Curtain coating solutions

Curtain coating is performed using systems known as curtain coaters. Usually a curtain coater is provided as an end-of-line finishing machine and plays a key role in high quality finishing - to achieve any desired effect: glossy, semi-glossy and matt in different colours.

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Curtain coating

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What is curtain coating?

Curtain coaters are based on the ability of liquid lacquers to form a uniform coat as they fall on items, allowing the lacquer to transfer onto a product surface as the product being processed is fed on. A curtain coater is suitable for application on flat or slightly raised surfaces of any type and on any substrate.

Curtain coaters can be equipped with gravity or pressure heads depending on the paint products to be applied. A system of conveyor belts in and out of the head leads each panel through the coating curtain - ensuring homogeneous lacquer application.

Advantages

Advantages of curtain coating

The curtain coating technology allows for excellent finishing quality thanks to the homogeneity of the coat of paint on substrates that are generally flat, and the considerable paint weight applied in a single pass. 

It is a versatile technique which can be used with virtually any type of paint, achieving a glossy, semi-glossy or matt finish. Flexible and capable of reaching high output levels, curtain coaters can be integrated into lines as a last finishing step, but are also suitable for basecoat application depending on the type of material to be treated.

Among the advantages:

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A curtain coater can become the highest output machine of all, with speeds ranging between 60 and 100m/min.

Technology suitable for all types of paint, water-based, polyurethane and UV, clear or pigmented.



Paints containing aluminium dioxide, corundum or glass microspheres can be applied with this technique to achieve high surface abrasion strength.

Where can curtain coating be used?

Curtain coating can be used for surface finishing of different materials and in a number of industries including:

FIELDS OF APPLICATION

Below are some curtain coater application areas and finished products

APPLICATIONS

01

Drawers

After applying glue to a drawer, it can be wrapped with previously decorated PVC materials to embellish an MDF substrate and thereby make it an attractive element of a piece of furniture.
02

Flat doors

Managed on roller coater and curtain coater lines, doors can also be processed on an overhead line using anthropomorphic spray-coating robots and in-line drying solutions using hot-air ventilation.
03

Parquet

Finishing techniques for parquet differ according to their use once laid. Curtain coaters to add abrasion-resistant materials, industrial digital printers for a haptic effect are just 2 possible technologies.
04

Flat panels

Flat panels can be of many different substrate materials, from wood to plastic, metal or ceramics. Usually coated on roller coating equipment, curtain coaters, industrial digital printers, vacuum coaters and spray coaters can also be used.
05

Indoor furniture

Indoor furniture can be decorated using roller coating machines or spray coaters to enhance the perceived quality of MDF panels, performed on integrated lines. Adding a glossy or deep matt finish with appropriate coatings and ovens achieves an even more attractive finish.
06

Interior lining and home furnishing

These elements or products can be decorated on complete finishing lines using a number of different technologies according to substrate, size and shape. These technologies include: spray, vacuum, roller, curtain coating and industrial digital printing.
07

Internal matchboard

Insulating with matchboard is frequent in certain areas and coatings can be applied using special spray coaters that handle narrow wooden slats.
08

Kids bedroom furniture

Spray coaters apply fancy-coloured paints to kids’ bedroom furniture, enhancing the aesthetics of each item. Special custom finishes can also be achieved using an industrial digital printer.

Focus On

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Are there different curtain coater versions?

A curtain coater can have one head or two heads depending on the products to be applied. If two-component polyester products are used, two coating heads are always required for "wet on wet" application. There are also "Matic" model long-bench curtain coater versions, suitable for preparing packs of panels and mainly designed for working in lines with vertical ovens. These curtain coaters have three independent speeds: loading, coating and unloading.

Discover more

Learn more about the curtain coaters in our range

Machines

Smartcurtain

Materials:

  • Plastic
  • Metal
  • Ceramic
  • Wood
  • Paper
  • Fibre Cement
  • Glass
  • Mineral Fibre

Machine Type:

  • Curtain and Roller Application

Case studies

Case study

We have helped hundreds of companies around the world achieve their quality, efficiency, and productivity goals. Here are their stories.
We have helped hundreds of companies around the world achieve their quality, efficiency, and productivity goals. Here are their stories.
01

Mixal doubles the efficiency of made-to-measure window manufacturing

02

No more machine downtime for Pianca thanks to automatic colour changeover

03

Global Design: from workshop to factory thanks to Cefla technology

WHITEPAPER

The most innovation finishing solutions

New finishing solutions: more effective, more productive and more competitive than those currently in use.

Discover the white paper

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MAGAZINE

Explore the topic on our blog. You can find articles on technologies, innovative techniques, and tips to improve the efficiency of your finishing line.
Explore the topic on our blog. You can find articles on technologies, innovative techniques, and tips to improve the efficiency of your finishing line.
01
    Spray coating

Coating Technologies

02
    Cefla Live 2019

Going from manual to automated spray coating…

03
    Industry 4.0 and Digitization

How to solve some problem thanks to digitization

We’ve been innovating in the surface finishing field for sixty years.

Experts sharing skills in all areas and all industries, Cefla Finishing is a hub of expertise, a trusted source and partner who can help you achieve your business objectives.

How to set parameters, print files, inks to get the effect you are looking for?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

01 Which materials are suitable for curtain coating?
Curtain coating is suitable for all materials such as wood and wood derivatives, glass, cork, plastic materials, fibre cement, leather, cardboard, metal, etc. Curtain coaters work panels with flat or slightly raised surfaces.
02 Who are the main users of curtain coating technologies?
Curtain coating is based on a highly effective technology, mainly used by manufacturers of flat cabinet doors, parquet manufacturers, manufacturers of panels of various materials and door manufacturers.
03 What are the advantages of curtain coating?
Curtain coating is one of the best performing technologies in terms of finish quality. It also ensures remarkable advantages in terms of both flexibility and productivity. In curtain coating, all types of paint in the whole available colour range can be used.
04 What types of coating products are best suited for curtain coating?
All types of paint can be used for curtain coating: water-based, polyurethane and UV, clear or pigmented, matt, semi-gloss or glossy paints.

To date, the most commonly used types as both primers and finishes applied with curtain coaters are high quality polyurethane paints and UV paints. For parquet coating, paints containing aluminium dioxide, corundum or glass microspheres can be applied, to achieve high surface abrasion strength.
05 What do I need besides the curtain coater to complete my line?
A curtain coater is a machine that is added to a finishing line as the last coating machine, although in very specific cases, it can be used for primer application. Like in all coating lines, depending on the types of material to be processed, conveyors, sanding machines, brushing machines for cleaning purposes and drying ovens (based on different technology depending on the type of coating product used) are also needed.
06 What is the degree of flexibility of curtain coating machines?
Curtain coaters are highly flexible, both in terms of product quantity to be applied, and in terms of application options and different positioning along the coating line.