Abstract: A method of controlling application of at least one material onto a substrate includes configuring a material applicator having an array plate with an applicator array. The applicator array has a plurality of micro-applicators with a first subset of micro-applicators and a second subset of micro-applicators. Each of the plurality of micro-applicators has a plurality of apertures through which fluid is ejected. The first subset of micro-applicators and the second subset of micro-applicators are individually addressable, and a liquid flows through the first subset of micro-applicators and a shaping gas, e.g., air, flows through the second subset of micro-applicators. The flow of shaping gas shapes the flow of the liquid from the first subset of micro-applicators to the substrate.

Abstract: A method of controlling application of at least one material onto a substrate includes configuring a material applicator having an array plate with an applicator array. The applicator array has a plurality of micro-applicators with a first subset of micro-applicators and a second subset of micro-applicators. Each of the plurality of micro-applicators has a plurality of apertures through which fluid is ejected. The first subset of micro-applicators and the second subset of micro-applicators are individually addressable, and a liquid flows through the first subset of micro-applicators and a shaping gas, e.g., air, flows through the second subset of micro-applicators. The flow of shaping gas shapes the flow of the liquid from the first subset of micro-applicators to the substrate.

Abstract: A method comprising scanning a first painted surface of a first vehicle having two or more paint layers with a robotic terahertz radiation instrument to obtain a first painted surface thickness data and map for each of the two or more paint layers, comparing the first thickness map to a control map, and adjusting one or more paint application parameters based on a comparison of the first thickness map with the control map for painting a second surface of a second vehicle different than the first vehicle.

Abstract: A method comprising scanning a first painted surface of a first vehicle having two or more paint layers with a robotic terahertz radiation instrument to obtain a first painted surface thickness data and map for each of the two or more paint layers, comparing the first thickness map to a control map, and adjusting one or more paint application parameters based on a comparison of the first thickness map with the control map for painting a second surface of a second vehicle different than the first vehicle.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a paint applicator robot is provided. The robot may include a robotic arm including a hollow joint and a paint applicator, a color tree disposed between the hollow joint and the paint applicator, and a dual-lumen line extending through the hollow joint to the color tree. The dual-lumen line may include a paint supply path to the color tree and a paint return path from the color tree. The robot may include a plurality of the dual-lumen lines, for example, up to 48 dual-lumen lines, each providing a paint color to the color tree. The robot may be included in a robotic paint station and may be configured to receive paint from and return paint to a drop box connected to a paint recirculation system.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a paint applicator robot is provided. The robot may include a robotic arm including a hollow joint and a paint applicator, a color tree disposed between the hollow joint and the paint applicator, and a dual-lumen line extending through the hollow joint to the color tree. The dual-lumen line may include a paint supply path to the color tree and a paint return path from the color tree. The robot may include a plurality of the dual-lumen lines, for example, up to 48 dual-lumen lines, each providing a paint color to the color tree. The robot may be included in a robotic paint station and may be configured to receive paint from and return paint to a drop box connected to a paint recirculation system.

Abstract: A method of coating a workpiece. The method includes applying a primer layer having a color pigment to the workpiece, applying a basecoat layer to the primer layer, and applying a clearcoat layer to the basecoat layer. The primer layer contributes to the color of the workpiece.

Abstract: A method of coating a workpiece. The method includes applying a primer layer having a color pigment to the workpiece, applying a basecoat layer to the primer layer, and applying a clearcoat layer to the basecoat layer. The primer layer contributes to the color of the workpiece.

Abstract: A wear resistance coated bell atomizer (32) and method for making same. The coating applied to the outer surface of a bell cup (36) of the bell atomizer (32) is preferably a silicon-doped amorphous carbon coating. This silicon-doped amorphous carbon coating significantly increases the usable life of a bell cup (36) in a bell atomizer paint system (10) by limiting the effects of abrasive materials on the wearable surfaces of the bell cup (36), including the top serrated edges (46), which may negatively affect the performance of uncoated bell atomizer spray equipment.

Abstract: A wear resistance coated bell atomizer (32) and method for making same. The coating applied to the outer surface of a bell cup (36) of the bell atomizer (32) is preferably a silicon-doped amorphous carbon coating. This silicon-doped amorphous carbon coating significantly increases the usable life of a bell cup (36) in a bell atomizer paint system (10) by limiting the effects of abrasive materials on the wearable surfaces of the bell cup (26), including the top serrated edges (46), which may negatively affect the performance of uncoated bell atomizer spray equipment.

Abstract: A wear resistance coated bell atomizer (32) and method for making same. The coating applied to the outer surface of a bell cup (36) of the bell atomizer (32) is preferably a silicon-doped amorphous carbon coating. This silicon-doped amorphous carbon coating significantly increases the usable life of a bell cup (36) in a bell atomizer paint system (10) by limiting the effects of abrasive materials on the wearable surfaces of the bell cup (36), including the top serrated edges (46), which may negatively affect the performance of uncoated bell atomizer spray equipment.