“Netherland Makes It”
New Technology Makes Work Faster & Safer
Mastery of the Dutch language, along with experience with Dutch television, made Eric Hanken an ideal videographer for a recent TV program about a Dutch/U.S. tech initiative. Eric’s enthusiasm for technology made the project all the more fascinating.
The TV segment for RTL Nederland’s “Nederland Maakt Het” (Netherland Makes It) was filmed in San Antonio because the Dutch tech firm XYREC partnered with Southwest Research Institute to develop and test its remarkable giant robot. The program’s title has a dual meaning, since it showcases things made in the Netherlands, but the words in English as well as in Dutch also suggest that the Netherlands is making it as a technology innovator in the world market.
The robot’s primary function is to remove the old paint from aircraft. It essentially has an indoor gps which allows it to know exactly where it is in relation to the hangar and the aircraft. Once the robot knows where it is, it begins to move about autonomously and systematically remove all the paint.
This process is significant because it does the job in about a quarter of the time of traditional methods, which use chemicals and/or grit. New technologies make it possible to do things faster, better and more sustainably. The laser burns the paint off to a powder and vacuums it all away, leaving no waste so there is far less danger to workers or the environment.
For the Bauhaus crew, the challenges of this short segment included shooting on multiple days to get interviews, shooting a wide overview of the process and capturing detail involving the bright laser. Having the expertise, as well as state-of-the-art equipment to present both the expert descriptions as well as the visual detail provided an illuminating program for business and general interest audiences.
XYREC is in the process of developing another head for the robot, which will repaint the aircraft complete with logos. So, watch for the sequel to this video segment, which is available at this link:
