Pigging Color Change Systems
Utilize pigging technology to push residual paint through pipelines for rapid color change. Recover 95%+ residual paint, reduce solvent consumption by 80%, and achieve change times under 90 seconds. Ideal for efficient multi-color painting operations.
Pigging Process Demonstration
Pigging Technology Principle
A pig is a specially designed pipeline cleaning device, typically made of polyurethane or rubber materials, that travels through pipes propelled by compressed air or liquid.
- Scrapes residual paint from pipe walls
- Pushes paint back to tank or recovery container
- Reduces need for solvent flushing
- Ideal for long paint supply lines
Five-Step Rapid Color Change
Color Change Signal
PLC sends color change command based on production schedule or operator input. System identifies current and target color circuits.
<1 secPig Launch
Specialized pig (projectile) is launched into the paint supply line. Compressed air or solvent pushes the pig through the pipe.
5-15 secPaint Recovery
Pig pushes remaining paint back to the paint kitchen or into a recovery container. 95%+ of residual paint is recovered.
10-25 secLine Flush
Minimal solvent flushes the line. Pig continues to clear any residue. Solvent volume is 80% less than traditional methods.
5-15 secNew Color Load
New color paint fills the clean line, pushing out solvent. System is ready for production with zero cross-contamination.
10-20 secAvailable Pigging Systems
Lactec Pigging System
German-engineered pigging technology for automotive and industrial paint lines
Change Time
15-45 sec
Recovery
95-98%
Solvent
50-150 ml
- Automated pig launching and receiving
- Multi-pig system for complex circuits
- Integrated solvent recovery
- Touch screen HMI control
Timmer Pigging Solution
Cost-effective pigging for medium-volume production with fast ROI
Change Time
30-60 sec
Recovery
90-95%
Solvent
100-250 ml
- Compact pig station design
- Manual/semi-auto operation modes
- Flexible pig materials for various paints
- Easy maintenance access
Color Change Method Comparison
| Method | Change Time | Paint Waste | Recovery | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual Color Change | 15-60 min | 2-10 L | 0% | Low |
| Valve Block System | 3-10 min | 0.5-2 L | 0% | Medium |
| Pigging SystemRecommended | 30-90 sec | 50-250 ml | 95%+ | High |
Value of Pigging Systems
Dramatically reduced solvent consumption compared to traditional flushing methods
Recover valuable paint that would otherwise be wasted during color changes
Rapid color change enables efficient small-batch production
Support for extensive color palettes without dedicated lines for each color
Typical Applications
Automotive OEM
Multi-color body painting with frequent color changes
Automotive Parts
Plastic and metal components with color variety
Industrial Coating
Appliance and equipment manufacturers
Contract Coating
Job shops serving multiple customers
Get Your Pigging Solution
Our engineers can help evaluate your color change requirements and design the optimal pigging system for fast changeover and cost savings.