Key Responsibilities:
Supervise and lead a team of electrical maintenance technicians assigned to the paint shop robotics activities as fellows
Robotic System Design and Programming
• Design robot trajectories, flow logic, and application parameters for various painting operations (e.g., primer, basecoat, clear coat) using OEM-specific programming languages (e.g., ABB RAPID, FANUC PaintTool, Dürr EcoRPC).
• Utilize advanced simulation tools (e.g., Siemens Process Simulate, Visual Components, or RobCAD) for path generation, cycle time validation, and digital twin modeling.
• Perform paint parameter tuning (e.g., shaping air, atomizing air, fan width, bell speed, fluid delivery rate) to meet transfer efficiency and surface quality targets.
Equipment Integration & Commissioning
• Lead or support robotic cell integration with conveyors, paint mix rooms, applicators, atomizers, color changers, and environmental control systems.
• Work with OEMs (e.g., Dürr, Eisenmann, ABB, FANUC, Staubli) during design reviews, FAT (Factory Acceptance Test), SAT (Site Acceptance Test), and on-site commissioning.
• Validate robot communication with PLCs, safety systems (e.g., light curtains, emergency stops), and fieldbus protocols (e.g., ProfiNet, Ethernet/IP, DeviceNet).
Process Optimization & Quality Assurance
• Analyze paint application results, including orange peel, DOI, runs, mottling, and overspray, and iteratively refine robot paths and settings.
• Apply knowledge of air flow, booth balancing, and paint chemistry to ensure environmental conditions support defect-free Class A finishes.
• Collaborate with quality engineers to correlate robot performance with surface appearance metrics and participate in defect analysis (e.g., fish eyes, craters, sagging).
Control, Safety, and Compliance
• Develop and maintain interlock matrices, robot zone maps, safety-rated speed settings, and teach pendant protocols to meet ISO 10218, ANSI/RIA R15.06, and CE compliance.
• Ensure integration of safety PLCs and emergency response functions with robot controls.
• Manage version control and backups of robot programs, I/O maps, and fault recovery scripts.
• Create and maintain robot recovery procedures and troubleshooting guides for production and maintenance teams.
• Perform downtime analysis related to robotic systems and implement corrective/preventive actions (RCAs, 5 Whys, FMEA).
• Provide support for TPM (Total Productive Maintenance) and predictive diagnostics using condition monitoring tools.
Cross-functional Project Management
• Serve as the technical lead for paint automation in new model launches, capacity expansions, or system upgrades.
• Coordinate with paint material suppliers, tool vendors, and integrators to align robotic paths with part geometry and coating characteristics.
• Support APQP, PPAP, and SOP milestones by delivering automation deliverables on time and to specification.
• Develop and maintain detailed technical documentation: robots teach routines, process sheets, parameter logs, control architecture, and safety validation protocols.
• Train maintenance technicians and production personnel on robot operation, minor programming changes, and safe handling practices.
• Participate in internal and external audits, providing robot-related process data and conformance reports.