Dürr’s new Advanced Analytics Smart AC software module enhances flexibility and speed in temperature and humidity control for supply air systems.

This makes air conditioning – one of the biggest energy consumers in paint shops – much less resource intensive. A supply air system with a capacity of 350,000 m3/h equipped with DXQ software can lower annual energy costs by approximately 30,000 euros, regardless of the climatic conditions at the location.

Supply air systems are essential in automotive paint booths, ensuring the correct temperature and humidity for high-quality surface coating. What’s more, these systems create comfortable working conditions and the optimal climate for storing paints. However, air conditioning is highly energy-intensive because incoming outside air flowing must be continuously treated. “Until now, air conditioning has accounted for around one-third of a paint shop’s total energy consumption. To reduce this, Dürr has enhanced DXQequipment.analytics with an intelligent control system that enables operators to optimize energy and operating costs for the first time,” says Jens Häcker, Vice President Digital Factory at Dürr.

Smart AC calculates an energy-optimized range for temperature and humidity based on the specific system and the local climate conditions. The minimum and maximum values define the setpoint range, which is displayed to the system operator as a ‘control window.’ The larger the window, the less energy is required to control the heating, cooling, and water input. Traditionally, supply air systems have been set to fixed setpoint values that maintain safe margin from critical limits for the paint application, often leading to unnecessary heating or cooling.

“Our digital solution, with its optimized control strategy, enables precise and efficient regulation of supply air systems within a defined range,” explains Jens Häcker. “Instead of conditioning air to a fixed temperature, such as 23°C, the system can flexibly adjust between 21°C and 25°C. This reduces consumption while maintaining consistently high coating quality”

Advanced Analytics Smart AC is a new module of the DXQequipment.analytics software developed by Dürr for acquiring, evaluating, and visualizing robot and process data. To support more sustainable operation of supply air systems, Smart AC can be integrated into both new and existing systems.