Dürr, a leader in mechanical and plant engineering, has achieved a significant milestone by delivering its 18,000th painting robot to Audi’s Ingolstadt facility. This advanced robot, designated EcoRP L033i, will spearhead a new top coat line for the upcoming Audi Q6 e-tron series, handling both interior and exterior paint applications.
Equipped with Dürr’s latest innovation, the EcoBell4 atomizer, the EcoRP L033i robot introduces a 4-main needle system that allows for exceptionally rapid color changes—approximately four seconds—thereby minimizing paint and rinsing agent waste. “This application technology enables us to connect our three most frequently used colors directly to the atomizer, significantly reducing paint and rinsing agent consumption,” explained Sven Veit, Director of Manufacturing Engineering Paint Shop at AUDI AG. This efficient use of resources not only cuts operational costs but also reduces the environmental footprint by decreasing volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.
The newly established top coat line at Ingolstadt impresses with its setup of 28 robots. This assembly includes a specialized quality measurement cell that evaluates paint layer thickness and color accuracy, complemented by a cleaning station where two EcoRS Clean F robots employ feather rollers to meticulously prepare car bodies for painting. Demonstrating a commitment to environmental sustainability, Audi utilizes Dürr’s EcoSupply P special color supply system, which features pigging technology capable of delivering an endless variety of colors seamlessly and waste-efficiently.
Since launching its first painting robot to Nissan in Spain in 1998, Dürr has refined its technology significantly. The introduction of its third generation of robots in 2016 marked a substantial advancement, featuring a modular design that optimizes paint application and reduces waste.
Dr. Lars Friedrich, Head of Division Application Technology at Dürr, highlighted the company’s innovative spirit and its capability to manage complex projects. New at Audi are the numerous innovations we are implementing for the first time: the EcoBell4 with 4-main needle technology and high transfer efficiency painting technology. This is what makes the project so special,” he remarked.
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