Robotic automotive paint curing using thermal signature feedback

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a new closed‐loop radiative robotic paint curing process that could replace less efficient and bulky convection‐based paint curing processes in automotive manufacturing. Design/methodology/approach – The proposed robotic paint curing processes uses an Ultraviolet LED panel for a heat source, an infra‐red camera for non‐contact thermal signature feedback of cure level, and a robot control strategy that incorporates the cure‐level information in an inverse dynamics control of the robotic manipulator. To demonstrate the advantage of the closed‐loop process in improving cure uniformity, detailed models and discussions of the irradiation process, the robotics and the control strategy are presented. Findings – A simulation‐based comparison of the closed‐loop robotic curing with the open‐loop robotic curing clearly shows the benefits of using thermal signature feedback in improving cure level uniformity. Originality/value – This is a new approach proposed to exploit immerging technology and improve the efficiency of energy use in an automotive manufacturing process without sacrificing product quality.