The new “Paint shop of the future” concept from Dürr breaks away from the traditional line layout, splitting up industrial automotive painting into boxes or short process sections for the first time. This allows the automotive industry a new level of flexibility in their processes and investments. In addition, the “paint shop of the future” saves time and material, increases availability and makes painting more sustainable.
Model ranges and application processes are becoming more diverse. This greater variety of models painted on a line inherently leads to process inefficiencies. This is due to the fixed cycle times, which are typically based on the biggest model and the longest paint and sealer application times. If smaller or less complex car bodies could be transported faster and sealer and paint application times reduced, this would save time and increase output. However, the fixed cycle does not allow this. This was one of the many reasons that prompted Dürr to develop a radical new layout for future requirements.
“With the “Paint shop of the future Dürr is reimagining the painting process and moving beyond the boundaries of the production line,” explains Bruno Welsch, member of the Board of Management of Dürr Systems AG. “The new approach adapts to the needs of manufacturers, and enables an efficient and flexible painting process in every production scenario.”
On-demand cycle times
The general idea of the “Paint shop of the future” is based on splitting up the 120 work steps involved in a painting process into boxes and smaller sections. Instead of a fixed cycle, the process times in each box are precisely adapted to the needs of the individual body. This is made possible by processes running in parallel in the boxes and the interaction with a central high-bay storage system and the automated guided vehicle (AGV) system EcoProFleet. The fleet of AGVs is controlled by the software DXQcontrol. It intelligently guides the AGVs with the car bodies to the next processes, and in this way ensures efficient utilization of all the boxes. It enables the bodies to be sorted in anticipation of future processes, brought to and collected from the right workstation with pinpoint accuracy, and passed off to final assembly at the end in the sequence planned by the manufacturer. The concept also enables easy expansion of capacities or smooth integration of new models. The revolutionary box concept can be applied to the entire top coat and workstation area, or just to selected process steps.
Fewer resources, greater efficiency
In terms of the concrete implementation, the box concept means that three painting processes – the inner and the two outer applications – can be combined in just one booth. This patent-pending concept, the EcoProBooth, helps to save process time, since two of the usual three conveying processes are eliminated. The paint-loss during the color change process can be reduced by up to ten percent if just one paint is applied in a box, for instance the current top seller white. Splitting up the painting process into boxes shortens the overall process by tailoring the application time to the individual vehicle. These properties combine to reduce CO2 and VOC emissions.
The overall equipment availability also increases, since any malfunction only impacts the box section in question and does not affect the entire production line, in contrast to the classic line manufacturing model. The variable layout also makes integrating special processes such as a special paint supply or overspray-free two-tone painting easier and more cost efficient.
Adaptable to both large and small production
The concept of the “Paint shop of the future” is geared towards the specific requirements of various OEMs. It offers high-volume manufacturers with a high hourly capacity the opportunity to integrate new models and technologies with greater ease. It enables companies that want to limit initial investment to expand from 24 units per hour to 48 and 72 units in two steps. Newcomers to electric mobility can start their manufacturing with minimal quantities and gradually expand as demand increases. The modular concept is also Industry 4.0 capable and can be combined with the intelligent software products from Dürr’s DXQ family for various scenarios. In this way, Dürr analysis tools make painting processes more transparent and help to further increase the first run rate.
About Dürr
The Dürr Group has been established in the United States since 1970 and currently employs around 880 people. From the new Campus with a state-of-art validation, testing, and training center in Southfield, MI, Dürr USA represents four of the five divisions. Paint and Final Assembly Systems offers equipment for painting and assembly processes, while Application Technology provides paint, sealants and adhesives application systems. Dürr’s Clean Technology Systems is the global leader in air pollution abatement and energy efficient technologies. The subsidiary Schenck Trebel Corporation, based in Deer Park, New York, offers balancing machines, vibration and condition monitoring systems and services for the general industry. The customers of Dürr USA include automotive and commercial vehicle manufacturers as well as their suppliers, and a diverse group of other industries. The HOMAG Machinery North America operates the production facilities for the HOMAG Group in Grand Rapids, MI, which is also the base for sales and service company Stiles Machinery Inc. The HOMAG Group is the world’s leading manufacturer of machines and systems for the wood-processing industry and trades.
The Dürr Group is one of the world’s leading mechanical and plant engineering firms with extensive expertise in automation and digitization/Industry 4.0. Its products, systems and services enable highly efficient manufacturing processes in different industries. The Dürr Group supplies sectors like the automotive industry, mechanical engineering, chemical, pharmaceutical and woodworking industries. It generated sales of € 3.87 billion in 2018. The company has around 16,500 employees and 112 business locations in 34 countries. The Group operates in the market with the brands Dürr, Schenck and HOMAG and with five divisions:
- Paint and Final Assembly Systems:
paint shops as well as final assembly, testing and filling technology for the automotive industry - Application Technology:
robot technologies for the automated application of paint, sealants and adhesives - Clean Technology Systems:
air pollution control, noise abatement systems and battery coating lines - Measuring and Process Systems:
balancing equipment and diagnostic technology - Woodworking Machinery and Systems:
machinery and equipment for the woodworking industry
For more information, visit www.durr.com or contact megtecinquiries@megtec.com.
Dürr Systems, Inc.
P: (248) 450-2225
