Over sixty intelligent devices connected via PROFIBUS and PROFINET are being used in a tailor-made paint line at the factory of one of Germany’s biggest car manufacturers. Based on a modular concept that can be expanded easily the paint line is an example of the distributed automation possible with PROFINET. The line is easier to commission and maintain and the system can also be updated more easily. Dryer modules can be combined according to production targets and these were supplied fully preassembled.
A new basecoat area consisting of pre-treatment, cathodic dip coating (CDC) and a continuous flow dryer for the gradual drying of the base-coated bodies incorporates the following modules: convection recirculating-air units, fresh-air units, a thermal exhaust-air cleaning unit, an exhaust air unit, a cooling zone, and rolling shutter doors. Modules in the drying unit are networked via PROFIBUS, connected to the PROFINET network via proxies. OPC Servers are used for visualization. The ability to retain existing PROFIBUS-based systems was particularly important.