Computer controlled post-curing for the marine industry
Over 100 infrared lamps and blankets all computer controlled. 5 years of experience and thousands of sq meters of filler post cured. All post curing is fully documented.
Speeding up the production process.
When epoxy is curing, neighbouring molecules inside the material link with each other – the more, the better. The epoxy used in the construction of yachts is a ‘cold curing’ system that can link up to a certain degree, but at ambient temperature the molecules need a long time. Yacht construction normally occurs at an ambient temperature of 20 C. However, this poses a problem for the epoxy filler, as it should be post-cured in order to obtain the characteristics promised by the manufacturer. Therefore a calculable and quick curing process would be desirable for a smooth production flow within the shipyard.
CONTROLLED CURING
New fairing layers can be cured in one night instead of many weeks at atmospheric temperatures.
HIGHLIGHTS IMPERFECTIONS
Cured fairing system highlights imperfectinos enabling repairs to be undertaken before primer and topcoat applications, enabling reparations before any paint is applied.
Minimize cracks and uneven paint surfaces by ensuring fully hardened filler.
With the surfaces being heated up in a computer controlled environment and slowly cooled down again, postcuring radically reduces the risk of negative shrinkage resultant wavy and uneven surface. Curing in this way aids the inner linking of the molecules and once they are linked, the curing is complete. So, the linking in the filler should have progressed as far as possible before finally processing or coating the surface. If the molecular linking is not absolute, solvents in the paint may negatively influence the filler.
Furthermore, a completely cured filler is less brittle and has better mechanical properties. Only tempering of the filler – that is the controlled heating and cooling – guarantees the full linking and achieves the pledged properties of the filler.
INFRARED
Infrared Curing reduces the production time.
RISK REDUCING
Reduces the risk of post curing and negative shrinking phenomenon and irregularities as the vessel is exposed to temperature variations.
Controlled heating and cooling.
Our infrared heaters heat the surface and monitor the surface heat. A computer controls the curing process section by section around the vessel, several metres at a time, and can take place throughout the night to create a coatable surface by morning (depending on area).
FEATURED POST CURING VIDEO
A sample video of some of our recent post curing works.