Walter Schneider, of Plaxton, explains that the spraybooths are part of a significant investment at the factory, aimed at accommodating larger bus and coach manufacturing and improving production capacity.
One of the new spraybooths now handles large coaches and double decker buses, and includes two 35,000m3/hr air handling units to optimise airflow. High, mid and low level lighting has been incorporated along with two pneumatic access platforms.
The other smaller booth is for panel and component spraying and has been equipped with a single 35,000m3/hr air handling unit.
"To decrease production times and provide an even temperature, both spraybooths have been fitted with our patented QADs auxiliary air movement system, designed to accelerate air movement from the corners and centre of the cabin," explains Jason Douglas, sales director, Junair Spraybooths.
"Due to the size of the larger spraybooth, we have installed 16 QADs towers to get full product coverage," he continues.
"Not only does this system speed up drying times, but it also drastically reduces energy costs."
And he adds that, to further improve energy savings, both the spraybooths have also been fitted with a fuel saver mode, which automatically changes the air handling plant to recirculation during idle and flash off modes.
Variable speed drives have been fitted to run the electric motors and vary the airflow volume.
"We now have the capability to produce larger coaches, due to increased size of the spraybooths, and in multiple colour schemes due to the reduced paint drying times," comments Schneider.
"We have also seen a reduction in energy costs due to the energy efficient technology fitted to the spraybooths," he confirms.