyone,
My name is Scott Howard and I work in process improvement at a mold company. We used to make patterns, then cast aluminum and do some partial machining. Now we cut our cavities out of aluminum billet. Our aluminum tooling is used for molding polypropylene, and other various yet similar types of foam.
Our situation is, we have about 90% of our cavities Teflon coated. A nearby competitor has purchased the equipment and now do their own Teflon coating. We still transport ours 4 hours one way. Even though there is a business that can do it a quarter mile away. I am sure you are wondering why. The place 4 hours away guarantees us a 24-hour turn around time, with short notice. The place next door will not do that.
I have been in the mold business for the past 9 years. So my question is, how or what do I want to research? To find out if bringing in equipment (to Teflon) is feasible for us. Like I said our competitor has done it, and they even take that just require Teflon and powder coating. We are interested in having this capability just to have more control over our lead times.
Thanks,
Scott Howard
– Milledgeville, Illinois, USA
2007
A. To make a Teflon coating you’ll need:
– sand-blasting equipment (cabinet or room)
– one liquid and one powder gun
– one spray booth
– one owen able to reach 400°C (metal parts temp.)
– raw material (teflon dispersion and or teflon powder)
It’s not very difficult to do it, but you’ll need someone to teach you.
Barcelona – SPAIN
Jordi Pujol
– Barcelona, Spain
Q. Dear sir we are using aluminium deposited candy molds whose teflon coating is getting removed; we want to re-coat and use. Does this need any surface treatment for aluminium deposited candy mold prior to teflon coating?
Please suggest.
raghu kidambi
– Hyderabad, India
August 2, 2015