Spray Gun Adjustment System for IC Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing can spraying/coating machinery requires manual adjustments by skilled operators to position and angle spray guns accurately, which is challenging for inexperienced operators and leads to issues like nozzle clogging and overspray, especially during changes in can size or coating viscosity.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of electro-mechanical or pneumatic actuators, such as servo motors and pneumatic valves, to automatically adjust the position and angle of spray guns in three dimensions, allowing for preset settings and self-cleaning mechanisms to prevent nozzle clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual adjustments are used by skilled operators, then spray gun positioning accuracy is improved, but operator dependency and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment operations with an automated control system that uses sensors to detect can dimensions and automatically calculates and positions spray gun parameters, eliminating the need for skilled operator intervention while maintaining positioning accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically detecting can characteristics through sensors and autonomously computing the optimal spray gun positioning and angles without requiring external operator input or expertise
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustments are used for different can sizes, then adaptability is improved, but adjustment time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts to different can sizes by using real-time sensor data to automatically recalculate and adjust spray gun positioning parameters, eliminating the time-consuming manual adjustment process for each can size change
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensor feedback to detect can dimensions and automatically adjusts spray gun parameters based on the detected characteristics, enabling rapid adaptation to different can sizes without manual intervention
3Manufacturing precision
If spray guns are positioned for maximum coverage, then coating coverage is improved, but overspray and material loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system optimizes spray gun positioning parameters including angle and distance based on detected can dimensions to achieve maximum coating coverage while minimizing overspray and material loss through precise parameter control
Data Source
AI summary
An improved device for adjusting spray guns in an IC spray machine. Adjustments may be done using electro-mechanical or pneumatic actuators, and may rotate the nozzles toward an evacuation hood for cleaning, etc. Two actuators are used per spray gun, one mechanically engaged to a slide which moves the gun in translation (traversing in the X dimension), one which is mechanically engaged to a bracket which in turn is mechanically engaged to the gun mount, so the gun may be either moved or rotated. In addition, a Z-axis beam allows control in depth by an additional actuator/motor.