These topics will be important for the surface industry in 2024

Gema presented its new OptiCenter at the trade fair, which is designed to meet customers' demands for fast, high-quality color changes. The double OptiCenter, known as All-in-One OC or OC11, offers the possibility to realize color change losses in less than one minute and only requires eight to ten minutes in circulation mode. Circuit operation also includes cleaning the booth, piping and cyclone system.

OptiCenter with powder AP 02 All-in-One pump

The OptiCenter consists of two powder containers that supply the automatic spray guns with powder. While one container is operating the guns, the other is being prepared for the next color. The control system always makes it clear where powder is being applied and where the new color is being prepared. A key component of the system is the new powder AP 02 all-in-one pump, which combines both the powder supply to the guns and their control. This ensures efficient control of the current, voltage, powder quantity and quality of the powder cloud. Another advantage of this integration is the space saving, as there is no need for a separate control cabinet for controlling the individual guns.

Highlight ultrasonic sieving

One highlight of the new technology is ultrasonic sieving, which has been integratedas a lid for the powder container and ensures that both fresh and recycled powder is sieved before processing. For applications with lower requirements, the ultrasonic sieve can also be omitted and replaced by a normal lid. The system also allows the fresh powder to be weighed in the feed hoppers so that the user can always keep an eye on powder consumption.

Power boost mode

The new GA 04 AX automatic spray gun was also presented at the trade fair. This is characterized by a new design and the Power Boost mode, which offers 110 kV and 110 microamperes for efficient and fast coating of simple geometries. A revised super corona ring also ensures efficient and color change-friendly use.

Trade fair conclusion from Gema

Gema was able to look after around 80% of its existing customers at the trade fair and present its new products, while 20% of visitors were new customers who could potentially be acquired for new business. Visitors were particularly interested in the topics of automation and robotics, especially in relation to the shortage of skilled workers in Germany. Here, Gema is focusing on a combination of automated standard guns, the new U-axes and robotics, in cooperation with well-known robot manufacturers. According to Gema, many trade fair visitors were interested in the efficiency and quality of the color change processes.

At this year's PaintExpo, Wagner will be presenting a large number of new solutions and further developments that are characterized by sustainability, process stability and simple operation. These innovations cover the areas of powder and wet coating as well as robotics, with a particular focus on the new developments in powder application and automation.

Innovations in powder coating: Sprint X and Flowsense technology

Sprint X series

Wagner presents the new generation of the Sprint X series. The further development impresses with an injector that enables quick and easy cleaning. According to Wagner, the adapted catch nozzle and the reduced hose diameter significantly improve efficiency. Another feature is the option of entering the key points of a coating task to receive corresponding parameter suggestions from a kind of digital recipe book. In this way, the surface quality can be significantly improved without additional hardware, especially for inexperienced coaters. The user-friendly display and fast recipe management contribute to the ease of operation.

Flowsense technology

With Flowsense, Wagner is launching an extremely promising technology on the market that measures and regulates the powder output in automated coating systems. This minimizes wear-related changes in the primary supply area and ensures consistent quality. For the first time, this technology makes it possible to detect the volume flow and condition in the hose, which represents considerable added value for the customer. The response to Flowsense has been extremely positive and the technology is already being used successfully by renowned partners.

Advances in robotics: simple programming and flexible solutions

Wagner sees automation as an essential part of the future and is showcasing innovative robotic solutions that can be used regardless of a company's batch size and capabilities. One new function is simple program creation by tracking the hand movements of a painter with a specially equipped spray gun, which enables efficient coating even without in-depth robot knowledge. The response to these robotic solutions has been enormous, and many customers see automation as a solution to the shortage of skilled workers.

Internally charged bells and active rinsing for wet paint coating

In the field of wet coating, Wagner is presenting new internally charged bells that impress with their simple maintenance and improved application quality. In this context, a new control unit enables the simultaneous operation of up to four bells and facilitates the creation and management of coating recipes.

Active rinsing

Another new development is active rinsing, which enables more efficient recovery of paint and solvents. Compressed air is also used for rinsing, which significantly reduces the amount of solvent required in the rinsing process. Above all, the function can also be retrofitted as an accessory to existing systems.

Feedback at the trade fair: Positive feedback and future prospects

The reactions of visitors at PaintExpo were consistently positive. The live demonstrations of the new technologies met with great interest, and feedback from customers confirmed the clear benefits of the solutions presented.

Eisenmann showcases sustainable solutions and new technologies in Karlsruhe

At this year's PaintExpo, Eisenmann, a leading company in the field of painting technology, presented its latest developments and sustainable solutions. Discussions at the trade fair showed that sustainability is a key issue for customers. Considerable progress has been made in recent years, particularly in the area of supply and exhaust air systems as well as energy and heat recovery. Eisenmann has launched the internal "Atlas" campaign, which focuses on energy savings, CO2 reduction and heat recovery.

One particularly interesting aspect of the presentation was the switch from wet scrubbing to dry absorption in order to drastically reduce energy consumption. This involves the use of a new product consisting of cardboard with filter contents. This standardized adsorption component is cost-effective and efficient, saves up to 70 % of energy and significantly reduces the need for conditioned air.

Energy-efficient filter technology

In this context, Eisenmann presented the new Re-Cube filter system, which was developed in collaboration with the company Neufilter. These filters can be used variably in painting systems and work according to a labyrinth principle that effectively captures overspray through turbulence. These filter units are lightweight, standardized and their stainless steel housing is reusable, which significantly reduces disposal costs. It should be emphasized that by using pyrolysis ovens directly on site, the filters filled with dried paint can be converted into combustible gas at over 400 degrees Celsius and the heat can be fed back into the process directly on site.

New autonomous conveyor technology

Also on show was a patented autonomous conveyor system, the VarioMover, which can move car bodies completely through the coating process from the kick booth to the dryer without cables or rails. This development shows how Eisenmann is able to increase productivity for its customers through technical innovations and at the same time reduce operating costs.

Career opportunities and training

In addition to technical innovations, Eisenmann also emphasizes the importance of well-trained personnel. Career opportunities at Eisenmann were heavily promoted at the trade fair, especially for students and young professionals. The company maintains close relations with the University of Pforzheim and offers numerous opportunities for diploma, master's and student research projects.

Extensive service area

Another important aspect of Eisenmann's trade fair presence was the service area. Customers benefit from a comprehensive after-sales service that includes spare parts and regular maintenance work. This service ensures that systems can be operated efficiently and reliably for many years to come.

Trade fair conclusion from Eisenmann

At Pain Expo 2024, Eisenmann showed how sustainability and technical innovation can go hand in hand. With new products and processes that both increase energy efficiency and reduce operating costs, the company is setting standards in painting technology. At the same time, great importance is attached to training and promoting young talent in order to remain successful in the future.

Sergei Guskov on the future of HDLV technology

In an exclusive interview, Sergei Guskov, an industry veteran with 30 years of experience at Nordson, shares fascinating insights into the revolutionary HDLV technology. Guskov, who originally started out in electrical engineering and later turned to marketing and sales, has been instrumental in developing this technology from a neglected innovation to an industry standard.

Challenges and successes

Originally developed by smaller companies, HDLV technology initially met with internal resistance and was difficult to market. However, Guskov and his team recognized the enormous potential of this technology. After all, dense phase powder conveying allows independent control of powder and air, which can lead to better coating results and significant cost savings.

Technological masterpiece

Guskov explains how HDLV masters the coating of complex shapes and corners by reducing turbulence and thus ensuring uniform coverage. This is particularly beneficial in automated systems, as the technology enables robots to work quickly and accurately.

Visions for the future

For the future, Guskov sees intelligent controls as the next big step. The integration of AI and advanced sensors should optimize the coating process in real time and thus further increase efficiency and reliability.

Global significance

Guskov also emphasizes the increasing internationality of the trade fairs at which Nordson is present. The high number of visitors from all over the world shows the growing interest and global importance of HDLV technology.

The exclusive interview will be published shortly here on oberflaeche.de, subscribe to our newsletter Surface News to make sure you don't miss it!

Berliner Luft presents efficient ventilation unit at PaintExpo

This year's PaintExpo once again provided a platform for leading surface technology companies to present their latest developments. One highlight was the Berliner Luft stand, where a new ventilation unit specially designed for paint shop technology was presented.

Technical details and advantages

The ventilation unit presented is a pure exhaust air unit that is ATEX-certified (Atex). It is frequently used in surface technology as a supply and exhaust air unit. This device offers a variety of functions, including heating, cooling, humidification and heat recovery. Heat recovery can take place via a rotary heat exchanger or a circulation system. The model presented here has an insulation thickness of 64 millimetres and is made of stainless steel, which makes it particularly robust and suitable for outdoor installation.

The device is flexible and customizable. It can be equipped with different filter sizes and qualities to meet customers' specific requirements. Another plus point is the sound insulation, which ensures that operating noise does not penetrate to the outside.

Efficiency and energy savings

One of the technological advantages of this ventilation unit is its efficiency. The size of the unit cross-section plays a decisive role, as larger cross-sections lead to higher efficiency and lower energy consumption. This is particularly timely as energy saving is becoming increasingly important. Berliner Luft has also developed its own fans, which are integrated into this appliance. These fans can handle air volumes of 1,000 to 150,000 cubic meters per hour.

A special feature is the swivel device, which enables easy cleaning and maintenance of the impeller. This is particularly important, as particle deposits in the exhaust air flow can lead to imbalances and ultimately to premature wear of the bearings and motor. Good accessibility for maintenance therefore significantly extends the service life of the appliance.

Reliability and quality

Reliability and quality are crucial for Berliner Luft's customers. On-time delivery and high quality workmanship are essential for success in the project business. Customers expect reliable project planning in advance to ensure that the units meet their requirements and are delivered on time.

Trade fair summary from Berliner Luft

Peter Kraus from Berliner Luft gave a positive summary of the trade fair: "The first day was somewhat subdued, but yesterday and today the customer response was very good. Overall, we're very satisfied with PaintExpo."

Emptmeyer optimizes load-bearing capacity tests for suspension hooks: focus on energy and cost savings

At the trade fair, Emptmeyer presented new test methods for determining the actual strength and load-bearing capacity of suspension hooks. These methods are specially designed to increase safety and at the same time enable energy and cost savings.

Efficiency through precise material analysis

A central concern of Emptmeyer is the optimization of material usage and the associated savings. Through precise testing, customers can ensure that they are using exactly the right hooks for their specific needs without wasting unnecessary resources. This leads to significant cost savings in material usage.

"Our testing methods show exactly what load a hook can carry without creating a safety risk. This enables our customers to optimize their choice of materials and reduce costs," explains Marcel Gollmann from Emptmeyer.

Energy savings in the paint shop

Another important aspect is energy efficiency. By using optimally dimensioned hooks, energy consumption in the painting processes can be reduced. Thicker hooks absorb and release more heat, which increases energy consumption. By precisely determining the load capacity, it is possible to switch to smaller, more energy-efficient hooks that still offer the necessary safety.

"Our customers benefit not only from material savings, but also from lower energy consumption. By using the optimum hooks, they significantly reduce the energy required in the painting process, which both lowers operating costs and protects the environment," adds Marcel Gollmann.

Demonstration at the trade fair

During the trade fair, Emptmeyer demonstrated the load-bearing capacity of a 10 mm hook, which can bear up to 220 kilograms in elastic deformation and 350 kilograms in plastic deformation. These tests showed that the hooks retain their functionality even under extreme loads, which underlines the high quality and reliability of Emptmeyer products.

Conclusion: safety and efficiency combined

Emptmeyer's new test methods offer a comprehensive solution that maximizes both the safety of painting processes and efficiency in terms of material and energy savings. Customers can therefore be sure that they are using the best hooks for their requirements while reducing operating costs.

News for clean air and more from KMWE

This year's Pain Expo once again brought exciting developments and products into focus. Michael Köberlein from KMWE, aka Speaker 1, presented some of the company's outstanding innovations, which were met with great interest. Here are the most important products and innovations:

Clair 5000 and suction block

A highlight at the trade fair was the Clair 5000, which was presented at Pain Expo eight years ago. This suction unit has been continuously developed to meet the increasing demands of the industry. A new addition is the extraction block, an accessory specially designed to handle large quantities of dust and chips. This block draws in the air from above and directs the coarse dirt into a drawer system, while the fine dust is additionally cleaned by HEPA filters. If required, activated carbon filters can also be integrated to remove pollutants even more effectively.

Combi dryer for UV and infrared

Another important product is the combination dryer, which enables both UV and infrared drying. This is particularly useful in the automotive sector, where both UV paints and conventional paints are used. The combi dryer allows both drying methods to be carried out with a single device, which significantly increases flexibility and efficiency in the workshop.

Universal emergency wheel

One particularly innovative product that has attracted a lot of attention is the universal emergency wheel. It is designed for vehicles that no longer have a spare wheel and offers a solution for breakdowns. The emergency wheel fits different bolt circles (four, five and six holes) and allows the vehicle to move at up to six km/h in the event of a breakdown. There is also a version with a freewheel mechanism, which allows blocked wheels to be overcome, which is particularly useful for electric vehicles or tight brakes.

Trade fair summary and quote from Michael Köberlein

Pain Expo 2024 was a complete success for KMWE despite lower visitor numbers. There was a great deal of interest in the products on show and many visitors were prepared to place orders directly. Michael Köberlein summarizes the trade fair experience as follows:

"As always, the Expo was a great success. We had fewer visitors this year, but the quality of the discussions was very high. Our new products in particular, such as the suction block and the universal emergency wheel, met with great interest. We were able to make many valuable contacts and are looking forward to implementing the many projects that resulted from these discussions."