Once the metal is cleaned, treated, and painted, the strip is rewound into a coil size prescribed by the customer. From there, the coil is removed from the line and packaged for shipment or additional processing.
After the primer is applied and cured, then the metal strip enters the finish coat station where a topcoat is applied. Topcoats provide color, corrosion resistance, durability, flexibility and any other required physical properties. Like primers, the topcoat is cured using thermal cure ovens.
Oven
Coil coating ovens can range from 130 feet to 160 feet and will cure the coatings in 13 to 20 seconds.
During this stage, the strip enters the prime coat station whereby a primer is applied to the clean and treated metal. After the primer is applied, the metal strip travels through a thermal oven for curing. Primers are used to aid in paint adhesion, improve corrosion performance and enhance aesthetic and functional attributes of the topcoat.
S Wrap Coater
The S wrap coater design allows for primers and paints to be applied to the top and back side of the metal strip simultaneously in one continuous pass.
The cleaning and pretreating section of the coil coating process focuses on preparing the metal for painting. During the cleaning stage, dirt, debris, and oils are removed from the metal strip. From there, the metal enters the pretreatment section and/or a chemical coater whereby chemicals are applied to facilitate paint adhesion and enhance corrosion resistance.
Dried-In-Place
In this stage a chemical that provides enhanced corrosion performance is applied. This treatment can be chrome free if required.
The accumulator is a structure that adjusts up and down to store material, which makes continuous operation of the coil coating process possible. This accumulation will continue to feed the coil coating processes while the entry end has stopped for the stitching process. As much as 750 feet of metal can be collected.
Adventure Park, located in Pigeon Forge near East Tennessee, is inspired by lumberjacks and the local logging industry. The park has many family friendly attractions like obstacle courses, competitions, a treetop free fall and rides. The Flying Ox is the world’s first cable-to-rail zip line roller coaster. At 1,000 feet long and 80 feet high, the Flying Ox dominates the landscape of Lumberjack Square.
Climbworks Design, Holmes Solutions and Steelworks Supply worked together to build this unique project. Charlie Deathridge of Climbworks Design said he and the owners knew from the beginning they wanted to utilize hot-dip galvanizing to limit the challenges and costs associated with maintaining such a structure.
To help make that vision a reality, the team turned to AZZ Galvanizing – Nashville, which hot-dip galvanized pipe, rolled pipe, beams, a spiral staircase and strut arms for the attraction.
This roller coaster recently won the American Galvanizers Association (AGA) Artistic award for its innovative use of hot-dip galvanized steel.
About
The Flying Ox is both beautiful in design and structure. The rollercoaster was designed to be a piece of art that would attract families to the park. The design was challenging because of its cable-to-rail zip line features. The artists combined hot-dip galvanizing with paint to create a finish that could endure corrosion for years to come.
Why the Designer Chose Hot-Dip Galvanizing
The designers chose hot-dip galvanizing because of its sustainability. The rollercoaster was made to withstand hot summers and cold winters, which erode materials. Hot-dip galvanized steel addresses the economic and environmental factors while maintaining an artistic finish.
Project Recap
The success of this rollercoaster project and its high visibility at the park has made a positive impact in the galvanized steel market. The corrosion protection and aesthetics achieved from combining hot-dip galvanizing with paint have enhanced this project so families can enjoy the Flying Ox for years to come.
AZZ focuses on creating a stronger, safer world, evidenced by its focus on protecting infrastructure from corrosion. This project was an innovative way to show the possibilities of galvanizing. Learn more by exploring AZZ’s hot-dip galvanizing capabilities
At AZZ Galvanizing and Plating – Milwaukee, precision and performance come together to deliver reliable corrosion protection and surface finishing solutions.