Eastman invests in leading edge technology for paint protection film pattern creation
May 16, 2019
Eastman Performance Films, LLC, today announced an investment in leading edge, 3D scanning technology for paint protection film patterns. This next-generation enhancement will transform the process of pattern development at Eastman, realizing previously unattainable levels of speed and accuracy with this innovative technique.
Deployment of 3D scanning technology and technique into Eastman’s global team of pattern designers will rapidly elevate their current database of paint protection film patterns. The rate of new model and trim additions to the database will be accelerated with improved precision. Without ever having to touch the surface of a vehicle, this innovative 3D scanning technology uses lasers to capture the shape of any vehicle as flexible data that is quickly converted into a 2D template. Yancy Farrow, New Product Development & Technology Service manager at Eastman, describes the advantages of integrating 3D scanning technology into pattern-making this way:
“The equipment is accurate within 7-8 microns in 3-dimensional space. To put that into perspective, the average diameter of a human hair is 75 microns. This level of precision helps ensure that the patterns we design, across the globe, are among the best fitting patterns from any manufacturer or marketer of paint protection film.”
This latest advance is a continuation of Eastman’s commitment to developing a world-class paint protection film offering for our customers, through ever-evolving support of the LLumar®, SunTek® and V-Kool® brands. Eastman recognizes that high-quality paint protection films, installation support, patterns and cutting software are critical components of dealer success and consumer satisfaction.
Additional investments made to further channel partners’ success include an October 2017 launch of Eastman’s Pattern and Software Design Center; and the March 2018 completion of a state-of-the-art urethane extrusion line at Eastman’s plant in Martinsville, Virginia. The expansion of Eastman’s worldwide footprint of state-of-the-art installation training centers continues as well, with the addition of locations in Houston, TX, Dania Beach, FL, Toronto, Canada and Shanghai, China since late 2018, bringing the total number of global centers to nine.
