Sata Invests in Robotics Startup Specializing in Repair Painting

Sata and CurveRobot are combining their expertise in development and sales to enable body and paint shops to successfully transition to automation. The result is the “Jetstream” from Sata Automation. In times of cost pressures and a shortage of skilled workers, there is no way around automation solutions in the medium term, even for body and paint shops. Sata has now set the course to assume a leading role in this sector as well. The newly founded Sata Automation GmbH brings together two specialists: CurveRobot, with proven expertise in robotics, and Sata, with over a century of experience in nozzle technology and paint application. At Sata Automation GmbH, the integration and further development of the technology will be driven forward in collaboration with CurveRobot’s development team. The newly founded organization will also handle distribution: the exclusive distribution rights cover Europe and North America. Through its financial investment in CurveRobot, Sata is paving the way for an even faster pace of development and greater reliability for the long-term use of the systems in manufacturing facilities.

Sata Invests in CurveRobot

In combination with the Sata automatic spray gun and Jet X nozzle technology, the “Jetstream” achieves a particularly fine and homogeneous atomization. The spray pattern is uniform, and material distribution is precise and reproducible. This results in lower—and fully predictable—paint consumption. Coating thicknesses remain constant. At the same time, Sata GmbH & Co. KG improves surface quality, which minimizes rework and increases customer satisfaction. This provides K&L facilities with significant competitive advantages. Sata is investing in CurveRobot as an anchor investor. The parties have agreed not to disclose the amount of the investment or the size of Sata’s stake. With this step, Sata is beginning to implement its long-term strategy in the field of automation. Sata aims to leverage its own long-standing expertise in automotive painting to assume a leading role in the automation of the painting process as well. Sata Automation GmbH is a new business division of the Sata Group. The focus is on the marketing, service, and development of AI-based automation solutions in the paint and coating sector. David Rau serves as the division head of the company.

Increased Revenue and Cost Reduction Through Painting Technology Robotics

Mike Wolf, Sata’s Managing Director, emphasizes: “Two things are important to us: With our robotic solutions, we neither want to nor can we replace the paint technician. Human skill remains indispensable. This applies to controlling the systems and to other work steps, from color matching and mixing to preparation and finishing. Our solution is a tool for increasing revenue and reducing costs for body shops. The “Jetstream” can already handle up to 35% of painting tasks to the highest quality standards. While the robot is painting, the painter can paint another vehicle at the same time or perform other productive tasks. With the same hardware, the proportion of painting tasks that the robot can handle will continue to rise. For many K&L shops, the investment is already paying for itself in less than three years. We continue to place great importance on close collaboration with our partners in the paint industry and work together to develop specific programs for their product lines. The advantage: Every facility that uses a “Jetstream” achieves the same perfect paint results and cost savings. As with our hand-held spray guns, the path to the highest quality can only be achieved through this collaboration.”