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.
Elias Jimenez is an exceptional man. He joined the ranks at AZZ a decade ago, starting as a maintenance service employee. His supervisors, however, quickly noticed that Elias was a force to be reckoned with. Today, the entire galvanizing industry recognizes Elias’ dedication to service, by awarding him the Barrow Way Award for “Outstanding Operations Personnel”.
As Tim Pendley, Senior Vice President of AZZ Metal Coatings, explains, “Commemorating the manner in which the Barrow family managed the Columbiana Boiler Company (CBC) for over 100 years, the AGA annually recognizes one operations employee from our member companies who exemplifies the core values which everyone looks for in their employees. The core values include: outstanding skill, pride and work ethic, integrity, understanding of their role within their organization, customer commitment, and community service. I congratulate Elias as this years’ recipient of the Barrow Way Award”.
Elias joined AZZ in 2006 as a service as a maintenance employee. Quickly and consistently he demonstrated his mechanical aptitude and ingenuity. Elias has built an impressive knowledge base of furnace and kettle maintenance, and he has become a valuable resource—actively assisting nearly half of all AZZ facilities, each with their own unique maintenance challenges. He now holds the position of maintenance supervisor, and is tasked with improving facility performance by leading the maintenance team at the Plymouth site.
“People can’t stop talking about Elias”, says Bill Bowden, Regional Manager at AZZ Galvanizing. “In the past three years, he has been a key contributor to over six kettle changes. He is inventive, coming up with fixes for distorted stay bucks and equipment that would otherwise be considered obsolete.”
In addition to his commitment to AZZ, Elias is an involved, active member of his community supporting numerous community services with his wife, Anna, and their family.
The AZZ Galvanizing facility in Plymouth boasts one of the lowest down times in the industry. As maintenance supervisor, Elias no doubt contributes to this success with his exceptional skills, strong leadership, and customer commitment. Customers know they can rely on the Plymouth plant with confidence. AZZ’s 60 years of experience has contributed to critical enhancements for companies, industries, and the world’s infrastructure: dedicated employees, including those such as Elias Jimenez, are credited with making great things happen here. To learn more about our operations, services and team, visit us online at www.AZZ.com.