June 28 - A new painting system has been put into operation at Liebherr-Werk Ehingen which the company considers sets new standards "with regard to environmental friendliness and efficiency."

The aim of the investment is to paint large components in a continuous process, economically, and in top quality as well. The installation has the most powerful paint installation conveying system in the world, with a load capacity of up to 50 tonnes.

The system allows for components in dimensions of 21 m x 4 m x 5 m to be processed. At up to 50 tonnes, they are painted in a suspended state, and between 50 and 140 tonnes they are laid on trolleys. The installation has two spraying booths, two painting booths, and two drying boxes.

The parts which are to be painted are first taken up at the loading station by a manipulator from the conveying system. Throughout the process the individual component remains suspended on the individual transport units, which avoids any marks being caused, for example due to the part being laid down. 

The transport units, with the part, first run through the manual spraying installation, in order to ensure thorough cleaning. During the painting process which follows, the component is dealt with in a wet state in two work sequences. Drying takes place in the drying boxes provided, at a temperature of 95°C. In the final stage, the individual part is loaded onto transport units and the painted surfaces are treated with a preservation agent.

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