6th September 2006
SMARTAIR INFRA-RED CURING SYSTEM IS HOT STUFF
Junair, one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of vehicle spraybooth ovens, air handling systems and refinishing equipment for the bodyshop and smart repair industries, has developed a new infra-red drying unit designed to complement its recently launched Smartair at-source extraction system.
Smartair IR, a new short wave infra-red drying unit launched by Junair to complement its Smartair at-source extraction system, offers substantial reductions in curing times when compared with traditional convection drying methods.
Called Smartair IR, the new product utilises short-wave infra-red technology, which offers substantial reductions in curing times when compared with traditional convection drying methods and, claim the manufacturers, is much more energy-efficient than convection, reducing heating bills for the curing cycle by up to 90%.
The Smartair at-source extraction system, which has an international patent pending, is specifically designed for finishing smaller repairs or smart repairs within a single panel and is already generating substantial extra revenues for bodyshops, de-fleet centres, franchised dealers and smart repairers alike.
In the bodyshop, Smartair takes medium area priming, base coat and clear coat applications out of the spraybooth oven, freeing-up this vital resource for bigger jobs of a higher value. At the same time it allows dealerships to carry out smart repairs on site that may previously have been sub-contracted to a third party. This is enabling dealerships to retain more profit and ensure faster turn-round times for their customers whilst complying with all relevant Environmental and Health & Safety legislation.
Commenting on the introduction of their new Smartair IR system, Junair’s Technical Director, Doug Kirk, said: “The launch of Smartair IR underlines our commitment to developing products that deliver tangible bottom line benefits for our customers. Time and energy savings are increasingly important for every business in the motor vehicle refinishing industry, but Smartair IR is about more than that. It also provides consistently excellent results. Short wave infra-red radiation quickly generates high temperatures and penetrates deep into an object, giving better quality curing.
“The control system is designed to ensure ‘right first time’ paint curing. An easy-to-use timer enables the operative to set precise curing times for the job in hand. Utilising ‘pulse technology’, a non-contact pyrometer follows the temperature rise and then holds the panel at the pre-set temperature, protecting the paint from overheating. There is also a countdown feature to track the progress of the process.”
Other features of the Smartair IR system include a unique pivot housing that allows the unit to swing into the perfect position in the centre of the painted area without the need for distance sensors. A ruby sleeve reduces glare and protects against thermal shock, and the unit is trolley mounted for easy mobility around the workshop or bodyshop.