Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing sprayed material from the air exhausted from a spray booth comprising an enclosure in which the material is sprayed. Air supply means are arranged to supply air to the enclosure, and outlet fans are provided for extracting air laden with the sprayed material from the enclosure. Two physically separate air outlet paths are provided for the extracted air and respective washing means for removing the sprayed material from the laden air are associated with each said path. The washing means are arranged to bring the material laden air into intimate contact with a cleaning liquid. Means are provided for controlling the volume of air flowing through each outlet path such that the volume flowing along each outlet path can be varied in dependence upon the volume of air exhausted from the spray booth. This enables the efficiency of the respective washing means to be maintained.

Abstract: Two paint spray guns (2) are mounted on a common manifold block (14) by means of which trigger air, atomizing air and paint are fed to the guns. Each spray gun (2) is individually controlled by a respective solenoid valve (28) also supported on the manifold block. The apparatus is mounted on a robot arm (52) and is maneuvered thereby to undertake a painting operation. During each stage of the painting operation a selected one of the spray guns is positioned adjacent a surface to be painted and then operated to apply paint. The painting operation can be performed very quickly as the movements required of the robot are simpler and therefore faster than those of a conventional painting robot having just a single spray gun.

Abstract: An aqueous solution carrying paint solids is fed through an inlet into a floatation tank. The clean liquid exits through an orifice whose size is controlled by a movable gate. The level of the liquid within the tank is sensed by an ultrasonic rangefinder and the distance signals output from this rangefinder are fed to an electronic controller. During normal operation, this controller periodically supplies power signals to an electric actuator to adjust the position of the gate whereby the level of the liquid in the tank can be maintained substantially at the a first predetermined level. The controller may also include means for causing the liquid to rise to a second predetermined level after a preset time such that the paint solids are transferred over a weir into a collecting vessel. Thereafter the liquid level is caused to rapidly drop and is again maintained at the first level.