Graco Inc., a leading manufacturer of fluid handling equipment, has launched two new industrial air spray guns, the Stellair ACE and Stellair, which have become the first of their kind to receive Ergonomics Performance Certification. The certification, issued by United States Ergonomics, confirms the spray guns’ ability to reduce fatigue, helping industrial painters improve productivity by minimising physical strain.
The innovative Stellair range was developed in response to the demanding nature of industrial painting. Designed with ergonomic principles in mind, the Stellair ACE weighs just 209 grams, or 7.4 ounces, thanks to its carbon-reinforced construction. This makes it roughly 50% lighter than comparable manual pressure feed spray guns. In contrast, the Stellair model, made from aluminium, weighs 410 grams (14.46 ounces), yet remains one of the lightest options available on the market.
Peter Linder, Vice President of North America Sales and Global Product Management for Graco’s Industrial Division, underscored the physical challenges faced by industrial painters. “Painting is really hard work,” he noted, recalling his own experience of working a shift in a factory spray booth. “My shoulder especially hurt at the end of the day. That experience drove home the need to champion a spray gun product line that painters will ask for because it adds to their wellbeing and makes the job of painting easier.”
Graco’s collaboration with United States Ergonomics, a global consulting and product testing company, marked a significant step in developing this product range. Although ergonomics had been factored into previous spray gun designs, the company recognised the importance of further improvement. United States Ergonomics conducted rigorous testing, certifying that the Stellair range substantially reduces muscle strain compared to other spray guns.
The Stellair ACE spray gun is reported to require up to 25% less muscle effort than similar industrial spray guns, while the aluminium-built Stellair reduces muscle exertion by up to 18%. Beyond the reduction in weight, the engineering team also focused on minimising hand pressure points, improving the balance of the spray guns, and increasing the flexibility of the hoses used in conjunction with them.
The Ergonomics Performance Certification process involved a comprehensive review of the product at several stages: design analysis, optimisation, testing, and ergonomic assessment. Professional painters who regularly work in industrial settings participated in these evaluations, providing valuable feedback on the new spray guns. According to Kevin Costello, President of United States Ergonomics, “Painters consistently rated the new Graco paint sprayers superior in weight, hand fit, feel, balance, trigger control, and adjustability. Their feedback was important to the Ergonomics Performance Certification.”
Field trials of the Stellair ACE and Stellair are currently underway in industrial paint shop applications, and the certification process is expected to be fully formalised following these trials.
Graco is confident that its new Stellair spray guns will make a meaningful difference in the day-to-day lives of industrial painters, combining ergonomics with serviceability and enhanced spray performance. The company hopes that its innovative approach will set a new standard in the industry. More information on the Stellair range can be found at www.graco.com/stellair.
