Procedure for commissioning a coating plant

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for the design and commissioning of a coating system for coating components, in particular for the commissioning of a painting system for painting motor vehicle body components, comprising the following steps: a) Provision of specification data, wherein the specified specification data define the planned coating system, b) Maintaining a plant database (3), wherein the plant database (3) contains the following data on previously installed or at least planned coating plants: b1) Specification data specifying the previous coating facilities, and b2) Operational data specifying the operating mode of the former coating plants, c) Identification of at least one previously installed or at least planned coating plant stored in the plant database (3) that is as similar as possible to the planned coating plant by comparing the specified data of the planned coating plant on the one hand and the specification data of the previous coating plants stored in the plant database (3) on the other hand, and d) Establishing operating data for the planned coating plant on the basis of the operating data of the similar coating plant stored in the plant database (3), wherein the established operating data specify the operating mode of the planned coating plant. Furthermore, the invention includes a corresponding system for carrying out the method.

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a method for the design and commissioning of a coating system for coating components, in particular for the design and commissioning of a painting system for painting motor vehicle body components. Background of the invention

[0002] In modern paint shops for painting automotive body components, the planning and commissioning of the paint shop is very complex.

[0003] Planning paint shops is already a time-consuming and complex process, and currently only feasible for experienced experts. This involves determining the number, position, and type of painting robot. To date, this requires comprehensive and in-depth knowledge of robotics, automation, process engineering, simulation technology, coating technology, paint chemistry, and a thorough understanding of the object being painted (e.g., a vehicle body component) in order to develop a customized and therefore cost-effective painting solution for the customer (e.g., an automotive manufacturer). At the same time, planning and project timelines are becoming increasingly shorter, leaving less and less time to complete the task.

[0004] Furthermore, painting programs must be developed that define, among other things, the paint paths along which the painting robots move the application devices (e.g., rotary atomizers) along the surface of the vehicle body components to be painted. Programming these paint paths is also referred to as "teaching" and is usually carried out by specialists with extensive experience. In addition, when commissioning the paint system, painting parameters (e.g., paint flow, guiding air flow, path speed) must also be defined for operating the system. This, too, is complex and requires expertise.

[0005] The disadvantage of the known paint shops for painting motor vehicle body components is therefore the time-consuming, costly planning and commissioning, which can only be carried out by experts. Description of the invention

[0006] The invention is therefore based on the objective of simplifying the design and commissioning of a coating system (e.g., a paint shop).

[0007] This problem is solved by a method according to the invention for the design and commissioning of a coating system (e.g., a painting system) according to the main claim.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the coating system is a paint shop for coating automotive body components with a paint. However, the invention is not limited to automotive body components with regard to the components to be coated, but can also be implemented in the commissioning of coating systems that coat other types of components. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to paints with regard to the coating agent to be applied. Rather, the invention is also suitable for commissioning coating systems that apply other coating agents, such as adhesives, sealants, or insulating materials, to name just a few examples.

[0009] In the method according to the invention, specification data is first provided, wherein the specified data defines the planned coating system. Preferably, this specification data is provided by the customer, specifically by the future operator of the coating system, who could, for example, be an automotive manufacturer if a paint shop for painting vehicle body components is planned. The specified data may only include a few parameters, such as the desired throughput of components to be coated and the component geometry. However, within the scope of the invention, it is also possible for the specified data to define the planned coating system in great detail, for example, with regard to the floor plan, the robot type, the application technology, and the number of coating robots.

[0010] The invention provides for the maintenance of a plant database, in which both the specification data and operating data of previously installed or at least planned coating plants are stored, specifying the operating mode of the previous coating plants. This operating data stored in the plant database can, for example, include the aforementioned painting programs that define the path of the paint lines.

[0011] For clarification, it should be noted that the plant database can contain not only the specification and operating data of coating plants that have actually been built and commissioned. Rather, within the scope of the invention, it is also possible for the plant database to contain specification and associated operating data relating to coating plants that, although never commissioned, were configured during the planning phase and therefore also provide a good starting point for the commissioning of future similar coating plants.

[0012] For the problem-solving process of an artificial intelligence algorithm, it can be advantageous to have artificially generated and even deliberately non-functional specification data, so-called fake data, available. Therefore, with appropriate labeling, artificially generated and / or non-functional plant data can also be stored in the plant database.

[0013] Furthermore, the invention provides that the system searches the plant database for stored coating systems that are as similar as possible to the planned coating system. This search involves comparing the specified data of the planned coating system with the data of previous coating systems stored in the plant database.

[0014] The similar, previously identified coating system, along with its associated stored operating data, can then form the basis for defining the operating data (e.g., the painting program) for the planned coating system. During commissioning, it is no longer necessary to laboriously redefine all the operating data for the planned coating system. Instead, the commissioning process can build upon the previously determined operating data of the similar system and adapt it to the specific characteristics of the planned system. This significantly simplifies the commissioning of the planned coating system.

[0015] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the customer specifies the required specifications for the planned coating system, at least partially, as provided by the operator of the coating system. When commissioning a paint shop for painting automotive body components, this means that the customer, as the automotive manufacturer, specifies the requirements for the planned paint shop for the paint shop manufacturer. The system database according to the invention, on the other hand, is preferably maintained by the paint shop manufacturer, i.e., in the case of a paint shop for painting automotive body components, by the paint shop manufacturer.The manufacturer of the paint system, who is responsible for commissioning the paint system, then identifies the similar coating system stored in the system database and also determines the operating data for the planned coating system during commissioning.

[0016] As mentioned above, the specification data for the planned coating system, or the specification data stored in the system database, can be very basic or very detailed. For example, the planned or stored specification data may include the following: • Floor plan of the planned coating plant, • Throughput of the coating system, • Geometry of the components to be coated, • Size and / or shape of coating booths of the coating system, • Number, type, position and / or spacing of coating robots in the planned coating system, • Number, type, position and / or spacing of cleaning equipment in the planned coating system, • Number and / or type of application equipment that applies the coating material, • Type of conveyor system for conveying the components to be coated through the coating system, namely line-tracking conveyor system or stop-and-go conveyor system, • Alignment of the coating webs in a horizontal direction, in a vertical direction or perpendicular to the conveying direction of the components to be coated, • Type of bell-shaped rotary atomizer heads used as application devices, • Type of steering air systems for shaping spray jets of the coating material, • Division of the component surfaces of the components to be coated into sub-areas, • Number, type, position and / or spacing of handling robots in the planned coating system, • Number, type, position and / or spacing of robot traversing axes in the planned coating system, • Definition of the areas to be coated, • Definition of the quality requirements for areas to be coated, • Number, orientation, and positioning of cameras • Auxiliary equipment of the conveyor system, • Position and orientation of personal safety equipment, • Position and type of access doors, • Properties of the coating materials used, • Proportion of robot application time and conveying time of the automotive body component in relation to throughput, and / or • Necessity, number, type, position and / or distances of application technology auxiliary equipment, in particular tool changing stations, tool monitoring and tool measurement, pressure pots, test injection mold holders, camera systems, maintenance windows.

[0017] The above list of possible predefined specification data is not exhaustive. Within the scope of the invention, other specification data for the planned coating system can also be specified.

[0018] As mentioned above, operating data for the planned coating system will be defined during commissioning. This operating data may include, for example, a painting program for the coating system. The operating data defined during commissioning, as well as the operating data from previous coating systems stored in the system database, may also include, for example, the following: • Spatial path of a coating track to be traversed by a coating robot, • Coating parameters to be adhered to during coating, in particular coating agent flow rate, steering air pressure and / or steering air flow rate, • Distance to the component during coating, • Pulling speed of the application device across the component, • Switching points on the coating track, and / or • Parameters of electrostatic painting, especially high voltage.

[0019] The above list of operating data to be defined or stored in the system database is not exhaustive. Within the scope of the invention, many other operating data for the planned coating system can also be defined or stored in the system database.

[0020] As mentioned above, the system searches the plant database for previously stored coating systems that are as similar as possible to the planned coating system. It should be noted that, preferably, a ranking of several similar coating systems is first selected from the database. The most similar system can then be chosen from this ranking. This initial selection of similar coating systems can be performed, for example, by an artificial intelligence algorithm (AI-supported), while the selection of the most similar system from the ranking can then be made by an operator.

[0021] The aforementioned ranking of similar coating systems can be based on several similarity criteria, which individually or in combination determine the selection: • Agreement regarding the throughput of the coating system, • Agreement regarding the accessibility of the components to be coated by the coating robots, • Compliance with regard to coating parameters, • Match in terms of size and shape of the component to be coated, • Agreement regarding the scope of coating on the component to be coated, • Compliance with process requirements, in particular coating direction and / or division into sub-areas, • Agreement regarding the number of robots required, • Agreement regarding the layout of the planned coating plant • Division of the areas among the robots, and / or • Agreement regarding the properties of the coating materials.

[0022] The above list of possible similarity criteria is also not exhaustive. Rather, other similarity criteria can also be considered within the scope of the invention in order to select the most similar coating system from the previous coating systems stored in the system database.

[0023] Furthermore, it should be mentioned that the search for the most similar coating system stored in the plant database can be structured. The level of detail in the specification data can be selected.

[0024] For example, in a simple search ("Level 0"), the specification data can only be defined very roughly, by specifying, for instance, the number of robots, the general layout, and the basic concept. Depending on the level of detail of the specified data, a relatively large number of similar coating systems will typically be considered.

[0025] In a further stage ("Level 1"), more detailed specification data can then be defined. For example, the best layout for the paint shop can be determined for a new building ("Green field"), or for the modernization of an existing paint shop ("Brown field"), it can be determined which layout actually fits into the available space.

[0026] In a further stage ("Level 2"), basic teach programs can then be generated, taking into account the information from the preceding stages "Level 0" and "Level 1". These basic teach programs can then also define the spatial path of the individual paint lines along the component to be coated.

[0027] As mentioned above, when commissioning the planned coating system, the operating data (e.g., painting program, painting lanes) of a previously identified similar coating system can be used as a starting point, thus significantly simplifying the commissioning process. However, the operating data of the previous similar coating system, retrieved from the system database, is only used as a starting point and then adjusted. The following steps can be taken to adjust the operating data of the planned coating system: • Adjusting the number of coating lanes of the similar coating system, and / or • Adapting the spatial course of the coating paths and the spatial orientation of the application device of the similar coating system to the specified geometry of the components to be coated, and / or • Adjusting the track spacing between adjacent coating tracks of similar coating systems, and / or • Adjusting the coating parameters of a similar coating system, and / or • Adjusting track speeds, and / or • Adapting the distribution of coating paths to other robots as part of the optimization with regard to reachability, collision avoidance, and even robot utilization.

[0028] However, as part of the adaptation of the operating data for the planned coating plant based on the operating data of the previous similar coating plant read from the plant database, other or further steps are also possible; i.e., the above list of possible adaptation steps is not to be understood as exhaustive.

[0029] Furthermore, it should be noted that during the planning and commissioning of the planned coating system, it may become apparent that the customer-specified specifications cannot be implemented, or can only be implemented to an unfavorable extent. Therefore, it can be advantageous during the planning and commissioning of the coating system not only to define the operating data (e.g., the coating program) but also to adjust the specified data to achieve optimal results. Consequently, the invention also provides the possibility of adjusting the specified data of the planned coating system based on the specifications and operating data of similar coating systems stored in the system database.

[0030] A distinction can be made between hard and soft specifications provided by the customer. For example, the desired throughput of vehicle bodies to be painted can be a hard specification that cannot be adjusted. In contrast, the customer's specification of the desired robot type can be a soft specification that the manufacturer can modify if this leads to a better result. For example, the following specification data can still be changed during the planning of the coating system: • Floor plan of the planned coating plant, • Throughput of the coating system, • Geometry of the components to be coated, • Size and / or shape of coating booths of the coating system, • Number, type, position and / or spacing of coating robots in the planned coating system, • Number, type, position and / or spacing of cleaning equipment in the planned coating system, • Number and / or type of application equipment that applies the coating material, • Type of conveyor system for conveying the components to be coated through the coating system, namely line-tracking conveyor system or stop-and-go conveyor system, • Alignment of the coating webs in a horizontal direction, in a vertical direction or perpendicular to the conveying direction of the components to be coated, • Type of bell-shaped rotary atomizer heads used as application devices, • Type of steering air systems for shaping spray jets of the coating material, • Division of the component surfaces of the components to be coated into sub-areas, • Number, type, position and / or spacing of handling robots in the planned coating system, • Number, type, position and / or spacing of robot traversing axes in the planned coating system, • Definition of the areas to be coated, • Definition of the quality requirements for areas to be coated, • Number, orientation, and positioning of cameras, • Auxiliary equipment of the conveyor system, • Position and orientation of personal safety equipment, • Position and type of access doors, • Properties of the coating materials used, • Proportion of robot application time and conveying time of the automotive body component in relation to throughput, and / or • Necessity, number, type, position and / or distances of application technology auxiliary equipment, in particular tool changing stations, tool monitoring and tool measurement, pressure pots, test injection mold holders, camera systems, maintenance windows.

[0031] The above list of specification data to be adapted is also not exhaustive, i.e., other specification data may also be adapted during the planning phase within the scope of the invention.

[0032] As mentioned above, the invention includes a plant database in which the specification data and associated operating data of previous coating plants are stored. Maintaining this plant database allows specification data and / or operating data to be retrieved from various databases and then merged and stored within it. This process involves retrieving and merging specification and operating data from databases at the customer's (and subsequent operator's) site, as well as at the manufacturer's site. This retrieval of the necessary data can be automated, for example, using a so-called "crawler."

[0033] The preceding section describes how the operating data for the planned coating system is determined and how the specified data can be optionally adapted. Furthermore, the invention preferably provides that the specification data and / or the operating data for the planned coating system are output in a suitable human-readable format. For example, the method according to the invention can automatically generate technical drawings of the planned coating system, a 3D visualization of the planned coating system, or written system documentation. The invention also provides for the possibility of outputting the specification data and / or the operating data for the planned coating system in a machine-readable format, for example, as a control program for a coating system controller.For example, control programs for a programmable logic controller (PLC) can be output here.

[0034] Finally, the invention also claims protection for a corresponding system for the design and commissioning of a coating system (e.g., a paint shop). For this purpose, the system according to the invention has a program memory in a conventional manner, in which a program is stored. Firstly, the system according to the invention is characterized by the system database already described above. Secondly, the system according to the invention is also characterized by the fact that, in one embodiment, the program stored in the program memory executes the method according to the invention described above.

[0035] Other advantageous embodiments of the invention are characterized in the dependent claims or are explained in more detail below together with the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the figures. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an arrangement according to the invention for the planning and commissioning of a painting system for painting motor vehicle body components. Fig. Figure 2 shows a flowchart to illustrate the inventive method for planning and commissioning a painting system for painting motor vehicle body components. Detailed description of the drawings

[0036] The following describes the inventive method for planning and commissioning a painting system, with reference to the drawings.

[0037] In a first step S1 in Fig. 2 or in a function block 1 “Input data” in Fig. 1. Initially, the customer, i.e., an automotive manufacturer, specifies the required data for the planned paint shop. This data may, for example, define the desired throughput of vehicle bodies to be coated, the available floor plan of the paint shop, and the component geometry of the vehicle bodies to be painted.

[0038] In one step S2 in Fig. 2 or in a function block 2 in Fig. 1. An AI-based comparison is then performed between the customer-specified data for the planned paint shop and stored data from previous paint shops, which is stored in a plant database 3. It should be noted that the plant database 3 contains not only the data from previous paint shops but also the operating data (e.g., painting programs) used to operate these previous paint shops. First, a ranking (1...n) of the n most similar previous paint shops is determined.

[0039] Next, S3 is then carried out in a single step. Fig. 2 or in a function block 4 in Fig. 1. The selection of the most similar paint shop from the previously determined ranking 1...n. of n similar paint shops.

[0040] The next step is S4 in Fig. 2 or in function blocks 5 and 6 in Fig. 1. The operating data (e.g., painting program, painting lanes) for the planned painting system are then defined based on the stored operating data of the most similar painting system. The operating data read from the system database 3 is initially used as a starting point. In function block 6, "Simulation engine," a simulation of the painting operation is then performed based on the respective operating data and the predefined specification data. The specification data and the operating data can then be optimized in a "fine-tuning" process until the result is acceptable.

[0041] In the next step S6 or in function block 7 in Fig.1. The specification data and the operating data (e.g., painting program) for the planned coating system are then available. This data can then be stored together in a feedback loop in the system database 3 so that this data can be used in the planning of future painting systems.

[0042] Furthermore, the data can be processed in a function block 8, both in human-readable and machine-readable form. For example, the data can be provided in human-readable form as technical drawings, 3D visualizations, or plant documentation. Alternatively, the data can also be processed in machine-readable form, for example, as a control program for the paint shop, which can then be stored in memory in a function block 9.

[0043] The invention is not limited to the preferred embodiment described above. Rather, a multitude of variants and modifications are possible, which also make use of the inventive concept and therefore fall within the scope of protection. In particular, the invention also claims protection for the subject matter and the features of the dependent claims independently of the respective referenced claims and, in particular, also without the features of the main claim. The invention thus comprises various aspects of the invention that enjoy independent protection. Advantages of the invention

[0044] The invention significantly simplifies the planning and commissioning of a coating system (e.g., a paint shop for coating automotive body components). This results in reduced personnel, time, and financial costs. The key advantage of the invention is that the planning, design, and commissioning of a paint shop can also be carried out by individuals who are not experts in this field. Reference symbol list 1 Functional block “Input data”, i.e., customer-side specification of the paint system's specification data. 2 Function block “Search engine”, i.e. search for similar previous paint shops 3. Plant database “Knowledge base” with specification data and operating data (e.g. painting program) of previous painting plants 4 Function block “Search result”, i.e. selection of the most similar previous paint shop from the ranking 1...n of n similar previous paint shops 5 Function block “Fine tuning”, i.e., adjustment of the operating data (e.g., painting program) based on the read-out operating data of the most similar previous painting system 6 Functional block “Simulation engine”, i.e. simulation of the painting process based on the specification data and the operating data 7 Function block “Output data”, i.e. output of specification data and operating data (e.g. painting program) 8 Functional block “Deployment engine”, i.e. conversion of specification data and operational data (e.g. painting program) into human-readable form (e.g. plant documentation) and into machine-readable form (e.g. control program) 9 Function block “Final data”, i.e. storage of specification data and operating data (e.g. painting program) in human-readable form (e.g. plant documentation) and in machine-readable form (e.g. control program)

Claims

[1] Method for the design and commissioning of a coating system for coating components, in particular for the design and commissioning of a painting system for painting motor vehicle body components, comprising the following steps: a) Provision of specification data, wherein the specified specification data define the planned coating system, characterized by the following steps: b) Maintaining a plant database (3), wherein the plant database (3) contains the following data on previously installed or at least planned coating plants: b1) Specification data specifying the previous coating facilities, and b2) Operational data specifying the operating mode of the former coating plants, c) Identification of at least one previously installed or at least planned coating plant stored in the plant database (3) that is as similar as possible to the planned coating plant by comparing the specified data of the planned coating plant on the one hand and the specification data of the previous coating plants stored in the plant database (3) on the other hand, and d) Establishing operating data for the planned coating plant on the basis of the operating data of the similar coating plant stored in the plant database (3), wherein the established operating data specify the operating mode of the planned coating plant. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by , a) that the specified data for the planned coating plant are at least partially specified by the operator of the coating plant on the customer's side, b) that the plant database (3) is maintained by the manufacturer of the coating plant, c) that the determination of the similar coating plant stored in the plant database (3) is carried out by the manufacturer of the coating plant, and d) that the determination of the operating data for the planned coating system is carried out by the manufacturer of the coating system. [3] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the specified specification data for the planned coating plant and / or the specification data of the previous coating plants stored in the plant database (3) include the following data: a) Floor plan of the planned coating plant, and / or b) Throughput of the coating system, and / or c) Geometry of the components to be coated, and / or d) Size and / or shape of coating booths of the coating plant, and / or e) Number, type, position and / or spacing of coating robots in the planned coating plant, and / or f) Number, type, position and / or spacing of cleaning equipment in the planned coating plant, and / or g) Number and / or type of application equipment that applies the coating material, and / or h) Type of conveyor system for conveying the components to be coated through the coating system, namely line-tracking conveyor system or stop-and-go conveyor system, and / or i) Alignment of the coating webs in a horizontal direction, in a vertical direction or perpendicular to the conveying direction of the components to be coated, and / or j) Type of bell-shaped rotary atomizer heads used as application devices, and / or k) Type of steering air systems for shaping spray jets of the coating material, and / or l) Division of the component surfaces of the components to be coated into sub-areas, and / or m) Number, type, position and / or spacing of handling robots in the planned coating plant, and / or n) Number, type, position and / or spacing of robot traversing axes in the planned coating system, and / or o) Definition of the areas to be coated, and / or p) Definition of the quality requirements for areas to be coated, and / or q) Number, orientation, positioning of cameras and / or r) Auxiliary equipment of the conveyor system, and / or s) Position and orientation of personal safety and / or facilities t) Position and type of access doors and / or u) Properties of the coating materials used, and / or v) Proportion of robot application time and conveying time of the motor vehicle body component in relation to throughput, and / or w) Necessity, number, type, position and / or distances of application technology auxiliary equipment, in particular tool changing stations, tool monitoring and tool measurement, pressure pots, test injection mold holders, camera systems, maintenance windows. [4] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the specified operating data for the planned coating plant and / or the operating data of the previous coating plants stored in the plant database (3) comprise a coating program, the coating program specifying the following: a) Spatial path of a coating track to be traversed by a coating robot, and / or b) Coating parameters to be adhered to during coating, in particular coating medium flow rate, steering air pressure and / or steering air flow, and / or c) Distance to the component during coating, and / or d) Pulling speed of the application device over the component, and / or e) Switching points on the coating track, and / or f) Parameters of electrostatic painting, in particular high voltage. [5] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , a) that a ranking of several similar coating plants is first selected from the coating plants stored in the plant database (3), and b) that the most similar coating plant is selected from the ranking of similar coating plants. [6] Method according to claim 5, characterized by, that the ranking of previous similar coating plants is based on several similarity criteria, in particular on one or more of the following similarity criteria: a) Agreement regarding the throughput of the coating system, b) Agreement regarding the accessibility of the components to be coated by the coating robots, c) Agreement regarding the coating parameters, d) Agreement regarding the size and shape of the component to be coated, e) Agreement regarding the scope of coating on the component to be coated, f) Compliance with process requirements, in particular coating direction and / or division into sub-areas, g) Agreement regarding the number of robots required, h) Division of the areas among the robots, i) Agreement regarding the properties of the coating materials, j) Agreement regarding the layout of the coating plant. [7] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by The following steps are taken to determine the most similar coating plant from the coating plants stored in the plant database (3): a) Specification of a desired level of detail regarding the conformity between the planned coating plant and the sought-after similar coating plant, and b) Rough selection or fine selection of the most similar coating system depending on the desired level of detail. [8] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized byThe following steps are taken to determine the operating data for the planned coating plant based on the operating data of the similar coating plant stored in the plant database (3), in particular by means of an artificial intelligence algorithm: a) Adjusting the number of coating lanes of the similar coating system, and / or b) Adapting the spatial course of the coating paths and the spatial orientation of the application device of the similar coating system to the specified geometry of the components to be coated, and / or c) Adjusting the track spacing between adjacent coating tracks of the similar coating system, and / or d) Adjusting the coating parameters of the similar coating system, and / or e) Adjusting track speeds, and / or f) Adapting the distribution of coating paths to other robots as part of the optimization with regard to reachability, collision avoidance, and even robot utilization. [9] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the determination of the most similar coating plant stored in the plant database (3) is carried out using an artificial intelligence algorithm, in particular based on the similarity in terms of size and shape of the component to be coated. [10] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the following step: Adapting the specified data of the planned coating system based on the following data: a) the specification data of the similar coating plant stored in the plant database (3), and / or b) the operating data of the similar coating plant stored in the plant database (3). [11] Method according to claim 10, characterized by , that the specification data specified for the planned coating plant or artificially generated specification data for the planned coating plant are adapted with regard to the following specification data, in particular by means of an artificial intelligence algorithm: a) Floor plan of the planned coating plant, and / or b) Throughput of the coating system, and / or c) Geometry of the components to be coated, and / or d) Size and / or shape of coating booths of the coating plant, and / or e) Number, type, position and / or spacing of coating robots in the planned coating plant, and / or f) Number, type, position and / or spacing of cleaning equipment in the planned coating plant, and / or g) Number and / or type of application equipment that applies the coating material, and / or h) Type of conveyor system for conveying the components to be coated through the coating system, namely line-tracking conveyor system or stop-and-go conveyor system, and / or i) Alignment of the coating webs in a horizontal direction, in a vertical direction or perpendicular to the conveying direction of the components to be coated, and / or j) Type of bell-shaped rotary atomizer heads used as application devices, and / or k) Type of steering air systems for shaping spray jets of the coating material, and / or l) Division of the component surfaces of the components to be coated into sub-areas, and / or m) Number, type, position and / or spacing of handling robots in the planned coating plant, and / or n) Number, type, position and / or spacing of robot traversing axes in the planned coating system, and / or o) Definition of the areas to be coated, and / or p) Definition of the quality requirements for areas to be coated, and / or q) Number, orientation, positioning of cameras and / or r) Auxiliary equipment of the conveyor system, and / or s) Position and orientation of personal safety and / or facilities t) Position and type of access doors and / or u) Properties of the coating materials used. [12] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by The following steps are taken to maintain the plant database (3), preferably by performing these steps automatically: a) Retrieving the specification data and / or the operating data of the previous coating plants from various databases, and b) Merging and storing the retrieved specification data and / or the retrieved operational data in the plant database (3). [13] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the following step: Storing the specification data for the planned coating plant together with the operating data defined for the planned coating plant in the plant database (3). [14] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the following steps: a) Output of the specification data and / or the operating data for the planned coating plant in a human-readable form, in particular as a1) technical drawing of the planned coating plant, and / or a2) 3D rendering of the planned coating system, and / or a3) written plant documentation, and / or b) Output of the specification data and / or the operating data for the planned coating system in a machine-readable form, in particular as a control program for a coating system control, especially for a programmable logic controller. [15] Plant for the planning and commissioning of a coating plant for coating components, in particular for the commissioning of a painting plant for painting motor vehicle body components, with a) a program memory in which a program is stored, characterized by , b) that a plant database (3) is provided in which the following data is stored for coating plants that were previously installed or at least planned to be configured: b1) Specification data specifying the previous coating facilities, and b2) Operational data specifying the operating mode of the former coating plants, c) that the program stored in the program memory, when executed, performs the method according to one of the preceding claims.

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