Dürr upgrades world’s largest test centre for painting technology

November 30, 2013 9:11 am

Leading mechanical and plant engineering group Dürr is spending almost € 10 million on further expanding its headquarters because of the positive growth prospects: the world’s largest test centre for painting technology in Bietigheim-Bissingen has been redesigned and upgraded. Customers from the automotive industry can test and optimise their painting processes under realistic conditions before going into mass production. Six painting robots have been equipped with Dürr’s most commonly used atomisers for the internal and external spraying of automotive bodies. One- and two-component water-based and solvent-based paints can be used in trials. 13 different painting processes can be carried out in the modern booth – tailored to customers’ requirements. Their systems are also replicated with the aid of a new lift table which is adjustable both horizontally and vertically.
The company has also invested in an additional facility for robot assembly. The new production facility expands Dürr’s total robot assembly operations on the Bietigheim site by 6,600 sq.m. to 17,900 sq.m. Since the commissioning of the building, all the robots for painting and sealing are assembled at the headquarters in Bietigheim-Bissingen and equipped with the appropriate applications. In addition, performance tests and pre-commissioning tests are carried out here.About DürrDürr generates a good 80 per cent of its sales in business with the automotive industry. It also supplies the aircraft, machinery, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries with innovative production and environmental technology. The Dürr Group operates in the market with four divisions: Paint and Assembly Systems plans and builds paint shops and final assembly systems for the automobile and aircraft industries. Application Technology provides automated paint application, sealing, and glueing with its robot technologies. Machinery and systems from the Measuring and Process Systems division are used for balancing and cleaning in engine and transmission manufacturing as well as in final vehicle assembly, among other areas. The fourth division, Clean Technology Systems, specialises in processes to improve energy efficiency and exhaust air purification. Dürr has 52 business locations in 23 countries worldwide and approximately 7,800 employees. The group achieved sales revenues of € 2.4 billion in 2012.