What to Know Before Buying Spray Foam Equipment
PMC’s PHX-40 (shown above) is ideal for use in High Output Plural Component Coating Applications. Understanding SPF equipment before making a purchase helps contractors make better decisions. Informed buyers are happy buyers because they know that they are getting products and services that are right for their business goals.
Don’t get caught unaware: This article was created to familiarize you with basic spray foam equipment terminology used to describe standard components and parts. Moreover, there are spray foam rig configurations to help illustrate the main points. This information will help you become better able to discuss your equipment needs with a qualified equipment provider.
When purchasing a spray foam machine, always consult with a qualified spray foam equipment manufacturer or distributor. These are companies that manufacture or distribute quality, well-known name brands. It is important to work with manufacturers and distributors that will stand behind their products and provide you with the proper education, training, tech support and equipment warranties. Manufacturers or distributors should always consider the type of applications contractors intend to conduct before advising them on an equipment purchase. They should also consider the potential for a contractor to expand into other plural component markets.
What Do Most Spray Foam Machines Have in Common?
Machine and Pump Configurations:
Vertical Pump Configuration Horizontal Pump Configuration
(console View)
- A and B Pumps: All spray foam machines, including polyurea spray machines, have a vertical or horizontal pump: One pump for the A component and one pump for the B component.
- Other commonalities are (when standing in front of all spray foam machines) the A component is always on the left side while the B is on the right. This arrangement also holds true for spray guns.
Gauges:
PHX-40 Classic Hydraulic Proportioner
- Pressure Gauges: All spray foam and polyurea machines have analog fluid pressure gauges. This allows the contractor to monitor the material flow for equal balance. Pressure gauges are also important for trouble-shooting the equipment.
- Over Pressure Sensors: Over pressure sensors are used in case of accidental over-pressurization of the proportioner. The sensors are pre-set, from the manufacturer in order to safeguard the proportioner from becoming over-pressurized.
- Over Temperature Sensors: Over temperature sensors are used in case of accidental over-heating from the set point of the controller.
Other Components:
- Y-Strainers: Y-strainers (A/B Pre-Filters) are used to pre-screen materials being supplied to the machine. Various filter sizes are available. Always consult the material manufacturer, supplier and/or a spray foam technical consultant for recommendations.
- Electrical Breakers: Electrical breakers are used to automatically interrupt the current form overloads or short circuits. Typically, breakers are used for motor, pump, A/B pre-heaters, hose heat, and control panels.
- Control Panels: All operational switches are located on the control panel which allows the user to control the A/B pre-heaters, hose heat, pump, and motor functions. Cycle counters and a safety stop switch are also commonly found.
- Thermocouples: Thermocouples are used for sensing of the A/B pre-heater’s temperature.
- Temperature sensing units:(TSU) and Fluid Temperature Sensor (FTS) are often located in line with the heated spray hose and are used to sense the temperature of the hose heat.
Heated Hoses:
- Heated spray foam and polyurea hoses vary in length and diameter. Industry standards for spray foam insulation heated hoses are rated at 2000 psi, while polyurea heated hoses are rated at 3500 psi. Heated hoses also have an insulated jacket to help maintain heat.
- Most heated hoses have either a copper coil or a sleeved mesh wrapped around the hose. Heated hoses are also sold with or without a temperature sensing wire. This wire is connected to a TSU (Temperature Sensing Unit) in the line. Heated hoses with non-temperature sensor wires can be used to extend the spray machine’s existing hose length. Scuff jackets are used as a proactive covering for heated hoses.
Basic Spray Foam Rig Configurations:
Shore Power Spray Foam Trailer connects to a power source
Diesel Generator-Powered Spray Foam Trailer
- All require a 220 volt signal phase and/or a 220 volt 3-phase power supply.
- All require air to the spray machine motor and/or to the supply pumps and spray gun.
- Spray foam and Polyurea machines have an individual A/B pre-heater block or a split A/B pre-heater block. This is to allow the spray foam insulation and polyurea products to be heated to the chemical manufacture’s recommendations. Depending upon the size of the spray machine’s pump, the heater size and wattage may vary.
- All spray foam and polyurea machines have hose transformers. A hose transformer provides the power to the heated hose. Smaller spray foam machines can have heated hose lengths up to 210 feet, according to the size of the transformer. Larger spray foam machines can accommodate up to 410 feet of heated spray hose.
Air-Driven Spray Foam Machine with Gas-Powered Generator and Compressor
Electric Driven Spray Foam Machine with Diesel Generator and Electric Compressor
Hydraulic-Driven Machine with Diesel Generator Compressor Combo
Putting You on the Path to Success:
Now that you have become familiar with machine types, equipment components, rig configurations and terminology, it’s time to make the call to get a quote from a qualified manufacturer or distributor. Being in the know, before you buy, can save you a great deal of time and money.
For more information, contact Polyurethane Machinery Corporation (PMC) at
email: https://polymac-usa.com/contact-us/
Phone: 732-415-4400
Fax: 732-364-4025
Worldwide Headquarters:
One Komo Drive
Lakewood, New Jersey 08701
United States
