Charging device for coating material

Abstract

The invention relates to a charging device (1) for coating material, the charging device comprising: a receiving device for receiving coating materials, a guiding device for guiding the coating material from the receiving device, and a surface coating device for applying a surface coating to the coating material guided with the guiding device.

Description

[0001] Feeding device for coating material

[0002] Technical area

[0003] The invention relates to a feeding device for coating material. Furthermore, the invention relates to a system comprising such a feeding device and a coating machine for applying a coating material to a workpiece.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] A strip-shaped coating material (also referred to as "edge material" or "edge strip") is used to coat a panel-shaped workpiece made of wood or wood-like materials in the narrow area of ​​a panel-shaped workpiece. In order to be able to reproduce a wide variety of decors and materials of such strip-shaped coating materials in production, it is necessary to provide and maintain a large number of coating materials. This leads to high storage costs for furniture manufacturers and to complex feeding technology.

[0006] EP 2 253 440 A2 discloses a feed device for feeding a coating material to a machine. The feed device comprises at least one guide device for guiding a coating material in a feed direction, at least one conveyor device for conveying the coating material in the feed direction, and at least one retaining device for retaining the coating material in at least one direction. Such a feed device can ensure smooth and trouble-free operation when coating materials are frequently changed.

[0007] DE 10 2015 213 358 A1 discloses a modular unit that accommodates coating material units for coupling coating materials in groups in the region of a coupling section. Thus, a modular unit can be pre-loaded by an operator of an edge application device, and the operator then exchanges a modular unit with multiple coating materials as needed. In this way, a wide variety of coating materials can be provided.

[0008] Furthermore, EP 2 065 217 A1 is known, which shows a device for patterning a workpiece. The device comprises a first web provision unit for providing a first web-shaped material and a first printing unit for printing the first web-shaped material. The device also comprises a pressing device and / or rolling-up device for pressing and / or rolling up at least the first web-shaped material. The device further has at least one second web provision unit for providing at least one second web-shaped material, such that the second web-shaped material can be joined to the first web-shaped material.

[0009] Description of the invention

[0010] The invention is based on the object of providing a device with which the storage costs for keeping coating material in stock can be reduced and a large variety of variants can be ensured.

[0011] Claim 1 provides a corresponding charging device for coating material. Further preferred embodiments are listed in the dependent claims.

[0012] In particular, a feeding device for coating material is provided, which comprises: a receiving device for receiving, preferably strip-shaped, coating materials, a guide device for guiding the coating material from the receiving device, and a surface coating device for applying a surface coating to the coating material guided by the guide device.

[0013] The loading device enables the flexible provision of coating materials individually provided with a surface coating, in particular printed ones, for example for CNC machines or continuous-feed machines. Thus, several different base coating materials (for example made of different materials, such as different plastics, coating materials with different base colors, or coating materials with different thicknesses and / or widths) can be stored in the loading device and provided with a surface coating by the surface coating device, which is designed in particular as a printing module.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the loading device can be provided separately from a coating machine, allowing its location to be changed as desired and thus allowing multiple, different coating machines to be flexibly loaded. For example, a continuous feed machine and a CNC machine can be expanded sequentially and as needed using the loading device. According to another embodiment, however, it is also possible to arrange the loading device stationary in the area of / adjacent to a coating machine.

[0015] In the CNC sector, batch sizes are generally smaller. If the loading device according to the invention is used in this area, a custom-made coating material can be used particularly economically.

[0016] The solution described here allows each customer to produce the exact quantity of customized coating material they wish to process. This allows a wide variety of types to be produced and processed directly, without having to consider delivery times.

[0017] According to one embodiment, it is preferred that the surface coating device is a printing device, in particular an inkjet printing device. A printing device or an inkjet printing device has proven to be particularly reliable and flexible.

[0018] The loading device can be designed as a mobile unit. This can be loaded at any location and moved to its place of use. According to one embodiment, the loading device is designed as a movable carriage, or the loading device can be moved by a movable unit.

[0019] According to one embodiment, it is preferred that the loading device has wheels for moving the loading device. Such a configuration can be repositioned particularly easily.

[0020] The guidance device may at least

[0021] A transport device for moving the coating material may comprise, preferably, movable rollers. A conveying gap for the respective coating material may be formed between the rollers.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the feeding device comprises a drive device for driving the at least one transport device. Such a drive device can be controlled by a control device of the feeding device or a control device of a coating machine in order to supply the requested amount of coating material.

[0023] It is preferred that the surface coating device is movable, in particular in order to apply a surface coating to different (in particular strip-shaped) coating materials. For example, the coating materials are guided side by side and thus reach an area of ​​the surface coating device. The surface coating device can be moved to one of the coating materials as needed and coat it in a continuous process.

[0024] According to a further embodiment, the feeding device further comprises a pretreatment device for pretreating the coating material guided by the guide device. Such a pretreatment device can be selected from a pre-cleaning module (for example, mechanically by means of a brush, or for example by irradiation with dry ice), a degreasing module, or a module for reducing electrostatic charging. Such a pretreatment device can prepare the coating material for the subsequent application of the surface coating (in particular printing), in order to thereby achieve improved quality and high durability of the surface coating.

[0025] As mentioned above, the pre-cleaning module allows the coating material to be blasted with dry ice to remove surface contamination and / or processing residues from the coating material. The dry ice forms a residue-free cleaning agent / blasting medium, as it is used for irradiation in the form of solid carbon dioxide (CO2) and sublimates (immediately transforms from a solid to a gaseous state) at atmospheric pressure at -78.49°C.

[0026] The pretreatment device can be movable in a similar way to the surface coating device or can be coupled to the surface coating device for corresponding movement.

[0027] According to a further embodiment, the feeding device comprises a post-treatment device. The post-treatment device is configured, for example, to provide a coating material with a lacquer, in particular a clear lacquer. According to a further modification, the post-treatment device can be configured to set a specific gloss level.

[0028] It is preferred that the receiving device is designed to receive storage containers with a (particularly strip-shaped) coating material received therein. Removing the coating material directly from the storage container (e.g. edge-board) in which the coating material is provided by the manufacturer has the advantage, among other things, that additional pre-cleaning processes can be dispensed with. In particular, the control device has the advantage that, with small widths of the coating material, the surface coating device can be manipulated in such a way that the wear on the surface coating device can be distributed as evenly as possible over the entire printing width. In this way, the service life of the surface coating device can be improved.

[0029] The adjustment of the surface coating device is preferably realized by an electric actuator with position control. This electric actuator can be controlled by the control unit of the loading device.

[0030] The sensor and actuator equipment of the surface coating device can be implemented more simply and cost-effectively than inline printing, since the feeding of the coating material to the workpiece has lower accuracy requirements than the position and dimension accurate printing on workpieces already provided with a coating material.

[0031] According to a further embodiment, the feeding device comprises a coupling unit for mechanically, electronically and / or electrically coupling the feeding device to a coating machine and / or for data transmission between the feeding device and the coating machine.

[0032] By means of electrical coupling, the loading device can be supplied electrically by the coating machine in order to supply, among other things, the drive device for driving the first and / or second transport device. Furthermore, the mechanical coupling can achieve precise alignment of the loading device on the coating machine. A coupling unit for data transmission between the loading device and the coating machine (in particular a communications interface) serves, for example, to transmit control commands from the coating machine to the loading device (or vice versa), and / or to regulate the operation of the loading device.

[0033] In the aforementioned cases, a control device of the coating machine can transmit control or regulation commands to the loading device. Even if the loading device itself may have a control device, it is also possible to use the control device of the coating machine to operate the loading device.

[0034] The coupling unit for mechanically, electronically, and / or electrically coupling the loading device to a coating machine and / or for data transmission can fulfill one or more of the aforementioned functions. It is also possible to provide multiple coupling units for mechanically, electronically, and / or electrically coupling the loading device to a coating machine and / or for data transmission between the loading device and the coating machine (communication interface).

[0035] According to a further aspect of the invention, a system is further provided, the system comprising a feeding device according to one of the preceding aspects and a coating machine for applying a coating material to a workpiece.

[0036] The coating machine is particularly designed for processing strip-shaped coating material that is applied to a narrow surface of a plate-shaped workpiece. Such a workpiece can be made of wood, a wood-based material, plastic, a composite material, or the like.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the coating machine is designed to apply the coating material to a stationary workpiece. According to another embodiment, the coating machine is designed to apply a coating material to a moving workpiece.

[0038] The loading device can be arranged interchangeably on the coating machine. This makes it possible, for example, to equip the loading device with coating materials (particularly strip-shaped ones) at a location remote from the coating machine and to feed them to the coating machine in a finished state.

[0039] According to one embodiment, it is provided that a control device of the coating machine is configured to control the operation of the loading device. For this purpose, the loading device can be equipped with the previously described coupling unit for data transmission between

[0040] Feeding device and coating machine

[0041] (especially communication interface).

[0042] Short description of the drawing

[0043] Further features and advantages will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0044] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a coating material feeding device according to an embodiment. Description of embodiments

[0045] The same reference symbols appearing in different figures indicate identical, corresponding, or functionally similar elements.

[0046] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a loading device 1 for coating material, with which strip-shaped coating materials B1, B2, B3 (for example made of plastic material or a veneer) can be received.

[0047] The number of strip-shaped coating materials B1, B2, B3 is to be understood merely as an example in this context. In practice, such a feeding device 1 can accommodate, for example, 16 or 32 coating materials. Such a coating material B1, B2, B3 can be used in particular for coating a narrow side of a plate-shaped workpiece. The feeding device 1 serves to accommodate such coating materials B1, B2, B3 and to hold them ready for processing.

[0048] The loading device 1 is mobile, in particular designed as a movable carriage having a plurality of wheels 2. The carriage can be moved manually or by motor. It is also possible to move the loading device 1 using an AGV (driverless transport system). Thus, the coating device 1 can be individually positioned adjacent to a coating machine and removed from it again as needed.

[0049] According to one modification, the feeding device is arranged stationary in the area of ​​a coating machine.

[0050] The feeding device 1 comprises a

[0051] A receiving device 10 (shown schematically in the figure), each suitable for receiving the coating materials B1, B2, B3, and a guide device 20 for guiding the coating material. The coating material B1, B2, B3 is held ready in roll form in a storage container (not shown), and this storage container ("edgeboard") is inserted into the receiving device 10.

[0052] A free end of the coating material B1, B2, B3 is pulled out of the storage container and fed to a respective first transport device 21 of the guide device 20. The first transport devices 21 are formed by two rollers arranged adjacent to one another, wherein a conveying gap for the respective coating material is formed between the rollers of the first transport devices 21.

[0053] Furthermore, the guide device 20 comprises second transport devices 22, which are arranged at a distance from a respective first transport device 21. Between the first transport devices 21 and the second transport devices 22, a guide region 23 is provided, which is provided with a cover.

[0054] The second transport devices 22 comprise, similarly to the first transport devices 21, two rollers arranged adjacent to one another, which form a conveying gap between them through which the respective coating material B1, B2, B3 can move.

[0055] According to the embodiment, one of the transport devices 21, 22 is driven by a drive device (not shown), so that one of the rollers or several rollers of the first or second transport devices 21, 22 are driven to convey the coating material. However, according to a modification, it can also be the case that a movement of the coating material B1, B2, B3 is initiated by a drive device of a coating machine, so that the transport devices 21, 22 serve to guide the coating material B1, B2, B3 and the rollers of the transport devices 21, 22 are moved passively in this case.

[0056] The guide device 20 further comprises a measuring device 24, with which the transport speed of the coating material can be determined and, for example, detects whether the coating material is moved continuously or discontinuously. For the purpose of illustration, only one measuring device 24 for the coating material B2 is shown in Fig. 1. However, it is preferred that such a measuring device is provided for each coating material B1, B2, B3. The measuring devices are connected to a control device of the feeding device 1 and / or a control device of a coating machine (not shown).

[0057] In an area between the first transport device 21 and the second transport device 22, i.e. in the guide area 23, a surface coating device 30 is arranged, which is designed to apply a surface coating to the coating material B1, B2, B3 guided by the guide device 20. The surface coating device 30 is designed as an inkjet printing device.

[0058] The surface coating device 30 is movable in a horizontal plane in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the respective coating material B1, B2, and B3. Thus, the surface coating device 30 can be advanced to each coating material B1-B3 as needed, allowing several different base edge bands to be stored in the device and printed by a single printing module. The inkjet nozzles of the surface coating device 30 can also be adjusted for different coating material widths in order to ensure the most even utilization of the inkjet nozzles possible over the operating time.

[0059] Furthermore, the feeding device 1 comprises a pretreatment device 40 which is designed to pretreat the respective coating material B1, B2, B3.

[0060] Such a pretreatment device 40 can be selected from a pre-cleaning module (for example, a brush that cleans a surface of a coating material), a degreasing module, or a module for reducing electrostatic charging. The pretreatment device 40 can prepare the coating material B1, B2, B3 for the subsequent application of the surface coating (in particular printing), thereby achieving improved quality and high durability of the surface coating.

[0061] In particular, the pretreatment device 40 has a pre-cleaning module for mechanical cleaning by means of, for example, a brush, or for example for cleaning by irradiating the coating material with dry ice.

[0062] The pretreatment device 40 is movable in a similar manner to the surface coating device 30 in order to deliver the pretreatment device 40 to a respective coating material guided in the guide region 23. According to a modification, however, it can also be provided that the pretreatment device 40 is coupled to the surface coating device 30, so that the pretreatment device 40 and the surface coating device 30 are moved together.

[0063] Furthermore, the loading device 1 comprises a post-treatment device 50, with which, for example, a lacquer, such as a clear lacquer, is applied to the coating material B1, B2, B3. The post-treatment device 50 can be configured to set a specific gloss level.

[0064] The post-treatment device 50 is also movable in a similar way to the surface coating device 30 in order to deliver the post-treatment device 50 to a respective coating material guided in the guide area 23. According to a modification, however, it can also be provided that the post-treatment device 50 is coupled to the surface coating device 30, so that the post-treatment device 50, possibly the pre-treatment device 40 and the surface coating device 30 are moved together.

[0065] Downstream of all processing steps, the coating materials can be manipulated in their orientation so that the decorative surface is aligned vertically rather than horizontally. This allows the coating materials to be fed to a suitable continuous feed machine or, for example, to an external pre-cutting station of a CNC machine. Alternatively, the coating material can also be printed in a vertical orientation, with the feeding device being designed in a vertical orientation according to this modification.

[0066] The loading device comprises a coupling unit for mechanically and electrically coupling the loading device 1 to a coating machine. Thus, the loading device can be electrically supplied to, among other things, supply the drive device for driving the first and / or second transport device.

[0067] Furthermore, the mechanical coupling enables precise alignment of the feeding device to the coating machine.

[0068] It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that individual features described in different embodiments can also be implemented in a single embodiment, provided they are not structurally incompatible. Likewise, different features described in the context of a single

[0069] embodiment described may also be provided in several embodiments individually or in any suitable sub-combination.

Claims

Claims: Feeding device (1) for coating material, comprising: a receiving device (10) for receiving coating materials (B1-B3), a guiding device (20) for guiding the coating material (B1-B3) from the receiving device (10), and a surface coating device (30) for applying a surface coating to the coating material (B1-B3) guided by the guiding device (20). Feeding device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the surface coating device (30) is a printing device, in particular an inkjet printing device. Feeding device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the feeding device (1) is designed as a mobile unit, in particular as a movable cart, and wherein it is further preferred that the feeding device (1) has wheels (2) for moving the feeding device (1).Feeding device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide device (20) comprises at least one transport device (21, 22) for moving the coating material (B1-B3). It is preferred that the transport device (21, 22) comprises movable rollers. A feeding device (1) according to claim 4, comprising a drive device for driving the at least one transport device (21, 22). A feeding device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the surface coating device (30) is movable, in particular to apply a surface coating to different coating materials. A feeding device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a pretreatment device (40) for pretreating the coating material (B1-B3) guided by the guide device. Feeding device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a post-treatment device (50) for post-treating the coating material. Feeding device (1) according to claim 8, wherein the post-treatment device (50) is configured to provide a coating material (Bl, B2, B3) with a varnish, in particular a clear varnish. Feeding device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving device (10) is configured for receiving storage containers with a coating material (B1-B3) contained therein. Feeding device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a Measuring device (24) configured to determine the transport speed of the coating material (Bl, B2, B3). Feeding device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a control device for controlling the surface coating device (30). Feeding device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the feeding device (1) comprises a coupling unit for mechanically, electronically, and / or electrically coupling the feeding device (1) to a coating machine and / or for data transmission between the feeding device (1) and the coating machine. System comprising a feeding device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and a coating machine for applying a coating material to a workpiece.System according to claim 14, wherein the coating machine is configured to apply a strip-shaped coating material to a narrow surface of a plate-shaped workpiece. System according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the feeding device (1) is arranged interchangeably on the coating machine. System according to any one of claims 14-16, wherein a control device of the coating machine is configured to control the operation of the feeding device (1).

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