Saving time and money while reducing energy costs is the elusive trio of goals that workshops look for to aid workshop efficiency. Axalta’s new approach to curing may be the help bodyshops need.
In pursuit of workshop efficiency, the team at Axalta want customers to ask themselves one crucial question: “Why burn money by baking?”
There are alternatives and this is where Axalta’s Fast Cure Low Energy (FCLE) technology comes into play. It not only delivers faster car repair process times, but reduces bodyshop energy consumption too, making it a game changer for bodyshops worldwide.
Traditional curing methods often require prolonged exposure at high temperatures, demanding significant energy consumption and extended wait times. Axalta’s latest patented technology utilises advanced chemical formulations that leverage both temperature and ambient humidity to cure coatings at lower temperatures and in significantly less time. This not only ensures the highest quality finish but also translates to substantial energy savings.
Axalta’s FCLE system is proven to significantly reduce bodyshop energy costs – up to 70 per cent when drying at 20ºC or 40ºC (compared to the typical 30 minutes at 60ºC bake cycle). So now there is no need to crank up your oven to bake at 60ºC.
At the same time, FLCE technology delivers on productivity, with a standard repair of 3 panels, including a bare metal repair to bonnet needing primer filler application taking just 71 mins at 40ºC. This includes application, flash-off and drying times. This process can be reduced to just 36 minutes for new replacement parts with wet-on-wet surfacer application, all while delivering the highest quality finish. What’s more, the wet-on-wet application process means there is no need for pre-priming and the overcoat time is just 5 minutes.
Efficiency: More Jobs, Less Time
Time is money, so completing more jobs in less time can positively impact a bodyshop’s profitability. Axalta’s FCLE technology drastically cuts down the time needed for each refinishing job. Faster curing means quicker turnaround times, allowing bodyshops to handle more vehicles in a day.
Quality Assurance
While speed and energy efficiency are critical, quality remains paramount. Axalta’s FCLE technology ensures that reduced curing times do not compromise the integrity and durability of the finish. The advanced formulations provide excellent adhesion, gloss, and long-lasting protection. Moreover, the consistent performance of Axalta’s products helps minimise rework.
Real-World Benefits
The practical benefits of Axalta’s FCLE technology extend beyond energy savings. Spray booths that are no longer able to reach a high temperature of 60°C do not need retrofitting. Shorter drying times at 40°C or 20°C can avoid or delay greater investment and increased infrastructure costs.
Additionally, drying at lower temperatures is ideal for electric or hybrid cars with sensitive electronics, preserving the lifetime of batteries and other components. Regulations for some vehicle models require tyres to be removed prior to painting as they are sensitive to heat. This requirement doesn’t apply to drying temperatures of 40°C to 20°C and as a result, is a significant time saver.
And finally, in line with Axalta’s 2030 Sustainability goals, the reduced energy usage delivered by FCLE technology decreases the bodyshop’s carbon footprint by up to 55 per cent, making the technology more sustainable compared to traditional refinish technologies.
The patented Fast Cure, Low Energy technology is available across Axalta’s leading refinish brands – Standox, Spies Hecker, and Cromax. Visit axalta.au/fcle for more information.