As part of MTM’s new factory build, we introduced a cross-draft paint booth with a dedicated cure cycle. This article explains why the change matters, how it improves internal quality, and what customers can expect as a result.

The Situation

During the planning phase for MTM’s new facility, we reviewed several production steps that directly affect throughput. Painting stood out. The previous booth did its job, but its airflow pattern, available working space, and limited cure control created delays that were hard to absorb during busy periods. Parts occasionally waited longer than they should to move from fabrication into assembly, and touch-ups introduced unnecessary rework.

A factory move is one of the few chances to reset the process. Rather than design a custom booth, we selected a proven cross-draft model with the airflow uniformity, operator access, and cure capability suited to the wide range of components used across MTM equipment lines.

Why This Matters

Painting appears late in the build, but it often dictates the entire machine’s schedule. Any inconsistency in coverage or cure time slows final assembly, which creates downstream pressure on testing and shipping. Small delays at this stage can snowball into schedule risk for both MTM and our customers.

Reliable finishing also supports our internal quality goals. A consistent surface profile reduces the chance of handling damage during assembly, protects corrosion-sensitive areas, and minimizes the number of parts that need to be reintroduced into the finishing queue. All of this contributes to stable lead times and smoother production flow.

What the New Booth Changes Day to Day

Operators see the benefits immediately:

• More consistent coverage. Cross-draft airflow supports predictable paint deposition across large frames, small brackets, and the mix of shapes that come through the shop every day.
• A controlled cure cycle. The dedicated cure mode shortens waiting time before parts can move into assembly. Teams no longer have to plan around long or inconsistent dry times.
• Fewer setups. Most components can be processed in a single arrangement, reducing repositioning and the small defects that often come from unnecessary handling.

This combination shortens the time machines spend in the finishing stage and reduces bottlenecks on both sides of the booth.

What Quality Is Seeing

Since commissioning the new booth, coating thickness has become more uniform, especially around edges and intersections that previously needed extra attention. The number of touch-ups has dropped, and parts consistently leave the booth ready for assembly. These improvements reinforce a simple but important point: reliable finishing reduces variation, and lower variation keeps the entire build sequence moving.

MTM’s Approach to In-House Capability

For MTM, the booth upgrade is part of a larger focus on building practical, dependable processes that support long-term equipment quality. Rather than rely on outside finishing capacity or stretch equipment beyond its limits, we invest in tools that fit the real work our teams do every day.

The paint booth is one example of that philosophy. It is not the most visible part of the operation, but it reduces risk where it matters: on schedule, on quality, and on the repeatability expected by both long-time customers and those considering MTM equipment for the first time.