Custom-Designed Electrophoresis Equipment for Your Application.

Rust and corrosion almost always start in hard-to-reach areas like welds, seams, and internal cavities where traditional spray coatings fail to provide adequate coverage. The most effective and permanent solution to this problem is to use industrial electrophoresis equipment. The E-coating process is not line-of-sight like spraying. Instead, it uses an electrical field that permeates the entire part. This "throwing power" forces the charged paint particles to deposit on every bare metal surface, completely encapsulating the part in a seamless, protective layer. A system from TIMS provides the ultimate defense against this type of corrosion, eliminating the weak points in your finish and drastically reducing warranty claims.

In an industrial context, electrophoresis equipment is used for a process called electrophoretic deposition, or E-coating. Its primary purpose is to apply a high-performance, corrosion-resistant coating, most often a primer, onto metal parts. The process involves submerging the parts in a liquid paint bath and using an electric current to deposit the coating. Because the paint is drawn to every conductive surface, it excels at covering complex shapes and internal cavities that are impossible to reach with spray paint. This makes it the preferred technology in industries like automotive, heavy machinery, and appliances, where long-term durability and rust prevention are critical.

The pretreatment stage of electrophoresis equipment is evolving. Traditional zinc phosphate processes, while effective, can be complex and produce a significant amount of sludge. The leading-edge technology, which TIMS is an expert in, is "thin film" pretreatment, such as zirconium-based conversion coatings. These systems operate at lower temperatures, have far fewer process steps, and produce almost no sludge, making them much more environmentally friendly and less expensive to operate. They create a nano-thin ceramic layer on the metal that provides excellent adhesion and corrosion resistance. The future of high-efficiency electrophoresis equipment is tied to the adoption of these smarter, greener pretreatment technologies.

Film rupture is a defect where the applied E-coat film becomes too thick and breaks down, creating a rough or pock-marked surface. This is caused by applying too high a voltage for too long. The electrophoresis equipment must be precisely controlled to prevent this. The point at which this occurs is called the "rupture voltage" of the paint. A high-quality system from TIMS prevents this by using an advanced DC rectifier that allows for precise voltage control and programmable "ramping." The voltage can be started low and gradually increased to build a smooth film without ever exceeding the rupture voltage, ensuring a defect-free finish.