Dürr is equipping its entire range of ovens with centralized heating technology and will focus on two energy-flexible systems in the future: the EcoInCure and the EcoSmartCure with Qflex technology. The variable heating circuit in the ovens can be operated with all relevant heat sources, whether natural gas, electricity, or even hydrogen in the future. This energy flexibility means that the system operator is no longer tied to one specific type of energy based on the chosen oven type.
“It is impossible for anyone to predict today what source of energy will be available in plentiful supply and at a reasonable cost tomorrow,” says Dr. Heiko Dieter, product manager at Dürr, in explaining the benefits of the new concept. “If, for example, the gas supply is interrupted at short notice, there is a risk of costs increasing and even production being interrupted. Energy-flexible ovens guarantee an alternative supply in this case. If a source of energy is no longer economical, operators can switch to another source with minimal effort – without having to interfere with the oven’s structural fabric. Choosing a hybrid system also makes it possible to automatically switch to the cheapest energy source depending on the time of day.”
Qflex technology as the technological foundation
At the heart of the concept is a central heating module that generates heat for drying car bodies and supplies it as needed to the individual zones using a heating circuit. The standalone heating module can be powered using gas or electricity. If an operator wishes to switch the energy source later, for example because it is installing its own solar power system, there is no change to the oven and only the heating module is modified. The Qflex technology also makes it easy to integrate innovative technologies such as electric high-temperature storage units to store energy for later use.
Two ovens designed for distinct application profiles
The EcoInCure transverse oven, which has proven itself in over 30 paint shops worldwide, meets the highest requirements for heating response, process reliability, and paint quality. The EcoSmartCure is an innovation based on the traditional longitudinal mode of operation. What makes it innovative is how it combines the central heating concept with a stop-and-go principle, in which the body goes through defined stationary phases. Compared with conventional ovens, this mode of operation enables much more precise temperature control. The body is strategically heated where necessary, rather than applying air to large areas. This reduces thermal stress, especially for thicker parts like the sills of electric vehicles, and improves paint quality.
Compact design for new builds and modernization of existing plants
Both ovens are compact single-level systems that do not require any additional power unit levels. Their low space requirement makes them easy to integrate into existing buildings. EcoInCure and EcoSmartCure are therefore an economically attractive solution for brownfield modernizations – for both CAPEX and OPEX projects.
The EcoSmartCure is currently being tested for industrial use. “The strong customer interest and two projects already underway confirm to us that we have hit the mark with this new development,” says Dr. Dieter with conviction. “Energy flexibility is no longer a distant vision. The Qflex technology in our ovens now offers a solution for responding flexibly to volatile energy markets and changing conditions in automotive production.”
