A high speed granule delivery system and method is disclosed for dispensing granules in intermittent patterns onto a moving asphalt coated strip in the manufacture of roofing shingles. The system includes a granule hopper and a rotationally indexable pocket wheel in the bottom of the hopper. A series of pockets are formed in the circumference of the wheel and the pockets are separated by raised lands. A seal on the bottom of the hopper seals against the raised lands as the wheel is indexed. In use, the pockets of the pocket wheel drive through and are filled with granules in the bottom of the hopper. As each pocket is indexed beyond the seal, it is exposed to the moving asphalt coated strip below and its granules fall onto the strip to be embedded in the hot tacky asphalt. The speed at which the wheel is indexed is coordinated with the speed of the asphalt coated strip so that granules and strip are moving at about the same forward speed or at a preselected ratio of speeds when the granules fall onto the strip. Well defined patterns of granules are possible at high production rates.

A system includes a machine tool having a clamp. The system also includes a processing head configured to be temporarily held by the clamp of the machine tool. The processing head is also configured to deposit one or more media onto a workpiece. The processing head includes a guide configured to direct energy from an energy source onto the workpiece and/or the one or more media. The processing head also includes one or more supplies including one or more reservoirs within the processing head. The one or more reservoirs are configured to receive the one or more media, store the one or more media as the processing head is moved from one location to another location, and provide the one or more media.

A system includes a machine tool having a clamp. The system also includes a processing head configured to be temporarily held by the clamp of the machine tool. The processing head is also configured to deposit one or more media onto a workpiece. The processing head includes a guide configured to direct energy from an energy source onto the workpiece and/or the one or more media. The processing head also includes one or more supplies including one or more reservoirs within the processing head. The one or more reservoirs are configured to receive the one or more media, store the one or more media as the processing head is moved from one location to another location, and provide the one or more media.

A method and apparatus for applying or dropping granules onto the asphalt coated surface of a moving sheet in shingle manufacturing is disclosed. The method includes sharing each drop between two or more blend rolls with a subsequent blend roll or rolls applying a partial drop directly on top of partial drops already applied by a first blend roll or rolls. High production speeds can be accommodated since each roll can be operated at slower rotation rates and with slower acceleration and deceleration requirements than would be required if the full granule drop were applied during the same time interval with a single blend roll.

A method and apparatus for applying or dropping granules onto the asphalt coated surface of a moving sheet in shingle manufacturing is disclosed. The method includes sharing each drop between two or more blend rolls with a subsequent blend roll or rolls applying a partial drop directly on top of partial drops already applied by a first blend roll or rolls. High production speeds can be accommodated since each roll can be operated at slower rotation rates and with slower acceleration and deceleration requirements than would be required if the full granule drop were applied during the same time interval with a single blend roll.

Provided is a powder coating device. The powder coating device performs powder coating by inserting peeled parts at a lower end of a stator into a powder flow tank filled with a powder resin and includes: a surface height measurement part measuring a surface height of the powder resin; a peel height measurement part measuring a height of upper ends of the peeled parts; a swing part swinging the powder resin; an air supply part supplying air toward the powder flow tank via a porous body provided below an open bottom surface of the powder flow tank, and flowing the powder resin; and an adjustment part adjusting at least one of an air flow rate, a swing amount of the powder flow tank, an entry posture and an entry amount of the stator according to measurement results of the surface height measurement part and the peel height measurement part.

Provided is a powder coating device. The powder coating device performs powder coating by inserting peeled parts at a lower end of a stator into a powder flow tank filled with a powder resin and includes: a surface height measurement part measuring a surface height of the powder resin; a peel height measurement part measuring a height of upper ends of the peeled parts; a swing part swinging the powder resin; an air supply part supplying air toward the powder flow tank via a porous body provided below an open bottom surface of the powder flow tank, and flowing the powder resin; and an adjustment part adjusting at least one of an air flow rate, a swing amount of the powder flow tank, an entry posture and an entry amount of the stator according to measurement results of the surface height measurement part and the peel height measurement part.

Coloring systems and methods include a reservoir that holds a colorant. A vibrator motor is attached to the reservoir and applies a vibration to the reservoir to cause the colorant to collect at a bottom of the reservoir. An auger moves the colorant from the reservoir to an outlet.

A dispensing device for granular or powdered materials, comprising: a main body; a dispensing channel, arranged at least partially in the main body and provided with a longitudinal axis, an inlet opening and an outlet opening; a suction means, provided to retain, upon command, at least a part of granular or powdered material inside the dispensing channel, so as to form an accumulation that obstructs the dispensing channel and prevents the flow of material; at least one suction opening, placed in communication with the dispensing channel and with the suction means; a filter, interposed between the suction opening and the dispensing channel; a ventilation portion, associated with the main body and connected to the inlet opening, which is provided with an outer surface placed in communication with an environment at a determined pressure.

A dispensing device for granular or powdered materials, comprising: a main body; a dispensing channel, arranged at least partially in the main body and provided with a longitudinal axis, an inlet opening and an outlet opening; a suction means, provided to retain, upon command, at least a part of granular or powdered material inside the dispensing channel, so as to form an accumulation that obstructs the dispensing channel and prevents the flow of material; at least one suction opening, placed in communication with the dispensing channel and with the suction means; a filter, interposed between the suction opening and the dispensing channel; a ventilation portion, associated with the main body and connected to the inlet opening, which is provided with an outer surface placed in communication with an environment at a determined pressure.