Introduction
AkzoNobel Shanghai Technology Center, in Songjiang industrial economic park zone, are making significant upgrades to their implementation of digital intelligence systems, and recently successfully introduced the High-throughput Experimentation System from Labman. This has not only greatly improved AkzoNobel’s research and development efficiency in the field of decorative paints, enabling innovation of more cutting-edge paint and coating products, but it also demonstrates the firm commitment that the company has towards sustainable development. This new system is bringing even more innovative, green decorative paint products to the Chinese market.
The newly introduced high-throughput experimentation system integrates four core functions of raw material performance: screening, product performance testing, formula model design and colour formula database construction, as well as two modules of wet film preparation: optical and durability testing, which can fully meet the core testing needs of paint and coatings. It has powerful data processing capabilities, continuous test operation and self-check functions, which can not only improve research and development efficiency and test accuracy, but also help to further reduce experimental waste. Using this device enables AkzoNobel to reduce paint waste discharges by at least 50% during new product development compared to similar tests.
An improved and future-proofed system
When developing this system, Tony Huang, R&D project lead, was keen to ensure the system was built using the latest technology for optimum performance and longevity. Since the system was a repeat of one built by Labman for AkzoNobel’s site in the UK, the specification was pre-determined, meaning the team had to ensure the hardware would communicate exactly as the previous system, and would be supported for the whole lifetime of the robot.
As the previous two systems were installed at different sites globally, accessing the same consumables proved problematic. Akzo needed to find a new supplier, but were cautious in case the new consumables caused handling issues further down the line. Although it took some time, Tony was glad to be able to send samples of the new consumables directly to Labman who ran robustness tests to ensure they were compatible.
Support and Training
Despite the restrictions of early COVID-19, Tony and his team worked closely with Labman to try to minimise the effect of extended timelines and costs. Until the final delivery and build, the project was done entirely remotely. Labman have lots of tools in place to enable good communication and support for a global customer base. These tools became key to the progression of the project and allowed the FAT (factory acceptance test) to take place remotely using a HoloLens.
Tony described how this great communication and collaboration was key to the success of the project.
The support and training elements of the project were of particular importance on this project; firstly, the distance from Labman’s engineers to site, should there be a need for urgent on-site support; and secondly because Tony had a wider goal of ensuring high training levels within his whole laboratory. He described how the Labman team provided this training, not only for the hardware but also within the software and system database.
More details
Shanghai Technology Center is the 3rd R&D base to build a high-throughput experimentation system in AkzoNobel. These systems contribute to the local development and innovation of paint products and technologies by continuously promoting automated, digital, and low-carbon operations. Since commissioning in 2022, the new robot in AkzoNobel Shanghai has been widely used in new products, new technologies, raw material screening, colour development and other tests.
The equipment has flexible, cutting-edge experimental and data analysis capabilities, as well as 24-hour online testing, which greatly improves the experimental efficiency and speed of innovation and development of the lab’s operations. In addition, in line with the company’s concept of sustainable development, the fully automated intelligent test robot uses a low carbon design, which reduces the use of test samples and wastewater discharge, while the test samples can be recycled.
Since its establishment in 2016, AkzoNobel Shanghai Technology Center has become AkzoNobel’s largest R&D base outside of Europe. With advanced material analysis and coating performance testing capabilities, the Center provides strong support for AkzoNobel’s new product development, successfully incubating and continuing to drive the birth of innovative green coating solutions. In the future, AkzoNobel will continue to promote industry innovation, upgrade scientific research with automation and intelligent technology, meet and even exceed the expectations of customers and consumers with excellent product innovation, painting a bright future with innovation and a sustainable brush.