Dip Coating Trajectory Simulation for Uniform Car Body Coating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current coating processes for complex bodies, such as car bodies, lack integration between digital simulation and automation, leading to suboptimal paint quality and increased process time, with limited flexibility to adapt to different body types.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that simulate different trajectories for moving bodies through a coating fluid, determining the optimal trajectory based on predefined conditions to achieve uniform coating and minimize deformation, using a processor to control drive components for precise movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional coating processes are used for complex bodies, then the coating can be applied, but the paint quality is suboptimal and process time is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaint qualityVSAvoidprocess time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary digital simulation of the coating process to determine optimal trajectories before actual coating. Multiple trajectories are simulated and evaluated to identify the best path, allowing the actual coating process to proceed efficiently with pre-optimized parameters, thus improving paint quality while reducing process time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a digital copy or virtual model of the coating process through simulation. This digital twin allows testing and optimization of different trajectories without affecting the actual physical coating process, enabling selection of optimal parameters that improve paint quality and reduce time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional coating processes are used, then coating can be performed, but flexibility to adapt to different body types is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility for different body typesVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes process parameters digitally through simulation rather than physically reconfiguring equipment. By adjusting trajectory parameters, speed, and other coating parameters in the simulation, the system can adapt to different body types efficiently. The actual coating device remains relatively simple while achieving high adaptability through parameter optimization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The digital simulation creates a virtual copy of the coating process that can be easily modified for different body types. This digital model allows rapid adaptation to various geometries and configurations without complicating the physical device, separating the complexity of adaptation from the physical system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Productivity

If simulation is integrated with automation control, then coating optimization is achieved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidsystem integration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex mechanical trial-and-error adjustment with digital simulation and automated control. Instead of physically testing different coating approaches, the system uses computational models to determine optimal parameters, then automatically executes them. This substitution of mechanical experimentation with digital calculation improves productivity while managing system complexity through software-based solutions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3477510B1System and method for coating a body
Publication Date: 2021.05.19 SIEMENS AG
  • EP3477510B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3477510B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3477510B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present disclosure is directed to a system and a method for coating at least a part of at least one body (110), the method comprising, through operation of at least one processor (102): determining a respective resulting coating layer based on simulating moving the respective body (110) at least partially through a coating fluid (122) of a dipping bath (120) along different trajectories; determining a first trajectory (140) out of the different simulated trajectories fulfilling one or more predefined conditions; and causing at least one drive component (130) for moving the respective body (110) to move the respective body (110) at least partially through the coating fluid (112) of the dipping bath (120) along the first trajectory (140) .