Atomizer and related method of operation

Abstract

The invention relates to an atomizer (1) for applying a multi-component coating, comprising a main coating connection (4), a hardener connection (7), a mixer (11), a hardener line (12) in the atomizer (1) leading from the hardener connection (7) to the mixer (11), a main coating line (10) in the atomizer (1) leading from the main coating connection (4) to the mixer (11), and a main valve (HN1) for controlling the delivery of the coating, a main valve (HN1) is arranged downstream of the mixer (11) and controls the flow of the multi-component coating to the coating element (3), more particularly to the rotatable bell cup (3). The atomizer (1) according to the invention is characterized by a first return connection (22) for returning the multi-component coating from the atomizer (1) to the return system. For this purpose, the atomizer (1) has a first return line (23) which branches in the atomizer (1) between the mixer (11) and the main valve (HN1) and opens into the first return connection (22). The invention further relates to a corresponding operating method.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to an atomizer (eg, a rotary atomizer) for applying multi-component coatings and an associated method of operation. Background technique [0002] In modern paint plants for painting motor vehicle body parts, rotary atomizers are often used as coating devices, which in one design can also apply multi-component coatings, which are sprayed in the rotary atomizer. Composed of main paint and hardener mixed together. Such a coating system is known, for example, from patent document DE 10 2015 010 158 A1. [0003] The problem here is the build-up of paint residues that occurs, for example, in the process of changing the color. [0004] A possible solution for this is to use a so-called wet cleaning system. In this case, the multi-component reactive coating material introduced into the wet wash is filtered out of the water with suitable chemicals (e.g. flocculants, flotation agents), and the filtrate must then be disposed of as...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, this requires the rotary atomizer to move to the collection hopper, which takes additional time and results in a substantial loss of cycle time, i.e. the time required to change paint extends the cycle time required for the painting system

[0008] Another disadvantage of this flushing of multi-component paint into a collection hopper or container is that it is not possible to simultaneously clean the outer surfaces of the atomizer during a paint change

Therefore, these process steps have to be performed one after the other, which in turn requires additional time

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