ABB has entered into a strategic partnership with Engineering Software Steyr GmbH (ESS) of Austria to develop advanced simulation tools aimed at improving the efficiency of automotive paint shops.
The collaboration will focus on reducing operational costs by up to 30% and accelerate commissioning time by a month.
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As part of the agreement, ABB will invest in ESS, though the financial details have not been disclosed.
The partnership will see the integration of ESS’s technology into ABB’s RobotStudio, an offline programming and simulation tool for robotics.
This integration will be available on desktop, cloud, and AR platforms, aiming to streamline and optimise automotive paint processes while enhancing operational efficiency.
ABB noted that its expertise in robotics, combined with ESS’s simulation capabilities, will help customers improve both cost-effectiveness and sustainability in automotive paint shops.
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By GlobalDataThese include PixelPaint, an inkjet-style, vision-controlled paint head for precise detailing, and the RB1000i-S atomizer, which achieves up to 99% transfer efficiency.
An automotive paint shop process involves over 20 steps, including degreasing, electrocoating, sealing, spraying, and baking, each requiring testing and optimisation of parameters like viscosity, adhesion, and drying time.
Traditionally, this process is costly and time-consuming.
ABB robotics division president Marc Segura said: “Delivering faster and more energy efficient solutions for the paint process is the final piece of the puzzle in digitalising the manufacturing transition in the automotive industry.
“The innovative solutions we are developing with ESS will cut vehicle development time by up to a month and generate cost savings of up to 30%, making manufacturers more competitive, efficient and resilient.
“Using the solution, a manufacturer producing 300,000 vehicles has the potential to cut CO2 emissions by nearly 17,000 tons annually – equivalent to flying an airliner around the Earth 19 times.”
ESS CEO Dr. Martin Schifko said: “We recognise how crucial it is for all players — large, medium and small companies to have access to the right digital tools for innovation.
“Currently, the complexity of such tools in the market makes it difficult for smaller companies to leverage the power of digital.
“We’re committed to levelling the playing field by making the simulation tech accessible to all manufacturers. With our solutions, they can innovate faster, reduce environmental impact, and stay competitive in a demanding industry.”
