Spray Booth Product Change Station for Rapid Color Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current painting systems face challenges in reducing machine downtime and simplifying product change processes, particularly in oscillating spraying systems, due to complex movement systems and lengthy color change procedures, which hinder efficient customization and production flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A product change station is designed with rectilinear and transverse coupling paths for spraying tools, utilizing a motorized linear actuator to align discharge ducts with spraying tools, enabling quick and sealed connections through mechanical and electronic sensors for precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a complex movement system is used to position spraying tools in oscillating spraying systems, then the spraying tools can reach various positions, but the machine downtime increases and product change processes become lengthy
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the positioning function by providing dedicated discharge ducts for different spraying tools, allowing independent alignment and connection without moving the entire spraying tool assembly. This segmentation enables rapid product changes while maintaining the ability to position each tool precisely.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge ducts are pre-positioned and aligned in advance along the movement path of the spraying tools. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for complex real-time positioning during product changes, significantly reducing machine downtime while maintaining adaptability.
2Speed
If the discharge duct is aligned with the movement path of the spraying tool, then quick connection is achieved, but the coupling path becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system resolves the coupling path complexity by aligning discharge ducts along the movement path dimension of the spraying tools. This dimensional alignment allows quick connection without requiring complex lateral or vertical coupling mechanisms, maintaining simplicity while achieving high connection speed.
3Manufacturing precision
If mechanical and electronic sensors are used for precise alignment, then connection precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical design of the discharge ducts and spraying tool connections incorporates self-aligning features that work in conjunction with simple electronic sensors. The geometry and movement constraints provide inherent alignment guidance, reducing the complexity of the sensor system while maintaining high connection precision.
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatus for spray painting, i.e. with a spray booth provided in combination with at least one product change station (20) to the spraying tools (111), wherein said spray booth comprises: - a system (107) for conveying one or more pieces to be painted inside said booth and for evacuating said pieces from said booth at the end of painting; - a supply circuit of a painting product and/or a solvent to one or more spraying tools (111); - at least one spraying tool (111) comprising at least one spray nozzle which spraying tool is carried by at least one support arm (110) and which support arm can be moved forwards and backwards along a working path a predetermined direction, having a predetermined orientation relative to the transit path of the pieces to be painted through said booth; - at least one product change station (20); - said station being provided with a discharge system, i.e. a discharge or evacuation system, which can be connected to the said at least one spraying tool and/or to the supply circuit of the same in combination with a supply system to the said spraying tools of one or more paint products and/or solvents; - said at least one station being provided in a predetermined position in the painting booth with reference to the working path of the support arm (110) of said at least one spraying tool (111); - and wherein - said at least one spraying tool (111) is provided in combination with at least one terminal (113, 114) for sealing coupling to at least one discharging duct (120) of said discharging system; - which sealing coupling terminal (113, 114) on said movable arm (110) moves along a predetermined trajectory together with the movement of the movable arm along said working path; - said discharge duct (120) is provided with a terminal (121) for sealing coupling with said corresponding sealing terminal (113, 114) of said at least one spraying tool (111) and - said product change station (20), or said discharging duct (120) and/or said sealing terminal (121) to the corresponding terminal (113, 114) of said at least one spraying tool (111 ) are provided in coincidence with a dedicated section and/or point of the path of the terminal (113, 114) of said at least one spraying tool (111), in correspondence with which the two terminals (113, 114, 121) respectively of said at least one spraying tool (111) and said discharging duct (120) are in an aligned position with reference to a reciprocal coupling stroke; - said terminal (113, 114) of said at least one spraying tool (111) and/or said terminal (121) of the discharge duct (120) or said discharge duct (120) itself being movable relatively to each other along said coupling stroke in the direction of reciprocal coupling, automatically when said terminals (113, 114, 121) are aligned with each other with reference to said stroke, motorized movement members (140) being provided which can be activated alternately for the approach in sealed coupling condition of said terminals (113, 114, 121) and for the mutual separation in decoupling condition.