BMW Group Plant Dingolfing is in the final stages of developing a new overspray-free painting process that allows several paint colours to be used and designs to be applied without stencils or masking the vehicle.
The new method means that the degree of individualisation for customers will be increased. The new method is also more sustainable as it reduces waste and energy consumption. The technology is being used for the first time in 19 BMW M4 Coupés, which will soon roll off the production line at Plant Dingolfing with custom two-tone paintwork and M4 identification on the bonnet and tailgate.
Milan Nedeljković, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Production: “We expect the highest standards of efficiency, sustainability and digitalisation from our production. This smart painting technology meets all the requirements for an innovative production process and also offers unique customer benefits.”
The EcoPaintJet Pro application was developed by BMW for waterborne base coats and 2K clear coat in collaboration with mechanical and plant engineering firm Dürr. In the conventional procedure, paint is atomised by a rotating bell with 35 to 55 000 revolutions per minute and adheres electrostatically to the body. The new method works without electrostatics, relying instead on jet application.
Until now, custom designs like this can only be realised using manual masking. With the new technology, the material and personnel costs this previously entailed will be eliminated, making it possible to realise these options at a lower cost. This innovative process also prevents so-called overspray. This means excess paint particles are no more, which therefore no longer has to be disposed of.
With the paintwork for the M4 small series, the BMW Group is testing the possibilities of the new process. These unique vehicles will initially be used in the company’s own fleet. Series introduction of the piloted paint process is scheduled to begin in 2022 in the BMW Group production network.