SATA invests in CurveRobot, accelerating the automation of paint finishing processes at bodyshops
Following the formation of SATA Automation GmbH as an organisational foundation, SATA has taken a stake in Chinese start-up CurveRobot. Both companies are pooling their expertise in sales and development to enable bodyshops to make a successful transition to automation. The result: the "jetstream" from SATA Automation.
Faced with rising cost pressures and a shortage of skilled labour, bodyshops will find that automation solutions are becoming essential in the medium term. SATA has now laid the groundwork to take on a leading role in this sector as well. The newly established SATA Automation GmbH brings together two specialists: CurveRobot, with proven expertise in robotics, and SATA, with over a hundred years of experience in nozzle technology and paint application. SATA Automation GmbH is partnering with the CurveRobot development team to integrate and advance this technology. The newly established entity will also be responsible for distribution: the exclusive sales rights cover Europe and North America. Through its investment in CurveRobot, SATA is paving the way for faster development cycles and for the secure long-term operation of the system in body shops.
Mike Wolf, Managing Director at SATA, emphasises: "There are two things that are important to us: our robotics solutions are designed to support painters, not replace them. Human expertise continues to be indispensable, both in operating the equipment and in subsequent process steps – from colour matching and mixing through to preparation and finishing. Our solution is a tool designed to boost turnover and reduce costs for bodywork and paint companies. The "jetstream" is already capable of handling up to 35% of painting jobs to the highest standard. While the robot is painting, the painter can paint another vehicle at the same time or carry out other productive tasks. Using the same hardware, the robot's range of painting applications will expand continuously. For many bodyshops, the investment pays for itself in less than three years. We remain deeply committed to working closely with our partners in the paint industry, co-developing dedicated programmes tailored to their product ranges. The advantage: every workshop utilising a "jetstream" delivers the same flawless painting results and outstanding cost savings. "As with our hand-held spray guns, this perfect integration is the only way to achieve the highest quality."
Combined with the SATA automatic paint spray gun and jet X nozzle technology, the "jetstream" delivers exceptionally fine, uniform atomisation. The spray pattern is even, and the material distribution is precise and reproducible. The exceptional surface quality minimises the need for rework and increases customer satisfaction. This gives bodyshops significant competitive advantages.
But precision goes beyond that: The system calculates the required amount of material far more accurately, significantly reducing the need for safety margins. In addition, it minimizes material consumption during application through the precise guidance of the spray gun. This means lower – and entirely predictable – paint consumption. Layer thicknesses remain constant.
The BOYA paint shop in Hanover, part of the Aribos Group, uses the "jetstream" in its day-to-day operations. At this site, the bodyshop benefits from using BASF's Line 100, featuring a dedicated "jetstream" programme developed in partnership with SATA. The results so far have been consistently positive.
SATA has launched the website sata-automation.com for interested companies. Alongside general information and contact details, bodyshops will soon be able to input their own data to calculate the return on investment (ROI) and payback period for the "jetstream".