METHOD FOR COATING A PREFERABLY PLATE-SHAPED WORKPIECE

Abstract

The invention relates to a method which has applications in the furniture and component industry. In particular, planar workpieces are coated in order to adapt their exteriors to the wishes of individual customers. A curable substance is applied and a three-dimensional structure is thus produced, at least partially in the region of the narrow side surface layer.

Claims

1. Method for coating a plate-shaped workpiece which at least in sections consists of wood, wood materials, composite materials, or a combination thereof, comprising the steps: Pre-treating a narrow side of the plate-shaped workpiece to create a narrow side surface layer, in particular by means of an edge material strip (K) or a paste-like compound, Effecting a relative movement between a workpiece (W) and an application device (20), said application device (20) being configured to apply a curable substance for forming a three-dimensional structure, Applying the curable substance and hereby forming a three-dimensional structure at least in sections in the area of the narrow side surface layer.

2. Method according to claim 1, in which the curable substance is additionally applied to the main side of the workpiece (W).

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the narrow side surface layer is machined, in particular by means of a milling cutter and/or a scraper, before application of the curable substance in the edge area (R) of the narrow side of the workpiece (W).

4. Method according to claim 1, in which the processed edge area (R) is provided with the curable substance and a three-dimensional structure is consequently formed.

5. Method according to claim 2, 3 or 4, in which the application device (20) is guided starting from one main side of the workpiece to a narrow side of the workpiece (W), or vice-versa, the application device (20) performing a continuous application during the movement.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the three-dimensional structure replicates a wood surface.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the application of the curable substance is performed plural times in order to raise a structure depth of the three-dimensional structure.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the narrow side surface layer remains visible in sections after the application of the curable substance.

9. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which during the application of the curable substance, the narrow side surface layer is completely covered therewith.

10. Method according one of claims 1 to 9, in which the three-dimensional structure comprises a structure depth of 90 to 300 m, preferably 150 to 300 m.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration to illustrate the method according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] In the following, one preferred embodiment of the present invention will be discussed on the basis of the schematic illustration of FIG. 1. Further modifications of certain features mentioned in this context can each be combined with one another in order to form new embodiments.

[0020] Firstly, a workpiece W is provided which is, for example, a particleboard, an MDF-board or the like. After cutting such a workpiece W, it has an uneven surface or a surface provided with pores, in the area of the narrow side. Within the scope of the present embodiment, this surface is first provided with a blind edge K in order to obtain an even surface layer (narrow side surface layer). The blind edge K is a strip-shaped coating material having a visually neutral, for example, single-color appearance.

[0021] Alternatively to the blind edge, a paste-like compound can be applied, for example, to the narrow side of the workpiece in order to even out said irregularities. In a subsequent method step, the paste-like compound can be processed, for example, by means of a grinding apparatus.

[0022] After the narrow side surface layer has been provided, a machining can subsequently be performed in order to remove possible projections of the blind edge K or the paste-like compound on the workpieces. In this manner, a radius in the transition area R between the narrow side and the main side of the workpiece is furthermore introduced.

[0023] Moreover, in an optional method step, it is possible to subject the blind edge K or the paste-like compound to a pre-treatment in order to obtain the adhesive properties for the curable substance that is to be applied by an application device 20. For example, the narrow side surface layer can be blown off with pressurized air or provided with a bonding agent.

[0024] In a subsequent method step, the workpiece is moved in the area of an application device 20 which is configured to apply a three-dimensional structure to the workpiece W. So that the narrow side of the plate-shaped workpiece W, which is provided with the narrow side surface layer can be coated without a joint, the application device 20 is provided pivotably so as to be able to also coat the transition area from the narrow side to the main side of the workpiece, in addition to the commonly flat narrow side. As set out above, the transition area is thereby commonly formed as a radius which is, for example, created by a processing after applying the blind edge or the paste-like compound.

[0025] In the course of the application, the structure that is applied by the application unit 20 can be adapted to that which is optionally already present on the main side of the workpiece W. This relates to the visual appearance (decoration) as well as the structure per se which transitions in the area of the radius into the surface structure of the main side of the workpiece W.

[0026] Alternatively, it is possible to coat the narrow side as well as the main side in one operation by means of the application unit 20, and in this manner to also ensure a joint-less transition between the narrow side and main side of the workpiece.

[0027] Although a flat narrow side was described within the scope of the preferred embodiment, it is apparent that the application unit 20 is furthermore configured to coat curved narrow sides (drum profile). Narrow sides which have already been provided with a profile can also be treated by means of the application unit. These can be, for example, a wave profile, transverse or longitudinal grooves or the like.

[0028] According to one variant, the blind edge K or the paste-like compound can be provided with color particles such that these impart the surface which is to be subsequently coated with a base color, if the blind edge and the paste-like compound are to be coated only in sections by the application device 20.

[0029] Furthermore, in one final method step a varnish can be applied to the surfaces of the workpiece W in order to seal it and to additionally protect it against mechanical effect or the penetration of moisture.