Anti-corrosion system chosen by cruise ship builder

The system, which can handle steel plates with maximum dimensions of 20m x 3.5m x 50mm thick and beams of height of up to 0.6m, is designed for fully automatic operation, controlled from a centre 300m away. Selected parts, which are stored outside, are transferred to the machine using an automatic crane and two lift tables. They are heated to 40°C, and cleaned at a brush/blow-off station. The pre-treatment line itself comprises eight blast turbines, each with a power of 38kW and a blast media flow of up to 500 kg/min, which intensively blast the parts from above and below. A second brush/blow station removes residual blast media and dust from the parts prior to painting. The system adapts to the dimensions of the components and blast turbine speed by varying travel speed (1.5m/min to 6m/min), while temperature and humidity are monitored by light curtains, sensors and cameras.

The painting line comprises two paint systems each equipped with eight paint guns (four each for application to upper and lower surfaces), using red or grey primer to a specified thickness of 15µm ±3µm. Operating to a tight tolerance cuts usage of solvent based primer and, along with use of heat from the pre-heater to dry the paint, contributes to lower costs.

Because shipbuilding depends on solvent based paint systems, efficient solvent separation is necessary to comply with VOC guidelines and regulations. Rösler has developed a patented, self-cleaning, brush-type separator that removes most of the solvent-loaded paint particles in the paint booth. For the removal of residual paint particles, the exhaust air is passed through a filter followed by a thermal afterburner.