In recent years, driven by the national “dual carbon” strategy, the green transformation of manufacturing is no longer a voluntary upgrade but an imperative for sustainable development. As one of the most recognizable components of a vehicle’s exterior, automotive lamps not only provide illumination and signaling functions but also embody a brand’s design language and visual identity. However, the surface treatment processes used in lamp production are increasingly subject to environmental scrutiny and energy consumption audits.
The key challenge now faced by the industry is this: How to maintain both optical performance and decorative appeal, while minimizing environmental impact and resource usage?
No.1 Environmental Pain Points: Three Critical Risks in Traditional Headlamp Manufacturing
1.Non-Negligible VOC Emissions from Spray Coating
Conventional headlamp surface treatment involves extensive use of primer and topcoat spraying, with coatings containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene, toluene, and xylene. These are high-risk targets under environmental regulation. Even with VOC abatement systems, it is difficult to achieve complete source-level harmlessness.
Non-compliant emissions may trigger fines, production shutdowns, or require environmental impact reassessments—turning VOCs into “invisible landmines” on the production line.
2.Energy-Intensive and Process-Heavy Workflow
Traditional coating processes typically require 5–7 stages, including spraying, baking, cooling, and cleaning—resulting in long process chains, high energy consumption, and complex operational management. Utilities such as thermal energy, compressed air, and chilled water become major cost drivers.
Under the dual carbon mandate, such resource-intensive manufacturing modes are increasingly unsustainable. For enterprises, lack of transformation means losing growth capacity under carbon consumption limits.
3.Poor Environmental Adaptability and Inconsistent Product Quality
Conventional spray coating is highly sensitive to ambient temperature and humidity. Even minor fluctuations in workshop conditions can lead to coating defects such as unevenness, pinholes, and poor adhesion. Human intervention further reduces quality consistency and process reliability.
No.2 A Sustainable Alternative: System-Level Equipment Innovation as the Breakthrough
Under multiple pressures, upstream manufacturers are seeking a fundamental solution: How can surface treatment for automotive lamps be restructured from the source to enable true green replacement?
In response, Zhenhua Vacuum has launched the ZBM1819 car lamp protective coating system, which employs a hybrid process of thermal resistance evaporation and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). This solution replaces traditional paint-based coatings and delivers the following environmental and process advantages:
No spraying, no VOC emission:Fully replaces primer/topcoat layers, eliminating the use of organic solvents and VOC emissions.
Integrated deposition + protection in one machine:Integrates multiple functions into one unit, removing the need for cleaning, drying, or multiple stations—
streamlining the process, reducing energy use, and optimizing factory floor space.
Stable film quality and high reliability
Adhesion:3M adhesive tape directly affixed, no shedding; scratch after the shedding area of less than 5%;
Silicone oil performance: water-based marker line thickness changes;
Corrosion resistance: No corrosion observed after 10-minute exposure to 1% NaOH.
Water immersion test: No delamination after 24 hours in 50°C warm water.
No.3 Green Is Not Just About Reduction—It Signals a Systemic Leap in Manufacturing Capability
With the increasing requirements for environmental protection and durability of automobile vehicle factories, green manufacturing is becoming a core competitive differentiator for component suppliers. Zhenhua Vacuum’s ZBM1819 car lamp reflector coating machine, with its advanced coating architecture, drives structural upgrades in the way automotive lighting is manufactured.
The value of green manufacturing goes beyond emission reductions—it also improves delivery stability, resource efficiency, and the overall resilience of the production system. As the automotive sector enters a new stage of parallel development—balancing green transformation with value restructuring—ZBM1819 is more than just an equipment upgrade. It represents a forward-looking manufacturing philosophy, marking the strategic leap from “compliance governance” to “green competitiveness.”
–This article is released by vacuum coating machine manufacturer Zhenhua Vacuum.
Post time: May-24-2025