WAtech is a technology company that deals with complex supplies, development, construction and design activities and visualization of automation systems, robotics and technologies for industrial applications of paints and adhesives. WAtech is a company whose success is based on the knowledge and work of exceptional people, teamwork and satisfied customers.
The Technology Innovation Centre WAtech a.s. is highend workplace for research, development, innovation, tests and training in the field of powder and liquid coating and adhesive applications. It provides customers with a unique opportunity to design optimal technological procedures and choose the most advantageous technology for the application of paints and adhesives.
Interview with Veronika Řeháková, Marketing and Purchasing Specialist at WAtech.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Veronika Řeháková: The target is to design a technological process, verify all parameters of the application technology and present the customer with a complex solution.
The main activities include in particular:
- Research and Development
- construction and design activities
- visualization of systems
- comprehensive implementation
- automation and robotization
- electrical design, PLC programming
- components for powder coating, liquid coating and bonding
- service
- training
- lease of the Technological Innovation Center
E.E: What´s the news about new products?
V.Ř: Our company focuses primarily on complex automation and robotization solutions in industrial coating. Products that are part of our innovative technology include, for example:
Wagner PEA-X1 new generation of automatic powder coating guns
The PEA-X1 is the new generation of automatic guns. The powerful high-voltage cascade ensures a very high application efficiency. With the optimized nozzle system, very thin and uniform coating thicknesses are achieved, and the powder consumption is reduced. With various nozzles and accessories, the PEA-X1 can be adapted to a wide range of specific coating tasks. The special modular design of the nozzle system minimizes wear part costs. All electronic components are integrated into the robust gun body, which is designed for a long service life with low service
costs. The basic version of the gun is completed with the optionally available gun holder or an XL extension tube.
Intelligent solutions for E-line powder applications
The new E-line application system from Wagner offers a complete solution for carefree powder coating. This compact, versatile solution is offered to powder coating professionals.
E.E: What are the ranges of products?
V.Ř: WAtech offers products and comprehensive technology solutions in the field of powder coating, liquid coating and bonding. In these areas, it specializes in innovative solutions for automation, digitization and robotization technologies.
E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
V.Ř: The current market was affected by the energy crisis, which affected the operation and existence of not only companies in the field of industry. The energy increase threatened the planned implementation of projects at our customers. However, at the same time, an opportunity has opened up to help our customers thanks to innovative technologies focused precisely on energy saving.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
V.Ř: The current global topic is energy savings, which also influence market trends. When planning projects in the field of automation and robotics, our company focuses on the design of individual parts of the technology so that the emphasis is on the lowest possible energy consumption.
Another trend is digitization and automation with the aim of increasing work efficiency and productivity
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
V.Ř: We approach each project individually according to the customer’s requirements. Among the most innovative technologies we can include:
- Unique spare parts identification system
Automatic control of the painting process using a camera identifier at the hanging workplace. When the products arrive in front of the workplace, the camera will read the label and the PLC settings will give an instruction to change the parameters.
- Plastic cabin with robotic and automatic application technology
The solution that was chosen reflects not only the high requirements for the automation of the painting process, but also the specific requirements for painting boxes and cabinets. The M-Cube cabin is equipped with high technology that allows for a high quality finish with minimal material consumption. The solution was supplemented with a robotic workplace facilitating the painting of hard-to-reach places for repetitive production.
- Implemented WAtech RFID Control system
The technical concept of the cabin was designed according to the individual needs of the customer for painting large parts of workshop furniture. The implemented WAtech RFID Control system enables remote control of the line from the hanging workplace.
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2023-2024?
V.Ř: This year, we anticipate the implementation of projects that were postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and as a result of the energy crisis. The previous period shook the whole world and affected the industry in a big way. At the same time, the requirements for digitization and innovative technologies that can increase the efficiency of work with low energy consumption have increased. This opportunity welcomes the development and technology team of WAtech, which has built a number of technological units and is behind dozens of successful implementations.