Though ambient temperature has a significant impact on coating-material temperature, other factors internal to the application system such as pump pressure, friction, and shear often combine to add more energy to the coating material being dispensed than does ambient.
The effect of ambient is determined by multiple factors, including (but certainly not limited to) the surface area exposed to ambient and whether or not those surfaces are insulated. All of our studies have shown that ambient temperature control alone will not keep coating-material temperature within an acceptable range.

In most cases, yes!

Take a paint application, for instance. When less solvent is used in the paint, less solvent is evaporated into the oven during the curing process. That means that the solvent levels are also reduced, requiring less make-up air to be drawn into the oven and less energy to draw and heat it.

(Note: in situations where the RTO cannot be rebalanced for the lower solvent levels being sent to it, it may be necessary to use some of the saved natural gas to keep the RTO running efficiently. This still results in net energy savings, and since natural gas is significantly less expensive to burn than solvent, there are also major cost savings!)

In most cases, yes.

Take a paint application, for instance. When less solvent is used in the paint, less solvent is evaporated into the oven during the curing process. That means that the solvent levels are also reduced, requiring less make-up air to be drawn into the oven and less energy to draw and heat it.

(Note: in situations where the RTO cannot be rebalanced for the lower solvent levels being sent to it, it may be necessary to use some of the saved natural gas to keep the RTO running efficiently. This still results in net energy savings, and since natural gas is significantly less expensive to burn than solvent, there are also major cost savings.)

Temperature control can reduce or eliminate several spray and curing defects.

In a fixed-orifice process, such as painting with a paint spray gun, atomization and fan pattern are a function of the combination of flow rate, pressure, and fluid viscosity. A pump's output (pressure and flow) is also a function of fluid viscosity. Therefore, stabilizing fluid viscosity also stabilizes atomization and fan pattern.

This stabilization and control can reduce or eliminate run and sag and dry spray. Better yet, the resulting reduced-solvent coating dramatically decreases solvent-related curing defects like orange peel, adhesion, solvent pop, and gloss issues.

Temperature control can reduce or eliminate curing variations and defects.

Coil coating is a special case because variations in fluid viscosity across the width of the strip can cause inconsistencies in film build from edge to edge. These variations in film thickness cause different cure rates across the face of the strip, which intensifies curing-related defects.

SCS’ proprietary Profile Analysis and Correction (PAAC) process specifically addresses this problem. When the variation in temperature (and therefore viscosity) across the width of the strip is eliminated, a smoother, more even coating is achieved, which creates a more even curing pattern.

The ability to optimize coating systems around a stable viscosity allows for significant solvent reduction (and, in some cases, elimination of solvent use altogether), which reduces curing defects such as orange peel, adhesion, solvent pop, and gloss issues.

Accurate temperature control can provide optimal resin performance and reduced processing costs while minimizing styrene emissions.

Gel coat, for instance, must be applied in a smooth, even deposition with no voids, runs, or sags to achieve acceptable aesthetic and performance results. Stabilizing the viscosity of the resin supports this objective and can significantly reduce post-mold rework.

Chop application can be optimized by stabilizing the resin viscosity at a point that minimizes resin usage while maximizing wet-out. In each of these processes, the temperature of the resin affects both curing profiles and styrene emissions (a particularly hot regulatory topic these days). Though heating is often employed alone in these processes, it doesn’t achieve the often sub-ambient set-points required for this delicate balance.

Temperature control can stabilize registration and bead profile.

Sealants and adhesives fall into the class of high-viscosity fluids. While they may share some functions with their coating brethren (e.g. corrosion prevention), they have a much different primary purpose: joining and sealing. Still, they have the same properties as all fluids with respect to temperature and viscosity.

Proper location and thickness, often referred to as registration and bead profile, are the properties necessary for these fluids to perform their primary objective. If the fluid temperature is too high, the viscosity will be too low, which will result in the bead profile spreading out and thinning. On vertical surfaces, it may also "slump", losing its registration. But if the temperature is too low, the viscosity will be too high, which can cause bead profiles to be too high and narrow, and thus unable to cover the area they’re meant to join or protect. Each of these situations can be avoided by accurately controlling the fluid temperature.

Yes, it can.

Most 2-part epoxies result in an exothermic (heat-generating) reaction when mixed. As this heat builds, the reaction rate increases, which in turn increases the rate of heat generation. This cycle continues until both reactive components in the mix are consumed.

If 2-part epoxy is being applied to a delicate substrate, heating can damage the part. And if the processing rate is not maintained, the epoxy can cure prematurely, resulting in product defect. Since the heating also initially reduces the viscosity (prior to set up), sloughing and improper bead profiles can result.

By adding temperature control, the cure rate and application viscosity can be carefully regulated, and most or all of these issues can be eliminated.

Accurate temperature control of the cutting fluid, often implemented on a carefully designed cool-only platform, is essential in controlling costs and ensuring optimal first-pass yield.

Precision machining operations (drilling, boring, honing, grinding, etc.) by nature generate large amounts of heat. High heat is usually mitigated through cutting fluid, which provides both lubrication and cooling. The goal is to reduce the temperature of both the tool and the part being machined to reduce wear and simultaneously increase machining accuracy through controlling thermal expansion.