Helping power portable spray booths

Developed by David Utting Engineering, a family owned company in Norwich, Smartshop provides a compact and integral on-site spraying facility without the potential problems associated with planning permission and the costs of a permanent building extension.  

The portable Smartshop is not only aimed at larger dealerships, it provides an affordable solution to smaller motor dealers and garages that operate on more limited budgets. It is also being considered by some major supermarkets. It provides the convenience and flexibility of a fully compliant, self-contained spraybooth and low-bake oven which can be rented, installed on-site and in most cases, be up-and-running on the day of delivery.                                                                                                                               

Challenge

Among the essential ingredients for the Smartshop is a reliable supply of high quality, clean and dry compressed air delivered to the operators spray guns and breathing equipment. Due to space limitations within the Smartshops, all components, including compressors need to be as compact as possible and quiet running, without compromising on quality.

As a pre-fabricated unit the Smartshop measures just 9m x 4m (length and width) and provides enough space for cars up to the size of a large 4 x 4, with room for one or two operators to complete the spraying process around the vehicle. About 2.5m of the overall 9m length of each Smartshop is devoted to workbench space, paint mix room, spray gun cleaner, the screw compressor and associated drying and filtration equipment, plus other control equipment.  

Solution

HPC Compressed Air Systems has developed a successful working relationship with David Utting Engineering through its Norwich-based centre and, over the course of 20 years, has specified, supplied and maintained compressors for a wide range of bespoke spraybooths. The company was therefore confident in HPC’s ability to supply another suitable solution and specified HPC’s compact 4kw SX6  rotary screw compressor which is designed to provide high quality compressed air efficiently and reliably.

The SX6 compressor provides 0.6m³/min at 7.5 bar operating pressure within a footprint of just 590 x 632 x 970mm (WxDxH) and weighs 145kg. Completing the package, and working in conjunction with the compressor, is an HPC TAH 7 KRYOSEC refrigerant dryer that has high-efficiency filtration to remove moisture and any contaminants from the air supply.

As with most compressor applications, air drying is a key part of the air treatment process to eliminate the problems of condensation and its potential for causing spray finish issues or corrosion in pipework or air tools. In the compact environment of the Smartshop, the KRYOSEC TAH7 direct expansion refrigerant dryer provides dependable and efficient drying.                                                             

This is achieved due to the generously dimensioned heat exchanger, optimised refrigerant liquefaction surfaces and dedicated cooling air flow, all housed within a compact unit which, for this application, is wall-mounted.                                           

A pilot installation involved a leading Mercedes Benz dealership which was looking at ways to include bodyshop repairs into its operations. David Uttings Smartshop solution was offered, put into production and has subsequently received full Mercedes approval.

Commenting on the role of the HPC compressor package within the Smartshop concept, David Utting said: "The HPC compressor, dryer and filtration system has worked extremely well in supplying clean, dry compressed air to the operators spray guns and achieves this within the extremely limited space confines of the Smartshop control room. We particularly appreciate its reliability, which is something we have always acknowledged with HPC’s products."