Surface processing covers everything from the first strip, blast or galvanise to the final paint or powder finish. In each case the plant dictates the handling. Oven temperatures, chemical exposure, cycle times and part geometry all decide what kind of conveyor will work. MHEL designs and builds overhead conveyors, gantries and transporters for surface processing lines across the UK, engineered around your process rather than the other way round.
Looking for a conveyor for surface processing? Call 01162593175, email hello@mhel.co.uk, or request a quote. We’ll review your product, layout and throughput and recommend the right system.
Surface Processing Conveyor Solutions
Paint and Powder Finishing Conveyors
Wet spray and powder coating lines usually run on overhead conveyors. Hanging the part from above gives the applicator access to every surface, and keeps the product clear of the floor, booths and ovens.
Powder coating: powder is electrostatically charged so it clings to the part, which makes a consistent coat thickness easier to achieve. Most plants then need oven temperatures of around 180°C to cure it, so the conveyor, chain and hangers must be specified for that heat cycle.
Wet spray and lacquer: widely used by door and window manufacturers, typically followed by air drying or a low-heat oven.
Part suitability: metal parts generally benefit most from powder coating, while wet spray suits products that can’t take cure temperatures or need a specific finish.
Chemical Treatment Line Conveyors
Treatment plants often involve harsh chemicals, so exposure has to be limited or removed entirely. Spraying chemicals onto parts increases exposure risk. Dipping parts into tanks reduces it.
For dip lines, overhead gantries and transporters carry the product from above, lower it into the tank for the required process time, lift it out and move it to the next stage. This keeps operators clear of the chemicals and gives repeatable, controlled cycle times.
Why Handling Design Matters in Surface Processing
The conveyor sets the quality and throughput of the whole line. The main considerations are:
Temperature: cure ovens and drying stages place demands on chain, bearings, lubricants and hangers
Chemical resistance: materials and finishes need to survive tank atmospheres, fumes and drip
Coating access: the way parts are hung decides whether coverage is even on every face
Cycle time control: dwell time in tanks and ovens directly affects finish quality
Operator safety: automated handling limits contact with chemicals, heat and heavy parts
Cleanliness: contamination from the conveyor itself, such as drip or debris, can ruin a finish
Designed, Built and Supported in the UK
Every surface processing line is different, so we start with your product, process and space, then design the handling system around them. We manufacture in Leicester and support what we build.
Custom design: systems engineered to your layout and process. See custom design equipment.
Overhead conveyors: our core range for paint, powder and treatment lines. See overhead conveyors.
Spares and service: maintenance, spare parts and upgrades to keep your line running. See spares and services.
FAQs
What type of conveyor is used for powder coating?
Overhead conveyors are the standard choice. Parts hang from above, so the coating can be applied to all sides, and the same conveyor can carry them through pre-treatment, spray booth and cure oven.
What temperature does a powder coating conveyor need to withstand?
Most powder coating plants cure at around 180°C, so the conveyor must be specified for the oven section. Tell us your cure profile and we’ll specify chain, lubrication and hangers to suit.
Why use a dip line rather than spraying for chemical treatments?
Spraying increases exposure risk because chemicals are airborne and contact more surfaces. Dipping reduces exposure, and gantries or transporters automate the lowering, dwell and transfer between tanks.
Can you design a system around our existing plant?
Yes. We can design new lines or adapt handling to existing booths, ovens and tanks. Send us your layout and process details and we’ll advise.
Do you supply spares and servicing for surface processing lines?
Yes. See our spares and services page.
Looking for a conveyor for surface processing? Call 01162593175, email hello@mhel.co.uk, or request a quote. We’ll review your product, layout and throughput and recommend the right system.
Paint & Powder Finishing
Wet spray and powder coating of products often requires the use of overhead conveyors as the product can hung from above allowing access to all sides for the paint application. Door and window manufacturers typically use a wet spray or lacquer and will often be left to air dry or a low heat oven. Metal parts typically benefit from powder coatings as the powder is electrostatically charged and sticks to the part making a consistent coat / thickness easier to apply. Most powder coating plants will require temperatures of around 180deg. C to cure the paint on the product.
Chemical Treatments
Treatment plants often contain unhospitable chemicals where exposure either will need to be limited or completely prevented. When applying chemicals by spray to parts you are essentially increasing the exposure risk so dipping parts into tanks helps to reduce this. Overhead gantry or transporter can support the product from above tanks and lower in for the process before moving to another tank.