EcoNextJet – Custom designs directly on the car body

The trend toward customized vehicle designs continues unabated. Until now, complex patterns or lettering had to be applied manually. EcoNextJet automates this labor-intensive step and brings creative design to the series production process. This innovation is technologically advanced and enables more efficient and sustainable processes in vehicle production.

Drop-on-demand: painting with maximum resolution

EcoNextJet is based on drop-on-demand technology. A print head with 2,000 individually controllable nozzles is attached to a painting robot. Each nozzle only dispenses ink when needed. Up to six drops can be dispensed per pixel. This technology enables very precise control of size and speed. Pixel by pixel, a wafer-thin image is created with a resolution of up to 720 dpi.

The dual-channel print head can dispense two colors simultaneously. Software specially developed by Dürr controls the robot's path and calculates the impact point for each drop—even on convex or vertical surfaces. The same paint is used for all surfaces. This simplifies the process and ensures consistent surface quality.

EcoNextJet was developed in close cooperation with Axalta and XAAR: Dürr was responsible for process integration, robotics, and software for the coating process, paint manufacturer Axalta developed the corresponding paints, and printhead manufacturer XAAR supplied the printhead.

The result is impressive: the lines printed with the EcoNextJet are as fine as a human hair. Regardless of the geometry or orientation of the car body, detailed designs with high surface quality are possible at almost any location.

The high resolution opens up new design possibilities. EcoNextJet is not only a technological innovation, but also a means of achieving more efficient and sustainable processes in vehicle production.

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