The latest infrared paint drying systems look set to establish new benchmarks for energy saving and efficiency throughput levels.
 
“Most indigenous spraybooths take five minutes to warm up, require 30 minute bake cycles for primers, ten minutes for base coats and 30 minutes for a clear coat,” explained Jim Masterson, director of Tri-Sphere, the sole importer of REVO 180 for the UK and Ireland. “Usually there will ten minutes for flash-off. On top of that, you'll find most gas burners are only about 85 per cent efficient.”
 
Mr Masterson said his REVO 180 models can be installed inside ‘most spraybooths’, take about a quarter of the traditional time and use no gas in the drying process.
 
Their power management capabilities result in annual savings of up to 75 per cent on gas bills, while up to 73 per cent savings on electricity are also said to be achieved.
 
He added: “Energy saving auto switch off systems activate between panels. The latest models feature easy to follow menu-driven paint drying processes and sensors in the drying towers that allow faster completion times.”

Preferential loan terms through the Carbon Trust are still available and users report that the monthly energy savings are generating a significant return on investment and higher efficiency levels.
 
Thompson Vehicle Accident Repair Centre (TVARC) in Carlisle saw its gas consumption figures immediately drop from 12 to 16 units of gas per day to three to five units. The energy savings directly increased profitability because they went straight to the bottom line. Savings on gas bills frequently reached 75 per cent over the quarter, which helped us return the cost of its investment inside three years.

But the in-use benefits are just as attractive to bodyshops. “Vehicle manufacturers - especially those with top quality marques - are increasingly keen to reduce key-to-key times,” explained TVARC owner Angela Thompson. “That means we are always having to look for new ways to be more efficient.”

Tri-Sphere, which has been supplying bodyshop equipment since 1989, believes that the REVO 180 provides answers to efficiency demands from several perspectives.

Sensors in the drying towers of the latest systems allow an increase in the speed of movement to and from the vehicle or panel. Set up and completion times have reduced. Even touch screen control is now a standard feature.

“It helps that each job is menu-driven,” explained Tri-Sphere director Jim Masterson. “Setup time becomes mistake-free.  That's another level of errors ruled out, while the infra-red drying speeds on fillers, bases coats and top coats are already superior to gas driven systems so more time is saved during the drying process.”

Mr Masterson said the savings in gas bills are not transferred to higher electricity bills. “There are significant savings in electricity too. For example, it switches itself off between panels that do not require drying.”

Tri-Sphere says that favourable loan terms are ‘still available for ambitious bodyshops keen to invest in REVO 180 technology’ - an arrangement made possible because it matches the tough emission savings and carbon footprint reducing criteria set by the Carbon Trust.

Thompson Vehicle Accident Repair Centre benefitted from an interest-free loan from the Carbon Trust. Thanks to the equipment’s energy saving qualities. Although the interest-free loan scheme is no longer available, loans for energy saving systems can still be obtained at preferential rates.