Released on July 20, 2011

L A Aluminum Casting Co., Hayden, Idaho, recently completed the addition of 10,000 sq. ft. of warehouse space, opening room for an in-house custom powder coating line.

L A Aluminum had previously offered powder coated machined castings, but the new space has allowed it to offer powder coating as a standalone process. The new, non-automated operation includes three ovens and two spray booths. Castings to be powder coated go through a five-stage (or six, if needed) cleaning and sealing process: pre-heating in the first oven, spraying with a base coat, sanding if needed, baking in the second oven, spraying with a top coat and baking in the third oven.

“We are making enough on powder coating our own castings, we can offer less expensive powder coating for general commercial parts,” said Michelle Richter, sales and marketing manager. “Our process is also a closed system, so no contamination or dust will be on the parts. The area is kept pristine to ensure a perfect surface finish.”

L A Aluminum has the capacity to powder coat steel, iron or aluminum castings from tiny steel pieces to 8 x 8-ft. fencing. The company powder coats its own castings for the dental industry, as well as a casting produced for wind generators manufactured by Southwest Windpower.