Patent EP-2202016-A1 (EP)
Inventor: ZILIAN CERSTEN
IPC: B22F3/105
Filed: 2008-11-27
Abstract: The powder coating apparatus (10) useful in a plant for producing workpieces by impinging powder layers with electromagnetic- or particle radiation, comprises a powder supply opening, and a powder space (14) for receiving raw material powder to be introduced onto a carrier (12) of the plant by impinging the powder layers with electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation, where the powder space comprises two powder chambers (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) with powder outlet openings (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d) for discharging the raw material powder from the powder chamber onto the carrier of the plant. The powder coating apparatus (10) useful in a plant for producing workpieces by impinging powder layers with electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation, comprises a powder supply opening, a powder space (14) for receiving raw material powder to be introduced onto a carrier (12) of the plant by impinging the powder layers with electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation, where the powder space comprises two powder chambers (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) with powder outlet openings (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d) for discharging the raw material powder from the powder chamber onto the carrier of the plant, a first smoothing slider, which is positionable by vertical displacement between a normal position and an operating position and/or horizontal displacement between a first position and a second position relative to the powder outlet opening of the powder chamber, so that when the apparatus is moved over the carrier of the plant, the first slider smoothes over and does not contact with a raw material powder layer introduced on the carrier through the powder outlet opening in the operation of the powder coating apparatus to smooth the raw material powder layer, and a second smoothing slider. When the powder coating apparatus is moved back and forth in opposite directions over the carrier of the plant, the second slider is positionable by horizontal displacement between its first position and second position in the operation of the powder coating apparatus constantly relative to the powder outlet opening of the powder chamber, so that the second slider smoothes over the raw material powder layer introduced on the carrier through the powder outlet opening to smooth the raw material powder layer. The powder chamber is arranged to a device for controlling the powder discharge through the powder outlet opening. The controlling device comprises a closure device controlling an outlet cross-section of the powder outlet opening and/or a device for conveying raw material powder incorporated in the powder chamber in the direction of the powder outlet opening. The horizontally and/or vertically displaceable smoothing sliders are coupled with the controlling device and displace or release the powder outlet opening in dependent of a position of the smoothing sliders. The first and second smoothing sliders are positionable relative to the powder outlet opening, so that one of the smoothing layers smoothes over the raw material powder layer. The powder chambers are separated from each other. The first and second smoothing sliders are arranged to each of the powder outlet openings. An independent claim is included for a plant for producing workpieces by impinging powder layers with electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation.