​That's an ambitious title! Simply put, Qlayers has developed a printing head fitted on a robot that can create microstructures in existing topcoats. We automate coating processes and provide the ability to make surfaces functional!
SMART PRINTING HEAD


Qlayers builds hardware, the Slash100, to apply coatings automatically without overspray. By operating in a locally controlled environment, Qlayers enables to coat large surfaces on any location under different weather conditions. Theoretically, we can work with any coating that industries already use today. 

Do you want to find out if we can work with your paint? Just send an email to our CTO Ruben to ask for the possibilities. 
MAKING EACH SURFACE FUNCTIONAL


Nature is full of functional coatings, from pinguins to sharks, from anti freezing to drag reducing, each surface is functional. To enable such functional microstructured coatings on industrial surfaces, Qlayers has developed a special printing technique. The controlled environment of the Slash100 allows Qlayers to apply and certify innovative functional coatings. Coatings can offer more than colour and protection. They have the potential to radically improve fuel consumption, reduce CO₂ emissions, avoid expensive methods for de-icing and assist maintenance in the energy and transportation sector.
sharkskin
Sharkskin is drag reducing
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Penguin feather is anti-icing
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Butterfly wings repel predators
REDUCING DRAG WITH THE SHARKSKIN


The first microstructure Qlayers is able to print is the Sharkskin.  This microstructure is inspired by the skin of sharks and has been proven to reduce friction drag in water or air up to 6%. The 'sharkskin' principle has been known for over 50 years.

For example, a sharkskin coating was applied to the sailboat Stars and Stripes, winning the America's Cup in 1987. Since then, structured coatings have also been applied to swimsuits and aircraft, to increase top speed or reduce fuel consumption.

Qlayers believes that costly application methods and ease of fouling have prevented widespread application on aircraft, ships and wind turbines. To solve these problems and to make functional surfaces reality, Qlayers developed a new application method! 

Some results of over 30 years of research on the drag reduction of sawtooth (a) and scalloped riblets (b). The reduction Δτ/τ₀ depends on the non-dimensional riblet spacing s+. For yachts, the optimal spacing is between 50 and 100 ​μm.
Hungry for more information? Learn more about shark-skins for drag reduction in this paper.