Tomburn, a Portsmouth-based specialist in commercial powder coating, has made a significant investment in cutting-edge technology by acquiring two advanced paint robots from Lesta, a renowned manufacturer in the industry. This strategic purchase is part of Tomburn’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the quality and efficiency of its specialist finishes production processes.

The newly acquired robots, model Lesta LEBOT MV A6, are equipped with state-of-the-art self-learning capabilities. These anthropomorphic robots are designed to meticulously replicate the movements of a human painter, ensuring unparalleled consistency and precision in every painted piece. The primary motivation behind this investment, as emphasised by Chris Mansfield, Commercial Director at Tomburn, is to elevate the overall quality of their finished products rather than merely increasing production output.

This innovative system works by having a skilled operator initially ‘program’ the robot by painting the first piece in ‘teach’ mode. “The robotic arms work on a ‘follow me’ system,” Chris explained. “This involves your experienced sprayer spraying the first load of work material by guiding the robot over the piece and essentially showing it where to powder coat. The robot remembers the movements and then simply repeats itself over and over again. This means that by getting it right once, we get it right every single time.”

During this programming phase, the robot records the precise movements and techniques used by the painter. Once this process is complete, the robot can flawlessly replicate these movements on subsequent pieces, ensuring that each one is painted with the same high level of quality and consistency. This advanced technology eliminates common issues associated with human labour, such as fatigue, distraction and the need for breaks, thereby reducing the risk of errors and inconsistencies.

The introduction of these robots marks a significant milestone for Tomburn. It not only demonstrates the company’s commitment to adopting cutting-edge technology but also underscores their dedication to maintaining the highest standards of quality in their work. With the robots’ ability to produce identical, high-quality finishes on each piece, the number of rejects is expected to decrease significantly. This reduction in rejects translates to less time required to complete tasks and reduces the pressure on human staff to perform repetitive, precision-demanding jobs.

The Lesta robots are more than just a technological advancement. They represent a forward-thinking approach to manufacturing that prioritises both quality and efficiency. By integrating these robots into their production line, Tomburn is setting the highest standards within the powder coating industry. The company’s move towards automation not only enhances their competitive edge but also assures their clients of consistent, high quality in every product.

Tomburn’s Commercial Director Chris Mansfield says that the new robots will come into their own with large volume orders requiring repetitive complex spraying:  “With many more axes of movement than Tomburn’s existing automatic spray guns, these new recruits will cope admirably with large volumes of smaller items that require more than just vertical spraying. In addition, their capabilities make them particularly efficient for our large louvre projects, either in kit form or complete modules, and also for larger scale items created form pressed materials.”

About Lesta

Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Italy near Milan, Lesta has built a strong reputation for innovation, quality and reliability – establishing itself as a global leader in robotic solutions.

Their advanced robotic systems, like the Lesta LEBOT MV A6 purchased by Tomburn, are revolutionising the painting and finishing industry. Their vision is to create smarter, more efficient and more consistent production environments for industries worldwide, helping businesses achieve higher standards of quality and productivity.

You can find out more at the Lesta website.