Methods and apparatus for applying powder to workpieces

US5474609A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Nordson Corporation · US

Inventors

• Douglas C. Mulder · Wellington, US
• Ronald E. Niemiec · Elyria, US
• Joseph A. E. Pintelon · Lennik, BE
• Harald Pleuse · Langenfeld, DE
• Lawrence J. Macartney · Lorain, US
• Masafumi Matsunaga · Yokohama, JP
• Don R. Scarbrough · Elyria, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 30, 1992
• Grant date: Dec 12, 1995
• Expiry date: Jun 30, 2012

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B05B13/0609
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

An apparatus for spraying powder coating material includes a rotatable turret which moves articles to and from a work station. A powder spray gun is operable to spray a pattern onto each of the articles in turn while the article is at the work station. The powder flows through the spray gun as a series of pulses. A diverter assembly is operable to divert a portion of each pulse of powder away from the nozzle to more sharply define the pulse. An excess powder collector draws a flow of powder away from the work station. A virgin powder container supplies powder to a powder collector container which supplies powder to a powder feed container which supplies powder to the spray gun. Sensors associated with the virgin, collector and feed containers ensure that a predetermined quantity of powder is maintained in each container. During transport of powder from the virgin and collector containers, the containers and their associated pumps are vibrated to facilitate the flow of powder. The powder spray gun is mounted on a three axis adjustment assembly to enable the powder spray gun nozzle to be accurately positioned relative to an article at the work station.