Abstract: A robot system is provided, which includes a paint booth, and a pretreatment robot configured to perform painting pretreatment on a workpiece that is an object to be painted, the pretreatment robot being an explosion-proof robot disposed in the paint booth and including an end effector used for the painting pretreatment.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus according to the present invention including a first acquisition unit configured to acquire color information of a first object obtained by capturing an image of the first object illuminated with light emitted by a light source, a second acquisition unit configured to acquire color information of a second object based on a condition determined by a direction of capturing the image of the first object, a direction of illuminating the first object with light from the light source, and a direction of a normal of the first object, and an output unit configured to output information according to the color information of the first object and the color information of the second object.

Abstract: A spray apparatus that includes a stand, a motor secured to the stand, a spray applicator secured to the stand, and a rotatable disc secured to the stand relatively above the spray applicator such that the rotatable disc is positioned within a spray field of the spray applicator. The rotatable disc is coupled to the motor such that the rotatable disc is configured to rotate in response to activation of the motor. The rotatable disc is configured to receive an overspray from the spray field to generate a spray pattern from the spray applicator. The apparatus includes a scraper positioned in fixed engagement with the rotatable disc, where the scraper is configured to remove accumulated overspray from the rotatable disc.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a ferrite for use in a resistivity logging tool includes providing an uncured ferrite material, and pressing the uncured ferrite material into a channel to form the ferrite. The channel is defined on a surface of a bobbin associated with the resistivity logging tool, and the channel can be arcuate and extend at an angle offset from a central axis of the bobbin. The uncured ferrite material is then cured in place within the channels on the bobbin.

Abstract: This invention relates to a broad beam ion deposition apparatus (100) including an ion source (101), a target (102), a tillable substrate table (103) and an auxiliary port (104). The target (102) is in the form of a carousel which carries a number of targets and the ion source (101) is configured to produce a substantially rectangular section beam (105).

Abstract: The device according to the invention for cleaning a powder coating booth has a mobile frame, which can be moved along the insides of the booth. The frame includes suction nozzles for sucking off powder residues from the insides of the booth.

Abstract: Above a substrate holder 1, an ordinary fluid jet nozzle 2 which is capable of injecting drops of a solution having ordinary particle diameters, a fine fluid jet nozzle 3 which is capable of injecting drops of a solution having fine particle diameters which are smaller than the ordinary particle diameters, and a regular reflection laser displacement gauge 4 are disposed. These are attached on the same plate, thereby forming a head 10. The head 10 freely moves in directions X, Y and Z, as an X-axis drive portion 41, Y-axis drive portions 42 and 43 and a Z-axis drive portion 44 operate in accordance with operation commands received from a controller 50 which controls the apparatus as a whole. It is therefore possible to set the head 10 to a predetermined position on a substrate S which is held by the substrate holder 1. Thus, the respective nozzles supply the solutions to any desired positions the substrate S.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of coating the outer surface of a non-rotating pipe with a fluid including a fluid reservoir for containing fluid to be discharged onto the surface of a pipe, and a pipe receiving chamber extending through and separate from the fluid reservoir. The apparatus further includes a fluid application assembly having a plurality of fluid intake openings positioned in the fluid reservoir for the intake of fluid therefrom. The fluid intake openings are rotatable in a circular pattern within the reservoir about a path extending through the chamber. The assembly has a plurality of fluid discharge outlets in fluid communication with the fluid intake openings and directed towards the path. The fluid discharge outlets are rotatable in unison with the fluid intake openings about the path, whereby fluid entering the fluid intake openings from the reservoir is discharged through the fluid discharge outlets to coat the outer surface of a pipe being conveyed along the path.

Abstract: A liquid chemical treatment apparatus includes a coating apparatus for applying a coating liquid such as resist onto the surface of a substantially planar substrate such as a glass substrate. The coating apparatus includes a nozzle with an elongate injection outlet such as a slit with a width substantially the same as that of the substrate, and a liquid circulating passage connected to the nozzle for supplying the coating liquid to the nozzle. Mechanisms are provided with the circulating passage and the nozzle to remove air from the liquid, and to maintain the circulating liquid at a substantially constant temperature and a substantially constant flow rate.

Abstract: A coating area of wafer W is divided into, for example, three regions. The wafer W and/or a supply nozzle are driven in a predetermined coating direction and/or a coating direction such that coating start positions of the adjacent divided regions are not next to each other and/or the coating is not continuously performed in order of a coating end position and a coating start position when the coating end position of one region of the adjacent divided regions and the coating start position of the other region are adjacent to each other, whereby forming a liquid film of a resist liquid for each divided region of the surface of wafer W. As a result, a phenomenon, in which the resist liquid is drawn to the coating start position, so as to increase the film thickness of this portion, occurs in only the corresponding region. Resultantly, uniformity of an inner surface of the film thickness can be improved.

Abstract: A method for controlling operation of powder spraying coating apparatus comprising automatically reducing both the discharge current and discharge voltage of the electrostatic charging means as the spray apparatus approaches a workpiece.

Abstract: A process for applying water-based paints and/or varnishes to the surface of a glass article which includes the steps of charging a composition of water-based product to a potential of a given polarity, spraying the composition of the water-based product and diffusing the resulting particles in a wide area so as to form a mist (120, 121), placing the glass article (200) in contact with an electrode at a potential of another given polarity and maintaining its surface temperature between 15.degree. C. and 30.degree. C., and bringing the glass article into the field of the mist making it possible to obtain various appearances of coloration in the glass article.

Abstract: An electrostatic powder coating system usable for coating articles transported along a substantially non-conductive article transport conveyor belt supported by a substantially non-conductive slide member. The system includes a substantially non-conductive coating booth with an open side portion supported by an upright support member disposed on a movable base member. The coating booth is laterally movable toward and away from the conveyor, and the coating booth is movable along the upright support member so as to position the coating booth downwardly toward and upwardly away from the conveyor. An electrostatic coating applicator is directed into the coating booth for applying powder coating to articles transported along the conveyor. A coating collector includes a coating booth exhaust duct coupled to the coating booth, and a conveyor exhaust duct laterally movable toward and away from the conveyor.

Abstract: An electrostatic coating product spraying device comprising: at least one sprayer having an electrostatic charging mechanism; and a support structure supporting the at least one sprayer, the structure including elements which are at ground potential, wherein the support structure includes an electrostatic shield positioned and arranged so that the electrostatic charging mechanism is located between the electrostatic shield and an object to be coated. The electrostatic shield is maintained at a potential differing from ground potential.

Abstract: A pan oiler for spraying oil into cavities in pans moving on a conveyor including a stationary center nozzle assembly and spaced outer nozzle assemblies. The outer nozzle assemblies are mounted on opposite ends of a drive screw having right hand threads formed on one end and left hand threads formed on the other end for moving the outside nozzle assemblies in unison relative to the stationary center nozzle assembly. A pair of electrically charged electrodes are positioned adjacent the nozzle assemblies for setting up an electric field across the spray paths of the nozzle assemblies for reducing overspray.

Abstract: Apparatus for mounting and moving coating dispensers within the interior of a spray booth, and particularly the coating dispensers located above an object moving through the booth. A first embodiment comprises a dispenser housing having an aerodynamically shaped outer surface formed with a leading edge, a trailing edge and opposed generally curved sides. A second embodiment includes a dispenser housing an outer surface with a convexly curved leading edge, flat side walls and a flat bottom wall. A pair of support assemblies isolated from the booth interior mount the dispenser housings within the booth interior such that the leading edge of each dispenser housing faces the top of the spray booth and the trailing edge faces the objects moving through the booth. One or more coating dispensers are mounted at the trailing edge of the dispenser housings in a position to discharge coating material downwardly onto the object.

Abstract: A nozzle for a device for machining materials, can be rigidly connected at its end opposite the nozzle tip to a connector head of the device. The connection of the nozzle with the connector head is made by a connecting element (7; 17) made of a brittle material and comprising a break-off region (11; 20). If a collision between the nozzle tip and a workpiece to be machined takes place accidentally, then the connecting element breaks in the break-off region in order to prevent further, even greater damage to the connector head, nozzle or workpiece. The break-off region is crossed by an electrical conductor (14; 27) which breaks in the event of a collision, so that in this way an alarm signal for stopping the device can be generated.

Abstract: A material deposition device places droplets on a substrate. A conveyer on a chassis moves the substrate relative to a plane so a deposition means on the chassis may release material onto the substrate moved by the conveyer. A movable support means attached between the chassis and the deposition means locates it with respect to the conveyer allowing relative motion therebetween. A supply of material connected to the deposition means sends pressurized material thereto. A control causes relative motion between the conveyer and the movable support means varying the position of the deposition means relative to the substrate. The control has a memory operatively connected to timely activate the deposition means. The deposition means has a body communicating with the supply of material and a valve means responsive to the control selectively delivers droplets to the substrate.

Abstract: A coating method which reduces the nonuniformity of a sprayed coating film at an end portion of a moving workpiece. A spray gun moves along a locus in a direction transverse to a conveying direction of the workpiece. The dimensions of the workpiece and passage of an end portion of the workpiece past the spray gun are detected. A reduced amount of coating material is sprayed at an end portion of the workpiece in response to the determination of passage of the end portion past the spray gun in order to prevent an increase in thickness of the coating film at the end portion. In the case of electrostatic spraying, an increase in film thickness at the end portion can be prevented by reducing or nullifying the electrostatic voltage applied to the end portion of the workpiece.

Abstract: An electrostatic powder spray coating system for car bodies is disclosed. Above the car bodies (14) are moved through the cabin and from which the spray organs (94) are supplied with powder. The powder container (92) is supplied with fresh powder and recycled powder from a supply container (36). Short paths between the powder container and spray organs allow precise metering and therefore a good coating quality. The spray coating is applied within an arrangement of inner and outer cabins which allows pressurizing of space between the cabins to prevent ingress of atmospheric air into and egress of powder out of the system.

Abstract: A spray painting device having a first spray mechanism and a second spray mechanism located downstream of the first spray mechanism in an assembly line along which an automobile body is conveyed. A spray head of the first spray mechanism is fixed at a constant height when spraying paint onto a side outer panel portion which is situated over a front or rear wheel of the automobile chassis, and is moved up and down when spraying paint onto a side outer panel portion which is not situated over the front or rear wheel. A spray head of the second spray mechanism is located so that a constant distance is maintained between the spray heads and the side outer panel to spray a uniform coat of paint onto the side outer panel.

Abstract: Coating defects are overcome which occur in the prior art as a result of positional tolerance variations between an automatic spraying device and a part, as the part, e.g., an automobile body, is transported along a conveying system into the spray booth of a coating station during a series coating operation using lacquering robots to apply paint. The distance between at least one fixed reference point on the coating apparatus and a reference point on the automobile body is measured during a preparatory coating operation and stored in the processing program of an operation controlling computer as a standard reference distance value. The reference distance is remeasured for each automobile body during subsequent series coating operations and then compared to the standard reference distance value. The processing program then corrects the movements of the lacquering robots as a function of the calculated deviation to elimate the coating defects arising out of positional tolerance variations.

Abstract: A painting system for painting a finned-tube heat exchanger suspended from a conveyor line so as to be conveyed thereby, comprises: (i) means for spraying on said heat exchanger with a water-soluble paint; (ii) means for air-blowing on said heat exchanger; and (iii) means for electrostatic spraying on said heat exchanger with a solvent-soluble paint. Each of spray nozzle assemblies and air-blow nozzle assemblies of said means issues paint spray or air blow to fins of said heat exchanger in a direction parallel to said fins. This painting system further comprises a scraper means for recovering said water-soluble paint sprayed and reached a wall member during spraying and air blow.

Abstract: Apparatus for spray coating plate-like or otherwise configurated workpieces has an endless apertured conveyor which transports a series of workpieces along a horizontal path beneath a rotary atomizer which sprays coating material onto the advancing workpieces. The coating material which bypasses the workpices and passes through the apertures of the conveyor impinges upon and gathers on a web of paper or non-woven fibrous material which is advanced at a speed less than the speed of the conveyor so that the web can be used with great economy because it is or can be advanced at a rate such that, or only when, its portion which is in the path of sprayed coating material cannot gather and retain additional coating material.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a powder of anti-sticking agent on a coil of oriented electrical steel strip formed on a coiler comprises a movable assembly moving closer to and away from the coiler, a stationary hood attached to the movable assembly and having slit-like suction ports provided along the walls thereof, one end of the suction ports opening toward the coiler, a duct-collecting duct connected to the slit-like suction ports of the stationary hood, movable hoods provided on the stationary hood to vertically open at the top and bottom of the open end of the stationary hood, and a group of electrostatic powder spray guns directed toward the coiler in the stationary hood in which they are disposed. The movable assembly recedes and the movable hoods open as the diameter of the coil increases so that a given space is always maintained between the surface of the coiled strip and the movable hoods.

Abstract: A conveyor hanger used for carrying an annular work which is to be painted through an electro-static painting station. The conveyor hanger includes an arm which is inclined from the horizontal and which has a sharp edge at a top of its cross-section. A liquid paint of little electro-conductivity attached to the arm will thus flow down along the arm and will not collect on the arm. Due to the sharp edged cross-section, even if the paint remains on the arm, abrasion between the work and the sharp edge of the arm will remove the remaining paint. Thus, good electro-conductivity between the work and the arm is obtained.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for electrostatically spray coating an article in a coating zone with a liquid coating material, such as paint, wherein air is supplied to the spray head of an air spray gun at an atomizing air flow rate in excess of 5 CFM and at a delivery pressure of less than 15 psi to atomize the liquid coating material. At this combination of relatively low pressure and relatively high volume of air the transfer efficiency is substantially higher than for conventional air spray guns. A turbine unit filters and heats the air so that the air has a temperature in excess of 70.degree. F. at the spray head. An elongated conductive rod is reciprocably supported within a nozzle of the spray head to create an electrical charge differential between the atomized liquid coating material and the article in the coating zone when charged by a high voltage source. Preferably, the rod is positioned within a liquid discharge orifice of the nozzle to alternatively open and close the nozzle.

Abstract: A powder coating installation comprising a cabin having walls made of a non-conductive plastic material. The lower part of the cabin has a V-shaped section and terminates in a collecting channel which is connected to a suction device. The installation further comprises a cleaning device with a hollow frame, the form of which compliments the contours of the internal form of the cabin and which comprises gas outlet holes along its periphery. The frame is connected to a source of pressurized fluid, e.g., air. The cleaning device further comprises cleaning means such as sponges, cloths and the like, which may be provided on the same frame or on a separate frame. Use of a non-stick, non-conductive cabin and of the cleaning device enables the installation to be easily and quickly color converted and eliminates much of the previously wasted colored powder.

Abstract: An electrostatic color picture having a single toning shoe for successively and sequentially applying color liquid developers to a color latent image overlay to a sheet disposed against a rotating drum. An electrostatic head scans the sheet in a helical pattern of abutting stripes and forms the latent image on the sheet. A toning shoe assembly follows the head and applies one of the color developers to the sheet. A drain selector foot, pivotable beneath the toning shoe, brings an appropriate developer recycling tube into communication with a drain in the toning shoe assembly for returning used developer to the correct supply tank. After scanning the sheet, the toning shoe is rinsed with a solvent at a cleaning station past the end of the drum. The toning shoe has a plurality of pressure responsive reed valves, each communicating with one of a plurality of channels in the shoe for selecting sequential color developers until the entire image is toned in repeated passes of the single toning shoe.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for the electrostatic coating of poorly or non-conductive materials such as pellets seeds and powders, in which the product material is set in motion, preferably turbulent or agitating motion relative to at least one electrostatic coating material spraying device which is directed toward the moving product and has applied thereto a high potential difference whereby the coating material is given an electrostatic charge and an electrostatic charge of opposite polarity is induced on the product causing electrostatic attraction between the coating material and the product. The invention is applicable both to continous and batch production of coated material and preferably involves moving the product past the or each spraying device in a plurality of spraying passes. Charged atomised liquid and diffused powder may be sprayed onto the product either in sequence or at the same time.

Abstract: A toner applicator assembly for electrostatic drum printers featuring a toning shoe with a biasing mechanism in which the toning shoe is biased only at a single point. The toning shoe scans a sheet having an electrostatic latent image supported on a rotating drum, in a helical path, and applies liquid developer to the sheet to develop the latent image. The toning shoe has a normal orientation which is skewed with respect to the drum's rotation axis so as to follow a helical path. The toning shoe is movable with respect to three degrees of freedom relative to the normal orientation so as to automatically adjust its orientation to match the orientation of the sheet. The biasing mechanism comprises a base fixed relative to the drum, a lever body pivotally mounted to the base, a pin mounted on an end of the lever body and engaging a detent in the back of the shoe, and a spring connected to both the base and the end of the lever body opposite from the pin.

Abstract: A method for electrostatically applying a thermoplastic resin coating on a threaded portion of a fastener to provide a self locking element thereon. A plurality of fasteners are moved by a spaced pair of endless belts passed a spray station where a stream of powdered resin is directed toward the threaded ends of the fasteners. The fasteners and resin are polarized to opposite polarities at the spray station whereby the powdered resin is attracted to and clings to the threaded ends of the fastener and extends completely about the circumference of said ends. Air jet nozzles located downstream of the spray station may direct streams of compressed air against certain portions of the powdered resin to remove the resin therefrom to provide uncoated lead threads and to regulate the distance that the resin extends circumferentially about the threaded ends to provide a coating extending between 180 degrees and 360 degrees about the threaded ends.

Abstract: A portable powder spray apparatus for use in combination with a floor supported chain-on-edge conveyor. The apparatus includes a powder spray booth, a fan plenum and a filter module, all of which are mounted upon rollers so that the assembled apparatus may be rolled on or off line relative to a horizontal span of the conveyor.

Abstract: A robot painting system for electrostatically painting an automobile body that includes a paint module adapted to maintain the automobile body in a stationary position relative to at least two painting robots, each of which carries a rotary bell-type atomizing device and provides programmed movement thereof about five control axes at a speed which prevents the cone-shaped pattern of atomized paint particles from being distorted due to any gyroscopic effect developed by the atomizing device as it is moved about the control axes.

Abstract: A robot painting system for electrostatically painting an automobile body that includes a paint module adapted to maintain the automobile body in a stationary position relative to at least two painting robots, each of which carries a rotary bell-type atomizing device and provides programmed movement thereof about five control axes at a speed which prevents the cone-shaped pattern of atomized paint particles from being distorted due to any gyroscopic effect developed by the atomizing device as it is moved about the control axes.

Abstract: An automatic system for painting the interiors of vehicle bodies having a large opening at the rear, particularly industrial vehicles, including a mechanism which supports two electrostatic paint sprayers and which is designed to move these according to three movements which respectively modify their spacing, their distance from the axis and their overall position relative to the axis. Handling equipment produces a fourth movement consisting of a controlled backward and forward movement of the vehicle body along the vehicle axis.

Abstract: An electrostatic powder-depositing installation for depositing powder on hollow parts of large dimensions. It includes a powder-depositing cage (1) which is open at the top and a powder-depositing unit (41) placed beneath this opening (2) so that the hollow parts vertically fit over the powder-depositing unit as they pass through the opening of the powder-depositing cage. Application is to installations for coating parts and, in particular, metal parts.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for the automatic coating of articles. The apparatus has a spray device controlled by a programmed control device. A transport device transports the articles along a predetermined path to a coating position and then away therefrom after coating. A sensor monitors the position of the article and generates signals representative thereof, preferably generating one signal each time the article moves a predetermined distance (e.g. 2 cm.) along the path. A second sensor generates additional signals to the control device when an article passes a predetermined point, also indicating which of several types of articles has been detected. The control device controls the spraying process responsive to these signals. If desired, portions of the article that are moved sequentially into the coating position can be sprayed in different manners, e.g. with the spray devices positioned or oriented differently, or using different coating materials, etc. The control device is preferably reprogrammable.

Abstract: Forming a colored shade band on an elongated area of a flexible sheet of interlayer material comprising applying a dye composition by electrostatic spraying against a portion of a surface of a flexible sheet of non-conductive interlayer material such as polyurethane or plasticized polyvinyl butyral. A novel grounded shielding structure of electroconductive material comprises a primary shield located in close proximity to the upper surface of a workpiece to be partially coated. A preferred embodiment comprises primary and secondary shields with an optional manifold between the shields to ensure superior control of a pattern of graded intensity along the transverse dimension of an elongated area to be coated. One or both shields may be heated to avoid the deposit of spray particles that cause optical defects. The workpiece so coated is useful as an interlayer in shaded, bent laminated safety glass windshields.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for forming a colored shade band on an elongated area of a flexible sheet of interlayer material comprising applying a dye composition by electrostatic spraying against an elongated area of a surface of a flexible sheet of non-conductive interlayer material such as polyurethane or plasticized polyvinyl butyral. A flexible sheet to be coated is mounted on a support carriage at a loading and unloading chamber in a substantially horizontal support plane, is transferred to a coating chamber, is tilted into an oblique plane at said coating chamber where it is aligned with a platen mask, electrostatic spray means disposed to one side of said platen mask supplies an electrostatic spray of a dye composition through said platen mask to the elongated area of said flexible sheet.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for handling a flexible sheet of interlayer material while forming a colored shade band on an elongated area thereof comprising applying a dye composition by electrostatic spraying against an elongated area of a surface of a flexible sheet of non-conductive interlayer material such as polyurethane or plasticized polyvinyl butyral. A flexible sheet to be coated is mounted on a support carriage at a loading and unloading chamber in a horizontal support plane. The carriage is transferred a finite distance to a coating chamber into alignment with carriage tilting means, which engages the carriage, preferably at its geometric center, to tilt the latter into an oblique plane at said coating chamber aligned with an obliquely disposed platen mask. Electrostatic spray means disposed to one side of said platen mask supplies an electrostatic spray of a dye composition through said platen mask to the elongated area of said flexible sheet.

Abstract: A device for painting, spraying, enamelling or tinting of manufactured articles in general, and for chairs in particular, includes a carriage supported for vertical movement by guides and having a pantograph arrangement for orbiting a spraying element with respect to the carriage. A support for the manufactured article is disposed in front of the spraying element and is arranged for rotating the manufactured article about a substantially vertical axis, such that spraying of the article can take place as the spraying element moves vertically and orbits and the manufactured article rotates.

Abstract: Forming a colored shade band on an elongated area of a flexible sheet of interlayer material comprising applying a dye composition by electrostatic spraying against a portion of a surface of a flexible sheet of non-conductive interlayer material such as polyurethane or plasticized polyvinyl butyral. A novel grounded shielding structure of electroconductive material comprises a primary shield located in close proximity to the upper surface of a workpiece to be partially coated. A preferred embodiment comprises primary and secondary shields with an optional manifold between the shields to ensure superior control of a pattern of graded intensity along the transverse dimension of an elongated area to be coated. One or both shields may be heated to avoid the deposit of spray particles that cause optical defects. The workpiece so coated is useful as an interlayer in shaded, bent laminated safety glass windshields.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying flock to a substrate, such as a garment, comprising a compact, portable, self-contained flocking machine in which the cabinet and flocking trays are non-metallic and are preferably wood and plastic, respectively, whereby the electric field from an electrode in the flocking tray to the metallic garment holding platen causes the flock to move in a straight, uniform, dense pattern from the flock tray to the garment. In addition, the high voltage electrode in the flock tray is not energized until the flock tray has moved up and made contact with the garment holding platen to prevent flock from coming up out of the tray while the tray is moving up and down and to prevent any risk of shock to the operator.

Abstract: A powder spray gun which, in the presently preferred embodiment, is particularly adapted for spraying a particular powder spray onto the interior surfaces of containers and other target objects in a confined area. The apparatus includes a rigid tubular support member and a flexible powder transport tube. The rigid support member carries a high voltage cable having a charging electrode at one end. The flexible tube terminates in a discharge nozzle which may be adjustably mounted to the support member adjacent the charging electrode so as to permit variation of the angle at which the powder is released from the nozzle relative to the longitudinal axis of the support member. Intermediate the discharge nozzle and an upstream portion of the powder transport tube which is connected to the support member, the flexible tube is smoothly curved so as to prevent any sharp corners in the transport tube or the nozzle within which powder could collect and interrupt smooth, even discharge of powder from the gun.