Device for masking surface

Abstract

An apparatus for masking a surface comprises an applicator (1) for applying a resin on the surface, a resin dispenser (2) for dispensing the resin to the applicator (1), a resin reservoir (7) for providing the resin to the resin dispenser (2), and a link (8) for engaging a robot arm. The device for masking a surface allows a fully automated masking industrial process, is suitable for any composite or metal part, and has good performance in an industrial environment.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for masking surfaces, in particular for masking surfaces of composite manufacturing tools, which can be metallic or non-metallic. BACKGROUND

[0002] Composite manufacturing generally requires the use of metallic and non-metallic tools in direct contact with the epoxy resin of the material, which once cured becomes a truly adherent material, and therefore must be surface treated, such as applying a release agent, on the tool before the manufacturing process begins.

[0003] To ensure that the release agent is applied only on the desired surfaces, a perimeter is defined before application. This definition, called masking, can be done with different materials and is done to prevent the release agent from entering the undesirable areas.

[0004] Another application that requires masking is the preparation of composite or metallic flight parts before the application of primer or paint. This is to comply with the need for different patterns of painting schemes.

[0005] One of the materials that can be used in this masking process is masking resin. These resins are applied in liquid form on the tool surface and then quickly solidify into a solid phase to allow compatibility with other processes. Finally, the resin can be removed from the surface without leaving any waste on the surface.

[0006] However, the use of resins in an industrial environment has many inconveniences, such as:

[0007] The resin deposition process is time-consuming, as the resin deposition is done using a small nozzle;

[0008] The solidification process is time-consuming, as the solidification process requires another tool, a heated tool or a UV tool to solidify the resin;

[0009] The resin application area must be local, as the resin is applied with a nozzle, which makes the deposition process slower.

[0010] The target parts suitable for this process cannot be too large, as the masking robot's arm has a limited reach. SUMMARY

[0011] Therefore, the objective of the present invention is to provide a device for masking surfaces that allows a completely automated masking industrial process, suitable for any composite or metallic part, and with good performance in an industrial environment.

[0012] The device for masking surfaces of the present invention solves the aforementioned drawbacks and has other advantages that will be described below.

[0013] The device for masking surfaces according to the present application is described in the main aspect of the present application and the dependent aspects of the present application include optional additional features.

[0014] In particular, the device for masking surfaces comprises:

[0015] an applicator that sprays resin on the surface;

[0016] a resin distributor that distributes resin to the applicator;

[0017] a resin reservoir that provides resin to the resin distributor; and

[0018] a link for engaging a robot arm.

[0019] Furthermore, the device also preferably comprises a curing light, such as a UV curing light.

[0020] The device for masking surfaces according to the present application can also comprise a camera, a first distance sensor directed to the application side of the device and a second distance sensor directed to the curing side of the device.

[0021] Preferably, the curing light is placed on the opposite side of the device with respect to the applicator.

[0022] Furthermore, the applicator is a nozzle or a spray gun that can be interchangeable with each other and the nozzle can be used to limit the masking area and the spray gun quickly masks the surface.

[0023] The device for masking surfaces according to the present application provides several advantages, at least some of which are:

[0024] The device makes the masking process faster because the coverage area is larger, which is a key enabler for industrial environment processes.

[0025] Combining all the elements required for the entire process into a single device makes the robot more versatile, while also optimizing the process time.

[0026] The device is designed and dimensioned so that it can be installed on a gantry, a robot arm or a mobile robot platform that can carry the masking head around, which allows complex parts to be adapted to the masking process, which is also a key enabler for industrial environments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] In order to better understand what has been stated above, some drawings are included, in which the practicalities of the embodiments are schematically and merely by way of non-limiting example.

[0028] Figure 1is a perspective view of a device for masking surfaces according to the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Figure 1 A device for masking surfaces according to the present application is shown, which is a device capable of depositing a masking epoxy on a surface, which is ready to work on different processing devices, i.e. the device can be mounted on a robotic platform, a gantry, a robotic arm or any automatic processing system.

[0030] According to the embodiment shown, the device for masking surfaces according to the present application comprises an applicator 1 which applies the resin on a given surface. The applicator 1 can be a spray gun fed preferably by an air compressor not shown in the figure, which allows the spray gun to spray the resin, or the applicator 1 can be a nozzle which can be used to limit the masking area. Thus, according to the use envisaged, the spray gun can be changed by the nozzle and vice versa.

[0031] The device also comprises a resin distributor 2, which is a sleeve containing the epoxy resin required for masking, connected to the applicator 1, and a resin reservoir 7 containing the epoxy resin in liquid form and feeding the resin distributor 2.

[0032] The device also comprises a curing lamp 3, preferably a UV curing lamp, which cures the resin once applied on the surface, said resin reacting with the UV light to complete the polymerization of the resin.

[0033] In order to automatically detect when the curing process has ended, the device also comprises a camera 4 which controls the quality and detects when the curing process has ended when the resin reacts with the UV light and changes the color of the resin.

[0034] The device for curing surfaces according to the present application comprises distance sensors, i.e. a first distance sensor 5 oriented to the application side, which is preferably a laser sensor for controlling the distance to the surface while the resin application is being carried out, and a second sensor 6 oriented to the curing side, which is preferably a laser sensor for controlling the distance to the surface while the resin curing is being carried out.

[0035] The device for curing surfaces according to the present application also comprises a link 8, for example a coupling flange, which fixes or engages the device to the robotic arm 9 of the robotic platform.

[0036] It must be pointed out that other components of the device, such as solenoid valves which control the flow of resin through the different elements of the conduit and pressure regulators which control the internal circuit pressure to ensure smooth resin application, have not been shown in the drawings for simplicity reasons.

[0037] The operation of the device for masking surfaces according to the present application is as follows. Once the device is attached to the robot arm 9, the masking process can start.

[0038] The robot arm 9 allows the device to move around the surface to be masked, such as a metal tool, a composite part, etc.

[0039] The device can first limit the masking area on the surface with the nozzle and then quickly mask the masking area with the spray gun.

Claims

1. A device for masking a surface, comprising: an applicator (1) to apply resin on a surface, characterized in that the device further comprises: a resin distributor (2) to distribute resin to the applicator (1); a resin reservoir (7) to provide resin to the resin distributor (2); and a link (8) for engaging a robotic arm.

2. The device for masking a surface of claim 1, wherein, The device further comprises a curing light (3).

3. A device for masking a surface according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The device further comprises a camera (4).

4. Device for masking a surface according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The device further comprises a first distance sensor (5) directed to the application side of the device.

5. Device for masking a surface according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The device further comprises a second distance sensor (6) directed to the curing side of the device.

6. The device for masking surfaces according to claims 1 and 2, wherein, The curing light (3) is placed on the opposite side of the device relative to the applicator (1).

7. A device for masking a surface according to claim 2 or 6, wherein, The curing light (3) is a UV curing light.

8. The device for masking a surface according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, the applicator (1) is a nozzle or a spray gun.

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