Paint Processing Applications
Fascias and Plastic Trim Painting
Items such as front fascias, bumpers, and small plastic parts require a unique approach when applying paint to them. We have the experience and the technology to optimize your paint shop.
Available Videos ↓
Fascias and plastic trim painting
Heavy Equipment Painting
Non-automotive paint shops operate in a different manner than a regular automotive paint shop. For one, robot cycle times are usually a lot longer, and the parts are more complex. This complexity requires skill in determining the paint parameters and path trajectories. We have extensive paint process background in the non-automotive field. .
Stop Station
Stop station paint booths are where the part comes into the booth and is clamped up or “stopped” in a known position. In most paint shops there are typically four robots to distribute the painting tasks. Knowing how to program the robots such that all four robots paint the same amount and end at the same time requires expert paint process knowledge.
Available Videos ↓
Stop Station Paint Process 1
Stop Station Paint Process 2
Line Tracking
A typical paint shop today is set up as a moving line, where the conveyor runs continuously through the paint booth and the robots or automation paint the vehicle as it moves through the booth. The robots “track” the vehicle using encoders on the conveyor. These encoders then communicate pulse counts directly to the robot identifying where the part is relative to the robot at all times. This is known as rail tracking or line tracking, and requires an in depth knowledge to setup and process.
Available Videos ↓
Moving Line Painting
ABB Line Tracking and Painting
Paint Simulation
The Paint Process engineers at AMT use simulation tools extensively to generate robot motion paths offline using CAD data for the parts that need to be painted. Instead of “hands on” programming at the paint booth which interferes with production, work can be performed off site on the computer. After the simulation is complete, the robot paths are downloaded into native language robot programs and transferred to the robots in the paint booth. This removes much of the burden of figuring out the process and reach and range of motion of the robots from the robot programmer. Developing the paths offline can help reduce robot programming efforts by at least 30%. Some of the key advantages are:
- Reduced robot programming time in the paint booth
- Verification of paint thickness based on spray parameters and robot tip speed prior to system startup
- Uninterrupted paint booth to run production while path modifications are done offline on a PC.
Available Videos ↓
Truck Painting Simulation
Sedan Painting Simulation
Auto Paint Simulation with Line Tracking
Hood and Door Openers
In order to spray the interior sections of vehicles, such as door jambs, engine compartments, and lift gates, the doors and hood must be propped open first. This is typically done with special three axis robotic devices. We have the knowledge and expertise to help program these devices and integrate them into the painting process.
Bell Applicators
Rotary atomizers or “bells” have been around paint shops for years, but many times they were mounted on the end of fixed automation as opposed to robots. The majority of robots had air atomizers or “guns” on them. The increasing trend is to mount bells on the robots. Bells typically provide a better paint application quality than guns and offer better transfer efficiency of the paint to the part. Developing the paint process for a bell application is quite different than that of a gun. We have the experience and know-how to help setup these applications.
Paint Shop Sealer and LASD (Liquid Applied Sound Deadener)
Applying sealant or sound deadener to vehicles requires a unique skill set. It requires knowledge of tip speeds to use for the robot, the transition method to move the nozzle from one seam to the next, and knowing the appropriate sealant parameters.
