The Swiss technology company Asea Brown Boveri Ltd (ABB) has entered into a strategic partnership with the Austrian engineering software company Steyr GmbH (ESS) to develop powerful simulation tools that will transform the painting process in the automotive industry. As part of the collaboration, ABB is taking a minority stake in the software manufacturer.
“Providing faster and more energy-efficient solutions for the painting process is the final piece of the puzzle in the digitalization of manufacturing processes in the automotive industry,” says Marc Segura, head of ABB’s Robotics division. “The innovative solutions we are developing together with ESS will reduce the time needed for vehicle development by up to a month and enable cost savings of up to 30 %, making manufacturers more competitive, efficient and resilient.”
The painting process in the automotive industry typically involves more than 20 steps, ranging from degreasing and cathodic electrocoating to sealing, painting and drying. Each step is subject to various parameters such as material viscosity, adhesion and drying time, which must be tested and optimized before the start of series production of a new model.
“It is important for companies of all sizes to have access to the right digital tools for their innovation activities,” said Dr. Martin Schifko, CEO of ESS. “However, the complexity of these tools on the market makes it currently extensive for smaller companies to exploit the potential of digitization. We want to create a level playing field by making simulation technologies accessible to all manufacturers.”
Autor(en): spa
