Engineered for Maximum Uptime and Reliability.

The next evolution of the automation coating production line is already here, and it’s centered on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine vision. While current automation excels at repeatability, the next generation excels at adaptability. At TIMS, we are pioneering the integration of these technologies to create truly "smart" systems. Imagine a line where high-resolution cameras inspect a part as it enters the booth, instantly identifying its unique geometry or orientation. An AI algorithm then generates an optimal, custom robotic spray path on the fly—no pre-programming required. Further down the line, another vision system inspects the cured finish, not just for pass/fail, but to analyze the quality data. The AI can then trace a subtle defect back to a minuscule pressure drop in a specific spray gun and flag it for maintenance before it becomes a real problem. This is the future TIMS is building: a self-optimizing automation coating production line that learns, adapts, and pushes quality and efficiency to levels previously unimaginable.

Many focus on the robots and ovens, but in any high-performance automation coating production line, the most critical stage is pretreatment. It is the absolute foundation upon which the final finish is built; if this stage fails, nothing that follows can save the part. The process typically involves multiple automated stages, engineered by TIMS for optimal results. It begins with an alkaline cleaning to remove all oils and greases. This is followed by a series of rinses. The crucial next step is the conversion coating, often a zirconium or iron phosphate process, which microscopically etches the surface and applies a layer of inert crystals. This layer provides powerful corrosion resistance and creates a perfect mechanical anchor for the powder or paint to grip. After final rinsing with deionized water to prevent spotting, the part is moved through a dry-off oven. A TIMS automation coating production line uses intelligent sensors to continuously monitor and automatically dose the chemicals in each tank, ensuring your foundation is perfect for every part.

Coating complex automotive components like suspension parts, engine blocks, or intricate wheels presents a significant challenge. These parts are characterized by deep recesses, sharp angles, and hidden surfaces—areas where the Faraday cage effect can prevent powder from adhering properly. A generic automation coating production line will fail here, leading to poor corrosion protection and warranty claims. TIMS addresses this with specialized application expertise. Our solution involves a combination of 7-axis robotic arms for maximum agility, advanced electrostatic guns with adjustable voltage and current settings to dynamically overcome the Faraday effect, and carefully designed spray paths that are simulated and perfected offline. We often use a multi-robot setup where one robot coats the complex internal geometries while a second handles the larger exterior surfaces. This ensures every millimeter of the part receives the specified coating thickness, guaranteeing performance and meeting the rigorous standards of the automotive industry. A TIMS automation coating production line for complex parts isn't just automated; it's intelligently choreographed.

For years, the curing oven has been one of an automation coating production line's biggest energy consumers. Today, TIMS is changing the equation with our new Smart-Cure™ technology. This isn't just an oven; it's an intelligent thermal management system. Instead of maintaining a single, static temperature, Smart-Cure™ ovens feature multiple zones equipped with advanced infrared (IR) and convection heating. An optical scanner identifies the mass and geometry of each part entering the oven. The system's controller then creates a dynamic heating profile, applying intense IR energy to ramp the part to temperature quickly and then using convection to hold it there for a perfect cure. This eliminates wasted energy from heating empty space in the oven and prevents over- or under-curing. On a typical TIMS automation coating production line, the Smart-Cure™ oven can reduce gas consumption by up to 30%, delivering a significant operational cost saving and a superior, more consistent cure.