High-quality and high efficiency top coat line

The modernization includes an automated application line including a special paint supply and conveyor systems. Currently all Lotus cars are painted manually, but for the future, Lotus will use automation for the exterior painting with four “EcoRP E133” painting robots. With their six axes and rail, these robots are flexible enough for a number of applications. When it came to the design of the new paint shop, the main priority for Lotus was extremely high process efficiency while maintaining the high quality of the current manual spraying process. With the composite body panels coated with conductive primer, one pair of robots process the application of primer and clear coat in one mixed spraybooth while a second pair of robots apply the color coat in another booth. The robots not only paint, but can also open the body doors and hoods thanks to their modular design. All Lotus cars are built to make each one truly unique, including a choice of an almost infinite number of colors limitless on all of its model lines. Individualization including stripes and highlights will continue to be painted manually. To be able to provide such a variety of colors in low quantities, “EcoSupply P” special paint supply systems will be installed. These units pump the various paints to the painting booth in hoses – with almost zero losses reducing paint waste. “EcoDry Rack” also helps to increase efficiency. The multi-stage overspray filter system, which is very compact thanks to its permanently installed filter walls, offers all the advantages of dry separation. It needs neither water nor chemicals, which keeps running costs low and is kind to the environment. Up to 95% of the supply air can be recycled as recirculated air using this technology, which reduces energy consumption in the paint booth by more than 60% compared with a classic wet scrubbing system. The new Lotus body painting facility is scheduled to be commissioned in 2021.

Further information: www.durr.com