Simply put, electrostatic spray guns are the ideal equipment when outstanding finish and material savings are required. We can confidently say that electrostatic painting can be the solution to get considerable savings in materials, while applying high-quality coatings to your products.
What is electrostatic painting?
Electrostatic spray painting is a technique that uses an electric charge to apply a coating to a surface. The paint particles are given a positive charge, while the object being painted is grounded, or given a negative charge. This creates an attraction between the paint and the object, which helps to ensure that the paint adheres evenly and covers all of the surface.
If you want to know all the details about electrostatic painting, we recomend you to read the article “Electrostatic atomization: What is it and what equipment is needed”, published some time ago in our blog.
When electrostatic painting is needed
Electrostatic spray painting is a versatile technique that can be used on a variety of surfaces, including metal, wood, plastic, and concrete. It is often used in industrial applications, the automotive industry, but it can also be used for home improvement projects.
Basically, electrostatic spray guns are needed when you want an excellent finish, but savings are also important. That is the reason why electrostatic spray painting is so widely used in the automotive industry.
Advantages of electrostatic spray guns
Some of the advantages of electrostatic spray painting are:
Reduced overspray: Because the paint is attracted to the object, there is less overspray, which means less paint is wasted and the surrounding area is less likely to be contaminated. The transfer efficiency has been calculated to reach the 90%.
Improved coverage: The electrostatic charge helps the paint to wrap around corners and into crevices, which can be difficult to do with traditional spray painting.
Thicker, more even coats: Electrostatic spray painting can produce thicker, more even coats of paint than traditional spray painting. This is useful when production needs to move fast.
Faster drying time: Because the paint is applied more evenly, it dries faster.
Environmentally friendly: Electrostatic spray painting reduces the amount of paint that is wasted, which is better for the environment.
Versatile: There are both liquid and powder coatings for electrostatic painting. The process can be both manual and automated.
As a sumary, you need electrostatic spray guns when you want to reduce production times, enhances quality and increase savings.
Chances are that, if you are reading this article, you are thinking or have already decided to implement electrostatic painting in your workshop. If that is the case, you need to get to know the equipment. So, let’s get started with that.
4th place: Aerobell 268 Rotary Atomizer
The Ransburg Aerobell 268 is a flexible and robust rotary atomizer. It is a high speed bell for electrostatically applying conventional and high solid coating materials. The applicator is designed with fewer parts which decreases maintenance and provides increased up-time.
The Aerobell 268 is built on the performance and reliability of the Aerobell family of products, which offers a robust, proven air-bearing turbine design to keep systems running at peak performance. Its sleek, compact design, and variety of bell cup and shape air rings provide flexible finishing.
Configurable manifold for up to three individual colors and mounting for machine or non-hollow wrist robots make the Aerobell 268 a must-have in automated finishing systems.
Designed with 30 mm dual shape air, 65 mm MonoFlex or DualFlex configuration, the Aerobell 268 provides optimal pattern control. The bell cups are constructed of electroless nickel coated Aluminum and Titanium construction for long life and durability.
The applicator offers flexible speed sensing capability and magnetic and light sensing for speed reading and control. The applicators power supply can be controlled either locally or remotely by PLC or other control features.
Regardless of the coating material, the Ransburg bell cup technology provides superior material atomization to maximize appearance on substrate. The Aerobell 268 has a variety of bell cups and shape air configurations to provide small to large size spray patterns.
The applicators bell cup technology maximizes coating performance and penetration providing superior material atomization. Ransburg has the experience and technology to fit most any application from small complex geometries and deep recesses to large panels.
Main features of the Ransburg Aerobell 268
- Field repairable turbine
- High performance bell cup and shape air configurations
- External/Internal Bell Cup wash
- Proven long life air bearing spindle
- ATEX tested and approved for safe sparking distance and EN 50 176 compliance.
3rd place: RMA-500 Series Rotary Atomizers
The RMA-500 rotary atomizers are a cutting edge electrostatic robot mounted series applicators. They are advanced electrostatic equipment for the Automotive OEM and Tier 1 production sectors.
Independent tests show they beat all competitor applicators in transfer efficiency and paint usage.
Available in a number of configurations, their modular design can be arranged for solvent based direct charge or waterborne indirect charge applications.
The RMA 500 series incorporate single and dual purge valve manifolds with colour coded tubing bundles for easy change-outs and operational efficiency.
Main features of the The RMA-500 Series Rotary Atomizers
- Integrated trigger, dump and bell wash valves minimizes colour change time, paint loss and solvent usage
- Modular design offers fast and easy maintenance
- Hard-wearing titanium bell cups as standard
- Serrated and non-serrated bell cup design provides smaller, more uniform atomization.
2nd place: Ransburg Vector
The Ransburg Vector is an electrostatic corded spray gun designed to apply solvent based coatings with extremely high transfer efficiency. The Vector Classic or Cascade are a series of manual electrostatic spray guns that can be configurated to suit your particular needs.
Vector has taken electrostatic spray guns to a new level. Improved ergonomics. Improved atomization and transfer efficiency. Improved durability. That is the Vector electrostatic spray gun. Improved from grip to tip.
The Vector electrostatic spray guns offer everything needed for a production environment: classic or cascade technology, air spray or air-assisted airless and waterborne or solvent. Whatever your needs might be, Vector spray guns can meet them.
All Vector electrostatic spray guns are constructed from lighter weight, stronger and more durable polymers. Designed to achieve a better, more balanced feel in the operator’s hand.
The new Vector design redistributes the pressure in the air cap adjusting the balance between the atomization and fan air. This causes paint particles to move slower through the charging field which allows stronger charging and more paint is delivered to the part with less waste.
Vector guns utilize 25% less parts which greatly reduces the likelihood of failure and lowers the costs of future repairs. The thread design on the barrel has been made coarser for easier removal while reducing the chance for cross-threading.
The guns are available in both cascade or classic technology. Cascade technology guns house the cascade in the gun itself. With classic technology guns the cascade is located in the external powder supply making the gun lightweight while also protecting key components from droppage.
The Vector cascade guns incorporate triple set point control putting unparalleled voltage control and flexibility right at the user’s fingertips. A single switch turns the voltage on and off and can move between three pre-selected voltage levels.
It all starts up front: Vector guns feature certified, pre-tested air caps designed to deliver consistency. The result is an improved finish with fewer rejects.
We cut the weight 24% over other electrostatic guns. This improves operator comfort and reduces fatigue, both of which add up to improved productivity and job satisfaction.
Main features of the Ransburg Vector
- The trigger pull has been reduced by 50%
- The dual stage air valve eliminates air to fluid transition
- Vector’s control unit offers microprocessor based control for data collection, that way improving electronic controls
1st place: Ransburg RansFlex
The Ransburg RansFlex is a series of high-performance electrostatic spray guns. They are designed to reduce maintenance while increasing productivity.
RansFlex electrostatic spray guns provide painters with a more streamlined, lightweight and ergonomic experience. Less stress on joints and muscles lowers the risks of carpal tunnel and the impact of physical strain.
Main features of the Ransburg RansFlex
- Ergonomic fit, feel, balance and controls
- Superior atomization and performance
- Sleek and smooth exterior
- Stylized, user friendly control knobs
- Quick disconnect built into gun handle (optional)
- 20% fewer parts than previous version applicators
- Removable cascade assembly
- Meets FM, FMC and ATEX approvals
- Smaller diameter fluid and air hose
- Waterborne or solventborne models available
- Waterborne models available in direct or indirect charge technology for application flexibility
The Ranflex series is a configurable electrostatic spray gun. In this brochure you can see the main differences between the models. Feel free to reach out to us so we can recommend the ideal model for you, based on your specific needs. Let’s review some basic models.
1) RansFlex Indirect Manual Gun (RFXi)
The RansFlex Indirect Manual Gun (RFXi) is a high performance manual electrostatic waterborne spray gun. This RansFlex RFXi 65kV is a low pressure air atomizing electrostatic spray gun powered by an internal turbine generator.
Universal Water Based Paint Compatibility: Sprays straight from your regular paint pumps or pressure feed tanks without the need for expensive isolation tables or enclosures.
World Renowned DeVilbiss Atomisation Technology: For superior atomization and finish quality.
Ergonomic Fit and Feel with easy to use Controls: The curved gun handle required less “grip-force” with a softer trigger pull which means users experience less joint or muscle strain reducing the risk of RSI and operator fatigue. On/Off voltage switch is on the gun.
Triple Turbine Protection: Three phases of turbine protection include a divorced turbine air supply cartridge, sealed nozzle/atomisation passages and the strategic turbine location provide a long trouble free working life.
More about the RansFlex Indirect Manual Gun (RFXi)
The all new RansFlex RFXi 65kV spray gun delivers features and benefits that surpass all other electrostatic applicators. RFXi is a low pressure air atomizing electrostatic spray gun powered by an inbuilt turbine generator. Designed with the operator in mind, the handle incorporates many fit and feel improvements with better balanced weight to reduce operator fatigue.
RFXi uses indirect electrostatic charging technology which means there is no longer any need to isolate the waterborne paint feed containers or paint pumps with expensive isolation cages or tanks, saving users significant expense and floor space.
DeVilbiss world renowned air cap atomization technology is coupled with Ransburg electrostatic power to provide superior atomization, transfer efficiency and performance.
Typical applications of the RansFlex Indirect Manual Gun (RFXi)
- Aerospace industry
- General Metal spraying
- Marine and Yacht applications
- Commercial and off Road Vehicles
- Intricate metal components and parts
2) RansFlex Electrostatic Gun (RX/RFX)
The RansFlex Electrostatic Gun (RX/RFX) is a high performance electrostatic manual spray gun. This RansFlex Electrostatic Gun (RX/RFX) is an air atomizing electrostatic turbine powered solvent manual spray gun
Advanced RansFlex finishing applicators integrate the best of both worlds: Ransburg electrostatics with legendary DeVilbiss atomization technology. Smaller, Lighter weight RansFlex RX and RFX applicators feature enhanced, proprietary cascade and atomization technology. These advancements provide a compact applicator with the equivalent –or better– performance and transfer efficiency of higher voltage spray guns from competitors.
The RansFlex Quick Fan Adjust applicator is an air atomizing electrostatic applicator powered by an onboard generator that provides best in class atomization in a lightweight, user friendly applicator. The RFQ and RFQX both offer superior finish quality surpasses competitor’s larger, higher voltage applicators in small compact size.
The new “Quick Fan Adjust” button allows operators to easily go from a large to a small fan pattern by simply depressing the button located on the side of the spray gun. This new feature allows the operator to keep the line moving, increasing production.
Main features of the RansFlex Electrostatic Gun (RX/RFX)
- Protected Internal Components
- Divorced generator air supply cartridge protects strategic internal components. Sealed nozzle/atomisation passages to protect internal components from solvent or fluid invasion
- Increased transfer efficiency
- Significantly increases quality and production
- Positive environmental impact
- Reduces overspray, air pollution and VOC emissions
- Decreases coating costs
- More consistent part-to-part quality
- Reduced costs for the disposal of hazardous materials
- Ergonomic fit, feel and balance
- Operators experience less stress on joints and muscles
3) RansFlex Quick Fan Adjust Gun (RXQ / RFXQ)
The RansFlex Quick Fan Adjust Gun (RXQ / RFXQ) is a high performance electrostatic quick fan adjust manual spray gun. This RansFlex Quick Fan Adjust Gun (RXQ / RFXQ) applicator easily changes from large to small spray pattern.
This is an air atomizing electrostatic applicator powered by an onboard generator that provides best in class atomization in a lightweight, user friendly applicator. The RFQ and RFQX both offer superior finish quality that surpasses competitor’s larger, higher voltage applicators in a small compact size.
The new “Quick Fan Adjust” button allows operators to easily go from a large to small fan pattern by simply depressing the button located on the side of the gun. This new feature allows the operator to keep the line moving, increasing production.
Designed with the operator in mind, the RansFlex Quick Fan Adjust Gun (RXQ / RFXQ) handle incorporates many grip and handle advantages such as balanced weight to reduce operator fatigue.
Main features of the RansFlex Quick Fan Adjust Gun (RXQ / RFXQ)
Protected Internal Components: Divorced generator air supply cartridge protects strategic internal components. Sealed nozzle/atomization passages to protect internal components from solvent of fluid invasion.
Meets FM/ATEX/CSA: Complies with all globally recognized standards and promotes confidence in a quality product.
Easier to Clean and Maintain: Smooth sleek exterior makes cleaning fast and easy.
Ergonomic Fit, Feel, and Balance: Operators experience less stress on joints and muscles.
4) RansFlex Electrostatic Gun (RFXW)
The RansFlex Electrostatic Gun (RFXW) is an air electrostatic waterborne spray gun. This RansFlex Electrostatic Gun (RFXW) applicator offers “best in class” atomization in a compact, lightweight, user friendly applicator for spraying waterborne materials.
The RFXW is an air atomizing electrostatic spray gun powered by an onboard generator. The generator utilizes a three-phase patented motor to provide electrostatic power and reduce vibration in the operators hand.
The electrostatic spray gun incorporates a quick disconnect air hose at the end of the handle to reduce “treeing”, reducing weight and torque in the operators hand. Color coded fluid nozzles makes identifying fluid nozzle size a snap.
The spray guns air cap and retaining ring encapsulation keeps parts from falling into booth grates. The indexing air cap also helps position the cap.
Electrostatic spray guns: Choose yours
If you are considering using electrostatic spray painting for your next project, or in a daily basis, be sure to do your research and choose the right equipment for the job. We hope this article helped you in this regard.
If you have never used electrostatic spray painting, you might need some guidance. You will also need to make sure that the surface you are painting is properly prepared. If you have used electrostatic atomization before, but you want to update your equipment, you also need some technical support. In any case, we have decades helping companies to set up electrostatic painting workshops. Count on us to supply the right equipment and support you need at this time.
