PLASTIKA is a Czech manufacturer with over 60 years of tradition, producing tens of millions of plastic components annually for automotive giants like Škoda, Mercedes, and BMW. They utilize advanced automated spray systems to deliver flawless surface finishes for complex parts like dashboards, headlamps, and steering wheels

The Bottleneck

High costs of halting automotive paint lines

Manufacturing high-volume automotive parts requires constant, uninterrupted throughput. When dealing with complex plastic geometries, traditional methods of setting up a new trajectory create massive production roadblocks on the factory floor.  

  • Costly line stoppages 
    Traditionally, teaching a Yaskawa robot a new paint path required stopping the entire production line, severely hurting daily output and killing the margin for high-volume automotive suppliers. 
  • The scrap rate risk 
    Manually plotting intricate trajectories for contoured automotive components often leads to a high initial defect rate until the program is properly adjusted and tested.  
  • The robotics skill gap 
    Expert technologists understand exactly how to apply the perfect coat using a DeVilbiss spray gun. But translating that physical craft into a robot program demands programmer intervention. 
  • Rushed parameter tuning 
    Because manual programming takes hours or days, technologists are left with very little time to properly fine-tune fluid dynamics and paint parameters, which can compromise the final finish. 

The Solution

No-code teaching for uninterrupted automotive painting

  • No downtime  
    With RoboTeach, the PLASTIKA team simply moves the product frame into a dedicated teaching room. The trajectory is taught on a stationary product, meaning the main painting line never stops running. 
  • Lowering the defect rate 
    By physically demonstrating the complex paths, technologists capture the exact nuances needed for the painted product. This generates high-quality robotic programs that reduce the initial scrap rate. 
  • Upskilling without code 
    The intuitive system empowers PLASTIKA’s painting experts to teach the Yaskawa robot directly, eliminating the need for prior robotics experience or external programmers. 
  • Automated conveyor tracking 
    The software instantly translates stationary movements into native Yaskawa code, automatically generating the necessary Conveyor Tracking instructions. This speed allows the team to test multiple programs and focus entirely on perfecting their paint parameters.