The disclosure relates to a supply system for supplying multiple consumers with a substance to be applied, preferably paint, for application to motor vehicle bodies and/or add-on parts thereof. The supply system comprises a feed line, a return line, a first consumer device which comprises a first consumer, the first consumer being connected to the feed line and the return line and preferably forming a first consumer of the feed line in the flow direction of the substance to be applied, and a further consumer device which comprises a further consumer, the further consumer being connected to the feed line and the return line and preferably forming a last consumer of the feed line in the flow direction of the substance to be applied and/or being arranged after the first consumer in the flow direction of the substance to be applied. The supply system is distinguished in particular in that the feed line is connected to the return line via a connecting line. The disclosure relates further to an associated coating installation and to an associated supply method.

A system for indicating degraded operation of a robotic paint station is provided. The system includes a paint nozzle operable to spray paint upon a work piece, a paint supply tube system including a plurality of paint supply tubes operable to supply a flow of paint to the paint nozzle, a vacuum system connected to the paint supply tube system and operable to remove air pockets from the paint supply tube system, a pressure sensor connected to the vacuum system, and a computerized robot control module. The computerized robot control module is programmed to monitor data from the pressure sensor, compare the data to a threshold pressure value, and generate a maintenance warning indicating degraded vacuum system operation based upon the comparing.

A multicolor powder center is disclosed for supplying at least one powder spraying device with different types of coating powder as required. The multicolor powder center has a first powder container for receiving a first type of coating powder, at least one second powder container for receiving a second type of coating powder, and at least one pump unit comprising at least one powder pump. The pressure side of the at least one powder pump is fluidically connected or can be fluidically connected to the powder inlet of a powder spraying device. The at least one pump unit and/or the powder container can be moved relative to each other such that the suction side of the at least one powder pump is fluidically connected or can be fluidically connected either to the interior of the first powder container or the interior of the at least one second powder container as required.

A system for indicating degraded operation of a robotic paint station is provided. The system includes a paint nozzle operable to spray paint upon a work piece, a paint supply tube system including a plurality of paint supply tubes operable to supply a flow of paint to the paint nozzle, a vacuum system connected to the paint supply tube system and operable to remove air pockets from the paint supply tube system, a pressure sensor connected to the vacuum system, and a computerized robot control module. The computerized robot control module is programmed to monitor data from the pressure sensor, compare the data to a threshold pressure value, and generate a maintenance warning indicating degraded vacuum system operation based upon the comparing.

A colour change system for a powder coating facility comprises a plurality of containers 24a-24e each with a different colour powders; a conduit for conveying powder from one of the containers 24a-24e to a coating applicator 12; a suction unit 18 connected to the conduit and having an end-piece with a powder-drawing inlet opening; a cleaning unit 34; a translation mechanism for moving the end-piece; and a controller. The containers 24a-24e and the cleaning unit 34 each have an opening 25 for receiving the end piece. The controller effects a change of powder colour by controlling the translation mechanism to extract the end-piece from a first container 24d, to move it to the cleaning unit 34, and after cleaning to move the end piece to a second container 24e. The system allows automated cleaning between colour changes, which reduces operating downtime.

Example apparatuses and methods are provided for detecting a fault in a painting system. A fluid supply line such as a paint line or isolation line may have an outer wall formed of a material which permits light to be transmitted through the outer wall. First and second optical conduits may be provided, which are configured to transmit an optical signal through the outer wall and receive a reflected optical signal, respectively. An optical sensor may be in communication with the second optical conduit such that the optical sensor is configured to receive the reflected optical signal. A fault in the fluid supply line, e.g., traces of a previous color paint, air bubbles, or other contaminant, may be detected based upon a comparison of the received optical signal with the optical signal transmitted through the first optical conduit.

A device for changing processing media has a plurality of supply connections (2) that are arranged on a common carrier (1) and that are displaceable with respect to a tool coupling (3) in a displacement direction (6). Even in the case of a large number of supply connections (2) for the processing media, both a compact design and also a quick change of these supply connections (2) is possible where the carrier (1) is traversed by line segments (4) that, on the one carrier outer side, have supply connections (2) and, on the opposite carrier inner side, have coupling attachments (5) for coupling receptacles (8) of the tool coupling (3) that are arranged on the lateral surface, said tool coupling being mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation (7) that extends parallel to the carrier (1) and normal to the displacement direction (6).

An apparatus for applying an ultraviolet coating includes: a substantially vertically oriented frame; a first roll rotatably attached to the first side of the frame; a second roll rotatably attached to its second side; multiple nozzles disposed on the first side, above the first roll; a motor coupled to the second roll; an ultraviolet coating fluid reservoir disposed above, and coupled to, the nozzles, thereby providing the nozzles with the ultraviolet coating fluid; and an air compressor coupled to the nozzles, thereby providing the nozzles with compressed air. The ultraviolet coating fluid is provided to the nozzles solely via a gravity feed from the reservoir. In use, the motor causes sheet material, initially wound around the first roll, to advance up and over the frame and then wind onto the second roll, as the ultraviolet coating fluid is sprayed onto the sheet material by the nozzles.

Example apparatuses and methods are provided for detecting a fault in a painting system. A fluid supply line such as a paint line or isolation line may have an outer wall formed of a material which permits light to be transmitted through the outer wall. First and second optical conduits may be provided, which are configured to transmit an optical signal through the outer wall and receive a reflected optical signal, respectively. An optical sensor may be in communication with the second optical conduit such that the optical sensor is configured to receive the reflected optical signal. A fault in the fluid supply line, e.g., traces of a previous color paint, air bubbles, or other contaminant, may be detected based upon a comparison of the received optical signal with the optical signal transmitted through the first optical conduit.

The apparatus for coating systems comprises: a first feeding unit provided with first loading and unloading means of a first coating powder; a second feeding unit provided with second loading and unloading means of a second coating powder; a pump assembly associated with a spraying system for sending the first powder and the second powder into a coating booth; connecting means of the pump assembly to the first feeding unit and to the second feeding unit, variable between: a first configuration, in which the pump assembly is operatively connected to the first feeding unit for sending the first powder into the booth; and a second configuration, in which the pump assembly is operatively connected to the second feeding unit for sending the second powder into said booth.