BRAND-NEW
AkzoNobel and BYK-Gardner Launch spectro2profiler to Measure and Control Textured Powder Coating Surfaces Thanks to a joint collaboration, AkzoNobel and BYK-Gardner launched spectro2profiler, a new instrument to check the quality of a textured powder coating surface, measuring colour and gloss, and analysing the 3D topography of the surface texture.
A
innovation milestone,” explains Pim
and our customers”, adds Jean-Paul
have developed a pioneering
Koeckhoven, Technology Director
Moonen, Architectural Segment
technology, which can digitally
for Colour at AkzoNobel. “Being able
Manager for AkzoNobel’s Powder
measure and control the textured
to objectively evaluate the structural
Coatings business.
surfaces of powder coatings.
quality of a powder coating – in a
The two companies had already
spectro2profiler, launched on April
consistent, precise and standardized
collaborated on a digital device
10, can measure colour and gloss, as
way – using a dedicated digital tool will
for AkzoNobel’s Vehicle Refinishes
well as analysing the 3D topography
be a huge step forward.”
business. Therefore, when they began
of the surface texture. This new tool
“Texture is an extremely important
working on the new spectro2profiler,
represents a major step forward
feature of powder coatings and the
the aim was to take what they had
for the industry because currently,
trend towards textured surfaces
already learned for leather-like surfaces
to check the quality of a textured
is getting stronger all the time,
and use it to explore the possibilities of
powder coating surface it is necessary
especially in the architectural
digitising the surface texture of powder
to carry out a visual inspection.
segment, where both coarse and
coatings.
“We’re excited to have achieved an
fine textures are used. As the world’s
“We started researching prototypes
leading supplier of powder coatings,
two years ago,” continues Koeckhoven.
having this tool available will be
“Combining our knowledge with
a major asset to both ourselves
BYK-Gardner has enabled us to obtain
© BYK-Gardner GmbH
kzoNobel and BYK-Gardner
objective quality control © AkzoNobel
based on highly accurate measurements which just can’t be achieved with the naked eye. We are currently testing and optimizing this in our manufacturing facilities. It’s hugely exciting and we expect that in the near future, this digitization method will also be able to support our formulation activities.”
Spectro2profiler is the new instrument to check the quality of a textured powder coating surface.
12
Spectro2profiler can measure colour and gloss, as well as analysing the 3D topography of the surface texture.
N. 63 - MAY/JUNE 2020 - international PAINT&COATING magazine
For further information: www.akzonobel.com