Coating processes – Spraying
Patent
1985-11-21
1987-09-08
Beck, Shrive P.
Coating processes
Spraying
118314, 118323, 901 43, 239436, 239444, B05B 712, B05D 102
Patent
active
046923586
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to apparatus and a method for applying material to articles.
It is known to spray paint automobile bodies and other articles in a paint spray booth using a paint spray gun carried by a robot or other automatic painting device. However, where the painting is to be done entirely by automatic devices, it has been found difficult to paint the automobile bodies or other articles at a fast enough rate.
In this respect, the paint spray gun must always be arranged adjacent to and facing the surface to be painted, and there is an optimum spacing. Thus, if the article to be painted has a complex surface, for example, as an automobile body, the robot needs to manoeuvre the paint spray gun to a number of different positions and the limitations in movement of the robot mean that some position changes can take an appreciable time to accomplish. The situation is aggravated because the paint spray gun may be working in a confined space, for example in the engine compartment or within the door opening of an automobile body. Sometimes it is even necessary to withdraw the paint spray gun from the confined space, manoeuvre it into the necessary position for the next painting operation and then return it into the confined space.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for applying material to articles, said apparatus comprising two applicators each having an applicator nozzle, the applicators being mounted on a common manifold block, wherein the manifold block has bores extending therethrough arranged to communicate inlet ports on the manifold block (14) with the applicators.
Preferably, the applicators are removably mounted on the manifold block. In an embodiment, the manifold block has two or more mounting surfaces, in each of which respective bores terminate. Each applicator has a base member with a corresponding mounting surface. Each applicator can be mounted on the manifold block by way of its base member such that the corresponding mounting surfaces are in abutment.
Respective control means for each applicator are supported on the manifold block.
Preferably, each applicator is switched on and off by way of fluid pressure applied by control means, for example, comprising a solenoid valve. Generally, each solenoid valve will be arranged to control the supply of trigger air to a respective applicator.
Preferably, a dump valve is arranged to control the communication of paint bores within the manifold block with an outlet for paint. The dump valve may be incorporated into the manifold block or it may be a separate unit supported on the manifold block.
In an embodiment, two of said applicators are mounted on the block and are arranged such that their longitudinal axes subtend an angle in the range 90.degree. to 180.degree.. Where the angle is 180.degree., the longitudinal axes coincide but the nozzles face in opposite directions.
Preferably, each of said applicators is an applicator gun, for example, a spray gun.
The present invention also extends to an automatic painting apparatus having at least one articulated arm at the free end of which two or more paint applicators, each having an applicator nozzle, are mounted such that said nozzles face in different directions.
The present invention also extends to a method of applying material to a plurality of surface areas using an arrangement of applicator nozzles facing in different directions, the method comprising the steps of moving the arrangement such that one of the nozzles is facing a first surface area, applying material through said one nozzle onto said first surface area, terminating application of the material through said one nozzle, and moving the arrangement such that a selected one of the nozzles is facing a further surface area, and applying material through said selected nozzle onto said further surface area.
The selected nozzle may be said one nozzle or another of said nozzles. The nozzle is selected such that the movement to be performed by said arrangement is kept simple, and/or such that
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Bradwell Paul R.
Marsden Peter
Beck Shrive P.
Haden Drysys International Limited
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