PVA Pro Tip #12: Total Cost of Ownership in Conformal Coating Automation – Frequently Asked Questions
Total Cost of Ownership in Conformal Coating Automation
When evaluating an automated conformal coating system, it’s important to think beyond the initial purchase price. Here’s what to consider—and how PVA’s solutions fit in.
Q: When considering an automated conformal coating system, what should I look at besides the initial purchase price?
It’s important to evaluate the improvements that automation will bring to your overall coating process. Don’t focus solely on the capital investment.
Q: What are some of the limitations associated with manual conformal coating processes like brushing, dipping, and hand spraying?
Manual methods often have limitations in terms of production speed (throughput), tend to generate more waste of coating material, and can require more manual handling of the products.
Q: What does “total cost of ownership” (TCO) mean when considering automated conformal coating systems?
Total cost of ownership (TCO) refers to the complete investment in an automated conformal coating system over its lifespan. This includes the initial equipment price, as well as valuable considerations like energy efficiency, low maintenance costs, and the long-term benefits of well-trained personnel—all of which contribute to maximizing the system’s value and performance.
Q: What kind of immediate benefits or returns can I expect after installing an automated conformal coating system?
Implementing an automated system should lead to several immediate improvements, such as a reduction in the labor required for masking, an increase in the number of units processed (throughput), higher and more consistent coating quality resulting in fewer defective products, and a significant reduction in the amount of coating material that is wasted.
Q: What components make up a fully automated conformal coating system, and how do PVA’s solutions fit into the process?
Some of our most common inline configurations for conformal coating are shown below.
Coat + Cure UV
Delta 8 + Queue Inspection Conveyor + Spectra + Queue Inspection Conveyor
Coat + IR UV
Delta 8 + Queue Inspection Conveyor + DeltaTherm + Queue Inspection Conveyor
Send Return Line
Elevator + Delta 8 + Queue Inspection Conveyor + DeltaTherm + Queue Inspection Conveyor + Elevator
