Story ID: 381
AkzoNobel Applies VR To Paint Training Process
By: Matt Thurber
Caption: Virtual reality training for aircraft painters is the latest application of this innovative technology.
Word Count: 534
Learning the art of painting aircraft is challenging and can consume valuable time and expensive resources. To help improve the training process, paint manufacturer AkzoNobel Aerospace Coatings (Booth 3557) has adopted the virtual reality (VR)-based training system developed by Virtual Paint Products.

“Typically, when a customer asks for training, we have to provide significant quantities of paint, much of which is wasted,” said Matthew Amick, AkzoNobel global technical services manager. “By effectively moving the spray booth into the classroom, we completely eliminate waste, reduce costs and unnecessary shipping, and prevent volatile organic compounds [VOCs] from being released. There are also no costs associated with cleaning the spray guns, or the additional VOCs released from the solvents required, or in providing the panels needed for wet paint training. It’s a ‘win win’ for all involved.”

The VR training is designed to replicate the paint shop’s production environment and the use of multiple coating systems. Testing of the training system was done at AkzoNobel’s training center in Troy, Michigan.

The portable training unit consists of a VR headset and spray gun controller connected to a laptop computer. While wearing the headset, the trainee is immersed in a virtual paint booth and is able to use the spray gun controller to apply paint to small parts and large-scale assemblies, as well as in a typical paint shop production floor.

According to AkzoNobel, “The system can be programmed with various paint specifications, such as the thickness of the coating required, and as the operator uses the spray gun, they can see whether too much or too little paint is used and look for inconsistencies in the way the coating is being applied.”

During the training sessions, the system measures the trainee’s core skills, including setting up the spraying session and whether the trainee is spraying at the right distance, angle, and speed. “The feedback is immediate, so trainees can react quickly and change their technique to become more consistent. It will show where runs and sags occur, or where the wet film thickness is not sufficient or the coverage inadequate to deliver a smooth finish. It also helps them avoid common problems such as paint overlap.”

“The training is not only useful for onboarding new apprentices, but it is also great for teaching advanced skills to more experienced operators,” said Jeremiah Treloar, CEO of Virtual Paint Products. “They can practice spraying more challenging parts with rivets, awkward corners, and curves, and in a moving production line. It effectively enables the painter to ‘walk’ the part before spraying wet material on it, and in doing so, it helps reduce the likelihood of defects. It also helps experienced painters to teach new painters techniques on difficult parts or assemblies.

“If an apprentice or experienced trainee is struggling to understand how to improve their technique, the coach can replay a video of the session and talk them through it. Additional training tools and videos incorporated into the system also improve the training quality and, ultimately, the quality of the workforce. Trainees using the system are fully certified to aircraft industry standards.”