1 The various plant designs are all subject to different limitations in terms of improving performance and efficiency. The triangle between quality, cost and time (to market) are critical success factors. A total quality and cost approach will influence and trigger the decision towards newly developed powder coatings such as low or fast cure, or high efficiency powders. Capital investments in the surface finishing lines have a strong focus on automated adjusted spray guns and more energy-efficient ovens to speed up the coating efficiency. For any new plant layout, automation of powder coating handling and part handlings before ...