Coating Machine Paper Path Control for Panel Painting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current painting machines for panels consume excessive absorbent paper, which becomes sticky and prone to tearing when dirty, leading to production inefficiencies and increased costs due to the need for frequent operator intervention and high paper consumption.

Innovation Solution

A machine with a winding/unwinding roller system that keeps clean paper wound to support panels during painting, allowing the dirty paper to be wound without unwinding, and using return movable means to change the paper path without unwinding the dirty paper, thus reducing paper consumption and maintaining production efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If absorbent paper is used to collect overspray during painting, then paint waste is absorbed, but the paper becomes sticky and prone to tearing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaint waste absorptionVSAvoidpaper integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a system where the paper band is automatically advanced after use and replaced with fresh paper. The used paper is discarded while new paper is continuously supplied, eliminating the problem of sticky and torn paper. This is achieved through coordinated advancement of the paper band and automatic replacement mechanisms that ensure continuous supply of clean paper without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Quantity of substance

If dirty paper is re-wound to support new panels, then paper consumption is reduced, but production is slowed due to paper sticking and tearing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaper consumptionVSAvoidproduction speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent ensures continuous production by implementing automatic paper advancement and replacement systems. The paper band is continuously advanced as panels are painted, and when the paper becomes dirty, it is automatically replaced without interrupting the painting process. This eliminates production slowdowns while maintaining paper efficiency through coordinated mechanical systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs automatic paper advancement and replacement without manual intervention. The machine itself manages the paper supply, advancing the paper band and replacing used paper automatically, which eliminates the need for operators to handle sticky and torn paper manually, thereby maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If operators manually handle paper loading and unloading, then paper can be replaced, but operating costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaper replacement capabilityVSAvoidoperating cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automatic paper advancement and replacement systems that eliminate the need for manual operator intervention. The machine automatically advances the paper band, replaces used paper, and coordinates with the panel handling systems, thereby reducing labor costs and operating expenses while maintaining ease of operation through automated mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Loss of energy

If a single operator handles both loading and unloading, then labor cost is reduced, but the same paper must be re-wound causing sticking and tearing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelabor costVSAvoidpaper reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous automatic paper advancement and replacement systems that allow a single operator to manage the entire process without handling dirty paper. The paper band is continuously advanced and automatically replaced, eliminating the need to re-wind dirty paper while maintaining paper reliability and reducing labor requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution reduces paper consumption, minimizes production interruptions, and maintains high efficiency by avoiding the need to handle sticky and torn dirty paper, while allowing for both manual and robotic operation with reciprocating and robotic spraying arms.

Implementation Method 1

the paper band, which slides in a coordinated fashion on the conveyor belt, to absorb or collect the waste of the treatment of said treatment means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3639931B1Device for coating and method thereof
Publication Date: 2021.07.14 ELMAG SPA
  • EP3639931B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3639931B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2E
  • EP3639931B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3E

AI summary

The present invention concerns a machine (1) for the treatment, such as painting, of workpieces (P), such as panels (P), made of wood, plastic, fiberglass, glass, metal and the like, comprising means for the treatment (23, 24) of at least one of said workpieces (P) to be treated, and a dragging system (5), for dragging a paper band (6), wherein the dragging system (5) comprises a winding roller (51) and a winding/unwinding roller (52), wherein said machine (1) is characterized in that the winding roller (51) wind the dirty paper (62), which has been dirtied by the treatment of at least one workpiece (P) by means of said treatment means (23, 24), in that said winding/unwinding roller (52) wind or unwind the clean paper (61), wherein the clean paper (61) is intended to support at least one workpiece (P) to be treated by means of said treatment means (23, 24) and to absorb or collect the waste of the treatment of said treatment means (23, 24), becoming dirty paper (62), and in that said machine (1) includes return movable means (54), movable from a rest position to an operating position, wherein said return movable means (54) pass from said rest position to said operating position to change the path of the paper (6) unwound or wound by said winding/unwinding roller (52) for a section sufficient to support said at least one workpiece (P) without unwinding the dirty paper (62), and wherein said return movable means (54) pass from said operating position to said rest position to provide clean paper (61) to support said at least one workpiece (P), which is wound by said winding/unwinding roller (52), without unwinding said dirty paper (62). The present invention also concerns a method of treating at least one piece (P), a computer program and a storage medium.