ABB's PixelPaint technology receives 2021 IERA Award

June 9, 2021

PixelPaint features two high-precision robots to make car painting faster, more sustainable and flexible

ABB's PixelPaint technology received the 2021 Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Robotics & Automation (IERA) from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).

“The jury is pleased to honor ABB’s PixelPaint technology with the 17^th IERA Award,” said Jury Chair Rob Ambrose. “The innovative solution for automated car painting combines more flexibility and customization with reduced wasted paint for the well-being of the environment.”

PixelPaint features two high-precision robots to make car painting faster, more sustainable and flexible, thus helping manufacturers to efficiently respond to individual demands. Two-tone and customized designs are applied in one pass. The technology eliminates overspray benefitting the environment.

The inkjet head of PixelPaint applies 100 percent of the paint to the vehicle surface while also significantly increasing efficiency in car painting. The technology also allows for a 50 percent increase in customized painting speeds. PixelPaint also eliminates the process of masking and de-masking each car, helping to reduce bottlenecks.

“In today’s fiercely competitive automotive manufacturing market, vehicle producers need solutions that can help them to improve their flexibility, efficiency and cost competitiveness while delivering a high-quality paint finish, including individualized options to meet the growing demand for non-standard and customized designs,” said Jörg Reger, Managing Director of ABB Robotics Auto OEM Business Line.

“I congratulate ABB on winning the IERA award 2021 against strong competition,” said Milton Guerry, President of the IFR. “The four finalists have all presented a success story of an innovative product in robotics and automation which combine the needs of today’s manufacturers with a high degree of user-friendliness.”

Finalists for the award included Barcelona-based INFAIMON, which presented its InPicker, a universal pick-and-place system for industrial applications. Berlin-based Micropsi Industries took part with its MIRAI software, an artificial intelligence(AI)-driven control system that enables industrial robots to deal with variance in production. Mobile Industrial Robots from Odense in Denmark presented the MiR250, a user-friendly mobile robot that optimizes material handling workflows across industries.