Application Equipment

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Self-programming robots present a game-changing opportunity for high-mix coaters to finally get the full benefits of automation.

Surface preparation is essential to achieving a superior finish. Vapor degreasing using modern, highly advanced cleaning fluids makes the process simple, consistent and sustainable and results in spotlessly clean parts. This article looks at the process and why it is one of the most comprehensive and effective cleaning methods to achieve an excellent surface for finishing.

Hard chrome has been used in the plating industry for decades, but due to the environmental and health risks associated with chromium compounds, there's a call for change. Josh Thomas, electrochemist at SIFCO ASC, discusses brush plated metal matrix composites (MMC), a new generation of electroplating solutions.

Advanced Analytics is the first market-ready AI application for paint shops. The intelligent solution, which combines the latest IT technology and mechanical engineering expertise, identifies sources of defects and determines optimal maintenance schedules.

It's no secret that the world of STEM has been a men's club for decades, with only 28% of women making up the workforce as opposed to 72% of men. To show that this gap is slowly (but surely) closing in, we've shone the spotlight on Danijela Milosevic-Popovich, a Research and Development Manager at SIFCO Applied Surface Concepts (ASC).

Overspray-free painting technology revolutionizes this time-consuming and material-intensive process. Audi works with Dürr, who supplies the application technology.

What does the smart paint shop look like? An ecosystem that leverages information technologies, communication, sensors, data and cognitive tools to be more efficient.

Properly mixing two-component coatings and adhesives can be difficult. The materials, typically supplied in bulk, must be mixed in accordance with precise written instructions. Many users lack the necessary experience mixing different chemicals together, which can lead to inconsistencies and, in turn, poor curing and even product failure.

There are currently two dominant trends in the automotive industry: electric mobility and per-sonalized vehicles. Dürr's EcoPaintJet system for fully automatic car painting in two colors – without masking or overspray – is a perfect fit for this.

Robotic painting lines are a standout example of productivity improvement. Adding intelligence to atomizers and monitoring data about key operational parameters are the next giant step in painting automation.