Paint stripping apparatus and paint stripping method

Abstract

A paint stripping apparatus (1) comprising movement means (2), configured to move at least one object (O) to be paint stripped along a paint stripping path (P), and laser painting means (3), configured to emit a laser light beam adapted to remove a quantity of paint from the at least one object (O) to be paint stripped. Furthermore, the apparatus (1) comprises at least one orientation and alignment member (4) defining an abutment (5) adapted to intercept the at least one object (O) to be paint stripped along the paint stripping path (P) and configured to orient and / or align the at least one object (O) to be paint stripped with respect to the laser paint stripping means (3), so as to allow activation of the laser paint stripping means (3) on the at least one object (O) to be paint stripped.

Description

[0001] “PAINT STRIPPING APPARATUS AND PAINT STRIPPING METHOD”

[0002] *******

[0003] The present invention relates to a paint stripping apparatus and a paint stripping method.

[0004] In particular, the present invention finds wide application in the field of industrial painting systems.

[0005] According to the current prior art, powder painting is one of the most efficient and high-performance painting technologies.

[0006] Specifically, powder painting is based on the principles of electrostatics. Basically, the piece to be painted is passed inside a painting chamber in which a powder that is formed of finely ground particles of polymer resin and electrostatically charged is sprayed onto the piece to be painted. Generally speaking, the piece to be painted is “grounded” by means of the metallic support that connects it to the movement carriage so as to generate a difference in charge between the piece and the charged powder that promotes a uniform adhesion of the powder on the surface of the piece.

[0007] Disadvantageously, during the painting process, the powder is progressively deposited on the support that allows grounding of the piece to be painted, gradually reducing the efficacy thereof and thus undermining the quality of the painting process.

[0008] Therefore, these supports must be cyclically subjected to specific paint stripping treatments so as to remove efficiently the residues of paint deposited.

[0009] It is emphasised that the supports can undergo deformations of various kind during the painting process, and these treatments must thus be capable of stripping paint from supports having geometries that are also very different to each other.

[0010] These treatments include manual cleaning, which has the major disadvantage of lengthy duration and inconsistency of the result, as it depends heavily on the operator. Alternatively, the paint stripping can be performed through the combined use of ultrasounds and chemical agents. However, this solution is particularly disadvantageous, since use and disposal of chemical agents increase the operating costs thereof. Furthermore, several paints resistant to chemical elements are present, so this solution is poorly adaptable to the needs dictated by the process.

[0011] A further alternative is the use of an induction field, inside which the supports are passed and heated extremely rapidly, so as to cause the paint to detach. However, this solution causes the supports to deteriorate and makes them unusable in a short space of time.

[0012] In this context, the technical task underpinning the present invention is that of proposing a paint stripping apparatus and a paint stripping method which obviate the drawbacks of the prior art cited above.

[0013] In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a paint stripping apparatus and a paint stripping method that guarantee an increase in efficacy of the paint stripping process.

[0014] A further object of the present invention is to provide a paint stripping apparatus and a paint stripping method having high operational flexibility.

[0015] A further object of the present invention is to provide a paint stripping apparatus and a paint stripping method capable of preserving the mechanical properties of the objects to be subjected to paint stripping.

[0016] A further object of the present invention is to provide a paint stripping apparatus and a paint stripping method that are applicable to a painting system and capable of stripping paint from supports that are deformed and have geometries that are also very different to each other.

[0017] The stated technical task and specified objects are substantially achieved by a paint stripping apparatus and a paint stripping method comprising the technical features disclosed in one or more of the appended claims.

[0018] The dependent claims correspond to possible embodiments of the invention. Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the indicative and thus non-limiting description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of a paint stripping apparatus and a paint stripping method, as illustrated in the attached drawings, in which:

[0019] - Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a paint stripping apparatus in accordance with a respective plurality of embodiments of the present invention;

[0020] - Figures 2A-2B show partial perspective views of the paint stripping apparatus of Figure 1 ;

[0021] - Figure 3 shows a partial side view of the paint stripping apparatus of Figure 1 .

[0022] With reference to the appended figures, the reference number 1 denotes in its entirety a paint stripping apparatus, which hereinafter will be referred to as the apparatus 1 .

[0023] The apparatus 1 comprises movement means 2 configured to move at least one object “0” to be paint stripped along a paint stripping path “P”.

[0024] For example, the movement means 2 can comprise at least one movement carriage 20 and one movement guide 21 operatively associated to move the at least one object “0” to be paint stripped along the paint stripping path “P”.

[0025] Purely by way of non-limiting example, the apparatus 1 can be arranged downstream of a painting chamber of a painting system, for example a powder painting system. In particular, the at least one object “0” to be paint stripped can comprise one or more support elements, preferably metallic, adapted to connect a piece to be painted to a movement device of the painting system and to provide for its grounding.

[0026] Advantageously, the apparatus 1 comprises laser paint stripping means 3 configured to emit a laser light beam adapted to remove a quantity of paint from the at least one object “0” to be paint stripped. For example, the laser paint stripping means 3 can also comprise at least a first laser emitter 31 and at least a second laser emitter 32. Preferably, the first laser emitter 31 and the second laser emitter 32 can be arranged so that the paint stripping path “P” is at least partially interposed between the first laser emitter 31 and the second laser emitter 32 so that the laser paint stripping means 3 can be activated at least partially opposite to the at least one object “0” to be paint stripped.

[0027] According to further possible embodiments of the present invention, the laser paint stripping means 3 can comprise a single laser emitter without the inventive concept underpinning the present invention being altered.

[0028] Advantageously, the apparatus 1 further comprises at least one orientation and alignment member 4 defining an abutment 5 adapted to intercept the at least one object “0” to be paint stripped along the paint stripping path “P”. In particular, the at least one orientation and alignment member 4 is configured to orient and / or align the at least one object “0” to be paint stripped with respect to the laser paint stripping means 3, so as to allow activation of the laser paint stripping means 3 on at least one object “0” to be paint stripped. In other words, the object “0” to be paint stripped is intercepted by the orientation and alignment member 4 by means of the abutment 5, so that the laser paint stripping means 3 can be activated precisely and efficiently on the at least one object “0” to be paint stripped. Preferably, the at least one orientation and alignment member 4 defines a geometric interference with the movement of the at least one object “0” to be paint stripped along the paint stripping path “P”. For example, in use, the interaction of the at least one object “0” to be paint stripped with the at least one orientation and alignment member 4 causes a rotation of the at least one object “0” to be paint stripped and a subsequent at least partial exceeding of the abutment 5 by the at least one object “0” to be paint stripped under the driving action of the movement means 2.

[0029] Preferably, the at least one orientation and alignment member 4 is fixed stably at a predetermined position along the paint stripping path “P” and the movement means 2 is configured to move the at least one object “0” to be paint stripped so that said object “0” to be paint stripped is intercepted by the abutment 5 along the paint stripping path “P”.

[0030] In other words, the movement means 2 moves the object “0” to be paint stripped along the paint stripping path “P”, causing it basically to collide against the abutment 5 of the at least one orientation and alignment member 4, allowing, in this manner, an efficient pointing of the laser paint stripping means 3.

[0031] In this manner, the at least one orientation and alignment member 4 allows an efficient pointing of the laser paint stripping means 3 on the at least one object “0” to be paint stripped, overcoming the problems caused by the geometric differences of the objects “0” to be paint stripped.

[0032] In particular, the laser paint stripping means 3 can be configured to focus the laser light beam in proximity to and / or at a reference 6 defined at least partially by the abutment 5.

[0033] In this manner, the laser paint stripping means 3 together with the abutment 5 define a paint stripping zone “Z” inside which the laser light beam is activated on the object “0” to be paint stripped.

[0034] Said paint stripping zone “Z” can define a portion of the paint stripping path “P” so that the object “0” to be paint stripped, by transiting inside under the action of the movement means 2, is subjected to the action of the laser light beam.

[0035] In particular, this solution allows the problems caused by the geometric differences of the objects “0” to be paint stripped to be overcome, since focusing the laser light beam on the aforesaid paint stripping zone “Z” overcomes the need for direct pointing, substantially tracking, of the object “0” to be paint stripped.

[0036] The at least one orientation and alignment member 4 can have at least one abutment element 7 defining the abutment 5. For example, the at least one abutment element 7 can extend transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the paint stripping path “P”, so as to intercept the object “0” to be paint stripped during its transit along the paint stripping path “P”. Preferably, the abutment element 7 can be made in the shape of a bar and / or have a tubular shape. With particular reference to the appended figures, the at least one orientation and alignment member 4 further comprises a pair of fixing brackets 9 adapted to fix the abutment element 7 along the paint stripping path “P”. In other words, the at least one orientation and alignment member 4 can be at least partially defined by one abutment element 7, defining the abutment 5, and by one pair of fixing brackets 9, adapted to fix the abutment element 7 to respective fixing portions of the apparatus 1. For example, the pair of fixing brackets 9 is configured to stably fix the abutment element 7 to the frame 10 of the apparatus 1. According to further possible embodiments not illustrated in the appended figures, the pair of fixing brackets 9 and the abutment element 7 can be made in a single piece without altering the inventive concept underpinning the present invention.

[0037] According to a possible embodiment and as shown in the appended figures, the apparatus 1 can comprise a first orientation and alignment member 41 and a second orientation and alignment member 42 arranged in succession along the paint stripping path “P”. For example, the aforementioned first laser emitter 31 can be arranged in proximity to the first orientation and alignment member 41 in order to be activated on the at least one object “0” to be paint stripped at least during a contact between the at least one object “0” to be paint stripped and the first orientation and alignment member 41. Furthermore, the aforementioned second laser emitter 32 can be arranged in proximity to the second orientation and alignment member 42 in order to be activated on the at least one object “0” to be paint stripped at least during a contact between the at least one object “0” to be paint stripped and the second orientation and alignment member 42. In this manner, the present invention guarantees a particularly effective paint stripping of the entire surface of the object “0” to be paint stripped. In other words, the first orientation and alignment member 41 and the second orientation and alignment member 42 can be configured to orient and / or align the at least one object “0” to be paint stripped with respect to the laser paint stripping means 3 along the paint stripping path “P”.

[0038] According to a further advantageous aspect, the apparatus 1 can comprise adjustment means (not shown in the appended figures) active on the at least one orientation and alignment member 4 and / or on the laser paint stripping means 3 in order to obtain a relative movement between the at least one orientation and alignment member 4 and the laser paint stripping means 3. For example, the adjustment means can be configured to adjust a vertical positioning of the at least one orientation and alignment member 4 so as to adapt the apparatus 1 to objects “0” to be paint stripped having different dimensions. Furthermore, the adjustment means can be configured to adjust the positioning of the at least one orientation and alignment member 4 along a parallel direction and / or a transverse direction to the paint stripping path “P”. In addition, the adjustment means can be configured to adjust the positioning of the laser paint stripping means 3 with respect to the at least one orientation and alignment member 4 so as to alter the focusing of the laser light beam and / or to allow activation of the laser paint stripping means 3 on different portions of the object “0” to be paint stripped. In this way, the adjustment means gives a particular adaptability and operational flexibility to the present invention.

[0039] The apparatus 1 can comprise constraint means 8 configured to constrain the at least one object “0” to be paint stripped to the movement means 2. For example, the constraint means 8 can be configured so that the at least one object “0” to be paint stripped can be hung on the movement means 2. In particular, the constraint means 8 can be configured to allow a rotation of the at least one object “0” to be paint stripped with respect to the movement means 2 at least along an axis transverse, preferably perpendicular, to the paint stripping path “P”, so that the interaction of the at least one object “0” to be paint stripped with the at least one orientation and alignment member 4 causes a rotation thereof and a subsequent at least partial exceeding of the abutment 5 under the driving action of the movement means 2. Purely by way of non-limiting example, the constraint means 8 can comprise one or more constraint portions, for example provided with one or more openings, attachable by the at least one object “0” to be paint stripped and / or one or more fastening elements adapted to attach the at least one object “0” to be paint stripped.

[0040] Advantageously, the laser paint stripping means 3 can be configured to be activated at least partially on the at least one object “0” to be paint stripped during the aforesaid rotation, ensuring a particularly effective pointing of the laser light beam. In this manner, the combined action of the constraint means 8, of the at least one orientation and alignment member 4 and of the laser paint stripping means 3 guarantees a significant operational efficiency of the present invention.

[0041] Purely by way of non-limiting example, the movement means 2 can be configured to obtain a continuous movement of the at least one object “0” to be paint stripped along the paint stripping path “P”. In particular, the laser paint stripping means 3 can be configured to be activated on the at least one object to be paint stripped during such continuous movement, minimising the times of the entire paint stripping process.

[0042] In accordance with a further aspect, the present invention relates to a painting system comprising at least one painting station having at least one painting chamber in which a powder that is formed of finely ground particles of polymer resin and electrostatically charged is sprayed onto the piece to be painted by specific painting means. In particular, the at least one piece to be painted can be hung on a support, preferably, metallic, which connects it to specific movement means and “grounds” it so as to facilitate the adhesion of the powder on the surface of the piece. Preferably, the painting system can comprise a heat treatment station downstream of the painting station, in order to guarantee an efficient polymerisation of the paint on the piece. Furthermore, the painting system can comprise a depositing station configured to allow the depositing of the at least one piece subsequent to its removal from the aforementioned metallic supports that connect it to the movement means.

[0043] Advantageously, the painting system can comprise a paint stripping station configured to remove the paint deposited on the metallic supports. In particular, the paint stripping station can comprise at least one paint stripping apparatus 1 in accordance with what is described above.

[0044] According to a further aspect, the present invention relates to a paint stripping method comprising the steps of moving at least one object “0” to be paint stripped along the paint stripping path “P” and of intercepting the at least one object “0” to be paint stripped, defining a paint stripping zone

[0045] Furthermore, the method can comprise the step of stripping paint from at least one portion to be paint stripped of the object “0” to be paint stripped by means of a laser light beam.

[0046] Advantageously, the method can comprise the step of focusing a laser light beam at least on the paint stripping zone “Z” in order to strip paint from at least one portion to be paint stripped of the object “0” to be paint stripped. In this manner, the method allows the paint to be stripped from objects “0” to be paint stripped having different geometries, since the entire portion to be paint stripped of the object “0” to be paint stripped can be made to transit inside the paint stripping zone “Z” and the laser light beam can be focused on the entire paint stripping zone “Z”.

[0047] In other words, the method can comprise a step of positioning and / or making at least one portion to be paint stripped of the object “0” to be paint stripped pass inside the paint stripping zone “Z”, allowing the need for direct pointing, substantially tracking, of the object “0” to be paint stripped to be overcome.

[0048] Preferably, the step of intercepting the at least one object “0” to be paint stripped comprises a step of producing a geometric interference with the movement of the at least one object “0” to be paint stripped along the paint stripping path “P”. For example, the step of producing a geometric interference can be obtained by arranging a fixed body, for example the aforementioned abutment 5, along the paint stripping path “P”.

[0049] Preferably, the method can comprise the step of rotating at least partially the at least one object “0” to be paint stripped with respect to an axis transverse, preferably perpendicular, to the paint stripping path “P”. In particular, the step of stripping paint from the at least one object “0” to be paint stripped can be performed at least partially during the step of rotating at least partially the at least one object “0” to be painted so as to guarantee a particularly efficient pointing of the laser light beam and a minimisation of the paint stripping process times.

[0050] Preferably, at least one of the steps of the method can be performed with a paint stripping apparatus 1 in accordance with what is described above.

[0051] It may therefore be observed that the present invention achieves the proposed objects by providing a paint stripping apparatus and a paint stripping method capable of increasing the efficacy of the painting process, thanks to the presence of the laser paint stripping means and of at least one orientation and alignment member adapted to intercept the at least one object to be paint stripped along the paint stripping path. Advantageously, the present invention is applicable to a painting system and allows stripping of paint from deformed supports having geometries that are also very different to each other.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A paint stripping apparatus (1 ) comprising:- movement means (2) configured to move at least one object (0) to be paint stripped along a paint stripping path (P);- laser paint stripping means (3) configured to emit a laser light beam adapted to remove a quantity of paint from the at least one object (0) to be paint stripped;- at least one orientation and alignment member (4) defining an abutment (5) adapted to intercept at least one object (0) to be paint stripped along said paint stripping path (P), said at least one orientation and alignment member (4) being configured to orient and / or align the at least one object (0) to be paint stripped with respect to said laser paint stripping means (3), so as to allow activation of said laser paint stripping means (3) on at least one object (0) to be paint stripped.

2. The paint stripping apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one orientation and alignment member (4) is fixed stably at a predetermined position along the paint stripping path (P), and wherein said movement means (2) is configured to move the at least one object (0) to be paint stripped so that the object (0) to be paint stripped is intercepted by said abutment (5) along said paint stripping path (P).

3. The paint stripping apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said at least one orientation and alignment member (4) defines a geometric interference with the movement of the at least one object (0) to be paint stripped along said paint stripping path (P); and wherein, in use, the interaction of the at least one object (0) to be paint stripped with said at least one orientation and alignment member (4) causes a rotation of the at least one object (0) to be paint stripped and a subsequent at least partial exceeding of said abutment (5) by the at least one object to the paint stripped (0) under the driving action of said movement means (2).

4. The paint stripping apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one orientation and alignment member (4) has at least one abutment element (7) defining said abutment (5), said at least one abutment element (7) extending transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to said paint stripping path (P).

5. The paint stripping apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said abutment element (7) is made in the shape of a bar and / or has a tubular shape.

6. The paint stripping apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said at least one orientation and alignment member (4) comprises a pair of fixing brackets (9) adapted to stably fix said abutment element (7) to respective fixing portions of said apparatus (1 ) so that said abutment (5) intercepts the at least one object (0) to be paint stripped along said paint stripping path (P).

7. The paint stripping apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising a first orientation and alignment member (41 ) and a second orientation and alignment member (42) arranged in succession along said paint stripping path (P), said first orientation and alignment member (41 ) and said second orientation and alignment member (42) being configured to orient and / or align the at least one object (0) to be paint stripped with respect to said laser paint stripping means (3).

8. The paint stripping apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said laser paint stripping means (3) comprises a first laser emitter (31 ) and a second laser emitter (32) arranged so that said paint stripping path (P) is at least partially interposed between said first laser emitter (31 ) and said second laser emitter (32) so as to be activated on atleast partially opposite portions of the at least one object (0) to be paint stripped.

9. The paint stripping apparatus according to claim 8 when dependent upon claim 7, wherein said first laser emitter (31 ) is arranged in proximity to said first orientation and alignment member (41 ) so as to be activated on the at least one object (0) to be paint stripped at least during a contact between the at least one object (0) to be paint stripped and said first orientation and alignment member (41 ); and wherein said second laser emitter (32) is arranged in proximity to said second orientation and alignment member (42) so as to be activated on the at least one object (0) to be paint stripped at least during a contact between the at least one object (0) to be paint stripped and said second orientation and alignment member (42).

10. The paint stripping apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said abutment (5) defines a reference (6) for said laser paint stripping means (3); and wherein said laser paint stripping means (3) is configured to focus said laser light beam in proximity and / or at said reference (6), defining a paint stripping zone (Z) inside which said laser light beam is activated on the object (0) to be paint stripped.

11. The paint stripping apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising constraint means (8) configured to constrain the at least one object (0) to be paint stripped to said movement means (2), said constraint means (8) being configured to allow a rotation of the at least one object (0) to be paint stripped with respect to said movement means (2) at least along an axis transverse, preferably perpendicular, to said paint stripping path (P), so that the interaction of the at least one object (0) to be paint stripped with the at least one orientation and alignment member (4) causes a rotation thereof and a subsequent at leastpartial exceeding of said abutment (5) under the driving action of said movement means (2).

12. The paint stripping apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein said laser paint stripping means (3) is configured so as to be activated at least partially on the at least one object (0) to be paint stripped during said rotation.

13. The paint stripping apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, wherein said constraint means (8) is configured to hang at least one object (0) to be paint stripped on said movement means (2).

14. The paint stripping apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said movement means (2) is configured to perform a continuous movement of the at least one object (0) to be paint stripped along said paint stripping path (P); and wherein said laser paint stripping means (3) is configured so as to be activated on the at least one object (0) to be paint stripped during said continuous movement.

15. The paint stripping apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising adjustment means configured to perform a relative movement between said laser paint stripping means (3) and said at least one orientation and alignment member (4).

16. A paint stripping method comprising the steps of:- moving at least one object (0) to be paint stripped along a paint stripping path (P);- intercepting the at least one object (0) to be paint stripped defining a paint stripping zone (Z);- focusing a laser light beam on said paint stripping zone (Z) to strip the paint from the at least one object (0) to be paint stripped.

17. The paint stripping method according to claim 16, comprising a step of rotating at least partially the at least one object (0) to be paint stripped with respect to an axis transverse, preferably perpendicular, to said paint stripping path (P); and wherein said step of stripping the paint from the at least one object (0) to be paint stripped is performed at least partially during said step of rotating at least partially the at least one object (0) to be paint stripped.

18. The paint stripping method according to claim 16 or 17, wherein said step of intercepting the at least one object (0) to be paint stripped comprises a step of producing a geometric interference with the movement of the at least one object (0) to be paint stripped along said paint stripping path (P).

19. The paint stripping method according to one or more of claims 16 to 18, wherein at least one of said steps is performed with an apparatus (1 ) according to one or more of claims 1 to 15.

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