Abstract: A spray assembly for applying material to an object is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of spray nozzles each having spray openings for applying material to the object. Four nozzles are provided having two orientations each orientation with two spray widths. The assembly also includes a plurality of valves for controlling the flow of material through each of the spray openings. A manifold supports the plurality of spray nozzles and the valves and defines a feed bore and a spray bore extending between the feed bore and each of the nozzles. Water passages are integral with the manifold to regulate the temperature of the material flowing through the spray bores.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reloading a plurality of shotmeters supplying fluid material to a plurality of robots from a bulk supply. The method is capable of alternating which of the shotmeters is being reloaded at any given time. This greatly reduces the capacity requirements of the bulk supply. The method includes the steps of activating one of the shotmeters to define a primary shotmeter. The material in the primary shotmeter is then dispensed. Once the primary shotmeter is emptied, the other of the two shotmeters associated with the robot is activated and becomes the primary shotmeter. This shotmeter then dispenses the material. A request is forwarded to the system programming logic controller to reload the emptied shotmeter. Once approval is received, the emptied shotmeter is reloaded. The system programming logic controller only allows the emptied shotmeter to reload when the emptied shotmeter is the only one of the plurality of shotmeters relying on the bulk supply at that time.

Abstract: A variable form spray system includes a robot manipulator, a masking tool assembly integrated with the manipulator, sealer supply hardware which supplies spray material to the manipulator and sealer recovery hardware which recovers material sprayed and skived by the masking tool assembly. Spray pattern form is controlled by collecting overspray using adjustable skive manifolds of the assembly on each side of the spray pattern which function to vacuum off the edges of the airless spray pattern. The positions of the skive manifolds are programmable.

Abstract: A variable form spray system includes a robot manipulator, a masking tool assembly integrated with the manipulator, sealer supply hardware which supplies spray material to the manipulator and sealer recovery hardware which recovers material sprayed and skived by the masking tool assembly. Spray pattern form is controlled by collecting overspray using adjustable skive manifolds of the assembly on each side of the spray pattern which function to vacuum off the edges of the airless spray pattern. The positions of the skive manifolds are programmable.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for detecting blockage in a spray gun of a liquid spray system wherein a first transducer is positioned to detect the pressure of paint or sealer in a supply line at an upstream position and a second transducer is positioned immediately adjacent and upstream a spray orifice of a spray gun to detect a second pressure of the liquid wherein a pressure drop of the liquid is calculated and a blockage signal is generated when the pressure drop is less than a predetermined amount. Preferably, the line and the spray gun are sized so that pressure drop is at least 10 psi and preferably approximately 350 psi in the absence of any blockage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing a foam product, wherein an elastomeric base material, which is solid at ambient temperatures, and a liquid material are combined to form a foam product, comprising heating the base material to melt the material, heating the liquid material to maintain the liquid at an elevated temperature above ambient, metering simultaneously portions of the base material and liquid material, mixing the portions, thereafter heat conditioning the mixture at a temperature above the melting temperature of the base material, subsequently conditioning the mixture to a lower temperature below that of the melting temperature of the base material and finally elevating the temperature of the mixture to about the melting temperature of the base material to provide a product suitable for use as a sealant such as a gasket. The temperatures and pressures of the materials throughout the dispensing are controlled thereby producing a uniformly consistent and repetitively formed foam product.

Abstract: A mixing and dispensing gun comprising a body having spaced inlets for receiving two components of an adhesive or reactive fluid, a dispensing valve in the gun, an outlet nozzle and a motionless mixer interposed between the dispensing valve and the outlet nozzle for directing the fluids in a sinuous path and mixing the fluids.