Open mold manufacturing process with centralized application station

a manufacturing process and application station technology, applied in lighting and heating apparatus, heating types, ventilation systems, etc., can solve the problems of inability to meet environmental regulations, inconvenient operation, and inability to meet the requirements of the current manufacturing facility, so as to minimize the volatilities of the manufacturing process and the small footprint of the facility

US20080113053A1Inactive Publication Date: 2008-05-15MASCO BATH CORP
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Applications(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
Publication Date
2008-05-15
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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Abstract

A mold manufacturing system includes a conveyer circuit upon which a multiple of molds transit a closed loop and repetitively pass through a central booth. The system is separated into Zones in which a particular mold operation is performed. Each of a multiple of applying operations are performed within the central booth which contains a common exhaust plenum. Application of exceedingly expensive environmental emission control devices is at least partially mitigated. Consolidation of multiple spray operations into a few spray Zones also advantageously simplifies the control of chemical and ambient variables which improves production efficiencies and reduces operator dependency.
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Description

[0001] The present invention is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 146,275, filed May 15, 2002.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to an open mold manufacturing process, and more particularly to a manufacturing system in which molds make a single lap while passing through a centralized application station a multiple of times.

[0003] Open mold fiberglass reinforced plastic molding systems are well known. Molds typically travel along a linear assembly line. A plurality of operations are performed at stations along the assembly line until a finished part is removed from the mold at the end of the assembly line.

[0004] Multiple stations along the assembly line are spray stations. As the molds transit the spray station a particular spraying operation is performed. Such spray operations include gelcoat and resin / catalyst / chopped fiberglass fixture application. Multiple coats are often required for one or more spraying operations necessita...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0018]FIG. 1 illustrates a factory layout for a mold manufacturing system 20. System 20 is preferably utilized for open molding of large parts, and in particular bath tubs and shower surrounds. The system 20 includes a circuit 22 upon which a multiple of molds 24 transit a closed loop. The molds 24 preferably hang from an overhead rail system such that access is readily provided to the entire mold outer surface. Other transit systems such as conveyors, tracks, guided vehicles and the like will also benefit from the present invention.

[0019] The circuit 22 preferably defines an elongated cross like circuit in which the molds 24 move toward a spray booth 26, through the spray booth 26 and away from the spray booth 26 a multiple of times. In other words, the spray booth is a hub and the rail circuit is a closed circuit of radially extending spokes. Spraying occurs within the booth 26 a multiple of times during a single lap. It should be understood that although described as a “spray” o...