Intelligent Control Improves Productivity for Tier 1 Supplier

CUSTOMER: Tier 1 Automotive Supplier

GRACO EQUIPMENT: Intelligent Paint Kitchen, Endura-Flo Pumps

CHALLENGE: Some Tier 1 automotive suppliers make a living by providing an identical finish to parts that are finished by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). Matching the finish of different parts from different manufacturing facilities is a very precise process.

A Tier 1 supplier painted spoilers for a popular car brand. To match the finish of parts made by the OEM, paint technicians needed to meticulously set pressure, flow rates and spray patterns.

Although they had an automated system, a lot of manual oversight was needed. Without it, a tiny mistake could cost over an hour in wasted production, parts, and paint – not to mention, endless headaches and unneeded stress. 

SOLUTION: Since their paint mix room already used Endura-Flo pneumatic pumps, their local Graco account representative suggested trying the Intelligent Paint Kitchen’s pneumatic pump control module.

Rather than closely watching and manually adjusting settings, paint technicians could manage paint room metrics from an easy-to-use touch screen outside of the paint room.

In addition, a hybrid mode automatically adjusted settings, such as flow rate and pressure, for different production periods. (This is similar to day and night settings you might have on your home’s heating and cooling system.)

RESULTS: The paint technicians loved the added oversight they gained from Intelligent Paint Kitchen features, including:

• Pressure and flow rate monitors
• Tank level sensors and agitation speed control
• Preset settings for multiple pumps

Intelligent Paint Kitchen control of their pneumatic system gave them peace of mind. It also allowed them to spend time doing more productive activities.

In off-production times, they could automatically cut the paint circulation system’s flow rate in half, decreasing the wear and tear on their pneumatic pumps and limiting paint degradation.