World-first Lowbake technology at Collision Repair Expo

Lowbake Australia will use the Collision Repair Expo in May to show off its new broadband infrared curing system.

A strong focus on technology at the Collision Repair Expo, to be held at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre from Thursday 12 May to Saturday 14 May 2011, will bring the latest equipment and products to trade visitors.

Held every two years since 2007, the Collision Repair Expo is produced for collision repairers by an industry-led committee and is hosted by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA).

AAAA executive director, Stuart Charity, said the Expo now attracts major Australian and international exhibitors and seminar speakers to create a world-class event.

“Exhibition space sales and special event planning are well advanced for the 2011 Collision Repair Expo,” Charity said.

“At this early stage, 87 per cent of the exhibition space is already sold to top local and international brands. This expo will present an exciting array of leading edge equipment and products.”

Among the state-of-the-art technologies to be demonstrated live at the 2011 Expo is the new broadband gas infrared paint curing system from Lowbake Australia.

Lowbake managing director Mark Williams said Lowbake will fit the new system in one of the company’s two portable demonstration paint booths to be installed at the Expo.

“Lowbake has invested two years in the development of this broadband gas infrared paint curing technology to create a world first for the collision repair industry,” Williams said.

“Originally used in Europe to reduce energy consumption for space heating, we recognised the potential of this exciting technology and developed a comprehensive system designed to deliver instant curing in minutes, depending on the substrate material and paint used.

“The main benefit of this technology is that once the painted panel returns to ambient temperature, the surface is ready for afterwork. There is no further waiting for hardening.
“Workshop owners and managers can now increase productivity beyond expectations. The bonus is a saving of up to 90 per cent on energy costs.”

The key to the system is the special blend of catalysts embedded in the long-life gas heater panels, which produce specific wave lengths to create intense exothermal heat to agitate the surface coating molecules.

Lowbake also developed a custom robot, booth fittings, electronic controls, operating program, gas supply equipment and other systems to complete the high performance package.

“This technology works on all types of paint, and waterborne is particularly fast drying and consistent,” Williams said.

“Broadband gas infrared paint curing technology delivers heat directly to the surface at close range eliminating general booth heating. This enables repairs to be completed in moments on small sections of panels. With an effective production process in place, workshops can significantly increase job productivity.”

Lowbake will also have a traditional gas- fired oven at the Expo. Both booths will feature a series of live product demonstrations by major surface coating manufacturers throughout the show. Operating for the past 20 years, Lowbake is Australia’s largest specialist designer and manufacturer of spray booths and ovens, including infrared paint drying equipment using short, medium and long wave equipment.

“Lowbake has been setting global firsts for many years at the Collision Repair Expo,” Charity said.

“They were the first company to mount a fully operational spray booth at a trade show at our Melbourne 2007 Expo. They also operated a demonstration spray booth at the 2009 Sydney Expo.

“And Lowbake will score another world first when they present this state-of-the-art curing technology at this major trade show.

“These Lowbake demonstration booths are among the most popular exhibitor attractions at the Expo. The paint suppliers are all keen to participate to show their products’ benefits and each demonstration session attracts a capacity audience of trade visitors.

“We recognise the hard work invested by Lowbake to make these important developments available to trade visitors at the show, and commend them for their initiative in researching and developing this new technology.”

The Collision Repair Expo will again be co-located with the Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo, which will showcase a comprehensive range of automotive aftermarket parts, accessories, tools and equipment from the industry’s leading companies and brands.

Only 11 exhibitor stands remain for the Collision Repair Expo. Exhibitor enquiries should be directed to Tony Francis at Australian Exhibitions and Conferences at tony@aec.net.au or phone (03) 9654 7773.

To learn more about the Collision Repair Expo, visit www.collisionrepair.com.au