Drop-on-Demand Robot Applicator Edge Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods using drop on demand technology struggle to achieve a clean edge when coating surfaces of variable width, as the inter-drop distance often results in incomplete coverage and irregular edges, especially when the surface width is not a multiple of the inter-drop distance.
Innovation Solution
A method where a robot applicator calculates the coordinates of a surface's contour points and adjusts the spacing between drops to ensure the last drop is centered on a reference point, allowing for precise deposition and straight edges, even on surfaces with varying widths, by modifying the nozzle's opening frequency or speed based on actual position and speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the inter-drop distance is kept constant during nozzle movement, then the deposition process is simple and fast, but the last drop cannot be positioned precisely on the reference point resulting in irregular edges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the inter-drop distance variable rather than constant. The control system dynamically adjusts the distance between consecutive drops based on the nozzle's position and velocity, allowing the last drop to be precisely positioned on the reference point while maintaining a relatively simple control approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of inter-drop distance from a fixed value to a variable parameter that is continuously adjusted during deposition. This parameter change enables precise positioning of the last drop on the reference point, achieving straight edges without requiring complex control systems.
2Manufacturing precision
If the nozzle opening frequency is adjusted to achieve precise drop positioning, then the edge quality improves, but the deposition speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the parameter of opening frequency by adjusting it dynamically during deposition. The frequency is modified based on the nozzle's actual position and velocity, allowing precise drop positioning while maintaining high deposition speed. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between precision and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system incorporates feedback by using the nozzle's actual position and velocity information to adjust the opening frequency. This feedback mechanism ensures that drops are deposited at the correct positions even when the nozzle moves at high speed, maintaining both precision and productivity.
3Manufacturing precision
If several passes are made to cover the entire surface width, then complete coverage is achieved, but the number of passes increases leading to longer processing time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by calculating the coordinates of contour points and determining the optimal deposition path before actual deposition begins. This pre-planning allows the nozzle to cover the entire surface width in fewer passes by optimizing the trajectory, thereby reducing processing time while ensuring complete coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from traditional linear passes to a more complex two-dimensional trajectory that follows the surface contour. By utilizing another dimension in the movement path, the system achieves complete surface coverage in fewer passes, reducing the total processing time.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for applying a coating product using the drop on demand technology, wherein the coating product is deposited by a robot applicator including a controller and at least one nozzle with sequential opening, commanded by the controller, the method including moving the nozzle of the robot applicator between a starting point and an arrival point, the projections of which, along the ejection axis of the nozzle, on the surface to be coated, define first and second reference points respectively belonging to two edges of the surface to be coated, in order to deposit a series of drops between the two edges, the spacing between the respective centers of two successive drops being adjusted by the controller as a function of the length of the journey between the two reference points and such that the last drop is deposited in a centered manner on the second reference point.