SEHON comes with AI-supported robotic painting for the trade

SEHON painting system AI-REVOLUTION - Humanoid robot paints bumpers
SEHON painting system with humanoid robot (symbolic image AI-generated).
Ten years ago, the paint system manufacturer SEHON was first approached by a customer and asked to offer robotic painting for the trade, in particular for body and paint stores. Although painting robots were already common in mass automotive production at the time, it seemed impossible to develop robotics for refinishing. Compared to the industry with standardized products and processes, the challenges in the trade are fundamentally different. There are no standard products and processes, but an infinite variety of individual vehicles and components to be painted. A seemingly insurmountable obstacle. However, information technology and artificial intelligence have developed rapidly in recent years. For Tiemo Sehon, the company’s CEO, this is the key to the successful development of a paint shop with AI-supported robotic painting for the trade. “Thanks to AI, improved robot technology and paint booths specially developed for these applications,” explains the Managing Partner, “our customers now have the opportunity to use this technology after several years of development. As an innovation-driven company, we are very proud of this.”
Tiemo Sehon - CEO of SEHON innovative Lackieranlagen GmbH in Gechingen

Tiemo Sehon – CEO and Managing Partner of SEHON.

Robot painting in a SEHON paint booth

SEHON AI-REVOLUTION paint booth with robotic painting.

SEHON is aware that the use of AI and robotics in the skilled trades is a controversial topic. However, it is clear to him: “As a leading company in the industry, we aim to provide our customers with every form of innovative cutting-edge technology. This also applies to artificial intelligence and robotics. Progress through AI and digitalization is also indispensable in the skilled trades, as this is the only way to maintain competitiveness and innovative strength. Ultimately, however, it is up to each individual company to decide on the use of AI and robotics. The demand is there, and we are starting with the first projects for our new AI-REVOLUTION paint booth.” The Swabian paint system manufacturer points to the current situation in the skilled trades: “Skilled trades companies are suffering from a shortage of skilled workers, high levels of sickness, a lack of young talent and rising costs. There are no signs that these conditions will change significantly in the coming years. Our new AI-supported paint booth generation is one possible answer to help companies solve these problems. It’s not about taking work away from the painter, but helping them to master the personal and operational requirements of the future.” In this context, SEHON points out that paint stores are already working successfully with fully automated paint mixing systems. In the past, paint mixing was a sensitive, difficult, time-consuming and error-prone process for many painters. However, the introduction of these systems has not made painters redundant. Tiemo Sehon says: “As with all industries, there is no alternative to AI, digitalization and new technologies for the painting trade. It’s about surviving on the market in the long term. We have always said that we will only use AI if it offers real practical benefits for our customers. Our new AI-REVOLUTION paint booth takes the pressure off the painters. In the digital world of a paint shop, they will take on other key tasks, for example as competent managers for modern painting technologies.”

Robot painting in a SEHON paint booth

SEHON AI-REVOLUTION paint booth with robotic painting.

SEHON AI-REVOLUTION port for spray guns

SEHON AI-REVOLUTION port for spray guns.

The new SEHON painting system is equipped with high-performance scanners. These are used to scan the prepared components or the vehicle in the booth completely and with high precision. The data obtained is passed on to a computer. This develops commands for the painting robot and generates graphic images for the control terminal. At the AI-REVOLUTION control terminal, the painter decides, for example, which parts and surfaces are to be painted and triggers the fully automatic painting process. Painting can be carried out with clear and base coats on exterior and interior surfaces. However, for a successful, market-ready robot concept, it is not only crucial that the robot technology works perfectly. The paint booth technology must also be designed accordingly. At the same time, a wide range of customer requirements must be taken into account. The paint booths must therefore also be redesigned for the new technology. “In the area of safety alone, such as explosion protection, there are completely new requirements when humans work with robotics,” says SEHON.
Control terminal of the SEHON AI-Revolution painting system

SEHON AI-REVOLUTION control terminal.

SEHON symbol image AI-generated - AI-REVOLUTION - Painter welcomes humanoid robot

SEHON painting systems: Painter welcomes humanoid robot (AI-generated).

The SEHON paint booth for AI-supported robotic painting offers the same features that customers expect from a traditional SEHON high-end combination paint booth. It is uncompromising in terms of quality and perfectly tailored to the needs of the respective customer. It goes without saying that all applicable regulations, directives and laws are complied with. As a leading supplier, SEHON has made a name for itself primarily due to its enormous flexibility in customized painting systems. There is practically no project that SEHON runs through as standard. Regardless of whether it is a large or small paint store, a new build, conversion or modernization. No matter what installation situation needs to be mastered. The Swabian manufacturer provides every customer with their own personal SEHON painting system. Tiemo Sehon adds: “Our customers appreciate the fact that we not only perfectly implement holistic and future-oriented individual concepts in the trade, but also offer them a unique all-round carefree package. Everything from a single source and with our own staff: advice, planning, design, product selection, installation, support and after-sales service. With us, the customer is never left alone. And these benefits naturally also apply when using our AI-REVOLUTION.” SEHON is not assuming that classic spray booths and dryers will suddenly no longer be planned and built. Rather, Tiemo Sehon expects a long transformation process in which both types of booth will work in parallel.

Author: Michael Teschke