Car paint system wins prestige prize
Car paint system wins prestige prize
Keywords: ABB, Paint application, Awards
An ABB cartridge painting system for cars, which is said to have a very low impact on the environment, has won the prestigious Toyota Technology Development Prize.
The prize is awarded to Toyota suppliers whose innovative technology has made a significant contribution to Toyota product quality or productivity. Emphasis for the 2000 awards was on environment, safety features, communications, weight savings and low cost production.
ABB's cartridge painting system was first installed, in 1998, at Toyota Auto Body Co's Inabe plant.
The benefit claimed of the system is that colours can be changed almost instantly and without the need to clean tanks, valves and fines – only the paint cartridge is switched. As a result, the system can continue to operate continuously while cartridges are cleaned and filled, downtime is vastly reduced, while small runs become much more feasible.
