MACHINE AND PROCESS FOR COATING A PREFORMED SUBSTRATE

Description

DESCRIPTION Title: MACHINE AND PROCESS FOR COATING A SUBSTRATE PREFORMED Technical field of the invention 5 The present invention relates to a machine and a process for coating a substrate preformed by a coating layer, for example to make a composite product for automotive interior trim (e.g., trim panels for doors, for dashboards, for uprights, for instrument panels, for ceilings, etc.), boats, aircraft, and / or furniture components. 10 State of the art In the context of the production of composite products, such as for finishing interior of motor vehicles, it is known to coat a substrate (typically plastic material rigid) preformed, i.e. already formed before the coating process, with (at least) a coating layer. 15 This coating layer provides the desired tactile and / or aesthetic properties to the finished product and, typically, includes at least one aesthetic sheet that remains visible during the use of the finished composite product and which, for example, can be made in: natural textile fabric, synthetic textile fabric, natural leather, imitation leather (i.e. a material having mechanical and / or tactile and / or aesthetic characteristics that recall the 20 natural leather), etc. Summary of the invention For the purposes of this invention, the term “coating” may alternatively be used mean both the complete coating of the preformed substrate (e.g. coating pressure, or “press-covering”) by means of the coating layer, is an operation of 25 edge banding of an end flap of the facing layer around an edge of end of the preformed substrate, i.e. an operation which involves the gluing of at least part of the aforementioned terminal edge of the cladding layer in correspondence of a rear face of the preformed substrate opposite to a front face (i.e. facing the user when the composite product is assembled) 30 already substantially entirely covered by the coating layer. In the above context the Applicant observed that in order to coat the substrate preformed it is advantageous to heat at least one of the substrate and the layer of coating without direct contact with the substrate and / or the coating layer. This heating is advantageously carried out by means of jets of hot air directed towards the substrate and / or the coating layer. This allows for example to melt at least locally the preformed substrate and / or the coating layer or to carry an adhesive layer placed on the substrate and / or on the coating layer to 5 a temperature greater than or equal to a layer activation temperature adhesive (i.e. make the adhesive sticky), avoiding dirtying the machine part of the melting materials and / or part of the adhesive. The Applicant also noted that known coating processes present some disadvantages. For example, the solutions adopted so far appear to have high 10 energy consumption and large footprint. The Applicant therefore faced the problem of coating a preformed substrate by means of a coating layer in a simple, economical way (e.g. in terms of energy consumption), and / or through compact equipment. According to the Applicant the above problem is solved by a machine and a process 15 of coating a preformed substrate in accordance with the attached claims and / or having one or more of the following characteristics. According to one aspect the invention relates to a machine for coating a substrate preformed by a coating layer. Preferably said machine comprises a support body structured for 20 support said preformed substrate. Preferably said machine comprises means for coating said substrate preformed by means of said coating layer. Preferably said machine comprises a structured heating device for at least partially heating at least one of said preformed substrate and layer 25 of coating by (hot) air. Preferably said heating device comprises a main body. Preferably said main body is provided with an internal cavity having a mouth of inlet for a flow of compressed air and at least one outlet for said flow flow of compressed air. 30 Preferably said heating device comprises at least one element heating thermally coupled directly to said main body for heat said main body. According to another aspect, the invention relates to a coating process of a substrate preformed by a coating layer. Preferably said process comprises preparing a semi-finished product including: i) said preformed substrate, 5 ii) said cladding layer coupled to said preformed substrate. Preferably said process comprises arranging said coating machine according to the present invention. Preferably said process comprises heating said main body by said at least one heating element. 10 Preferably said process comprises, subsequent to said heating said main body, introduce a flow of compressed air into said internal cavity of said main body to generate a flow of heated compressed air. Preferably said process comprises emitting said compressed air flow heated in the direction of said semi-finished product by means of said at least one outlet mouth 15 for at least partially heating at least one of said preformed substrate and layer of coating by means of said flow of heated compressed air. Preferably said process comprises, subsequently, actuating said means of coating for coating said preformed substrate with said coating layer. According to the Applicant, the presence of the main body and at least one element 20 heating element thermally coupled directly to the main body, to heat the main body and, consequently, the compressed air that passes through it, allows for achieve high energy efficiency in air heating, to the benefit of the reduction of consumption. For example, in fact, in a comparative case of a coating machine that provides, 25 to heat the substrate and / or the coating layer, to introduce a flow of air generated by fans and already heated (e.g. by a heating device) air separated from the main body) in a diffuser body shaped to distribute the jet of hot air on the piece to be heated but without heat generating elements thermal power, the operation would require high energy consumption for 30 meet the generation and heating needs of continuous air flow. Furthermore, in this configuration, the times required by the fans that generate the flow of air to operate at steady state are typically much greater than the typical cycle time of the coating processes, resulting in the inability to stop the air flow when not necessary, which must therefore remain on and heated, with consequent increases in consumption. On the contrary, the present solution, thanks to the use of compressed air which is heated directly by the main body thanks to the heating element attached to it 5 directly thermally coupled, allows to obtain stopping times and restart of the air flow compatible with the cycle times of the sector, therefore resulting in a more energy-efficient management of the process. Again, the above-mentioned comparative solution, for example providing for at least the provision of at least one airflow generating fan, a heat gun 10 to heat this air flow and thermally insulated ducts to convey the air hot from the heat gun to the diffuser body, it is very bulky. On the contrary, the present solution, providing the heating element directly coupled with the main body, it greatly reduces the size of the device heating. 15 The present invention in one or more of the above aspects may present one or more of the following favorite features. Preferably, said internal cavity comprises a passage channel for said flow. of compressed air placed downstream of said inlet mouth. The terms “upstream”, “downstream” and similar, where used, refer to a direction of motion 20 of the flow of compressed air passing through the heating device from the mouth from inlet to outlet. Preferably said passage channel comprises a plurality of first sections and a plurality of second strokes that are contiguous to each other and preferably arranged in succession alternating (e.g. a first stroke followed by a second stroke and so on). 25 Preferably, the said first sections have a main development substantially perpendicular to a main development of said second sections. In this way, given the same development in length of the channel, a larger interaction surface is created between compressed air and the main body, to the advantage of heating the air tablet. 30 Preferably the first sections are adjacent to the same second section. respectively along two distinct parallel lines (and placed at a reciprocal distance). In this way the passage channel essentially forms a serpentine, advantage of small dimensions and large air-body heat exchange surface principal. Preferably, said first sections have respective lengths, along said development main one of the first section, all equal to each other. Preferably said second sections have respective length, along said development 5 main of the second section, all equal to each other. Preferably a length of said first sections is substantially equal to a length of said second sections. In this way the passage channel is highly rational and compact. Preferably said internal cavity comprises at least one internal chamber arranged in 10 downstream of the said passage channel. Preferably, the said internal chamber has a passage light greater than a passage of the said passage channel. In this way the air is distributed as best as possible. described below. Preferably said internal chamber comprises a first and a second sub- 15 room. Preferably said first sub-chamber is arranged directly downstream of said passage channel. Preferably said second sub-chamber is interposed between said first sub-chamber and said at least one outlet (more preferably each outlet, 20 see below). Preferably said internal cavity comprises an outlet duct for said at least an outlet mouth connecting said internal chamber, more preferably called second sub-chamber, at the said outlet. Preferably said main body comprises a first external face having 25 planar development. In other words, one visible face of the main body is flat. Preferably, the internal chamber has a (substantially) planar main development in a plane substantially parallel to the said first face. In this way they are reduced further increase the overall dimensions of the main body. Preferably, the said outlet duct has a main development with at least one 30 component substantially orthogonal to the said first face. In this way the directing the flow of heated compressed air, for example being able to carry easily the heating device in proximity to the preformed substrate and / or of the cladding layer, even to arrange it at least partially facing a rear surface of the components to be heated. Preferably said main development of said outlet duct is rectilinear. In this case this way pressure drops are limited. Preferably said main body comprises a partition interposed between said first and 5 second sub-chamber. Preferably said partition comprises a plurality of through openings which connect between them called the first and second sub-chamber. In this way the distribution is facilitated of the air in the chamber, to the advantage of the homogeneity of emission, as best described below. 10 Preferably said septum comprises a respective deviation element for each through opening. Preferably each respective deviation element it is structured to partition a passage section of said through opening. In This way it is possible to flexibly control the diffusion of air in the chamber. Preferably said main body comprises a heating edge. 15 Preferably said internal cavity comprises a plurality of outlet ports (including said at least one outlet) arranged in succession along a (preferably entire) development of said heating edge. In this way the air flow tablet is emitted homogeneously. Preferably said internal cavity comprises a respective outlet duct for 20 each outlet of said plurality of outlets, said respective duct of output connecting said internal chamber, more preferably said second sub- chamber, at the respective outlet. Preferably each respective outlet duct has a main development with at least a component substantially orthogonal to the said first face. In this way 25 further facilitates the versatility of air direction. Preferably said main body comprises an end portion. Preferably, said end portion includes said heating edge. Preferably said end portion is delimited by at least part of said first face, and from a second face of the main body substantially parallel to the said 30 first face. Preferably, said end portion has a main development substantially to glide on a respective development plane substantially parallel to the first one face. This further reduces the bulk of the end portion, advantage of the possibility of moving the heating device closer to the semi-finished product, also in a position behind the semi-finished product component heat (e.g. between the support body and the semi-finished product). Preferably, said first face has a respective width and length substantially 5 corresponding to a maximum width and length of the main body. In others terms the maximum overall dimensions of the main body are defined by the dimensions of the first face. In this way, a portion of the main body is obtained completely planar, to the advantage of reduced dimensions and further ease of approaching the heating device for the semi-finished product to be heated. 10 Preferably said heating edge is directly contiguous to said second face. In this way it is possible to arrange the second face substantially facing the portion of semi-finished product to be heated, leaving the first side, at a higher temperature extension, facing away. In this way the space occupied is limited and / or makes warming up easier. 15 Preferably said heating edge is substantially counter-shaped (e.g. long a linear development coordinate of its own) to an end edge of said substrate preformed and / or to a terminal edge of said covering layer. In this way, the distance between said heating edge and said preformed substrate and / or said layer of coating remains substantially constant along the development of the heating edge, 20 for the benefit of uniformity and / or heating efficiency. Preferably said at least one heating element comprises (at least) one electrical resistance. Preferably said at least one heating element comprises a thermally conductive sheath covering said (at least one) electrical resistance. This improves heat exchange and protects the 25 electrical resistance. Preferably said at least one heating element is housed, more preferably reversibly, in a respective cavity of said main body distinct from said cavity internal. This improves heat exchange and / or protects the elements heating. 30 Preferably said covering sheath directly contacts said body principal along substantially an entire surface extension of said sheath of cladding. This encourages heat exchange with the main body. In one embodiment said support body comprises a support surface substantially counter-shaped to said preformed substrate, more preferably to a rear face of said preformed substrate. Thus, in case of coating under pressure, it facilitates the coating of the preformed substrate, avoiding its compression damage. 5 Preferably said process comprises, more preferably previously to said operating said coating means, interrupting said introducing said flow of compressed air. In other words, it is not necessary to keep the air flow active. compressed for the entire duration of the machine's working cycle, especially during the operation of the coating equipment. This further improves 10 fuel efficiency. Preferably said process comprises, more preferably previously to said to introduce said flow of compressed air or substantially at the same time as said, enter said flow of compressed air, arrange said heating device and said supporting body in a mutual configuration 15 operating wherein said heating device is proximal to said semi-finished product. Preferably said emitting said flow of heated compressed air is performed maintaining said heating device and said supporting body in said mutual operational configuration. In this way the heating is effective and / or limited 20 air consumption. Preferably said process comprises, more preferably previously to said operating said coating means, moving said device away heating from said semi-finished product. In this way, space is freed up for the action of the means of coating. 25 Preferably said process comprises detecting a temperature (e.g. (for example, an average temperature) of the said main body. Preferably said heating said main body is performed in function of a comparison between said temperature of said main body and a respective target value of temperature. This way, heating is rational and precise. 30 Preferably said heating said main body is performed in function of a predetermined temperature / time ratio. This way a high efficiency and / or speed of heating. In one embodiment, at least partially heating at least one of said preformed substrate and coating layer includes heating at least partially said end edge of said preformed substrate and / or at least partially said terminal edge of said cladding layer. In one embodiment (preferably in combination with said heating at least 5 partially said end edge of said preformed substrate and / or at least partially said terminal edge of said covering layer) said covering said preformed substrate comprises edging said end flap of said layer of coating around said end edge of said preformed substrate. Preferably, said covering means are structured to perform a re-edging 10 of said end flap of said cladding layer around said end edge of said preformed substrate. Preferably said coating means comprise at least one edging body structured to arrange said terminal flap of said coating layer around said end edge of the preformed substrate and for apply a thrust to a portion of said terminal flap against said face 15 back of the preformed substrate. The Applicant has in fact found that the This invention is particularly suitable for the edge-wrapping processes of the layers of cladding around the end edges of the respective preformed substrates. In one embodiment said coating said preformed substrate comprises coating substantially entirely a front face of said preformed substrate with 20 said coating layer. Preferably said coating means comprise at least one half-mold having a compression surface substantially shaped counter to said preformed substrate. Preferably coat said substrate preformed comprises compressing said semi-finished product between said support body and called semi-mold, for example by carrying out a pressure coating process. 25 In one embodiment, at least partially heating at least one of said preformed substrate and coating layer comprises substantially heating entirely at least said coating layer and / or said front face of said preformed substrate. This way it is possible to completely cover the substrate preformed in correspondence with the front face of the latter. 30 In one embodiment said at least partially heating at least one of said preformed substrate and coating layer comprises locally melting at least a portion of said end edge of said preformed substrate and / or at least one portion of said terminal edge of said covering layer. In this way simplifies adhesion, which occurs thanks to the solidification of molten material of one of the two components which is made to adhere to the surface of the other of the two components. In one embodiment said at least partially heating at least one of said 5 preformed substrate and coating layer comprises carrying an adhesive layer of said preformed substrate and / or said coating layer at a temperature greater than or equal to an activation temperature of said adhesive layer. Advantageously the adhesive layer is arranged in correspondence with said edge of extremity and / or of said terminal edge. By “activation temperature” we mean a 10 temperature at which the adhesive takes on properties such as to wet the surfaces to be bonded glue and determine the adhesion between the components (typically the adhesive maintains such properties even in a temperature range above the setpoint temperature activation). Brief description of the figures 15 Figure 1 shows schematically and partially a coating machine according to the present invention; Figures 2-6 show schematically a detail of Figure 1; Figure 7 shows schematically and partially an operational configuration of the machine in figure 1. 20 Detailed description of some embodiments of the invention The features and advantages of the present invention will be further clarified. from the following detailed description of some embodiments of the present invention invention, presented by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the attached figures. 25 In figure 1, with the reference number 1, a total of coating machine of a preformed substrate 2 by means of a layer of lining (not shown). For example, the covering layer can be made of natural textile fabric, synthetic textile fabric, natural leather, imitation leather (i.e. a material having 30 mechanical and / or tactile and / or aesthetic characteristics that recall natural leather), etc. In the following description, particular reference will be made, without however losing sight of generality, to a coating process intended as a process of re-edging a end flap (not shown) of the cladding layer around an edge of end 22 (figure 7) of the preformed substrate 2. In detail the preformed substrate 2 comprises a front face 28. For example the front face 28 is already coated with the coating layer at the time of 5 re-edging of the end flap, for example by means of a previous process pressure coating, such as the type described in the patent application number WO2024 / 018496A1 in the name of the same Applicant, as here compatible. An example is the process of re-edging the terminal flap around the edge of 10 end 22 of the preformed substrate 2 includes turning up the terminal flap around the end edge 22 and make at least part of the end flap adhere to a rear face 29 of the preformed substrate 2 opposite the front face 28. For example, the machine 1 comprises a support body 3 structured for support the preformed substrate 2. For example the support body 3 comprises 15 a supporting surface (not shown) substantially counter-shaped to the preformed substrate 2, in particular the rear face 29 of the substrate preformed 2. Typically the support surface contacts part of the surface rear 29 and leaves a portion free at the end edge 22, to allow for re-edging. 20 For example, the machine 1 comprises a heating device 5 structured to at least partially heat at least one of the preformed substrate 2 and the layer coating by hot air. For example, the heating device 5 comprises a main body 6. For example the main body 6 comprises a first 25 and a second face 25 26 having planar development. For example, the first face 25 has respective widths and length substantially corresponding to a width and a length main body maximum 6. For example, the main body 6 comprises a heating edge 21 substantially counter-shaped to the end edge 22 of the preformed substrate 2. 30 For example the main body 6 comprises an end portion 27 delimited by a portion of the first face 25 and the second face 26. For example, the end portion 27 includes the heating edge 21. For example, the end portion 27 has a main development substantially planar in a plane substantially parallel to the first 25 and the second face 26. For example, the main body 6 also comprises a third face 24, having development substantially perpendicular to the first 25 and the second face 26. The third face 24 exemplarily creates the thickness of the end portion 27. 5 For example, the heating edge 21 is directly adjacent to the second face 26, more in detail it is an edge made by the junction of the second face 26 with the third face 24. For example, the main body 6 is equipped with an internal cavity 7 having a mouth of inlet 8 for a flow of compressed air, and a plurality of outlet ports 9 10 (twenty for example) for the flow of compressed air. In some of the figures, the cavity internal 7 is shown through the external surface of the main body 6 rendered in semi- transparency. For example, the outlets 9 are arranged in succession along the entire development of the heating edge 21. 15 For example, downstream of the inlet mouth 8, the internal cavity 7 comprises a passage channel 11 (shown in detail in figure 6) of the compressed air flow. For example, the passage channel 11 comprises a plurality of first sections 12 and a plurality of second lines 13 contiguous to each other and arranged in alternating succession (e.g. a first section 12 followed by a second section 13 and so on). 20 For example, the first 12 sections have a main development substantially perpendicular to a main development of the second sections 13. For example, two first sections 12 contiguous to the same second section 13 are arranged respectively along two parallel lines that are distinct from each other and placed at a mutual distance. 25 In more detail, the two parallel lines mentioned above lie on respective planes parallel to the first 25 and on the second face 26. For example, the first 12 sections have respective lengths, along the main development of the first section 12, all equal to each other. For example the second sections 13 have respective length, along the main development of the second section 13, all equal between 30 of them. For example, a length of the first 12 sections is substantially equal to a length of the second strokes 13. In particular, the passage channel 11 has a substantially curved shape. regular serpentine (fig. 6). For example, the internal cavity 7, downstream of the passage channel 11, comprises a Internal chamber 14. For example, internal chamber 14 has the main development substantially planar in a plane substantially parallel to the first 25 and the second face 26. 5 For example, the internal chamber 14 has a passage light greater than a light of passage of passage channel 11. For example, the internal chamber 14 comprises a first 16 and a second sub- chamber 17. For example, the first sub-chamber 16 is located directly downstream of the passage channel 11, while the second sub-chamber 17 is interposed between the 10 first sub-chamber 16 and the outlets 9. For example, the main body 6 also comprises a partition 18 placed between the first 16 and the second sub-chamber 17, and comprising a plurality of openings loops 19 which connect the first 16 and the second sub-chamber 17. For example, the septum 18 comprises a respective deviation element 20 for 15 each through opening 19. In more detail, each respective element of deviation 20 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is structured for to partition a passage section of the through opening 19 (for example for sliding along the through-opening section 19). For example, the internal cavity 7 comprises a respective outlet duct 15 for 20 each outlet mouth 9 connecting the second sub-chamber 17 to the respective mouth exit 9. For example, each respective outlet duct 15 has a substantially similar shape cylindrical and main rectilinear development with at least one substantially linear component orthogonal to the first face 25. In more detail, the respective outlet duct 15 has 25 exemplary main development along a direction inclined at approximately 45° with respect to on the first face 25. For example, the machine 1 comprises (figure 1) covering means 4 of the preformed substrate 2 by the coating layer. For example, the covering means 4 are structured to perform the edge banding 30 of the end flap of the cladding layer around the end edge 22 of the preformed substrate 2. Exemplarily (figure 1), the covering means 4 comprises at least one body of 4' structured edge banding to arrange the end flap of the cladding layer around the end edge 22 of the preformed substrate 2 and to apply a thrust to a portion of the terminal edge against the rear face 29 of the substrate preformed 2. For example, the heating device 5 further comprises two elements 5 heating elements 10 thermally coupled directly to the main body 6 for heating the main body 6. Each heating element 10 is housed in an exemplary manner reversibly (i.e. with the possibility of extraction without damage) in a respective cavity of the main body 6 distinct from the internal cavity 7. For example, each heating element 10 comprises a respective resistance 10 electric (not shown) and a respective sheath 23 (shown in transparency in the figures) which covers the respective electrical resistance. For example each sheath 23 is thermally conductive, for example made of material metallic. For example, the sheath 23 directly contacts the body main 6, more in detail directly contacts the walls of the respective cavity of the 15 main body 6 in which it is housed, exemplarily substantially along an entire surface extension of the sheath covering 23. Each one is exemplary cavity is substantially shaped like the covering sheath 23 of the respective heating element 10. In more detail each heating element 10 is shown in figure corresponds to a cartridge resistor, for example of a known type. 20 In one embodiment (not shown) the main body 6 may comprise a single cavity (spatially continuous) in which both the passage of air is created compressed is the housing of the heating element 10. In one embodiment (not shown) the heating element 10 may be made using thick film heater technology and / or can 25 comprise a thermally conductive base layer (e.g. metallic), and an electrically resistive track printed (e.g., by silkscreen) on the base layer. Preferably, an electrically bonded layer may also be provided. insulation adhered to the base layer on which the track is drawn. Optionally the layer of base may coincide with a portion of the external surface of the main body 6. 30 In one embodiment (not shown), the heating element 10 may comprise at least one elongated electrical resistance housed in a respective groove made on the external surface of the main body 6. In use, machine 1 allows for a coating process to be performed (e.g. edge banding) of the preformed substrate 2 by means of the layer of coating. For example, the process first involves preparing a semi-finished product comprising the preformed substrate 2 and the cladding layer (not shown) 5 coupled to the preformed substrate 2. As already described, the preformed substrate 2 can be already substantially coated with the corresponding coating layer of the front face 28, missing only a re-edging operation of one flap terminal of the coating layer around the end edge 22 of the substrate preformed 2. 10 For example the process involves heating the main body 6 by means of the heating elements 10, e.g. up to a desired process temperature, for example within a temperature range between 50°C and 500°C. For example, the process involves detecting a temperature over time, for example for example an average temperature of the main body 6 by means of a probe 30, for example 15 example of the known type PT100, in one or more points of the main body 6. Exemplary heating of the main body 6 is performed in function of a comparison between the temperature of the main body 6 and a respective target temperature value, for example in a feedback manner to bring the main body to the aforementioned process temperature. 20 For example, the main body 6 is additionally heated according to a predetermined temperature / time ratio, i.e. following a desired ramp heating, for example at least 100°C per minute. For example, the value of the heating ramp is between 150°C / min and 200°C / min. The process includes, for example, heating the body 25 main 6, introduce, through the inlet mouth 8, a flow of compressed air in the internal cavity 7 of the main body 6 to generate a flow of compressed air heated by heat exchange with the main body 6. For example, the pressure of the air flow introduced into the internal cavity 7 is included between 2 bar and 20 bar, and an inlet flow rate can be around 100 l / min, which is 30 distributes to each of the twenty outlets 9, generating an output flow rate of approximately 5 l / min. The process includes, for example, introducing the air flow compressed, arrange the heating device 5 and the support body 3 in a mutual operating configuration in which the heating device 5 is in position proximal to the semi-finished product (figure 7), more in detail to the end edge 22 of the preformed substrate 2. For example, the process includes, after introducing the air flow 5 compressed, emit the flow of heated compressed air in the direction of the semi-finished product through the outlets 9 to heat at least partially at least one of the preformed substrate 2 and the coating layer by the flow of heated compressed air. In more detail, the heating device is exemplarily arranged to heat 10 the only preformed substrate 2 at a portion of the rear face 29 in proximity to the end edge 22, to locally melt the aforementioned portion of the rear face 29, to which the terminal flap will then be made to adhere (figure 7). In one embodiment (not shown), alternatively or in combination with the 15 heating of the preformed substrate, the heating device can be prepared to heat the coating layer, in correspondence with the edge terminal to be edged, and / or heat a layer of adhesive prepared on the substrate preformed and / or on the coating layer to bring the adhesive to the respective activation temperature. 20 For example the heating temperature of the preformed substrate 2 and / or the layer coating temperature can be between 50°C and 250°C. Exemplarily emitting the flow of heated compressed air is performed by maintaining the heating device 5 and the support body 3 in the aforementioned reciprocal operational configuration. 25 For example, the process includes, subsequently to partially heating the preformed substrate 2, operate the coating means 4 to coat the substrate preformed 2 with the covering layer, in particular for carrying out the edge banding of the end flap of the cladding layer around the end edge 22 of the preformed substrate 2. 30 For example, the 4' edge banding body is brought closer to the semi-finished product, for contact the end flap (not shown) of the cladding layer, drag this end flap around the end edge 22 of the preformed substrate 2 and, next, apply a push to a portion of the folded end flap towards the rear face 29 in correspondence with the fused portion of the face rear 29, to make the terminal flap adhere to this fused portion and finalize the re-edging. Subsequently, cooling is typically planned (e.g. in ambient air) the semi-finished product to firmly adhere the edged end flap to the substrate 5 preformed. For example, the process includes, prior to operating the means of lining 4, stop the flow of compressed air into the body main 6. For example the flow of compressed air is kept active for a period of time which can vary between 5 and 30 seconds depending on the process, and then turned off. 10 For example, the process includes, prior to operating the means of coating 4, move the heating device 5 away from the preformed substrate 2, for example by movement of one or both the support body 3 and the device heating 5, to make room for the covering means 4, in particular the body of 4' edge banding, as shown in figure 1. 15 ***

Claims

1. A machine for coating (1) a preformed substrate (2) by means of a coating layer, said machine (1) comprising: - a support body (3) structured to support said preformed substrate (2); - means for coating (4) said preformed substrate (2) by means of said coating layer; - a heating device (5) structured to at least partially heat at least one of said preformed substrate (2) and coating layer by means of air, wherein said heating device (5) comprises a main body (6), provided with an internal cavity (7) having an inlet port (8) for a flow of compressed air and at least one outlet port (9) for said flow of compressed air, and at least one heating element (10) thermally coupled directly to said main body (6) for heating said main body (6).

2. Machine (1) according to claim 1, where said internal cavity (7) comprises a passage channel (11) for said compressed air flow arranged downstream of said inlet mouth (8), said passage channel (11) comprising a plurality of first sections (12) and a plurality of second sections (13) contiguous to each other and arranged in alternating succession, said first sections (12) having a main development substantially perpendicular to a main development of said second sections (13).

3. Machine (1) according to claim 2, where said internal cavity (7) comprises at least one internal chamber (14) arranged downstream of said passage channel (11), where said internal cavity (7) comprises an outlet duct (15) for said at least one outlet mouth (9) connecting said internal chamber (14) to said outlet mouth (9), where said main body (6) comprises a first external face (25) having a planar development, where said internal chamber (14) has a substantially planar main development in a plane substantially parallel to said first face (25) and where said outlet duct (15) has a main development with at least one component substantially orthogonal to said first face (25).

4. Machine (1) according to claim 3, where said internal chamber (14) comprises a first (16) and a second sub-chamber (17), where said main body comprises a septum (18) interposed between said first (16) and second sub-chamber (17), where said septum (18) comprises a plurality of through openings (19) which connect said first (16) and second sub-chamber (17) to each other, and where said PERS1B39IT septum (18) comprises a respective deviation element (20) for each through opening (19) structured to partition a passage section of said through opening (19).

5. Machine (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said main body (6) comprises a heating edge (21), wherein said internal cavity (7) comprises a plurality of outlets (9), including said at least one outlet (9), arranged in succession along a development of said heating edge (21), wherein said internal cavity (7) comprises a respective outlet duct (15) for each outlet (9) of said plurality of outlets (9), said respective outlet duct (15) connecting said internal chamber (14) to said respective outlet (9), and wherein each respective outlet duct (15) has a main development with at least one component substantially orthogonal to said first face (25).

6. Machine (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one heating element (10) comprises an electrical resistance and a thermally conductive covering sheath (23) covering said electrical resistance, and wherein said at least one heating element (10) is housed in a respective cavity of said main body distinct from said internal cavity (7) with said covering sheath (23) directly contacting said main body (6) along substantially an entire surface extent of said covering sheath (23).

7. Machine (1) according to claim 5, wherein said heating edge (21) is substantially counter-shaped to an end edge (22) of said preformed substrate (2) and / or to an end flap of said coating layer, and wherein said coating means (4) are structured to perform a re-edging of said end flap of said coating layer around said end edge (22) of said preformed substrate (2).

8. Process of coating a preformed substrate (2) by means of a coating layer, said process comprising the steps of: - preparing a semi-finished product comprising: i) said preformed substrate (2), ii) said coating layer coupled to said preformed substrate (2), - preparing said coating machine (1) according to any of the preceding claims; - heating said main body (6) by means of said at least one heating element PERS1B39IT (10); - subsequently to said heating said main body (6), introducing a flow of compressed air into said internal cavity (7) of said main body (6) to generate a flow of heated compressed air;- emitting said flow of heated compressed air towards said semi-finished product through said at least one outlet mouth (9) to at least partially heat at least one of said preformed substrate (2) and coating layer by means of said flow of heated compressed air; - subsequently, operating said coating means (4) to coat said preformed substrate (2) with said coating layer.; 9. A process according to claim 8, comprising, prior to said actuating said coating means (4), interrupting said injecting said flow of compressed air, wherein said process comprises arranging said heating device (5) and said support body (3) in a mutual operating configuration wherein said heating device (5) is proximal to said semi-finished product, wherein said emitting said flow of heated compressed air is performed while maintaining said heating device (5) and said support body (3) in said mutual operating configuration, and wherein said process comprises, prior to said actuating said coating means (4), moving said heating device (5) away from said semi-finished product.

10. A process according to claim 8 or 9, comprising sensing over time a temperature of said main body (10), wherein said heating said main body (10) is performed as a function of a comparison between said temperature of said main body (10) and a respective target temperature value, wherein said heating said main body (10) is performed as a function of a predetermined temperature / time ratio, wherein said at least partially heating at least one of said preformed substrate (2) and coating layer comprises locally melting at least a portion of an end edge (22) of said preformed substrate (2) and / or at least a portion of an end flap of said coating layer or comprises bringing an adhesive layer of said preformed substrate (2) and / or said coating layer to a temperature greater than or equal to an activation temperature of said adhesive layer,and wherein said coating said preformed substrate (2) comprises edging said end flap of coating layer around said PERS1B39IT end edge (22) of said preformed substrate (2).,