Patent GB-946159-A (GB)
Title: Memory system for spray coating machines or the like
IPC: B05B12/12
Filed: 1961-01-25
Abstract: 946,159. Photo-electric control systems. DE VILBISS CO. Jan. 25,1961 [Feb. 12, 1960], No.2887/51. Heading G1A. [Also in Division B2] In a system for controlling apparatus to perform a given operation on a workpiece, comprising means for scanning the workpiece and proyiding a signal when the scanning means is in a predetermined relation with respect to the workpiece, means for producing relative movement between the scanning means and the workpiece and between the workpiece and the controlled apparatus so that the workpiece is scanned before it is operated on by the controlled apparatus, an elongated flexible element guided over a predetermined path is provided with members which can be selectively set by means adjacent the path and which are operated in response to the scanning signals, and further means is provided adjacent said path, and responsive to adjusted positions of the control members for effecting the controlled operation of the apparatus. As described for spraying apparatus, an object to be treated is moved past a photo-electric scanning device 34 and a spraying device 18 on a conveyer belt 10 continuously driven from a motor 14. The photoelectric cell 34 and spraying head 18 are mounted on carriages reciprocated across the conveyer 10 by chains and sprockets driven from a motor 26. The control device 46 comprises an endless chain 50 passing over idling wheels such as 52 and driven by sprockets 54, 56 from the motor 14, and each side of the chain is formed by alternate outer and inner T-shaped links 58 with connecting pins 60. Between the stems of the T-shaped links are long and short cylindrical magnetic members 64,66 within which are located magnetic pins 72 which are readily movable in their axial directions, but are magnetically held in their adjusted positions. The pins 72 are selectively set by a rotating wheel 74 carried by the core 78 of an electromagnet 80 operated by pulses derived from the photo-cell 34 as it is traversed over the width of the conveyer 10 beneath which is located an elongated light-source 42. The arrangement is such that over portions of the path occupied by the workpiece, the light beam is cut off from the cell 34 to effect de-energization of the electromagnet 80 so that the core member 78 under the action of a spring 79 is moved to the left and pushes to the left the pins 72 which, on subsequently reaching the spray control position, operate the arm 102 of a switch device 100 to effect spraying operation by the head 32. The rates of movement of the conveyer 10 and of the chain member are correlated so that the time of travel of the chain from the setting position to the position of the switch 100 is equal to that of the conveyer 10 between the scanning head 34 and the spray head 32. The pins 72 which have been moved are restored to their normal positions by an inclined ramp 104 as indicated by Fig. 5 (not shown). The chain may be utilized to control additional operations, such as the connection of successive sheets by riveting or welding. The selective control of the pins 72 on the chain may, in the case of metal workpieces,be effected by pulses from a magnetic proximity sensing device in lieu of the photo-electric control described. The storage chain may be replaced by a wheel or disc with a circular row of pins selectively displaceable parallel to the axis of the storage member.