Coating method and associated coating installation

Abstract

The invention relates to a coating method for coating a component (6) with a coating agent by means of an applicator (1) which emits a coating agent jet (5) along a jet axis (4). This is preferably a painting method for painting a motor vehicle body component (6) with a paint by means of a rotary atomiser (1). The coating method of the invention comprises the following steps: * specifying a path point of the applicator (1) relative to the component (6) to be coated as part of a path planning process, wherein the path point also defines the angular position of the applicator (1) about the jet axis (4) thereof, * coating the component (6) at the specified path point by means of the applicator (1) at the angular position of the applicator (1) about the jet axis (4) thereof specified for the path point, * rotating the angular position of the applicator (1) specified at the path point or of an add-on part (7) of the applicator (1) about a rotational angle (β) in order to prevent uneven contamination, at the path point, of the applicator (1) or of the add-on part (7) caused by overspray. The invention also relates to a coating installation for carrying out the coating method according to the invention.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Coating process and associated coating system

[0003] Technical field of the invention

[0004] The invention relates to a coating method for coating a component (e.g., a vehicle body component) with a coating agent (e.g., paint) using an applicator (e.g., a rotary atomizer). The invention further relates to a coating system for carrying out the coating method according to the invention.

[0005] Background of the invention

[0006] In modern painting systems for painting vehicle body components, rotary atomizers are usually used as application devices, which use a rotating bell plate to deliver a spray jet of the paint to be applied onto the vehicle body component.

[0007] To improve application efficiency and prevent disruptive overspray, it is common practice to electrostatically charge the paint spray so that the applied paint adheres as completely as possible to the vehicle body being painted, which is therefore electrically grounded. For this electrostatic paint charging, an external charging ring can be mounted on the rotary atomizer. This ring has several external electrodes that are charged to a high-voltage potential, thereby also electrostatically charging the paint spray. For example, these external electrodes can be finger-shaped, or they can be embedded in the external charging ring with their electrode tips protruding only a few millimeters from it. A problem with this method is that the external charging ring, and especially the finger-shaped external electrodes, are prone to contamination during operation and therefore require occasional cleaning.In practice, this is done by hand cleaning; however, special cleaning devices are also known into which the rotary atomizer or the finger-shaped external electrodes are inserted. This cleaning of the external charging ring or the finger-shaped external electrodes, however, requires an interruption of the painting process, which leads to a disruptive reduction in the production rate.

[0008] Furthermore, it should be noted that the rotary atomizer is typically moved by a multi-axis painting robot along a predetermined painting path relative to the vehicle body being painted. This painting path is defined by numerous points along the path, which are traversed sequentially from the point where the paint is applied by the rotary atomizer. At each point along the path, the spatial position and orientation of the rotary atomizer are predetermined, including its angular position relative to its jet axis. Therefore, at a given point along the path, the outer electrodes of the external charging ring always have the same spatial orientation relative to the vehicle body being painted. This is problematic because the outer electrodes do not become contaminated uniformly, but rather unevenly.In paint shops, it therefore regularly happens that individual external electrodes are relatively heavily soiled and therefore require an interruption of the painting process for a cleaning process, while other external electrodes are hardly soiled and actually do not require cleaning.

[0009] This problem is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, which show a rotary atomizer 1 rotating a bell-shaped plate 2 around a rotational axis 3, as is known from the prior art. The bell-shaped plate 2 then emits a spray jet 5 of paint onto a motor vehicle body 6 along a jet axis 4. An external charging ring 7 is mounted on the rotary atomizer 1, which in this embodiment has eight finger-shaped external electrodes 8 distributed around its circumference. The contamination of the individual finger-shaped external electrodes 8 is shown in the drawings by the differently shaded hatching. It can be seen from the drawing that the finger-shaped external electrodes 8 are contaminated to varying degrees. Figure 2 shows that part of the spray jet 5 is deflected obliquely upwards, as indicated by an arrow 9.This leads to increased soiling of the outer electrodes 8 located there, while the opposite outer electrode 8 becomes less soiled. A disadvantage of the known painting process described above is therefore the fact that the external charging ring 7 and / or the outer electrodes 8 must be cleaned relatively frequently, which each time requires an interruption of the painting process.

[0010] For the general technical background of the invention, reference should also be made to DE 10 2016 010 945 B3.

[0011] Description of the invention

[0012] The invention is therefore based on the objective of creating an improved coating process and a corresponding coating system that less frequently require a cleaning process with a corresponding interruption of the painting process, without the risk that the contamination will impair the quality of the coating result.

[0013] This problem is solved by a coating process according to the invention as defined in the main claim and a corresponding coating system.

[0014] The coating method according to the invention is generally suitable for coating any type of component. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, however, the coating method serves to coat motor vehicle body components, as already explained in the introduction regarding the prior art. The invention is not, however, limited to specific component types with regard to the type of components to be coated.

[0015] Furthermore, it should be mentioned that the invention is fundamentally suitable for the application of various coating materials. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, however, the coating method serves to apply a varnish. The invention is not limited to varnishes with regard to the type of coating material.

[0016] Furthermore, it should be noted that in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the coating material is applied by means of a rotary atomizer. However, the invention is not limited to rotary atomizers with regard to the type of applicator, but can also be implemented with other types of applicators.

[0017] The coating process according to the invention initially provides, in accordance with the prior art described above, for path planning, wherein a coating path is specified within the path planning, which is to be traversed from a color impact point of the applicator (e.g., rotary atomizer). In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the position and orientation of the applicator are defined for each path point, which also includes the angular position of the applicator about its beam axis.

[0018] The term "jet axis" used in the context of the invention refers to the central axis of the coating agent jet emitted by the applicator. In the case of a rotary atomizer as the applicator, this is the axis of rotation of the bell-shaped plate.

[0019] The coating method according to the invention then provides, in accordance with the prior art described at the outset, that the component to be coated is coated at the predetermined path point by means of the applicator with the angular position of the applicator about its beam axis predetermined for the path point.

[0020] Basically, for each point in the applicator's path of movement, both the position and orientation of the applicator are precisely defined, as is known from the state of the art.

[0021] The invention is characterized, however, in that the applicator or an attachment component mounted on the applicator (e.g., an external charging ring) is not always aligned with the same angular position relative to the beam axis at a specific point in the path of motion. Instead, the angular position of the applicator and / or the attachment component of the applicator is rotated by a certain angle at the respective point in the path of motion in order to prevent uneven contamination of the applicator or the attachment component by overspray at that point. Thus, if, for example, the outer electrodes located on the upper side become more heavily contaminated than the outer electrodes located on the lower side at a particular point in the path of motion, rotating the external charging ring ensures that the individual outer electrodes are sometimes on top and sometimes on the bottom, and therefore become more evenly contaminated. This more even contamination of the outer electrodes...The applicator allows for longer cleaning intervals, meaning that cleaning is required less often and therefore the painting process is interrupted less frequently.

[0022] The twisting of the applicator or the attachment component (e.g. external charging ring) described above according to the invention can be carried out in various ways, which are briefly described below.

[0023] In one embodiment of the invention, the applicator is rotated as part of a path planning change, with the angular position of the applicator at the respective path point being altered with respect to its beam axis. This rotation is performed by a coating robot that moves the applicator along the path relative to the component to be coated. Thus, the angular position of the applicator at individual path points, as specified in the path planning, can be changed occasionally to enable more uniform soiling of the applicator or the attached component (e.g., external charging ring) on ​​the applicator. For example, the specified angular position of the applicator about its beam axis can be changed by 30° after each painting of a motor vehicle body.The path planning can therefore be changed, for example, after the painting of a motor vehicle body, by rotating the specified angle position of the applicator at the path points.

[0024] In a second embodiment of the invention, the path planning is not changed when rotating the applicator or the attachment component (e.g., external charging ring). Instead, this embodiment provides that the attachment component is removed from the applicator and then reattached to the applicator at a different mounting angle. Changing the mounting angle also results in a different contamination load at the individual path points, leading to more uniform contamination of the attachment component.

[0025] In a third embodiment of the invention, the attachment component (e.g., external charging ring) is rotatable relative to the applicator and can be rotated relative to the applicator during operation, for example, by a motor integrated into the rotary atomizer. In this embodiment as well, it is not necessary to change the path planning of the movement to achieve the effect according to the invention.

[0026] As mentioned above, the component attached to the applicator can be an external charging ring, which serves to electrostatically charge the applied coating material. This external charging ring has several external electrodes distributed around its circumference, arranged essentially equidistantly at a predetermined angular interval. The rotation of the applicator or the external charging ring according to the invention is therefore preferably carried out with an angle of rotation that is equal to a divisor or multiple of the angular distance between the adjacent external electrodes. With an angular distance of 60° between the adjacent external electrodes of the external charging ring, the rotation angle of the applicator or the external charging ring according to the invention can then, for example, be 30°.

[0027] Furthermore, as mentioned above, the applicator can be a rotary atomizer that, during operation, rotates a bell-shaped disc around a rotational axis in a predetermined direction. The rotation of the applicator and / or the attached component (e.g., external charging ring) according to the invention can be performed either in the direction of rotation of the bell-shaped disc or against the direction of rotation of the bell-shaped disc. Furthermore, the applicator (e.g., rotary atomizer) can have a steering air ring to shape the coating agent jet by blowing the coating agent jet with steering air from behind. For this purpose, the steering air ring has numerous steering air nozzles that are angled in a circumferential swirl direction. The rotation of the applicator to even out the contamination can be performed either in the swirl direction of the steering air nozzles or against the swirl direction of the steering air nozzles.

[0028] As briefly mentioned above, the rotation of the attachment component can be achieved by removing it (e.g., the external charging ring) from the applicator and then remounting it with a different mounting angle. A storage station can be used for this purpose, in which the attachment component is initially placed before being retrieved and then mounted back onto the applicator with a different mounting angle.

[0029] The above-described variant of the invention with an attachment component (e.g. external charging ring) that is rotatable relative to the applicator can also include a sliding contact between the applicator and the rotatable attachment component in order to transfer electrical energy from the applicator via the sliding contact to the rotatable attachment component (e.g. external charging ring).

[0030] Furthermore, it is possible that the attachment component on the applicator can be locked in a specific angular position, in particular by means of a magnetic locking mechanism, a pneumatic locking mechanism or a mechanical locking mechanism.

[0031] In the embodiment of the invention with the mounting component rotatable relative to the applicator, the rotation can be continuous, although the rotation of the mounting component can be interrupted during application pauses. The rotation of the mounting component relative to the applicator therefore preferably only occurs during the application of the coating material.

[0032] A motor can be integrated into the applicator to rotate the attachment relative to the applicator. For example, a pneumatic or electric motor can be used to rotate the attachment relative to the applicator. Alternatively, the rotation of the attachment relative to the applicator can be achieved by temporarily fixing the attachment and then rotating the applicator relative to the fixed attachment using the application robot. This changes the relative angular orientation of the attachment relative to the applicator. For example, the temporary fixing of the attachment for the relative rotation can take place in a storage station; that is, the application robot moves into the storage station where the attachment is temporarily fixed, after which the application robot performs the rotational movement.The application robot then moves out of the storage station.

[0033] Furthermore, it is also possible that the attachment component to be rotated is guided by the application robot together with the applicator to a rotating device, which then engages the attachment component and rotates it relative to the fixed applicator.

[0034] It was mentioned above that the angular position of the applicator or the applicator's attachment component is rotated at the respective path point. For example, this rotation can occur after coating a specific number of components, such as after painting a vehicle body. Alternatively, the rotation can occur after coating a coating module on the component to be coated, where the individual coating modules are partial areas (e.g., roof, hood, trunk lid, fenders, etc.) of the component surface to be coated. Furthermore, the rotation can also occur after a specific time or continuously. It can also be advantageous if the rotation occurs at random time intervals and / or by random angles.

[0035] Furthermore, it should be noted that the rotation of the applicator about its beam axis preferably occurs at all points along the applicator's path, and preferably by the same angle of rotation at all points. Therefore, if the path design is changed to rotate the applicator or the attachment component at individual points along the path, the angle of the applicator about its beam axis can be changed by a specific offset angle at all points along the path.

[0036] Furthermore, it should be noted that the applicator's rotation angle can be, for example, in the range of 5°–60°, 10°–50°, 20°–40°, or 25°–35°, with a rotation angle of 30° proving advantageous. As mentioned above, the attachment component can be an external charging ring, which serves to electrostatically charge the applied coating material, thereby improving the application efficiency and reducing disruptive overspray. It is possible to measure an electrical operating parameter of the electrostatic coating material charge in order to derive the degree of contamination of the external charging ring. The coating process can then be interrupted if the determined degree of contamination exceeds a predefined limit.

[0037] The coating process according to the invention has been described above. However, the invention also claims protection for a corresponding coating system for carrying out the coating process according to the invention. The coating system according to the invention comprises an applicator, an application robot, and a control unit. The coating system according to the invention is characterized in that the control unit contains a control program configured such that the coating system carries out the coating process according to the invention during operation.

[0038] Other device features of the coating system according to the invention are already apparent from the description of the coating process according to the invention, so that a separate description of the further device features can be omitted.

[0039] 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 embodiments of the invention with reference to the figures.

[0040] Brief description of the drawings

[0041] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a conventional rotary atomizer with an external charging ring that becomes unevenly soiled during operation.

[0042] Figure 2 shows the rotary atomizer from Figure 1 during the painting of the rear of a motor vehicle body.

[0043] Figure 3 shows the rotary atomizer from Figure 1 with uniform soiling of the finger-shaped outer electrodes, achieved by the twisting according to the invention. Figure 4 shows the representation according to Figure 2 with uniform soiling of the finger-shaped outer electrodes due to the twisting according to the invention.

[0044] Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of an interior paint finish in the interior of a motor vehicle body.

[0045] Figure 6 shows a flowchart to illustrate the coating process according to the invention.

[0046] Figure 7 shows a highly simplified schematic representation of a painting system according to the invention, in which the twisting is achieved by a modified path planning.

[0047] Figure 8 shows a highly simplified schematic representation of a painting system according to the invention, in which the rotation of the external charging ring is achieved by a motor in the rotary atomizer.

[0048] Figure 9 shows a highly simplified schematic representation of a painting system according to the invention, in which the rotation of the external charging ring is achieved by disassembly and subsequent assembly with a changed mounting angle.

[0049] Figure 10 shows a highly simplified schematic representation of a painting system according to the invention, in which the rotation of the external charging ring is achieved by a separate rotating device.

[0050] Figure 11 shows a modification of a rotary atomizer with an external charging ring with embedded external electrodes.

[0051] Detailed description of the drawings

[0052] Figures 3 and 4, which largely correspond to Figures 1 and 2 described at the beginning and which show the prior art, will now be described. In contrast to the prior art according to Figures 1 and 2, however, the path planning is changed after each vehicle body 6 has been painted, with a corresponding rotation of the rotary atomizer 1 together with the external charging ring 7 about the jet axis 4 of the spray jet 5. The external charging ring 7 is thus rotated by an angle β, where the angle β is equal to half the angular distance α between the adjacent external electrodes 8. When painting successive vehicle bodies 6, the rotary atomizer 1 is therefore rotated differently at each point in the path, so that the external electrodes 8 become more uniformly soiled, thus requiring less frequent cleaning.

[0053] Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of an interior painting process in the interior 10 of the vehicle body 6, with a door 11 of the vehicle body 6 being opened so that the rotary atomizer 1 can be inserted into the interior 10 of the vehicle body 6. Here too, it is provided that the rotary atomizer 1 is rotated about its jet axis 4 so that the rotary atomizer 1 is evenly coated.

[0054] In contrast to Figures 3 and 4, the rotary atomizer here has a compact external charging ring 7. This is advantageous for interior painting because relatively little space is available when painting the interior 10 of the vehicle body 6, whereas the finger-shaped external electrodes 8 of the external charging ring 7 require a relatively large amount of space.

[0055] Figure 1 shows a highly simplified flowchart to illustrate the coating process according to the invention.

[0056] In a first step S1, a paint path is defined along the vehicle body. This path consists of numerous points that are to be traversed sequentially from the point where the paint is applied by the rotary atomizer. At each point, the spatial position and orientation of the rotary atomizer are defined, including the angle of the rotary atomizer around its axis of rotation.

[0057] In the next step S2, the paint track is then driven by the rotary atomizer, whereby the vehicle body is painted.

[0058] In a subsequent step S3, it is checked whether rotation is necessary to achieve the most uniform possible soiling of the outer electrodes of the external charging ring. Alternatively, the invention also allows for the rotation to always be performed prophylactically, i.e., without a needs assessment. If this is the case, the path planning is modified in a step S4 by changing the angle of the rotary atomizer around its axis of rotation, as specified for each path point, by a rotation angle of, for example, 30°. This modification of the path planning, with the associated rotation of the specified angle of the rotary atomizer, can, for example, be performed after each painting of a motor vehicle body.

[0059] Figure 7 shows a highly simplified schematic representation of a painting system according to the invention, comprising a painting robot 12 that guides a rotary atomizer with an external charging ring. A controller 13 defines a robot path to be followed from the point where the paint is applied by the rotary atomizer. For each point along the defined robot path, the position and orientation of the rotary atomizer are determined, including the angle of the rotary atomizer about its jet axis. To achieve uniform soiling of the external charging ring, the defined robot path is occasionally adjusted by changing the angle of the rotary atomizer about its jet axis at each point along the path. This ensures uniform soiling of the external charging ring, thus allowing for less frequent cleaning cycles.

[0060] Figure 8 shows a modification of the embodiment according to Figure 7, so that to avoid repetition, reference is first made to the preceding description, using the same reference numerals for corresponding details.

[0061] A special feature of this embodiment is that a motor 14 is arranged in the rotary atomizer, which can rotate the external charging ring relative to the rotary atomizer in order to achieve the desired rotation that leads to more uniform soiling. In this case, the external charging ring is rotatably mounted on the rotary atomizer.

[0062] Figure 9 shows a further modification of the embodiment according to Figure 7, so that to avoid repetition, reference is again made to the preceding description, using the same reference numerals for corresponding details.

[0063] A special feature here is the provision of a storage station 15, in which the painting robot can place the external charging ring. The external charging ring is rotated by first removing it and placing it in storage station 15. It is then retrieved from storage station 15 at a different mounting angle, thus achieving the desired rotation.

[0064] Figure 10 shows a further modified embodiment of a painting system according to the invention, so that reference is made again to the preceding description to avoid repetition. A special feature of this embodiment is that a rotary device 16 is provided to achieve the desired rotation. The painting robot moves the rotary atomizer with the external charging ring towards the rotary device 16. The rotary device 16 can then engage the external charging ring and rotate it relative to the rotary atomizer, which is thereby fixed by the painting robot.

[0065] Figure 11 shows a modified embodiment of a rotary atomizer 1 for use within the scope of the invention, wherein this modified embodiment largely corresponds to the embodiments of rotary atomizers 1 described above, so that reference is made to the preceding description to avoid repetition, with the same reference numerals being used for corresponding details.

[0066] A special feature of this embodiment is that the outer electrodes 8 are almost completely embedded in the outer charging ring 7 and protrude only a few millimeters from the outer charging ring 7.

[0067] The invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. Rather, the invention also includes variants and modifications that likewise 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.

[0068] Advantages of the invention

[0069] The invention avoids defects or damage that can result from uneven soiling of an external charging ring or a rotary atomizer. Furthermore, the invention allows for longer cleaning intervals, meaning the painting process needs to be interrupted less frequently for cleaning.

[0070] As a result, the painting process becomes more efficient, which increases the cost-effectiveness, sustainability and service life of the system and all components.

[0071] Furthermore, by saving on cleaning agents, sustainability can be improved even further, which also enables a reduction in operating costs.

[0072] Reference symbol list

[0073] 1 rotary atomizer

[0074] 2 bell-shaped plates of the rotary atomizer

[0075] 3 Rotation axis of the bell plate of the rotary atomizer

[0076] 4. Beam axis of the spray jet

[0077] 5 Spray jet of the rotary atomizer

[0078] 6 Motor vehicle body

[0079] 7 External charging ring of the rotary atomizer

[0080] 8 outer electrodes of the external charging ring

[0081] 9 Arrow to illustrate the backflow of the spray jet to the external charging ring

[0082] 10 Interior of the motor vehicle body

[0083] 11 Door of the motor vehicle body

[0084] 12 painting robots with rotary atomizer and external charging ring

[0085] 13 Control

[0086] 14 Motor for rotating the external charging ring

[0087] 15 Storage station for disassembly and reversed assembly of the external charging ring

[0088] 16 Rotating device for rotating the external charging ring on the rotary atomizer a Angular distance between the external electrodes ß Rotation angle of the external charging ring

Claims

REQUIREMENTS 1. Coating method for coating a component (6) with a coating agent using an applicator (1) which emits a coating agent jet (5) along a jet axis (4), in particular a painting method for painting a motor vehicle body component (6) with a paint using a rotary atomizer (1), comprising the following steps: a) specifying a path point of the applicator (1) relative to the component (6) to be coated within the framework of path planning, wherein the path point also defines the angular position of the applicator (1) about its jet axis (4), and b) coating the component (6) at the specified path point using the applicator (1) with the angular position of the applicator (1) about its jet axis (4) specified for the path point.characterized by the following step: c) Rotating the angular position of the applicator (1) or an attachment component (7) of the applicator (1) specified at the path point by a rotation angle (β) about the jet axis (4) in order to at least partially prevent uneven contamination of the applicator (1) or the attachment component (7) by overspray at the path point.

2. Coating method according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotation at the predetermined path point is carried out a) by changing the path planning with a changed angular position of the applicator (1) at the predetermined path point, wherein the rotation is carried out by a coating robot (12) which moves the applicator (1) along a movement path relative to the component (6) to be coated, or b) by changing the mounting angle of the attachment component (7) on the applicator (1) while maintaining the predetermined path planning with the predetermined angular position of the applicator (1) at the predetermined path point, in particular by disassembling the attachment component (7) from the applicator (1) and subsequently assembling the attachment component (7) with the changed mounting angle on the applicator (1).or c) by rotating the attachment component (7) relative to the applicator (1) without disassembling the attachment component (7) from the applicator (1) and while maintaining the specified path planning with the specified angular position of the applicator (1), the specified trajectory point.

3. Coating method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a) the attachment component (7) is an external charging ring (7) for electrostatically charging the applied coating material, b) the external charging ring (7) has several external electrodes (8) distributed over the circumference of the external charging ring (7) and arranged substantially equidistantly with a predetermined angular distance (a), and c) the rotation angle (β) of the applicator (1) is substantially equal to a divisor or multiple of the angular distance (a) between the adjacent external electrodes (8).

4. Coating method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a) the applicator (1) is a rotary atomizer (1) which, during operation, rotates a bell plate (2) with a predetermined direction of rotation about an axis of rotation, and b) that the rotation of the applicator (1) and / or the attachment component (7) takes place in the direction of rotation of the bell plate (2) or against the direction of rotation of the bell plate (2).

5. Coating method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a) the applicator (1) has a steering air ring for shaping the coating medium jet (5) by blowing the coating medium jet (5) from behind with steering air, b) the steering air ring has several steering air nozzles which are angled in a helical direction in the circumferential direction, and c) the twisting of the applicator (1) at the predetermined path point takes place in the helical direction of the steering air nozzles or against the helical direction of the steering air nozzles.

6. Coating method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a) the attachment component (7) of the applicator (1) is detachably mounted on the applicator (1), and b) the twisting at the web point is carried out by removing the attachment component (7) from the applicator (1) and then remounting it on the applicator (1) with a different mounting angle, c) that the attachment component (7) is preferably an external charging ring (7) for electrostatically charging the coating material applied by the applicator (1).

7. Coating method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a) the attachment component (7) is rotatable relative to the applicator (1) during coating operation, and b) the rotation of the angular position of the attachment component (7) of the applicator (1) predetermined at the web point is carried out by rotating the attachment component (7) relative to the applicator (1) while maintaining the predetermined angular position of the applicator (1) at the web point.

8. Coating method according to claim 7, characterized in that a) the rotatable attachment component (7) is connected to the applicator (1) via a sliding contact in order to transmit electrical energy from the applicator (1) to the rotatable attachment component (7), and / or b) the attachment component (7) can be locked on the applicator (1) in a specific angular position, in particular by a magnetic locking mechanism, a pneumatic locking mechanism or a mechanical locking mechanism, and / or c) the attachment component (7) is continuously rotated relative to the applicator (1) during the application of the coating material, and / or d) the rotation of the attachment component (7) relative to the applicator (1) only takes place during the application of the coating material and is interrupted during application breaks, and / or e) the rotation of the attachment component (7) relative to the applicator (1) takes place continuously during the application of the coating material.

9. Coating method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that a) the rotation of the attachment component (7) relative to the applicator (1) is effected by a motor (14) in the applicator (1), in particular by a pneumatic motor or an electric motor, or b) the rotation of the attachment component (7) relative to the applicator (1) is effected by temporarily fixing the attachment component (7) and rotating the applicator (1) relative to the fixed attachment component (7) by a coating robot, or c) the rotation of the attachment component (7) relative to the applicator (1) is effected by a The coating robot guiding the applicator (1) fixes the applicator (1) and a separate rotary device (16) rotates the attachment component (7) relative to the fixed applicator (1).

10. Coating method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a) the angular position of the applicator (1) or the attachment component (7) of the applicator (1) is rotated at the path point a) after coating a certain number of components (6), in particular after each component (6), a2) after coating each coating module on the component (6) to be coated, wherein the coating modules are partial areas of the component surface to be coated, a3) after a certain time has elapsed, a4) continuously, a5) at random time intervals and / or by random angles of rotation, and / or a6) depending on an evaluation of high-voltage data of an electrostatic coating agent charge, and / or b) that the rotation of the applicator (1) about its beam axis (4) takes place at all path points of the movement path of the applicator (1), preferably by the same angle of rotation at all path points.and / or c) that the angle of rotation (β) of the applicator (1) is in the range of 5°-60°, 10°-50°, 20°-40°, 25°-35°, in particular at substantially 30°.

11. Coating method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a) the attachment component (7) is an external charging ring (7) for electrostatically charging the applied coating material, b) the applied coating material is charged by electrostatic charging via the external charging ring (7) to improve the application efficiency and reduce the disruptive overspray, c) an electrical operating parameter of the electrostatic coating material charge is measured, d) a degree of soiling is determined from the measured electrical operating parameter and / or from a recorded camera image of the electrostatic coating material charge of the applicator (1) and / or the external charging ring (7), and e) that the coating process is interrupted for a cleaning process if the determined degree of contamination of the applicator (1) and / or the external charging ring (7) exceeds a predetermined limit.

12. Coating system for coating a component (6) with a coating agent, in particular a painting system for painting a motor vehicle body component with a paint, comprising a) an applicator (1) which emits a coating agent jet (5) along a jet axis (4), in particular as a rotary atomizer (1), b) a coating robot (12) which moves the applicator (1) relative to the component (6) to be coated, and c) a control system (13) which controls the coating robot (12) according to a control program, characterized in that d) the control program is configured such that the coating system performs the coating process according to one of the preceding claims during operation.

13. Coating system according to claim 12, characterized by a) that the coating system has a storage station (15) for storing the attachment component (7) in the storage station (15) and for subsequently picking up the attachment component (7) for mounting on the applicator (1) with a twisted mounting angle, b) that the control (13) of the coating system preferably also controls the storage station (15), or c) that the storage station (15) functions purely mechanically.

14. Coating system according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that a) the attachment component (7) is rotatable relative to the applicator (1), b) a motor (14) is integrated into the applicator (1) to rotate the attachment component (7) relative to the applicator (1), and c) the control (13) of the coating system preferably also controls the motor (14) in the applicator (1).

15. Coating system according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that a) the coating system has a rotary device (16) to rotate the attachment component (7) to rotate relative to the applicator (1) while the applicator (1) is fixed by the coating robot, b) that the control (13) of the coating system preferably also controls the rotating device (16).

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