ABB System Handles Complete Interior and Exterior Body Painting of Utility Vehicle

by Rachel Whitton
ABB Inc. Posted 04/21/2008

Problem:
Challenge for complete Interior and Exterior Body painting of Utility Vehicle.  To provide a total turnkey system for the design and installation of all the automation equipment which provides the customer with a world class finish on their sport utility vehicles.  Identical lines needed at 34 jobs per hour on each line, for base and clear coat paint.

Solution:
Reengineered and installed new color stack system to improve quality and reliability, required aggressive installation schedule while plant was still running.  Included online editing stations and update of spray guns. 

Customer benefits included better quality of finish, increased production, reduced paint consumption, and reduced dirt on surfaces.  Paint finish had better uniformity, better monitoring of problem areas and system introduced reduction of manpower. 

Final system provided included 46 robots on a conveyor system or rail, 26 of these robots were door and deck openers.  Bell zones included basecoat bell zones, three reciprocator zones, three clear coat bell zones and site management contract for emission monitoring and automation equipment.

Project responsibilities included throughput study, project management, training, engineering and installation supervision.