PERU-Plasma treatmeatmet for direct glazing

Project time: 2012 – 2013

Budget: 4 300 000 SEK

Funding: FFI – Strategic Vehicle Research and Innovation

The project objectives were to understand if atmospheric plasma could act as cleaning and activation process before bonding and allow for an implementation with a moderate investment cost of a process that is generic for a variety of applications.

Project summary

The project wanted to demonstrate that the introduction of atmospheric plasma as a new process can
be done without changes to the existing production line.The work were divided into work packages and the overall goal were :
• Investigating strength and long term properties of the plasma coatings and adhesive
systems.
• Find process windows for plasma treatment of paint and verify these results against the
current and future paint- and adhesive systems (including tape).
• Prepare for implementation for atmospheric plasma , including environmental
assessment , FMEA and business case .
Objectives of the project work are:
• A reliable and verified process for pretreatment with plasma for paint and adhesives.
• Find limitations for the plasma method.
• Propose a production arrangement to implemented atmospheric plasma in production.

Expected effects

The main effects of the project is to clean and activate surfaces before bonding and painting with a cheaper, faster and qualitatively improved process compared with current
process . The positive side effects of the project is the reduction of diffuse CO2 emissions and less chemical and material consumption and thus reduced destruction. The project also shows the possibility to use a less reactive adhesive and achieve an improved ergonomic situation leading to that backbreaking work procedures can be avoided. The project consortium were the manufacturing companies , Volvo Cars, Volvo Trucks , Scania, Thule Sweden AB and Agaria. Research partners have been Swerea IVF and Volvo Technology.

Briefly Results

The project has been divided into 6 work packages. Plasma treatment for bonding and touch-up painting : A study has shown that soil could be reduced with plasma. The effect on soil reduction is dependent on the process settings. Plasma effect varies with the speed and distance to the surface. Different paint systems that are used in the automotive industry were studied and several common engineering plastics .Process settings that are made are not only linked to the surface to be treated , but also for the adhesive to be applied on the surface. Process settings prove thus varies depending on material and adhesive. An improved adhesion after plasma treatment for one adhesive doesn´t necessarily show the same good results for a different adhesive. Plasma treatment long-term effect : Plasma effects on the paint layer were studied and the results showed that the treated coating is sensitive to humid climate. Surface energy decreases with time and height relative humidity. Surface analysis shows that the plasma treatment increases the level of oxygen in the surface and the concentration of carbon decreases. This indicates that the functional groups are created by the plasma and these functional groups contributing to increased adhesion.The analytical methods that proved to be most useful for detecting dirt and surface modifications, were XPS and contact angle measurement. Results from these methods showed correlation. Process Window and guidelines: By using the experimental design could optimal process settings be made based on treated surfaces and materials. Guidelines concerning treatment times of surfaces was developed. This is particularly important to avoid overheating of the plasma-treated surface. The risk to create an under or over treated surface can lead to reduced adhesion and strength of the bonded joint. Preparing for implementation of atmospheric plasma: Process FMEA and business case demonstrated the risks and how to make an implementation easer. FMEA has been working with a production unit where the plasma is included with the mounting of the windshield. Among the identified risks during implementation and production is dedication and low knowledge of the plasma method, but with the help of the PERU-project dedication and knowledge can be increased. A risk assessment was made to provide data for the ventilation and protective systems that must be designed. This is because the plasma creates ozone and nitrogen gases.

Participating researcher(s)

Partners

Share

Similar projects

Geometry optimized adhesive joining for sustainable production

"Geometry Optimised adhesive joining for sustainable production” in Swedish (Geometri Optimerad LimFogning för hållbar produktion, "GOLF") is a project within the Swedish research program FFI for Sustainable production. It has as its mission to develop technology and methods to get the right amount of adhesive on the right place. The drivers behind this are the overall strive to decrease weight in vehicles and moving machines to minimize the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere.

2013 – 2015

Dense-Arc joining of hybrid thermoplastic composite-metal structures (DENSARC)

The aim with the project is to test a new method to join thermoplastic composite to metal in a lap joint by using a focused TIG arc, as a heat source, to heat the metal side just enough so that the composite melts and join to the metal. The method gives single sided access, no need for additional filler material and makes invisible joints possible. The objective is to have a joining method that is robust, gives high productivity and high quality as well as cost advantages.

2012 – 2013

Sintered parts with high static loading capacity

The project has confirmed the hypothesis that tailoring of the tempering is a functioning means of making PM steel sustainable towards high static loading in potential automotive applications. The project has also developed further understanding about mechanisms that could be responsible for static loading sensitivity with respect to creep/relaxation at slightly elevated temperature. The results relate to sustainable manufacturing processes, the basis being that powder compaction and sintering is an energy efficient way with high raw materials utilization.

2012 – 2013

Sustainable Manufacture of Future Engine Components

The project has addressed challenges in casting and realisation of new cast irons with improved properties and machinability, decision making regarding manufacturing strategies and machinability of materials. Silicon-alloyed compacted graphite iron (CGI) has been demonstrated av new alternative for future engine components. New simulation technique for assessing manufacturing strategies has been introduced. Generic know ledge has been developed w hen it concerns w ork material machinability w ith specific reference to combined materials in advanced components.

2012 – 2015

PADOK – Study Visit to India 2016

With globalization and other megatrends as demographic changes and climate change, more knowledge is needed regarding production in an international perspective. PADOK Study Visit in India 2016 have given an increased knowledge regarding how production is conducted in India, some of the challenges producing companies in that region is facing and how Swedish companies interested in investing in production in India could act to establish themselves in the region.

2016 – 2016

Streamlined Modeling and Decision Support for Fact-based Production Development (StreaMod)

The integration of data management systems, simulation software and optimization algorithms have been shown to increase throughput in existing production but also allow expanded use of virtual tools in the preparation phases. This in turn leads to shorter development times for new production systems and products. The project has also contributed to greater understanding and concrete improvements in the processes of collecting and assure the quality of production data. This in turn increases the quality in both simulations and direct data-driven analyzes.

2013 – 2017

Compact and energy efficient transmissions – control and prediction of functional surface behavior

The overall objective of the project was to: • Develop simulation methodology for drive simulation of transmissions with given shape, surface topography and surface structure, - for more robust and better prediction of the efficiency and life of gear contacts in gearboxes. • Through experimental evaluation and characterization, support and verify the developed simulation technology • Through experimental evaluation and characterization, further verifying the potential of using the correct surface texture, e.g. honing, and right-handed gear in heavy-duty transmissions.

2016 – 2018

Automotive components from renewable resources with good barrier properties and tailored biodegradability, for interior applications

Our hypothesis is that advanced, lightweight, multi-layer-structured composites with good barrier properties and tailored biodegradability can be produced by combining bio-based thermoplastic with special additives and pulp fiber mats. This material is free from fossil raw materials, sustainable, fire and impact-resistant and suitable for interior components in vehicles.

2012 – 2013

Emerging digital technologies and their applicability as picking support in materials handling

In material handling processes, such as kitting and sequencing, which are used in the automotive industry to supply the assembly with a wide and growing range of component variants, the picking information system is central design aspect. Given the developments in digitization, the purpose of this concept study is to evaluate the potential of digital technology to support materials handling work in production systems.

2017 – 2017

Virtual PaintShop – Simulation of Oven Curing

The paintshop is often a bottleneck in production and the processes are fine-tuned based on testing on numerous prototypes. To meet the future demands there is a great need to improve the product preparation process. The aim is to develop methods, techniques and software, and supporting measurement methodology, for simulation of paint curing in IR and convective ovens. The goal is to assist the industry to further develop and optimize their surface treatment to be more energy and cost efficient; to have a shorter lead time in product development; and to give a higher product quality.

2016 – 2019

Virtual PaintShop – Simulation of Oven Curing