The Art of Fusing Glass to Steel, Perfected.

Enameling cast iron requires specialized enamel equipment and process control due to the material's thickness and surface texture. The pretreatment stage is critical and often includes abrasive blasting to create a clean, high-profile surface for the enamel to grip. A ground coat is essential to manage the outgassing from the porous cast iron during firing. Because of the high thermal mass of the parts, the furnace must be powerful and designed for a long, stable firing curve to ensure the entire piece reaches a uniform temperature. TIMS designs heavy-duty enamel equipment specifically for the rigors of cast iron production, ensuring a beautiful, chip-resistant finish that can last for generations.

Architectural enameling requires very large-scale enamel equipment. The steel panels can be several meters long and must have a perfectly flat, uniform finish. The pretreatment tanks and application booths must be oversized to accommodate these parts. The most critical component is the furnace. It must be exceptionally long and have multiple zones of precise temperature control to ensure the entire panel heats and cools evenly to prevent warping. The conveyor system must also be specially designed to hold the panels perfectly flat throughout the high-temperature firing process. TIMS has the specialized engineering experience to design and build the massive enamel equipment required for these impressive architectural applications.

A "Two-Coat, Two-Fire" (2C2F) process is the gold standard for high-quality enameling and requires a complete enamel equipment line. It involves: 1. First Coat: Applying the dark, cobalt-rich ground coat, which is designed for maximum adhesion to the steel. 2. First Fire: Firing the part in a furnace to fuse the ground coat. 3. Second Coat: After cooling, applying the colored cover coat, which is designed for aesthetics and surface properties. 4. Second Fire: Firing the part again at a slightly lower temperature to fuse the cover coat. This multi-stage process, automated by a continuous TIMS enamel equipment line, creates a far more durable and flexible finish than a single-coat system.

Calculating the ROI for new enamel equipment goes far beyond the initial purchase price. A modern, efficient system from TIMS delivers returns in several key areas. 1. Reduced Rework & Scrap: The high level of process control dramatically reduces defect rates, saving on material and labor. 2. Lower Energy Costs: An energy-efficient furnace and dryers can significantly reduce your monthly utility bills. 3. Reduced Labor: Automation in handling and application can lower your direct labor costs. 4. Increased Throughput: A well-designed line can produce more parts per hour. 5. Premium Product Pricing: Most importantly, the ability to produce a higher quality, more durable, and more beautiful finish often allows you to command a higher price for your product in the market. Our team can help you analyze these factors to build a clear ROI case for your investment in new enamel equipment.