Abstract: A coating system and related method for coating a part. The coating system having a process tank filled with a fluid coating material to a fluid coating level and an inert gas blanket formed above the fluid coating level. The coating system also having a process tank conveyor to support a part to be coated. The process tank conveyor having a submerge section which transfers the part through the inert gas blanket and below the fluid coating level, a coating residence section which maintains the part submerged below the fluid coating level for a coating period, a coating removal section which raises the part above the fluid coating level but below the inert gas blanket level, and an inert gas blanket residence section which maintains the part within the inert gas blanket level but above the fluid coating level for a drying period.

Abstract: A coating system and related method for coating a part. The coating system having a process tank filled with a fluid coating material to a fluid coating level and an inert gas blanket formed above the fluid coating level. The coating system also having a process tank conveyor to support a part to be coated. The process tank conveyor having a submerge section which transfers the part through the inert gas blanket and below the fluid coating level, a coating residence section which maintains the part submerged below the fluid coating level for a coating period, a coating removal section which raises the part above the fluid coating level but below the inert gas blanket level, and an inert gas blanket residence section which maintains the part within the inert gas blanket level but above the fluid coating level for a drying period.

Abstract: A coating system and related method for coating a part. The coating system having a process tank filled with a fluid coating material to a fluid coating level and an inert gas blanket formed above the fluid coating level. The coating system also having a process tank conveyor to support a part to be coated. The process tank conveyor having a submerge section which transfers the part through the inert gas blanket and below the fluid coating level, a coating residence section which maintains the part submerged below the fluid coating level for a coating period, a coating removal section which raises the part above the fluid coating level but below the inert gas blanket level, and an inert gas blanket residence section which maintains the part within the inert gas blanket level but above the fluid coating level for a drying period.

Abstract: A coating system and related method for coating a part. The coating system having a process tank filled with a fluid coating material to a fluid coating level and an inert gas blanket formed above the fluid coating level. The coating system also having a process tank conveyor to support a part to be coated. The process tank conveyor having a submerge section which transfers the part through the inert gas blanket and below the fluid coating level, a coating residence section which maintains the part submerged below the fluid coating level for a coating period, a coating removal section which raises the part above the fluid coating level but below the inert gas blanket level, and an inert gas blanket residence section which maintains the part within the inert gas blanket level but above the fluid coating level for a drying period.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for electrocoating a part are presented herein. According to one embodiment, an electrocoating system comprises a tank, a pump in fluid communication with the tank, and an external anode positioned outside of the tank. The external anode is a substantially membrane-free metal pipe configured to provide an electric charge to a fluid for electrocoating a part. The system may further comprise one or more internal nozzles positioned inside of the tank to direct an electrically charged fluid from the pump into the tank for electrocoating a part. In addition, the system may further comprise one or more external nozzles positionable outside of the tank to direct an electrically charged fluid from the pump to one or more selected areas of a part positioned for electrocoating outside of the tank.

Abstract: Modularly integrated coating systems for coating a plurality of parts include a part handling system that transports parts between one or more modular ovens configured to modularly connect to one another to form a single curing station of selectable size for curing the plurality of parts, wherein the one or more modular ovens comprise a gas burner and a circulating fan, one or more modular support equipment platforms configured to stackably support the one or more modular ovens in the modularly integrated coating system, wherein the one or more modular support equipment platforms comprises, a water treatment system, a water heat generation system, an integrated lab kit module, and an integrated process control system, and a part coating system operationally integrated with the one or more modular ovens and the one or more modular support equipment platforms, wherein the part coating system coats the plurality of parts.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for electrocoating a part are presented herein. According to one embodiment, an electrocoating system comprises a tank, a pump in fluid communication with the tank, and an external anode positioned outside of the tank. The external anode is a substantially membrane-free metal pipe configured to provide an electric charge to a fluid for electrocoating a part. The system may further comprise one or more internal nozzles positioned inside of the tank to direct an electrically charged fluid from the pump into the tank for electrocoating a part. In addition, the system may further comprise one or more external nozzles positionable outside of the tank to direct an electrically charged fluid from the pump to one or more selected areas of a part positioned for electrocoating outside of the tank.

Abstract: A system for coating variable and/or unlimited length parts is provided. The system comprises a process tank, a coating material supply, and an open-ended process tank conveyor is provided. The process tank comprises an entry port, an exit port opposite the entry port, and a process path extending from the entry port to the exit port. The process tank is in communication with the coating material supply. The open-ended process tank conveyor defines a tank conveyor path extending from a receiving end to a dispensing end along at least a portion of the process path, wherein the process tank conveyor defines an open-ended configuration at the receiving end of the tank conveyor and an open-ended configuration at the dispensing end of the tank conveyor.

Abstract: A conveyor system is provided comprising a plurality of conveyor sections, a plurality of movable load bearing assemblies, a conveyor linkage assembly, a first hinge assembly, and a second hinge assembly. The plurality of conveyor sections define a conveying path extending from an upstream conveyor section, through at least one intermediate conveyor section, to a downstream conveyor section. The plurality of movable load bearing assemblies are secured to at least one of the conveyor sections such that the load bearing assemblies are free to move along the conveying path from an upstream location to a downstream location. The conveyor linkage assembly is arranged to couple the movable load bearing assemblies for collective movement along the conveying path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for removing electrostatically bonded powder coating material from a non-recessed region of a surface of a workpiece without removing powder coating material from a recessed region of the surface of the workpiece. The present invention employs a powder coating removal apparatus for removing the powder coating material from the non-recessed region. The powder coating removal apparatus comprises a rotatable drum including a hollow cylindrical portion having a plurality of openings therein. A plurality of elastic bands are connected to opposite end portions of the drum and serve to frictionally engage and agitate the powder coating material on the non-recessed region of the surface, thereby overcoming the electrostatic bond between the non-recessed region and the powder coating material thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which includes a conveyor for conveying a plurality of fixtures, each of which supports one or more articles thereon, along a predetermined conveying path. A processing station, such as a spraying station, is provided near a first section of the conveying path. A rotatable chuck, supported upon a carriage, is positioned adjacent to the first section and serves to successively transfer each of the fixtures from the conveyor to the spraying station, and to return each of the fixtures after spraying back to the conveyor.

Abstract: A transportable treatment apparatus includes a multi-compartment unitary tank mounted within a support structure along with an oven extending over the tank area as well as tank circulation means upon a side support wherein the support is attachable at opposite ends to a respective wheeled carrier device and a track coupling trailer device so that the assembled unit may be transported down a roadway.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for electrocoating from an electrolyzing coating mixture, the temperature of a dialysis fluid is controlled to control the temperature of the coating mixture by heat exchange with the dialysis fluid while at the same time controlling the pH of the coating mixture by osmosis through a dialysis membrane. The flushing chamber and the electrode structure are formed by securing, in sealing relation, the membrane along all edges of one planar side of an electrically conductive sheet with all other surfaces of the sheet and structure not covered by the membrane being covered with an electrically non-conductive material. Central unsecured portions of the membrane are supported by spacers from the sheet surface to form a flushing chamber, and inlet and outlet means are provided through the sheet to enable a flow of dialysis fluid through the chamber sufficient to both cool and control the pH of the coating mixture.