Tag Archive for: Tom Robertson

Finishing Large Industrial Equipment with Ease

How IntelliFinishing Transforms Large Part Liquid and Powder Coating Systems

Finishing large industrial equipment has always presented a unique challenge. Oversized components, extreme weights, long cure times, and limited floor space can strain traditional conveyorized paint lines—especially chain‑based power‑and‑free systems. For manufacturers coating agricultural equipment, construction machinery, trailers, or heavy fabrication weldments, the finishing process often becomes the bottleneck.

That’s where IntelliFinishing large industrial parts painting systems stand apart.

By combining an advanced friction‑driven conveyor, zone‑based motion control, and modular system layouts, IntelliFinishing allows manufacturers to coat large parts with greater efficiency, higher throughput, and a significantly smaller footprint—whether running liquid paint systems, powder coating systems, or a hybrid of both.

Purpose‑Built for Large Industrial Parts

Unlike conventional paint systems that assume relatively small or evenly weighted loads, IntelliFinishing systems were designed specifically for large part liquid and powder coating applications.

According to Tom Robertson, President of IntelliTrak, the real innovation lies in how the conveyor moves heavy loads:

“We can move large parts through geometry that is a lot more efficient…with a much smaller footprint. Our zone control allows us to do deadheads, shuttles, and VDLs (Variable Drive Lifts), and those zones are completely independent from the rest of the system.”

This zone‑based independence enables large industrial parts painting systems to redirect parts without stopping or slowing the entire line—something nearly impossible with chain‑driven conveyors.

Shrinking the Footprint Without Sacrificing Capacity

Traditional power‑and‑free systems often rely on large 180‑degree turns that require the radius to match the full length of the load bar. When parts get longer or heavier, facilities lose valuable production space.

IntelliFinishing solves this with deadheads, switches, and especially shuttles that allow large parts to reverse direction or realign without wide turnarounds:

“We have applications where a power‑and‑free solution would have taken two bays of width, and we narrowed it down to a single bay,” Robertson explains.

For manufacturers constrained by building layout, this approach enables a high‑capacity large part paint system inside an existing facility—often without expanding square footage.

If you’d like to watch a short video where Tom talks about these topics click here: Finishing Large Industrial Equipment with Ease

Designed for Extreme Weight and Length

Handling weight is where many conventional systems fail. Chain conveyors must calculate total chain pull across the entire system, which limits scalability as loads increase.

Chain‑driven systems struggle as weight increases. Additional drives, take‑ups, and recalculated chain pull add cost and complexity with every performance milestone.

Robertson highlights a key advantage:

“We accommodate each zone so the load on the low tow of the conveyor channel is never exceeded…without having to recalculate motors, drives, or chain pull.”

In contrast, IntelliFinishing systems distribute weight by conveyor section and per carrier, not by chain length.

“Our load bars sometimes have four or eight trolleys supporting that load,” says Robertson. “Those trolleys all exist within the same section and move together.”

This design has allowed IntelliFinishing to dramatically expand what’s possible in large industrial parts coating systems up to:

  • Over 25,000 pounds per load bar
  • Load bars ranging from 10 feet to 70 feet
  • Full‑scale car hauler and gooseneck trailers moving through finishing operations

These capabilities far exceed what most chain‑based liquid or powder coating paint systems can support.

And our “scale by zone” approach allows manufacturers to future‑proof their large industrial painting systems, knowing heavier or larger parts can be added later without re‑engineering the entire line.

Optimized for Large Part Liquid Paint Systems

Large components often require liquid paint systems due to film thickness, color requirements, or specialized coatings. These systems demand tight spacing control to avoid lost capacity when one operation slows down.

In a recent system upgrade, IntelliFinishing replaced a traditional power‑and‑free conveyor while keeping the same liquid paint equipment:

“With fewer load bars, we were able to double the capacity through that same equipment.”

The key difference? No fixed dog spacing.

Instead of losing production every time one operation exceeds takt time, IntelliFinishing systems close gaps dynamically. As soon as the next zone is open, parts move forward—maximizing booth, flash, and cure utilization in large part liquid coating paint systems.

Powder Coating Large Industrial Equipment—Without Bottlenecks

The same benefits apply to large part powder coating paint systems. Because each carrier follows a recipe and zones operate independently, powder coaters can:

  • Mix part sizes on the same line, even if cure times differ dramatically
  • Maintain consistent gun‑to‑part distance
  • Increase density through ovens and booths
  • Reduce empty space and energy waste

This flexibility makes IntelliFinishing ideal for manufacturers coating structural frames, large housings, earth‑moving equipment, and fabricated weldments requiring uniform coverage at industrial scale.

Proven Results and Customer Confidence

One of the strongest endorsements of IntelliFinishing large industrial parts painting systems isn’t just throughput—it’s repeat business.

“One of our trailer customer is in the process of purchasing a second system,” Robertson notes. “They were very pleased not only with the solution, but with the service and follow‑up.”

From liquid paint lines for companies like Caterpillar to multi‑bay powder coating systems handling massive components such as for LoadTrail and Cottrell, IntelliFinishing continues to set a new standard for finishing large industrial equipment with ease.

Rethinking What’s Possible in Large Part Finishing

Large parts don’t have to mean slow lines, oversized buildings, or limited flexibility. With IntelliFinishing, manufacturers gain a conveyorized finishing system engineered specifically for heavy, oversized products—without the compromises of chain‑based designs.

Whether your operation demands a large industrial liquid paint system, a powder coating line for oversized equipment, or a flexible platform capable of both, IntelliFinishing delivers the control, capacity, and confidence needed to stay competitive.

Large parts. Smaller footprint. Higher throughput. That’s IntelliFinishing!

Who wouldn’t want a smaller finishing system footprint, elimination of gaps in the line, energy efficiency, quicker installation, and quieter operation?

Smaller Footprint, Bigger Impact: How Modern Conveyor Design Transforms Finishing Operations

In finishing operations, space is expensive, downtime is painful, and inefficiency quietly erodes profitability. Conveyor systems sit at the center of all three challenges. Traditional power-and-free or chain-based conveyors often force manufacturers into larger floor plans, longer installation timelines, and ongoing productivity losses caused by gaps in the system.

Modern friction-based conveyor solutions are changing that equation—allowing manufacturers to do more in less space, install faster, and adapt quickly when conditions change.

To watch videos about this topic and other advantages of the conveyor used by IntelliFinishing click these links:  A Walkthrough of Our Modular System Design with Tom Robertson, President of IntelliTrak and here: How does the Conveyor Help with Finish Quality, Smaller Footprints, and Faster Installations? – YouTube

Eliminating Gaps to Reduce Space and Increase Throughput

All traditional chain-based conveyorized finishing systems allow gaps between parts. Those gaps exist for many reasons, but the outcome is always the same: lost production.

“Gaps are dollars lost,” according to Tom Robertson, President of IntelliTrak – the conveyor used in IntelliFinishing Systems. Capital equipment—washers, booths, ovens—costs money whether product is running or not. When gaps exist, that equipment is underutilized, even while depreciation keeps ticking.

Monorail systems are especially limiting because gaps cannot be closed at all but even Power-and-free systems cannot close a gap until the carrier reaches an accumulation zone – and very few P&F systems include accumulation zones. Meanwhile, those P&F systems that have accumulation zones force users into longer conveyor paths and larger footprints to maintain throughput.

By contrast, the IntelliTrak conveyor system used by IntelliFinishing is designed to actively close gaps and create queues ahead of critical processes. This ability allows manufacturers to:

  • Maximize throughput at key operations
  • Shorten overall conveyor length
  • Reduce the facility footprint required to achieve production targets

In many cases, higher output is achieved not by adding equipment, but by using existing equipment more efficiently—and in less space.

Heating Only the Product, Not the Conveyor

Ovens are often the largest space and energy consumers in a finishing line. Traditional chain conveyors move not only the product but also large amounts of steel—chains, trolleys, and running gear—through cure and dry-off ovens. Even the support structure for the conveyor is typically inside the oven.

“Now you’re heating all that extra steel to cure temperature,” Tom Robertson explained. “That’s a lot of wasted energy.”

Beyond energy loss inside the oven, that heat is then carried back into the plant, increasing cooling requirements and further driving up operational costs.

IntelliTrac changes this dynamic by moving only the product through ovens. The benefits stack quickly:

  • Smaller ovens can be used for the same output
  • Less heat mass means faster ramp-up and recovery
  • Reduced heat bleed back into the facility
  • Lower energy consumption overall

The result is not only a smaller physical footprint for oven systems, but also a more comfortable and efficient production environment.

Designed for Flexibility When Staffing and Demand Change

Modern manufacturing rarely runs under perfect conditions. People call in sick. Weekend crews are smaller. Demand fluctuates.

Traditional conveyor systems struggle in these conditions because they are designed to run “all or nothing.” IntelliFinishing, however, introduces recipe-based control that allows the system to adapt on the fly.

Operators can adjust:

  • Processes such as timing per stage or pressure in a wash, oven times, booth selection, cooling time, etc.
  • Jobs per hour based on other limiting factors such as labor availability or cure time requirements
  • Zone use for specialized functions like masking, shotblasting, or quality control
  • Conveyor speed and accumulation behavior

If staffing is limited, the system slows down, runs only the zones that are staffed, and reduces energy usage—without requiring physical changes to the line. This flexibility allows manufacturers to design efficiently sized systems instead of oversized ones “just in case.”

Bolt-Together Design Enables Faster, Parallel Installation

One of the biggest hidden costs in finishing projects is installation time. Traditional conveyors often dictate the construction sequence—everyone else waits until the conveyor is in place.

IntelliFinishing takes a different approach.

Because the conveyor is bolt-together and modular, installation can be planned around other equipment. The team collaborates with oven, washer, and blast suppliers to define ingress and egress paths, leaving key areas open for rigging large equipment.

While ovens or washers are being set, conveyor installation can proceed in other zones. This parallel approach means:

  • Shorter overall installation timelines
  • Less inter-trade waiting
  • Faster time to production
  • Reduced disruption to existing operations

For brownfield facilities working within tight spaces, this flexibility can be the difference between a feasible project and an impossible one.

Clean, Quiet Conveyance That Fits Modern Facilities

Beyond footprint and speed, friction-based conveyor technology offers day-to-day operational improvements. Traditional chain systems require lubrication, creating dirt, grime, and drip pans—especially problematic in finishing environments.

IntelliTrac’s friction wheel design runs on extruded tubing, eliminating grease, reducing maintenance, and keeping the line clean. The system is also significantly quieter, improving operator comfort and safety.

These benefits allow manufacturers to integrate finishing lines into tighter, cleaner production environments without the mess or noise traditionally associated with conveyors.

Smaller Systems, Smarter Design

The takeaway is clear: modern conveyor design isn’t about bigger systems—it’s about smarter ones.

By eliminating gaps, reducing unnecessary heat mass, enabling recipe-driven flexibility, and allowing parallel installation, IntelliFinishing helps manufacturers:

  • Shrink required floor space
  • Install faster
  • Adapt to real-world operating conditions
  • Maximize the return on capital equipment

In a world where space, energy, and labor are all at a premium, the ability to do more with less isn’t just an advantage—it’s a necessity.

 

A Walkthrough of Our Modular System Design

Why Modular Conveyor Design Matters More Than Ever in Modern Finishing Systems

In today’s manufacturing environment, change is no longer the exception—it’s the rule. Product mixes evolve, volume requirements fluctuate, and process parameters such as wash chemistry or cure time are routinely adjusted. For finishing operations, the ability to adapt without sacrificing up time has become a critical competitive advantage. That’s where IntelliFinishing’s modular conveyor approach makes a meaningful difference.

Recently, IntelliFinishing team members sat down to discuss the philosophy behind modular conveyor design and why it delivers long-term value to customers across automotive, custom manufacturing, and other demanding industries. The conversation highlighted a simple truth: finishing systems must be designed for change, not just day-one performance.

To see the several videos on this topic, click here: A Walkthrough of Our Modular System Design with Tom Robertson, President of IntelliTrak and here: How does the Conveyor Help with Finish Quality, Smaller Footprints, and Faster Installations? – YouTube

Designing for Change, Not Just Startup

According to Tom Robertson, modularity is foundational to how IntelliFinishing approaches system design. The industries IntelliFinishing serves rarely remain static over the life of a program. New part numbers are introduced, existing parts change, and production demands increase or shift over time.

Traditional welded or chain-based conveyor systems can struggle in this reality. Making even small modifications often requires significant downtime—breaking chain, recalculating pull forces, or adding additional drives. These disruptions can ripple across an operation, impacting throughput, labor, and delivery commitments.

By contrast, IntelliFinishing systems are built around a bolt-together, modular architecture. This allows sections of the conveyor to be added, removed, or reconfigured with far less disruption. In many cases, changes can be implemented during non-production hours—often over a weekend—without extended shutdowns.

For customers, this translates into a system that evolves alongside their business instead of becoming an obstacle to growth.

The Advantage of Chainless, Zone-Controlled Conveyance

One of the key differences between IntelliFinishing systems and traditional power-and-free conveyors is the absence of a continuous chain. IntelliFinishing uses a friction-driven, chainless conveyor that allows individual zones or lanes to operate independently.

This opens the door to several powerful advantages:

  • Reduced downtime during changes: Because the system isn’t dependent on a single continuous chain, maintenance or upgrades can often be performed in one area while production continues in another using bypass lanes.
  • Simpler system expansions: Adding switches, spurs, or new process steps doesn’t require extensive re-engineering of the entire conveyor.
  • Greater process flexibility: Parts can stop, accumulate, change speed, or even reverse direction without impacting the rest of the line.

As Tom explained in the discussion, this flexibility dramatically reduces the downtime typically associated with process changes in traditional systems.

A Cleaner, Quieter Finishing Environment

For customers seeing IntelliFinishing systems for the first time, one of the most common reactions is surprise at how clean and quiet the environment is—especially compared to legacy paint lines.

Chain-driven systems require constant lubrication. Over time, grease, oil, and debris become part of the environment, which is far from ideal in a coating operation. IntelliFinishing’s chainless design eliminates these issues entirely.

Most components are sealed for life, requiring no routine lubrication. The only regular greasing occurs at a small number of trolley load wheels—an intentionally minimal maintenance requirement.

The benefits go beyond cleanliness:

  • Lower noise levels improve operator comfort and safety.
  • Reduced airborne contaminants support higher coating quality.
  • A facility that looks new longer, even after years of operation.

It’s not uncommon for customers to assume a system has just been installed—only to learn it has been running reliably for five years or more.

Energy Efficiency Built Into the Design

Another advantage of IntelliFinishing’s modular, zone-based approach is energy efficiency. Traditional conveyors often run continuously, even when no parts are moving. IntelliFinishing systems don’t operate that way.

With zone control, the conveyor only runs where parts are present. If a zone is empty, it simply doesn’t run. This reduces noise, cuts energy consumption, and minimizes wear on components.

The friction-based drive system further reduces mechanical complexity. With no metal-on-metal contact, wear is lower, and the system operates smoothly and quietly—another benefit noticed immediately by both operators and plant managers.

A Long-Term Investment That Stays Flexible

The biggest takeaway from the conversation is that modular design isn’t just a convenience—it’s a strategic advantage. Finishing systems are long-term investments, often expected to support multiple product generations over decades.

By building systems that are:

  • Modular
  • Scalable
  • Clean
  • Low-maintenance
  • Energy-efficient

IntelliFinishing ensures customers aren’t locked into yesterday’s production requirements.

Instead, they gain a finishing system that adapts, expands, and evolves—without costly downtime or major rework.

In an industry where change is inevitable, modular design isn’t just smart engineering. It’s smart business.