2009-06-29 - Replacing manual painting of plastic parts with robotic painting has given Euroform a better product; and a better working environment for its employees.
Sweden-based Euroform, which produces a wide variety of parts in thermoplastic at its factories in Tranås and Motala, had long faced shortcomings in its manual painting process. One of the biggest was uneven flaming, the process of preparing the plastic surface prior to spraying to increase paint adherence. But a customer forced the issue when it suddenly increased its order volumes. A decision was then made to automate the painting process. Euroform had already visited several factories in a bid to find the optimal solution for its particular needs when it turned to ABB partner Rotech Paint Automation. Then a visit to a reference site clinched the deal – they had found the perfect suspended line robot paint system they were looking for.
Fast commissioning
Rotech provided a paint robot (IRB 580) and a general purpose robot (IRB 2400) for flaming, both from ABB. The first training session in programming took place during commissioning, and was followed up with a further two sessions. “The installation date was decided upon at an early stage,” says Gert Linder, production technician at Euroform. “In preparation for this, the rebuilding and construction of painting booths was completed before the robots arrived. It all went remarkably smoothly. The longest part of the process was deciding to do it.” Since the process was automated, there has not been a single complaint. “A robot has 100 percent capacity,” says Linder. “We humans do not. You can imagine how monotonous it is to just stand there and spray the same things the same way all day. Programming or operating the robots is much more interesting.”
Attractive workplace
Linder also points out the importance of investing in high-tech equipment in order to attract competent personnel to the company in the future. The labor market is highly competitive, so it is very important to provide an attractive workplace that is keeping pace with the times. It had been necessary to automate in order to meet the increase in production, but it has also proved to be beneficial in other ways. For Euroform, which is quality and environmentally certified, reducing the risks to health and environmental impact are two very good reasons for implementing such improvements, not to mention the financial benefits that have come to light. “Stable production in itself enhances quality assurance, which, in the long term, results in more orders and larger volumes. We also find that we are using less paint, which is obviously a saving,” says Linder.
Benefits
- Improved paint adherence
- 100 percent capacity
- Less paint used, saving money
- More consistent results
- Better working environment for employees
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Facts about Euroform
- Manufactures: Moulded automotive interior fittings in thermoplastic
- Employees 2007: 220
- Turnover 2007: SEK 425 million (USD 66.4 million)
- Customers include: Dometic, Husqvarna, Viking, Volvo and Scania
- Website: www.euroform.se
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Facts about Rotech Paint Automation
- Manufactures: robotic solutions for paint applications
- Employees: 100
- Turnover: EUR 28 million (USD 41.2 million)
- Website: www.rotechpaint.com
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