A mask frame assembly includes a frame, an open mask, and stick masks. The open mask is supported by the frame. The stick masks are disposed on the open mask and include ends coupled to the frame. The open mask includes: a first opening disposed in association with opposing ends of the open mask; and a second opening disposed between the first openings, the second opening being larger than the first opening. First deposition patterns of a first stick mask of the stick masks and second deposition patterns of a second stick mask of the stick masks overlap the second opening.

A computer-implemented system and method for operating mobile automated workstations in a workspace including a workpiece is disclosed. A computer device defines an exclusionary volume having an outer exclusionary surface at least partially surrounding a mobile workstation that is operably disposed in the workspace. The computer device receives data from at least one sensor and determines the location of the workstation and humans within the workspace based on the data. The computer device activates an indicator and alters the motion of the workstation after detection of a human breaching the exclusionary volume or exclusionary surface.

Automated painting of a shoe sole portion is enhanced by use of a mask cover and an air knife with a paint assembly. The mask cover is positioned in front of a paint-emitting portion of a spray nozzle and is adapted to obstruct at least a portion of the paint intended to be emitted by the spray nozzle. The air knife is coupled to the mask cover and is adapted to emit a laminar fluid flow over the mask cover. The laminar fluid flow helps to limit unwanted diffusion of the paint as it passes along its intended spray path.

Automated painting of a shoe sole portion is enhanced by use of a mask cover and an air knife with a paint assembly. The mask cover is positioned in front of a paint-emitting portion of a spray nozzle and is adapted to obstruct at least a portion of the paint intended to be emitted by the spray nozzle. The air knife is coupled to the mask cover and is adapted to emit a laminar fluid flow over the mask cover. The laminar fluid flow helps to limit unwanted diffusion of the paint as it passes along its intended spray path.

The invention relates to a method for marking sports field by placing stripes of paint according to a predefined plan via a spraying nozzle on a level playing surface such as grass, gravel, ice, artificial grass or synthetic material field. A robot unit is provided that is configured to move along the stripes according to the predefined plan. The robot unit receives signals from a number of GPS sending units and continuously calculates its current position on the sports field, and uses the current position on the sports field to calculate a set of control signals to two or more movable elements for propulsion of the unit and for controlling the emission of paint. The invention also relates to a robot unit and use of a robot unit for marking fields.

A computer implemented system and method of coating a workpiece includes moving a coating applicator mounted to a coating dispensing robot relative to a workpiece and moving a mask mounted to a masking robot relative to the workpiece, wherein the mask is positioned between the coating applicator and the workpiece. A portion of the coating dispensed by the applicator is deposited on the workpiece, and another portion is intercepted by and deposited onto the mask. A desired pattern of coating can be deposited by moving the mask or dispenser or both in a coordinated manner.

An apparatus for selectively restricting deposition of a spray coating on a substrate surface includes at least one substrate-contacting stabilizer with a lower stabilizer surface which is selectively attachable to the substrate surface. A restrictor fin has a fin body having longitudinally separated upper and lower fin surfaces. An inner fin edge is connected to an inner stabilizer edge with an obtuse angle formed therebetween when viewed in a lateral-longitudinal plane. A plurality of transversely oriented fin apertures extend through the fin body. Each laterally adjacent pair of fin apertures defines a transversely oriented restrictor bar from the fin body interposed laterally therebetween. The fin apertures permit at least a portion of the spray coating to pass substantially longitudinally therethrough toward the substrate surface. The restrictor bars selectively prevent passage of at least a portion of the spray coating toward the substrate surface.

A method of coating a substrate with a washcoat using a substrate coating apparatus is disclosed. The method comprises locating the substrate below the washcoat showerhead; bringing the partition ring into contact with the face of the substrate to thereby define a central region of the face of the substrate which lies within an interior of the partition ring and a peripheral region of the face of the substrate which lies outside the partition ring; conveying washcoat from the source of the washcoat, along the conduit and through the washcoat showerhead; discharging the washcoat out of the nozzle apertures towards the face of the substrate, the showerhead plate of the washcoat showerhead discharging washcoat onto both the central region and the peripheral region of the face of the substrate.

A method of coating a substrate with a washcoat using a substrate coating apparatus is disclosed. The method comprises locating the substrate below the washcoat showerhead; bringing the partition ring into contact with the face of the substrate to thereby define a central region of the face of the substrate which lies within an interior of the partition ring and a peripheral region of the face of the substrate which lies outside the partition ring; conveying washcoat from the source of the washcoat, along the conduit and through the washcoat showerhead; discharging the washcoat out of the nozzle apertures towards the face of the substrate, the showerhead plate of the washcoat showerhead discharging washcoat onto both the central region and the peripheral region of the face of the substrate.

A mask assembly includes: a mask frame having a frame opening defined therein; and a mask disposed on an upper surface of the mask frame and in which a clamp groove is defined on at least one of two sides opposite to each other in a first direction. The mask includes: a cell region having a deposition part and a dummy part extending in the first direction from the deposition part toward the clamp groove; and a peripheral region surrounding the cell region and having the clamp groove defined therein. An inner surface of the peripheral region, which defines the clamp groove, has a shape corresponding to an outer surface of the dummy part.