Abstract: A device and a method is provided for handling components (B) preferably to be coated, for example vehicle parts, particularly hoods, flaps, doors or the like of motor vehicle bodies, comprising a grasping element (10), which can be changed in terms of volume and/or changed in terms of shape, in order to grasp the component (B), as a result of which the component (B) can be handled.

Abstract: A coating device comprises at least one application apparatus to discharge a coating agent from at least one coating agent nozzle. The application apparatus is configured to apply an oscillation to at least one of the coating agent and at least one coating agent jet such that at least one of the coating agent and the at least one coating agent jet break up into droplets.

Abstract: A coating zone comprises a conveyor for transporting an application object. At least one guide rail extends through the coating zone adjacent the conveyor, arranged above the conveyor at a height at least at the level of the top of the object. At least one robot may move along the conveyor on the guide rail, the robot having a first axis for joint rotation of at least one moving member of the robot in relation to a main body guided along the guide rail. A load-bearing structure supports the at least one guide rail, the load-bearing structure including at least one load-bearing pillar extending substantially vertically downwards from the level of the guide rail. The guide rail and the main body of the robot are arranged in such a way that the first axis of the robot is inclined relative to a vertical plane parallel to the conveying direction.

Abstract: To provide a filter device for separating paint overspray from a raw gas flow containing overspray particles, including a casing, which delimits an interior of the filter device, in which at least one filter element is arranged, and at least one inlet channel, through which the raw gas flow enters the interior of the filter device, in which the raw gas flow is stabilized by the inlet channel even with high flow speeds in the constriction of the inlet channel, it is proposed that the filter device has an intake channel, which runs into the inlet channel upstream of an end of the inlet channel on the interior side and connects the inlet channel to the interior of the filter device.

Abstract: A process chamber (5) has an interior space (39). In the interior space (39), there is a receiving region (15) for workplaces (3). The process chamber (5) has an opening (12, 14) for the entry and exit of workplaces (3). The process chamber includes an arrangement (17, 19, 25, 29, 33, 37, 35) for injecting gaseous fluid into the interior space (39), The arrangement for injecting gaseous fluid has at least one nozzle (17, 19) for producing a fluid flow curtain (21, 23) between the opening (12, 14) and the receiving region (15) for workplaces (3).

Abstract: A predetermined robot path includes a plurality of path points defined by spatial coordinates. Spatial coordinates of the individual path points are converted in accordance with inverse robot kinematics into corresponding axis coordinates, the axis coordinates representing the position of the individual robot axes at respective path points. Axis-related controllers are actuated for individual robot axes in accordance with converted axis coordinates. Axis-related drive motors in individual robot axes are actuated by at least associated axis-related controllers. Path correction values are determined for individual path points on the robot path in accordance with a dynamic robot model, the path correction values taking account of the elasticity, friction, and/or inertia of the robot. Corrected axis coordinates are determined for the individual path points from uncorrected axis coordinates of individual path points and path correction values.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus (1) moves a transport unit (3) having at least one running section (4, 5). The running section (4, 5) can, in particular, be configured as a runner of a skid. The conveying apparatus (1) has a support (6, 8) which takes up the weight of the transport unit (3) on the running section (4, 5). The conveying apparatus (1) includes at least one drive roller (20) which interacts with the running section (4, 5) of the transport unit (3) for a rolling movement and subjects the transport unit (3) to a force (FK) for movement along the support (6, 8). The drive roller (20) is operatively connected to a force-generating device (44) for providing a press-on force (FP) pressing the drive roller (20) against the running section (4, 5) of the transport unit (3).

Abstract: A filter device for separating paint overspray from a raw gas flow containing overspray particles is provided, including at least one filter element, to which at least a part of the raw gas flow is feedable, and a clean gas chamber, to which the raw gas flow filtered by the filter element is feedable as a clean gas flow. In the event of a filter rupture at at least one filter element of the filter device, contamination of the clean gas side of the filter device and regions downstream of the filter device of a painting installation containing the filter device is kept as low as possible through use of at least one safety filter arranged downstream of the at least one filter element and associated with the clean gas chamber such that at least part of the clean gas flow is filterable in the event of a filter rupture.

Abstract: A transformer arrangement is disclosed for an electrostatic sprayer or in an adjacent moving element of a coating machine. A transformer provides a galvanic isolation between the line arrangement provided for supplying power to the sprayer arrangement, and consumers at high voltage in the sprayer or possibly in the robot arm. This isolation may be provided with an isolating transformer which has a sufficient isolation distance or other isolation device between the primary and secondary circuits.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for receiving and/or discharging a disposal medium (E) from cleaning and/or rinsing processes of an application apparatus (AG). The device can comprise a separation equipment (A) which is provided for in order to receive the disposal medium (E) discharged by the application device (AG) and to subject it to a separation. The device can also comprise a receiving equipment (AE) which is provided for in order to receive a disposal medium (E) and a suction device (SE) which is provided for in order to suction and/or suction off at least a part of the disposal medium (E) led to or into the receiving equipment (AE). The invention relates also to corresponding methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to a paint shop, especially for elongate components, such as e.g. motor vehicle bumpers, motor vehicle sillboards or for components of aircraft and windpower installations. Said paint shop comprises a transport path (4) for transporting components (2) to be painted through the paint shop, a painting robot (13, 16) for painting the components (2) and a travel path (12, 15) for positioning the painting robot (13, 16) along the travel path (12, 15). The invention is characterized in that the travel path (12, 15) of the painting robot (13, 16) extends at a right angle to the transport path (4) for the components (2) to be painted. The invention also relates to a corresponding method of operation.

Abstract: An application system is disclosed, e.g., for the application of a sealing, adhesive or other coating material having a high viscosity, for example, on vehicle bodies. An exemplary application system may include an application robot fitted with an applicator having at least one application nozzle for the coating material, and a dosing device for general dosing of the coating material applied by the application nozzle, as may be desired. An exemplary dosing device may include a screw pump or a spiral pump that is built into or onto the applicator, or into or onto a robot arm of the displacement machine.

Abstract: In a paint plant which comprises at least one spray-painting device incorporating at least one application unit for painting workpieces and in particular motor vehicle bodies with a fluid paint, in order to enable the fluid paint overspray i.e. the paint particles which are not adhering to the workpieces that are to be painted and which are picked up and carried along in an air flow passing through the application area of the paint shop, to be re-separated from this air flow and also to enable the cleansed air flow to be returned to the application area in an air re-circulating system or else expelled into the environment of the plant, the paint shop comprises a device for separating fluid paint overspray from a stream of crude gas that contains overspray particles wherein this device comprises at least one filter element for separating the overspray from the stream of crude gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a test installation for testing control programs for a real robot installation, particularly for a lacquering installation, having a plurality of robot controllers (2.1-2.n), which each contain a control program and correspond to robot controllers (2.1-2.n) in the real robot installation, at least one control unit (4) for co-ordinating the robot controllers (2.1-2.n), wherein the control unit (4) contains a control program and corresponds to a control unit (4) in the real robot installation, and also having a first data bus (3) which connects the robot controllers (2.1-2.n) to one another and/or to the control unit (4), wherein the first data bus (3) corresponds to a data bus in the real robot installation. It is proposed that the test installation additionally have a modelling device (9) which is connected to the first data bus (3) and simulates peripheral components of the real robot installation, so that the control programs can be tested without the peripheral components.

Abstract: Various exemplary illustrations of a piston rod seal are disclosed. An exemplary piston rod seal may include a piston rod guide for guiding a piston rod that supports a scraping piston configured to scrape paint residue from an inner wall of a pipeline cylinder. The piston rod may further include a first seal for sealing the piston rod guide relative to the piston rod, and a second seal for sealing the piston rod guide relative to the piston rod, where the second seal is arranged axially offset relative to the first seal.

Abstract: An applicator is disclosed for applying a coating agent, such as a sealant, to a component, such as a flanged seam of a motor vehicle body component. The applicator includes a nozzle for delivering the coating agent on to the component and a carrier. The carrier may be guided by a multiple-axis robot in operation, with a joint located kinematically between the carrier and the nozzle, thereby permitting the nozzle to move to avoid contact with a component being coated.

Abstract: A coating apparatus for serially coating workpieces with different shades or colors is disclosed. A metering device comprises a plunger-type dosing mechanism or a metering pump that has a separate inlet with an integrated color valve for each of the most commonly used colors is located in or near the sprayer of the coating apparatus. A separate color changer can be provided for less frequently used colors. The outlet of said color changer may be connected to another inlet of the metering mechanism or to the discharge valve of the sprayer via a separate metering mechanism.

Abstract: A pump, e.g., for delivering fluid, such as a metering pump for metering a coating agent in a coating system, is disclosed. An exemplary pump may include a pump inlet for feeding the fluid, a pump outlet for discharging the fluid, a rotatably supported drive shaft for mechanically driving the pump, and a coupling. The coupling may be structurally integrated in the pump, for mechanically connecting the drive shaft of the pump to an output shaft of a drive motor.

Abstract: In order to provide a device for separating wet paint overspray from a stream of crude gas containing overspray particles which includes at least two filter devices each of which has an inlet opening through which a partial stream of crude gas enters the respective filter device and each of which includes at least one filter element for separating the overspray from the partial stream of crude gas, which allows one to maintain the fluidity of the mixture including of filter aid material and wet paint overspray that has been cleansed from the filter elements in the filter aid material reservoirs in a simple and efficient manner, it is proposed that the device should comprise at least one reservoir for receiving material which has been cleansed from the filter elements of a plurality of filter devices and a mixing device for mechanically blending the cleansed material from a plurality of filter devices.