Co-developed by AkzoNobel’s Car Refinishes businesses, the company’s UV LED spray gun – being introduced to the European market this month – ensures a nearly instant cure of the company’s Sikkens Autoclear UV clearcoat, the company says.
The gun has energy-efficient UV LEDs (ultraviolet light emitting diodes) fitted around the spray nozzle, allowing the curing process to begin as soon as paint comes into contact with the repaired surface. Developed in partnership with Belgian company EREA, AkzoNobel says the gun offers energy savings and process speed benefits.
“This is truly a breakthrough development which underlines our ongoing commitment to embedding sustainability into our innovation and technology,” says Leif Darner, AkzoNobel’s board member responsible for Performance Coatings. “Not only will the UV LED spray gun help to drive greater profitability for our customers, but it also proves how sustainability can simultaneously enhance our own competitive position and provide solutions that ensure long-term viability for our body shop partners.”
Using the UV LED spray gun involves no warm-up time, so up to 25 percent less energy is used during the total repair – traditional body shop operations use ovens which have to be maintained at curing temperatures. AkzoNobel says these faster drying times, combined with greater flexibility and no need for a separate drying unit, mean potential for higher throughput and greater productivity.
“The system eliminates half of the process steps,” added Jim Rees, managing director of AkzoNobel Car Refinishes. “What we’ve managed to do is to combine two innovations, one involving a new technology for paint, and one involving the tools for applying the paint. The feedback we’ve had so far has been fantastic, and I’m optimistic that this system will open the door to further opportunities.”
AkzoNobel has patented the UV LED spray gun technology and will market the product, which EREA will manufacture, under the AkzoNobel and EREA brand.
For more information, visit www.akzonobelcarrefinishes.net.
