In the Best Light

In July, Böblingen, Germany–based engineering company Eisenmann received a 2016 Red Dot Award for Product Design in the subcategory of Industry, Machinery, and Robotics for its VarioInspect light tunnel. Designed to create a uniform illumination environment in which to inspect the quality of automotive paintwork, the free-standing aluminum arches that form the structure serve double duty as the light fixtures themselves. Each arch is fitted with 15 adjustable linear LED light strips that can change color temperature from 2700K warm-white to 6500K cool-white, according to what best suits the color and gloss level of the vehicle being inspected, so that paint application inconsistencies can easily be detected. The tunnel also provides compressed air supply lines, water, and power integrated into the floor for further stages of inspection.