Quantum leap in coating technology: After brushes, rolls and the airless process, robotics enters the painting trade. For the first time, the current state of the development work of construction paints manufacturer Caparol and the Israeli robot manufacturer Okibo was presented on April 23rd.
The advantages are obvious. Whether early in the morning or late in the afternoon: when the human resources weaken, the new team member works reliably, consistently precisely in the chosen process, always available in consistently high quality – automatically controlled by an operator. If work can be done faster with the new technology, there will be more time for new orders. Whereas in the past three employees were working on a construction site, it is soon to be the other way around and thus much more productive: one employee at each three construction sites simultaneously with the help of the robot – in other words, maximum efficiency. For example, robotics may also prove to be helpful in compensating for the shortage of skilled workers, which is likely to worsen: Painters are on average over 40 years old. In 17 years, half of the workforce will retire. However, working as an operator or “painter electronics” can make the profession more attractive and thus interesting for young professionals. The fact that painstaking overhead work can be carried out to a large extent by PaintBuddy also contributes to the health of the employees and is one of the other benefits of the new technology.
Innovation leader in the industry
With the Concept PaintBuddy, Caparol underlines its innovation leadership. “We are not only the company that set standards in paint development with, for example, the first emission-reduced and solvent-free E. L. F. interior paint, and also launched Caparol Sensitiv, the first preservative-free dispersion interior paint,” says Caparol Managing Director Stefan Weyer. Caparol and the injection equipment manufacturer Wagner received the Federal Innovation Award in 2005 for Nespri-TEC for rational coating in the spray process. Nespri is the first and to date the only application technology that allows fog-free operation without overspray in the spray process. Now the next quantum leap in coating technology has been achieved with the PaintBuddy. Caparol's colour competence, market understanding and customer access as well as its know-how in spray technology find their counterpart in state-of-the-art robotics, know-how in robotics as well as expertise in software and sensors on the part of Okibo as a coordinated overall solution – tailor-made for the painting trade.
Developed by Caparol and Okibo, PaintBuddy features technologies and features that make work more productive, efficient and relaxed on construction sites with large surface areas and benefit the health of craftsmen.
- More area in less time less strenuous
- More time to process and acquire more orders
- Increased efficiency to compensate for the shortage of skilled workers
- Image-promoting, in order to make the profession more interesting for young employees (“painting electronics”)
Experience the PaintBuddy in April in Hall 7, Stand 528! We look forward to your visit!