Abstract: An application robot, specifically a painting robot, for coating workpieces with a coating medium and an appropriate operating method. The painting robot has multiple movable axes and a spatially positionable end effector. Multiple application devices are attached to the end effector.

Abstract: A valve stem installation system (10) includes a conveyor (24) for moving wheel (14). A controller (60) is adaptable for segmenting the wheel (14) into a plurality of sections (S1-S11). A detector (70) identifies and signals a general location of the aperture (12) to the controller (60) to identify a target section (S11) transmitted to the controller (60) by a first signal. A robotic manipulator (110, 112) is operably connected to the controller (60) and adaptable for inserting the valve stem into the aperture (12). A sensor (153) is connected to the robotic manipulator (110, 112) and is adaptable for visually identifying the target section (S11) and transmitting the general location of the aperture (12) within the target section by a second signal. The controller (60) generates a target signal transmitted to the robotic manipulator (110, 112) to increase the speed and accuracy of mating the valve stem into the aperture (12) in response to the target signal.

Abstract: An atomizer assembly (10) drives an atomizing bell (108) to apply paint onto a part (14). The atomizer assembly (10) includes a core (24) having at least one paint line (26) extending therethrough, a turbine device (40) circumscribing an axis (A) and disposed in the core (24), and a turbine unit (62) surrounding the pain line (26) and having a shaft (104) rotatable relative the turbine device (40) with several turbine blades (130) connected to the shaft (104). A plurality of nozzles (64, 66, 68) are defined in the turbine device (40) and are positioned relative a turbine wheel (106) connected to the shaft (104) to drive fluid, i.e. gas onto the turbine blades (130). An annular wall (94) extends outwardly from one of the terminal ends of the turbine device (40) to define a seat (96) for engaging the core (24) to maintain a fixed gap between the paint line (26) and the shaft (104) and to eliminate contact therebetween.

Abstract: A coating plant having a multi-axis application robot to apply a coating means to an application object, where the application robot is installed hanging at least partially into a paint booth. A method for coating an object in a coating plant is also taught.

Abstract: The bell shaped plate of a rotary sprayer is attached to its drive shaft by means of a detachable device. An accidental self-release of the mounting device that would cause the rotating bell shaped plate to be flung off is avoided by measures that prevent at least accidental movements of the bell shaped plate radial to the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A hose guiding element for routing at least one hose in a hose passageway of a robot. The hose guiding element has a least one guide passage running axially to receive the hose to be routed. The element has particular use in a wrist axis of a painting robot.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus includes a supply line (22) between a source of liquid paint (64) and an applicator (62) having at least two pigs (20A and 20B) and a source of liquid solvent (60) which delivers solvent (60) between the two pigs (20A and 20B) and the pigs (20A and 20B) are driven by paint (80) from adjacent the paint source (64) to the applicator (62). The apparatus further includes a second source of liquid solvent (60) which delivers solvent (60) between the pigs (20A and 20B) adjacent the applicator (62) and the pigs (20A and 20B) are returned through the supply line (22), thereby flushing the supply line (22). In the disclosed embodiment, the source of liquid paint (64) is a piston dosing device (70) which receives paint (80) from a color changer or the like and delivers a predetermined volume of paint (80) to the applicator (62). The delivery line (22) preferably includes a friction resistant inner layer, an intermediate dielectric layer and a protective outer layer.

Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus for producing products results in solid waste and organic waste disposed in an air stream. The organic waste is subject to oxidation by a thermal oxidizer receiving the air stream from the manufacturing apparatus for oxidizing the organic waste. The thermal oxidizer includes a clean air outlet for venting the oxidized air stream to the atmosphere. A gasifier receives solid waste from the manufacturing apparatus for gasifying the solid waste and producing synthetic gas. The synthetic gas is introduced to the thermal oxidizer for providing additional thermal energy to the thermal oxidizer reducing the amount of fossil fuel required to provide thermal energy to the thermal oxidizer that is necessary for oxidizing the organic waste disposed in said air stream.

Abstract: A valve stem installation system (10) includes a conveyor (24) for moving wheel rims (14). A detector (50) is cooperable with the conveyor (24) to detect size of the wheel rim (14) and a location of an aperture (12) of the wheel rim (14) to receive various valve stems (16, 18). Two robots (110, 112) are adaptable for matably moving the valve stem (16, 18) to the wheel rim (14). A controller (60) is operably communicated with the robots (110, 112) and the detector (50) for receiving a signal from the detector (50) as the detector (50) identifies configuration of the wheel rim (14) and then transmitting the signal to the robots (110, 112) thereby directing the robots (110, 112) to selectively engage the valve stem (16, 18) to be inserted into the aperture (12).

Abstract: A paint delivery and application system including a color changer, at least two paint canisters and a paint applicator, a first pair of supply lines connected between the color changer and the paint canisters and a second pair of supply lines connecting the paint canisters and the paint applicator, wherein the paint canisters operate in tandem permitting delivery of a first paint to one of the paint canisters while a second paint canister is electrically isolated from the color changer and is delivering paint to the applicator. In one disclosed embodiment, the delivery line from the paint canisters to the applicator includes two pigs and solvent is delivered between the pigs, such that this system is self purging.

Abstract: A powder transfer pump to convey a powder, in particular in a powder coating station. The powder transfer pump comprises a transfer chamber with a transfer chamber wall, an inlet opening into the transfer chamber to supply the powder to the transfer chamber, an outlet opening out of the transfer chamber to convey the powder from the transfer chamber, a negative pressure connection opening into the transfer chamber to generate negative pressure in the transfer chamber in order to suck the powder into the transfer chamber, and a positive pressure connection opening into the transfer chamber to discharge the powder that is present in the transfer chamber through the outlet. The transfer chamber wall is essentially gas-tight.

Abstract: A method of designing or evaluating the design of a bake oven for curing paint on an article to achieve the cure criteria for predetermined areas of the article, including creating a three-dimensional model of the article and the bake oven, dividing the three-dimensional model into discreet elements, using a computer to set each discreet element to initial conditions and at an initial time, repeating this step to achieve substantial convergence, comparing the cure criteria with the calculated temperature as a function of time and finally modifying the computational model of the bake oven to achieve the cure criteria based upon a computer simulation.

Abstract: A radiant convection oven for baking a coating on an article which includes an oven enclosure receiving coating articles, a fan receiving fresh air and directing the fresh air to a burner or burners, a plurality of heat radiators each having an internal chamber receiving heated fresh air from the burner. The radiators are located within the oven opposite a coating article, radiating heat energy to the coated article, and a plurality of nozzles connected to the internal chamber of the radiators directing fresh heated onto the article, transferring convection heat energy to the coated article. In the disclosed embodiment, the radiators include radiating side and bottom walls having a relatively shallow depth, increasing the flow rate through the radiators, reducing the size and cost of the radiators and the fan.

Abstract: An operating system for a power feed pump and a power feed pump having a transfer chamber with an inlet and an outlet. The outlet of the transfer chamber is closed, the inlet of the transfer chamber is opened, and a negative pressure is generated in the transfer chamber to suck a powder in through the inlet to the transfer chamber. The inlet of the transfer chamber is closed, the outlet of the transfer chamber is opened, and the powder in the transfer chamber is delivered through the outlet. The negative pressure in the transfer chamber is built up at least partially before the inlet of the transfer chamber is opened.

Abstract: A valve stem installation system (10) includes a conveyor (24) for moving wheel rims (14). A detector (50) is comparable with the conveyor (24) to detect size of the wheel rim (14) and a location of an aperture (12) of the wheel rim (14) to receive various valve stems (16, 18). Two robots (110, 112) are adaptable for matably moving the valve stem (16, 18) to the wheel rim (14). A controller (60) is operably communicated with the robots (110, 112) and the detector (50) for receiving a signal from the detector (50) as the detector (50) identities configuration of the wheel rim (14) and then transmitting the signal to the robots (110, 112) thereby directing the robots (110, 112) to selectively engage the valve stem (16, 18) to be inserted into the aperture (12).

Abstract: A compact noise silencer for a blower, including an L-shaped back wall having a sound adsorbent media and side walls defining a triangular enclosure, an inlet opposite one portion of the back wall and a central outlet opposite the back wall having a filter directing air into a blower. In the disclosed application, the blower directs air into a burner which heats the air for various applications.

Abstract: The invention concerns a sensor arrangement for a coating system for coating workpieces, with at least one sensor for detecting at least one operating quantity of the coating system and for generating a corresponding sensor signal, a transmitter connected to the sensor for transmitting the sensor signal, a receiver for receiving the sensor signal transmitted by the transmitter, and a wireless connection between the transmitter and receiver.

Abstract: A magnetic accumulating slip roller assembly of a conveyor including a drive axle rotatably driven by a motor, spaced rollers for receiving a skid or other element to be conveyed by the conveyor system supported on the drive axle including a drive roller and an idler roller and a magnetic clutch between the drive roller and the drive axle allowing the drive roller to rotatably slip as the drive axle is rotated by the motor. In the disclosed embodiment, the drive axle is tubular and rotatably supported on a fixed inner axle.

Abstract: The piston dispenser for the measured supplying of material to the atomizer of a painting robot is arranged in the hand joint of the robot. Various feasible embodiments of the dispensing cylinder of this piston dispenser are described.

Abstract: To supply a powder lacquer sprayer, the coating powder is pressed by a pig through the supply line and, in the process, it is fluidized from the side of the pig which is turned toward the powder. The fluidization air can be led to the powder, for example, by a central passage opening of the pig or through an air permeable wall of the connection line. For the dosage of the coating powder, one uses the push medium which drives the pig.