An apparatus for surface treatment of articles comprises a plurality of trays (4) each carrying one or more piece-holding spindles (3). A primary transport assembly (19) removably engages the trays (4) to transfer them according to a step-by-step motion between a plurality of stopping locations (A . . . J) distributed along the movement path (P), along which respective work stations (12, 13, 14, 15) operate. At least one additional transport assembly (31a, 31b) withdraws each tray (4) from the primary transport assembly (19) at one of said stopping locations (A . . . J), for moving it at one of said work stations (12, 13, 14, 15), and engaging it again with the primary transport assembly (19).

A method is shown for installing a heat tube on a section of pre-insulated piping. A metal carrier pipe is covered with a first layer of foam insulation. Next, a routing device is used to cut a longitudinal slot along the length of the pipe so that the pipe exterior surface is exposed from the insulation. A heat tube is then installed within the longitudinal slot, whereby the heat tube contacts the exterior surface of the metal carrier pipe. A second layer of foam insulation is then sprayed onto the exterior of the metal carrier pipe, covering the previously formed longitudinal slot and installed heat tube. A polyolefin coating is then applied over the insulation to form a protective outer jacket for the insulated pipe.

A robotic lifting and orienting system for an overspray-free paint system includes: a base coupled to wheels; and an automated carrier coupled to the base. The automated carrier includes: a fixture assembly configured to hold an object to be painted; one or more manipulators configured to move the fixture assembly relative to a paint robot; a propulsion system connected to the wheels and configured to move the robotic lifting and orienting system; and a control module configured to control the one or more manipulators and the propulsion system to control positioning and orienting of the object relative to at least one of the paint robot and an overspray-free paint applicator of the paint robot.

The present invention relates to a device for processing a component, comprising: a travel carriage having a frame which defines an axis of translation along which the travel carriage is translationally movable, a bogie which is relatively rotatably connected to the frame and to which the component is attachable, a first translation-permanent magnet device which is mounted on the frame and having permanent magnets, a rotation-permanent magnet device attached to the bogie and having permanent magnets, and a carriage-side longitudinal guide means mounted on the frame, a stationary travel carriage guide device having a guide-side longitudinal guide means, a first electromagnet translation device with electromagnets which magnetically interact with the permanent magnets of the first translation-permanent magnet device, a first rotation-electromagnet device having electromagnets which magnetically interact with the permanent magnets of the rotation-permanent magnet device, and a controller connected to the first translating electromagnet device and to the first rotation-electromagnet device to control its electromagnets to control the translational movement of the travel carriage and the rotational movement of the bogie.

A method for handling a wheel which is carried by a spindle in which a robot arm grips the spindle at a robot gripping position and removes same from a transport vehicle. Since the wheel is not directly gripped by the robot arm, damage to the wheel that could be caused by clamping of the robot arm on the wheel is avoided. Preferably, before or during the removal of the spindle from the transport vehicle, a locking element on the transport vehicle releases the spindle.

A method for applying a predetermined pattern of material onto an elongate tubular substrate includes securing a first portion of an elongate tube having a non-circular outer perimeter to an engagement member configured to be rotated by a first motor, such that the elongate tube can be rotated in unison with the engagement member, operating the first motor to rotate the elongate tube, operating a second motor of to change the relative displacement between the elongate tube and a dispensing conduit along a longitudinal axis of the elongate tube, and expelling a conductive adhesive from a fluid dispenser through the dispensing conduit to form a predetermined pattern of the conductive adhesive on a surface of the elongate tube, the predetermined pattern of the conductive adhesive covering at least 180 degrees of the surface along the non-circular outer perimeter over a width of at least two millimeters along the longitudinal axis.

A method is shown for installing a heat tube on a section of pre-insulated piping. A metal carrier pipe is covered with a first layer of foam insulation. Next, a routing device is used to cut a longitudinal slot along the length of the pipe so that the pipe exterior surface is exposed from the insulation. A heat tube is then installed within the longitudinal slot, whereby the heat tube contacts the exterior surface of the metal carrier pipe. A second layer of foam insulation is then sprayed onto the exterior of the metal carrier pipe, covering the previously formed longitudinal slot and installed heat tube. A polyolefin coating is then applied over the insulation to form a protective outer jacket for the insulated pipe.

The invention discloses a wheel cleaning and blowing device, which is composed of four systems: a wheel positioning system, which completes initial positioning of a wheel on a roller bed and finds the position of a valve hole; a wheel advancing and dry-wet conversion system, in which the wheel advances while rotating, thus completing double-station dry-wet conversion of the wheel; a high-pressure water cleaning system, which is matched with the advancing rotating wheel to clean the wheel; and a compressed air blowing system, which is matched with the advancing rotating wheel to blow the wheel uniformly. The invention simultaneously discloses a wheel cleaning and blowing method. By adopting the device and the method, the wheel moves forward all the time during cleaning and blowing, the cycle is short, the efficiency is high, cleaning and blowing are integrated, and dry-wet separation is realized.

A painting stand for vehicle bumpers includes a base frame supported by a plurality of casters together with a vertically supported post. A post extension is telescopically supported within the vertical post and is adjustable in its elevation. The upper end of the post extension is coupled to a support, to which is coupled a pivoting support rack. The support rack is comprised of upper and lower transverse/horizontal member(s). These transverse members are rigid in the middle and semi-rigid at both ends and serve as a mounting surface to which bumpers in need of paint or repair are affixed. The support rack's unique configuration allows the operator to easily affix and detach a wide variety of bumper shapes and sizes to the stand quickly and efficiently. Said support rack pivots. The pivoting function of the support rack is actuated and controlled by a foot pedal connected to the support rack by a cable.

The present invention provides a rotary spraying coating system, configured to evenly form a paint on a surface of a chip connecting plate. The system includes: a plurality of fixtures, where each has a pedestal, an abutting piece, and a rotating axis, and the abutting piece is configured to abut and fix the chip connecting plate to the pedestal, to avoid warping of the chip connecting plate; a conveyor belt, configured to convey the fixtures, wherein the fixtures are connected to the conveyor belt by using the rotating axis and rotate with the rotating axis as an axis center; at least one spraying coating apparatus, configured to spray and coat the paint on the surface of the chip connecting plate; and a control module, configured to control a rotational speed of the fixtures, a movement speed of the conveyor belt, and a spraying coating amount of the at least one spraying coating apparatus.