Automation and Intelligent Control in Drying and Curing of Paints and Varnishes: Application of Industry 4.0

This research aims to investigate the technologies, methods, and challenges in the drying and curing process of paints and varnishes applied to reflective strips, focusing on the implementation of Industry 4.0-based solutions. The drying of these materials, currently carried out manually and dependent on operator experience, presents issues related to quality and efficiency due to the long air-drying time and the lack of defined parameters. The research proposes the development of an integrated hardware and software model that enables the automatic detection of the curing level of paints and varnishes through light radiation, aiming to optimize the process. The creation of a controlled environment prototype and the implementation of a control system with real-time information will allow for more efficient management and contribute to the continuous improvement of industrial operations. Among the evaluated technologies, light radiation curing (photopolymerization) stands out, as it uses ultraviolet (UV) radiation to accelerate the drying and curing process, ensuring a more uniform and high-quality result. This method, already used in various industries, will be applied to enhance the production of reflective strips, incorporating Industry 4.0 innovations into the manufacturing process.