Mecapinta's efficient anodizing line

Excellent quality from automated lines

Mecapinta Oy’s customers mainly feature Finnish metal industry companies that deliver products to end clients operating in all industrial sectors across the world. With its high-quality plating and surface treatment services, Mecapinta increases the added value of its customers’ products, helping expand their potential markets.

“A high degree of automation and reliability are the be-all and end-all of the operations,” explains Juha Vähäsöyrinki, Mecapinta’s technical manager. Because delivery times are short in the sector, the lines must function without disruptions. To ensure that Mecapinta can respond to growing demand, Makron is continuously developing the efficiency and functionality of its automation system.

Environmental values guide the operations

Sustainability is an important value to Meca­pinta, and environ­mental matters are considered at every work stage. Energy is saved because the control system enables the optimization of the use of heating energy, which also translates into cost savings.

An excellent example of a sustainable aluminum treatment method is the anodizing process. It is based on electrolysis, a chemical process driven by an electric current. Mecapinta’s anodizing process involves dipping aluminum pieces suspended from a bar into chemical containers on an automated line. As a result of the electric current, the pieces are given a hard oxide layer that protects them against corrosion and wear. Thanks to their increased durability, the products offer longer service lives, and the aluminum can still be recycled because no other substances are added to it.

New line, modern features

Because its customers are requiring more challenging products, Mecapinta decided to invest in a second, larger anodizing line. As Mecapinta has collaborated with Makron right from the start of its operations, it was only natural that the companies would join forces to develop the new line.

The project also presented an opportunity to implement new, useful features. Makron’s experts proposed new solutions to boost efficiency and make the process more seamless. At the same time, new reporting features were implemented to facilitate production monitoring processes. Because the companies wanted long-term solutions for the line’s logic controller, Siemens TIA portal offered an ideal option.

Having overall responsibility for the automation system, Makron designed and programmed the PLC system and HMI software, manufactured the control cabinets, carried out electrical installations for the line, and took care of the commissioning. The new anodizing line was ready for use at the end of 2019.

Precise and energy-efficient process

The larger line with its efficient control system has brought about new opportunities. Summing up Meca­pinta’s experiences of its new line, Juha Vähä­söyrinki says: “The process can now be adjusted more precisely, and the lead time is short. We have been able to meet customer demands.” With the new line, production capacity grew many­fold, and the line produces results that meet customer needs and required standards.

The control system also improves energy effi­ciency. Meca­pinta has been particularly pleased about the heating timer func­tion, which helps save energy. Makron integrated a timer function into the control system to allow the heating for the con­tain­­ers to switch off for the weekend and on again in time to achieve the target temper­ature by the start of the shift. Temper­atures and heat­ing times can be later viewed from reports.

The switch to the new system was smooth. The user interface is logical and easy to use, even without extensive training. The browser-based control room application can be used from a terminal at the end of the line – or any other location in the world. The situation on the line can be viewed with a single glance, offer­ing information on the conveyor locations, bars being pro­cessed and their process stage, and container temperatures. The bar data in­dicate when the process will be completed. The pro­cess­ing program is easy to edit when necessary. The control sys­tem generates reports that con­tain production data and can be used for trouble­­shooting.

Automation solutions with long service lives

Mecapinta can rely on the anodizing line’s new automation solutions to bring added reliability, and components for it will be available in the future. In the event of any problems, Makron is just a phone call away, and the situation can usually be solved via remote connections.

The automation level and production efficiency will be crucial to the company’s future success. Juha Vähäsöyrinki believes that the control system can be put to more extensive use when it is time for Mecapinta to modernize its other surface treatment lines.

“We want to remain one of Finland’s leading plating experts,” says Vähäsöyrinki. This goal can be achieved with an up-to-date and reliable automation system.