SATA Prepares Its Next Revolution

Autosphere was invited to an exclusive preview during a stop at SATA’s booth at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

The star of the show for the German supplier of automotive refinish equipment was the automated Jet Stream spray booth.

Joern Stoever and Mike Wolf, directors at SATA, explained how this technology is set to transform paint operations in collision repair shops. Developed in Europe, the system is currently undergoing North American validation with paint manufacturers and multi-shop operators.

“We expect Jet Stream technology to arrive next year at our training centre in Ontario,” explained Stoever. “We want to make sure it meets the exact realities of local shops.”

The system relies on a robotic arm that holds the spray gun. Fully programmable, the arm follows instructions tailored to the surface being painted. It can also select between four cups to switch colours and tasks—whether applying primer, basecoat, or clearcoat. The spray gun is swapped out between each stage and sent for automatic cleaning.

“Switching from one task to another without even opening the spray booth door offers several advantages,” noted Stoever. “It cuts handling by 30 to 35 per cent, lowers the risk of dust contamination, and reduces material consumption. Once the robot is programmed, the painter can focus on other tasks that require their expertise.”

Productivity gains also stem from consistent finish quality, as the robot calculates the exact amount of paint required based on the surface area and the number of passes needed.

“Amid technician shortages and as collision repairers look to streamline operations, Jet Stream will position itself as a compelling solution for high-tech shops,” predicted the Director of Operations for Canada.