Is Controlling Temperature in the Mix Room Enough?
Is Controlling Temperature in the Mix Room Enough?
The short answer is “No.”
On several occasions, we get the opportunity to tour many different types of manufacturing facilities. Saint Clair Systems evaluates and improves a variety of dispensing applications and processes. I've noticed most companies do a really good job at dispensing. They seem to be able to manage their process in a manner that allows achievable and acceptable results. Whether it’s a manual dispensing operation with skilled and experienced operators, or an automated dispense with highly repeatable motions.
We often hear that the mix room is already temperature-controlled. Often, this is said because they understand that temperature has a direct correlation on viscosity. And their material suppliers state the recommended material temperature on their data sheets. While it is an improvement over having no control, controlling only the temperature of the mix room is not enough to accomplish quality and cost objectives.
Are You in Control?
During a process tour, one of the first things I looked for in the mix room is where the material piping goes. The reason for this is simple. Once the material leaves this controlled area, temperature changes are all along the material’s path to application. Let’s review the importance of temperature. Fluids change viscosity (thinness or thickness) with temperature. When viscosity changes, dispense output changes. When dispense output changes, your product quality, material usage, and solvent usage are significantly impacted. Therefore, any changes in temperature directly impact your cost and quality structure. Obviously important stuff.
Even with a temperature-controlled mix room, variations can happen after the material leaves. And, those changes can be as simple as temperature changes from day-to-night or from season-to-season. Additionally, as the material travels through various sections of the plant; up in the ceiling (higher temperatures) or down in the basement (colder temperatures), material is impacted by these sometimes-extreme temperature fluctuations. Heat generated by the process itself can also create fluctuations greater than expected. While temperature control is often necessary, success really depends on where on that material’s journey you’re controlling temperature.
While talking with potential candidates, our representative will focus on the point-of-dispense; (or point-of-application). This is where materials have the greatest impact to be optimal. Whether controlling the material temperature at the bulk storage/mix room, the plant, or the booth, there is no guarantee the temperature will be optimal upon application. Controlling at the point-of-dispense guarantees the temperature variable is under control and be able to maintain a consistent and repeatable process.
Controlling your bulk storage/mix room is a great start, and better than most facilities we see, but is not in control. If intermittent quality issues, undesirable transfer efficiency, VOC concerns, or the battle against excessive solvent usage still arise, it may be time to take the next step toward a fully modernized dispensing operation.
If you're ready to take the next step, let us know.