Gain Absolute Control Over Your Coating Process.

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.

Anodes are a critical component of electrophoresis equipment. They are the positive electrodes submerged in the E-coat tank that create the electrical field with the negatively charged part (the cathode). The design and placement of these anodes are crucial for achieving a uniform coating. At TIMS, we typically use specialized anode cells, which are membrane-enclosed electrodes. These membranes allow the electrical current to pass through but prevent the generation of anode-related contaminants from entering the paint bath. This results in a cleaner process, a smoother finish, and longer paint life. The expert engineering of the anode system is a key technical detail that distinguishes a high-performance set of electrophoresis equipment.

Both E-coating and powder coating can be used as primers, but they have distinct advantages. Powder coating provides a very thick, tough, and chip-resistant layer. However, it is a line-of-sight process and can struggle to provide full coverage in recessed areas due to the "Faraday cage effect." The electrophoresis equipment used for E-coating, on the other hand, excels at providing 100% coverage on complex parts. It creates a thinner but incredibly uniform and corrosion-resistant film. For parts with complex geometries or where ultimate corrosion resistance is the top priority (like a car chassis), E-coat is the superior primer. For simpler parts where mechanical toughness is the main goal, powder may be sufficient.