Patent ID: 8152260
Filing Date: 2012-04-10
Classification: B23Q,B41J

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for application and accurate positioning of at least one graphic image on a large contoured surface, the apparatus comprising: a flexible-rail positioning system mounted on a portion of the surface on which the graphic image is to be applied; a paint application system attached to the flexible-rail positioning system, the paint application system using ultraviolet curable paints to paint on the portion of the surface on which the graphic image is to be applied; software to operate the flexible-rail positioning system; and, an imaging software program to control the paint application system, wherein the imaging software program identifies reference marks on the portion of the surface, and wherein the flexible-rail positioning system software aligns the paint application system to the reference marks on the portion of the surface; and aligns a selected segment of the graphic image to be applied to the reference marks on the portion of the surface, and further wherein the imaging software program tracks selected segments already applied, and positions new selected segments based on the selected segments already applied to form a mosaicked graphic image on the surface.