Automotive Paint - Cover Reconditioning (laundry)
Sent: Mon, 17 Jul 2006 9:18 PM
Subject: Robot Cover Laundry Programs
Dear Mr. :
It has come to my attention that there is currently a push by a manufacturer of robot covers to expand into cleanroom laundry programs. As a long time proprietor of cleanroom laundry services specific to automotive paint spray, I am concerned by the sudden proposals to save money, at the expense of quality and first run yields.
As the owner of a Major Laundry Company, I have had over 16 years of experience with all of the robot cover manufacturers in North America, as you, the plant, has always chosen the cover manufacturer based on their quality and cost, and then chose who to launder re-usable covers. To that end, I have no allegience to any specific robot cover manufacturer, rather, my responsibility is to serve you, the plant. I can however, give you my opinion as to the best quality covers I have seen over my years of service, and those which provided the best quality to the plants we served.
I have been asked (by the engineering department of a major domestic automotive manufacturer) what manufacturer provided the best quality over the years, and I have repeatedly stated TDIC for several reasons. The covers have shown to be more rigorous, and typically needed few if any repairs during their life. A blind wash/wear test done at (a major domestic automotive assembly plant) demonstrated this soundly in a trial of TDIC versus (a competitor). Additionally, readily releasable testing performed at (this facility) demonstrated that TDIC covers shed less particles than (the competitors) covers at (this facility). (The competitor's) covers delaminated during use, and shed during testing.
As a long time industry professional, and Co-Chairman of the working group for "Contamination Control Considerations for Paint Spray Applications" at the Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology, I am concerned by firms who will sell price over quality. If for no other reason than the lack of science that this demonstrates. Before you decide to choose a cover manufacturer or laundry service, I would ask that you subject the covers to appropriate testing through a recognized third party laboratory such as Research Triangle Institute. This may provide you with long term insights as to the quality, and true costs associated with these products.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions, or require any further information.
Sincerely,
"Industry expert"
Contact TDIC for more specific information.