Dürr launches new generation of painting robots on the market
With the EcoRP4, Dürr is presenting a new generation of robots for body painting. The compact painting robot has an asymmetrical architecture that gives the applicator better access to the bodywork so that it can also safely reach interior areas that are difficult to access.
Dürr has delivered almost 20,000 painting robots from the Ecopaint-Robot family worldwide since 1998. The latest member of the family, the EcoRP4, was developed as the successor to the six-axis EcoRP E/L x33iC robot and is designed in particular for painting lines with high volumes and standardized applications. Different versions enable flexible integration into the painting line: from floor mounting and tower installation to use on so-called linear traversing rails. "With the fourth generation, we have consistently designed the robot for cost-effectiveness. Fewer components, simplified mechanics and a maintenance-friendly design reduce life cycle costs compared to the previous generation without changing the process technology," says Andreas Bokermann, Product Manager at Dürr.
Dürr painting robot applicator closer to the interior
A key design feature of the EcoRP4 is the asymmetrical architecture of the robot arm. The tool center point (TCP), i.e. the center of the applicator, is offset laterally by more than 200 millimetres from the main axis. This increases the distance between the interfering contour of the robot arm and the car body. This makes it much easier for the applicator to reach areas that are difficult to access, such as door rebates, hinges and transition zones. Dürr offers the new robot in mirrored versions for use on both sides of the car body. In addition to the asymmetrical arm geometry, arm 1 of the EcoRP4 has a more compact design. The reduced design reduces the space required in the work area and creates more room to move close to the body. Arm 2 still carries the applicator, color changer and dosing pumps in the immediate vicinity of the paint outlet. The hose paths remain correspondingly short. This enables fast valve switching times and minimizes paint and rinsing agent losses during colour changes.
Easier access to process technology thanks to new design
As with the previous generations, the majority of the EcoRP4's process control is integrated in arm 1 - a characteristic feature of Dürr's painting robots. As part of the redesign, the housing concept has been revised. As a result, all components required for the process can now be integrated into Arm 1 - with a minimum distance to the atomizer in order to achieve maximum efficiency. Arm 1 also has a continuous cover that is accessible from the side. "During the redesign, we placed great emphasis on easier access to the process technology. Now, fewer covers and a laterally accessible design make maintenance easier and significantly reduce service times," explains Bokermann. Furthermore, the design of the drive units for axis 2 and axis 3 has been simplified. Instead of an angular gearbox with a reduction gear, the drive gear of the respective motor now sits directly on the motor shaft. The elimination of additional gear stages reduces the number of components as well as wear and maintenance costs. The market launch is scheduled for 2027.
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