Pressure Port or Pressure Tank Equipment

Pressure port or pressure tank spraying equipment is the installation when the gun is separated from the material storage tank. Cup gun is small-scale spraying equipment when the finishing material is stored in a cup (small tank) attached to the spray gun. It has limitations in its usage for small objects or small-scale jobs. The volume of material stored in a cup gun cannot be too large, as it will make the spray gun heavy and difficult to operate. Cup guns generally have a capacity of less than 1 liter; gravity cup guns with a cup on the top typically have a volume of 0.5 liters, while suction cup guns with a cup below the gun usually have a volume of around 0.8 liters. Big-volume materials will weigh the spray gun and make it difficult to maneuver. This condition can be a handicap for large-volume spray jobs. Cup guns are also not suitable to apply finishing materials in big-sized products, such as large cabinets or tables, which require a large volume of material consumption. The finishing materials can run out in the spraying process due to the limited cup volume. 

To address the material volume issue, you can use a spray gun with a separate tank; it is the pressure port or pressure tank spraying equipment. The finishing material is stored in a tightly sealed tank that is installed separately from the spray gun. This equipment allows for larger volumes of finishing material, with tank sizes generally available in 2 liters, 5 liters, 20 liters, or 40 liters. The material is delivered from the tank to the spray gun in several ways: by applying air pressure to the tank (pressure port or pressure tank installation) or by using a pump. This post will only discuss the compressed air installations spraying equipment; for pump installations, you can read in our other post :  spray gun with pump.

pressure port

Instead of just helping the spraying application with material volume, it also makes the spraying process easier to do. When the spray gun is separated from the tank, the spray gun will be lighter and moveable, allowing it to reach the difficult-to-reach areas. It is particularly helpful for the operators when applying finishing material for the big and complicated-shaped products.

Advantages of pressure port spraying equipment

• Can be used for large-volume spraying

Tank sizes are available in 2 liters, 5 liters, 20 liters, and 40 liters. It allows for continuous spraying due to its capacity. The large tank size allows for the spraying process without the hassle of repeatedly refilling the material, as with the cup guns. This equipment is very helpful to finish the big products such as tables, walls, doors, cabinets, etc. without interruption due to running out of material. This tool is essential equipment for furniture factories or workshops that work on large-scale products.

• Spray gun movement is more flexible

As the gun is separated from the material tank, it allows for greater freedom of movement. The spray gun can be rotated and moved in any direction without the risk of spilling material. Spraying on the bottom part can be done easily by adjusting the spray gun's movement, without the hassle of turning the object upside down.

• Simple and inexpensive

This tool works on a simple principle: the material is stored in a tank and then pressurized with compressed air. The air pressure in the tank pushes and flows the finishing material through a hose to the spray gun, where it is atomized and directed to the desired surface. There is no complicated equipment; making this equipment is relatively simple and inexpensive.

The installation of pressure port

Pressure Port Disadvantages

• Long time in replacing or refilling material.

When the tank runs out of material, it must be opened to refill it with new material. This can be a bit cumbersome, as you have to open it, pour the material, and refill the tank. If a different material is to be used, the tank must be thoroughly washed before refilling it with new material. This process will take time and energy that can be considered costly, especially if the material replacement process is often needed.

• Not suitable for materials with a short pot life

This tool is not suitable for materials with a short pot life, such as PU, melamine, or two-compound materials. When you deal with 2-component materials, then you have to consider their pot life. The material in the tank must be finished before it reaches its pot life. It may be more complicated due to the time consumption in the reclining process.

• Requires compressed air supply

This tool will require an additional compressed air supply to pressurize the material tank and the atomization process in the spray gun. A sufficient volume of compressed air supply and stable pressure are required to operate this tool properly.

Tips for selecting and using a pressure port

•  Consider the work volume

Do a simple analysis and calculation for your job volume; make sure the equipment can be filled with sufficient material without changing it too often. Replacing the material in the tank will require time and effort. You also will need thinner to clean the tank, all of which must be factored into the cost.

• Consider the finishing process

All equipment is provided to facilitate the finishing process, ensuring it can be carried out properly and quickly. Therefore, before purchasing this equipment, ensure you understand the finishing process you will be performing and the types of materials used. This equipment is more suitable for materials that don't deteriorate quickly, such as NC, stain, glaze, and durable one-component materials. Materials that deteriorate quickly due to time and reaction will require frequent opening and closing of the tank, which is cumbersome.

• Consider the quality of the equipment

Although this is relatively simple equipment, it varies in quality. There are many brands and suppliers that provide a wide range of prices and qualities. The type of material and the level of precision of the equipment are the biggest factors that determine the quality and durability. Good equipment should be made of thinner-resistant, rust-resistant material with a good level of precision so it can be installed, opened, and closed easily and safely.