EP2694222B1 - Device and method for coating a cylindrical substrate - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device and a method for coating a substantially cylindrical substrate with a fluid, wherein the device comprises at least one nozzle with a nozzle channel, through which the substrate for coating is automatically passed.

For the production of technical threads for various applications, for example for the production of products which require a reinforcement, it is often necessary to coat a thread as a substrate with at least one aqueous and / or solvent-containing fluid. A predominantly used method for coating the threads is the dipping method. The dipping method is flexible, ie independent of a thread diameter can be used, wherein a device for performing the dip process has a relatively low complexity. A disadvantage of such a self-dipping Tauchbadverfahren, however, is the dependence on the speed at which the thread is passed through the device for dip coating, since a thickness of the applied to the substrate coating is dependent on the speed. As the speed increases, wet film thickness increases on the substrate. In processes in which too high a thickness of the coating is applied to the substrate by means of the dipping process, an increase in speed can only be achieved with a comparatively high outlay, since an excessively applied fluid then has to be removed. In order to be able to produce economically in response to rising raw material and / or energy prices, an increase in the speed in the substrate treatment process is required. With regard to a coating of flat substrates, predosed processes are known in which a layer thickness to be applied is not dependent on the speed, such processes also being used in the coating of cylindrical substrates. For example, a cylindrical substrate is contactless by means of at least one annular slot nozzle coated by the substrate is flowed around perpendicular to the conveying direction by means of such a nozzle member from all sides with the fluid. Characteristic here is that the substrate has a comparatively small distance, of z. B. has a threefold of a desired thickness of the coating, and a forming on the substrate by the fluid meniscus to a nozzle member. In this case, the thickness of the coating is determined by the volume flow supplied to the nozzle element, which is applied completely to the substrate within the coating window to be determined. In this coating process, it is not necessary to remove excess fluid from the substrate after coating. The characteristic of the method small distance between the substrate and the nozzle element means that not all types of particular cylindrical substrates can be coated by the method almost independent of speed. For example, if the substrate to be coated has tolerances in its thickness or diameter, this method can not be used.

In addition, from the US 2 851 005 A discloses an apparatus for painting bars, long cables or other long, narrow objects which has a number of nozzle elements that are radially movable relative to a frame disposed about a portion of the long, narrow article.

The invention has for its object to provide an improved device and an improved method for coating a substantially cylindrical substrate with a fluid.

The object is achieved with respect to the device by the in claim 1 and in terms of the method by the features specified in claim 8.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

An apparatus for coating a substantially cylindrical substrate with a fluid comprises at least one nozzle with a nozzle channel, through which the substrate can be guided automatically for coating. According to the invention, the nozzle is formed from at least two nozzle elements whose opposite inner walls each form a subsection of the nozzle channel, wherein the nozzle elements are at least perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle channel movable such that a cross section of the nozzle channel is variably adjustable in dependence of a cross section of the substrate.

In this case, a variable adjustability of the cross-section of the nozzle channel is understood as meaning a change in the cross section of the nozzle channel between two or more cross-sectional values. For this purpose, the nozzle elements are arranged in two or more fixed predetermined positions to each other. To specify the at least two fixed positions, for example, one or more screw elements are provided.

In order to adapt the cross section of the nozzle channel to different configurations of the substrate, the screw elements are preferably exchangeable.

Alternatively to the arrangement of the nozzle elements in two or more fixed predetermined positions, the positioning of the nozzle elements to each other can be made stepless.

Since the cross section of the nozzle is variably adjustable as a function of the cross section of the substrate to be coated by the bipartite nozzle, the device according to the invention can be used in a particularly advantageous manner for coating cylindrical substrates, for example threads, with different cross sections, without having to convert the device and for this example, to replace the nozzle.

In this case, the nozzle elements can be arranged in different positions relative to one another and bound inner walls of the nozzle elements in a closed position the nozzle, the nozzle channel edge, wherein at least a first nozzle member is automatically positioned relative to a second nozzle member such that the nozzle elements are spaced from each other on at least one longitudinal side of the nozzle channel.

Because the nozzle elements can be spaced apart from each other, a cross-section of a passage formed by means of the nozzle elements, in which the substrate can be arranged, can be enlarged in a particularly advantageous manner. Thus, it is possible, for example, a substrate, which is formed due to the increase in its run length of several knotted together threads, to guide through the nozzle and, if necessary, to coat.

Also, as a thread with a splice or splices due to the multi-part design of the nozzle can be passed therethrough, without a speed at which the substrate is guided through the nozzle can be reduced.

The bushing may have a cross-section to a thickness, i. H. a cross-section of the respective substrate to be coated are adapted, wherein by the automatic spacing of the nozzle elements to each other in a profitable way retooling and thus retooling costs are reduced with respect to the device, whereby the efficiency of the device can be substantially ensured.

Preferably, the device is designed such that it is possible within a period of, for example, one minute 400 meters substrate, in particular 400 meters continuously to coat thread, thus producing a thread, especially for technical applications.

According to the invention, the second nozzle element is immovably fixed to a carrier element, wherein the first nozzle element is automatically positionable by means of a number of guide elements relative to the second nozzle element.

Since the second nozzle element is fixed to the carrier element and only the first nozzle element is movable by means of the number of guide elements, corresponding guide elements are required exclusively for carrying out the movement of the first nozzle element, whereby the device is designed to be cheaper in comparison. For example, the first nozzle element by means of a hydraulic, pneumatic and / or electric motor cylinder-piston unit is movable relative to the second nozzle member.

In addition, reduced by the fact that only the first nozzle member is movable and positionable, a number of components of the device, since no further piston-cylinder unit is required.

Preferably, the first nozzle member is arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle channel displaceable relative to the second nozzle member, wherein the guide elements are advantageously designed such that a linear movement of the first nozzle member is executable.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the device, at least one detection unit is provided, by means of which a change in the shape of the cylindrical substrate before passing the nozzle channel is detectable and the first nozzle element is automatically positioned at a detected change in the shape of the second nozzle member spaced apart. This makes it possible to space the nozzle elements relative to one another in such a way that the substrate, which has, for example, a thickening in the form of a knot, can be guided through the nozzle channel for coating.

The coating of the substrate preferably takes place when the nozzle is completely closed, with a thickness of the coating applied to the substrate being dependent on parameters of the fluid and a volume flow adapted to a substrate speed.

In a further possible embodiment of the device, at least one cleaning agent can be supplied to the nozzle elements when the spacing of the nozzle elements is increased due to the change in shape, so that the nozzle elements can be cleaned during a passage of a region of the substrate that is not to be coated. For example, water and / or another fluid is used as the cleaning agent.

Alternatively, the coating process can be continued, wherein a coating is partially applied to the substrate when the nozzle channel is open.

Particularly advantageously, the cleaning agent can be fed to the nozzle elements via the same line through which the fluid flows to the coating, thereby no conversion of the device for cleaning the nozzle is required, thereby reducing time and cost can be reduced profit. Moreover, by using the same line for coating and cleaning, the number of components of the device is not increased.

In order to essentially rule out that the thread due to its thickening, for example in the form of a knot jammed on the device and / or hanging and tearing off, is particularly advantageous a lifting device for automatically lifting the substrate at least when detected change the shape of the same, So provided with the nozzle open position.

The lifting device is preferably arranged on the first nozzle element, so that the substrate can be raised simultaneously by increasing the spacing between the nozzle elements by means of the lifting device.

Moreover, the invention relates to a method for coating a cylindrical substrate with a fluid, wherein the device comprises at least one nozzle with a nozzle channel through which the substrate is automatically passed for coating. According to the invention, the nozzle is formed from at least two nozzle elements whose opposite inner walls each have a Form part of the nozzle channel, wherein the nozzle elements are at least perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the nozzle channel movable such that a cross section of the nozzle channel is set variably in dependence on a cross section of the substrate.

In this case, the nozzle elements can be arranged in different positions relative to one another, inner walls of the nozzle elements delimiting the nozzle channel at the edge in a closed position of the nozzle. When the shape of the cylindrical substrate changes before passing through the nozzle channel, at least one first nozzle element is automatically positioned relative to a second nozzle element such that the nozzle elements are spaced from one another on at least one longitudinal side of the nozzle channel.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing.

Figur 1

schematisch eine Vorderansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zur Beschichtung eines zylindrischen Substrates und

Figur 2

schematisch eine Schnittdarstellung der Vorrichtung in einer Seitenansicht.

Show:

FIG. 1

schematically a front view of a device according to the invention for coating a cylindrical substrate and

FIG. 2

schematically a sectional view of the device in a side view.

Corresponding parts are provided in all figures with the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a device 1 according to the invention for coating a non-illustrated substantially cylindrical substrate with a fluid. The thread as a substrate may in particular be a thread for technical application, wherein the thread is part of a Can be product that requires a strength member and is provided for example for a vehicle.

The device 1 comprises a frame 2 as a mounting frame, which allows to arrange the device 1, for example in a production environment. In this case, the frame 2 comprises a support element 2.1, which is plate-shaped and parallel to a bottom on which the device 1 is arranged.

For coating the substrate, the device 1 has a nozzle 3, which is formed from a first nozzle element 3.1 and a second nozzle element 3.2. In this case, the nozzle elements 3.1, 3.2 are shown spaced from each other, wherein the nozzle 3 may be a so-called Ringschlitzdüse.

A thickness of a coating applied to the cylindrical substrate is determined by means of a volume flow supplied to the nozzle 3 with regard to a fluid which is applied to the substrate within a coating window. By means of the nozzle 3 designed as a ring-slot nozzle, it is possible to coat a lateral surface of the cylindrical substrate perpendicular to a conveying direction, ie in the X-direction over the entire surface.

The first nozzle element 3.1 is arranged on a connecting element 4, which is connected to one end 5.1.1 of a piston 5.1 of a two-way adjusting cylinder 5 as a cylinder-piston unit. In this case, the two-way actuating cylinder 5 is fixed to the frame 2 of the device 1.

By means of the two-way adjusting cylinder 5 is a linear movement executable, wherein the two-way actuating cylinder 5 is arranged on the frame 2, that its longitudinal extent extends in the vertical direction, so that the piston 5.1 and thus the first nozzle member 3.1 are movable in the vertical direction. For example, the piston 5.1 of the two-way actuating cylinder 5 is hydraulically, pneumatically and / or electromotively movable.

The second nozzle element 3.2 is immovably fixed to the support element 2.1, wherein each side of the second nozzle element 3.2, a rod-shaped guide member 6 is arranged, which are arranged opposite each other in the X direction.

By means of the guide elements 6, which are passed through in each case a recess in the first nozzle element 3.1, the first nozzle element 3.1 with respect to the second nozzle element 3.2 exactly executable, the guide elements 6 are so arranged with respect to the two nozzle elements 3.1, 3.2, that a exact positioning of the nozzle elements 3.1, 3.2 is possible one above the other. In this case, the first nozzle element 3.1 is arranged by means of the guide elements 6 substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis L of a nozzle channel K formed by means of the nozzle elements 3.1, 3.2 to the second nozzle member 3.2 slidably.

If the first nozzle element 3.1 is arranged in a form-fitting manner on the second nozzle element 3.2, the nozzle 3 is closed, inner walls of the nozzle elements 3.1, 3.2 delimiting the nozzle channel K whose longitudinal axis L extends in the X direction.

On opposite sides of the first nozzle element 3.1 is in each case a lifting element 7 of a lifting device arranged, by means of which the substrate is positioned at least with respect to the nozzle channel K.

In operation of the device 1, a thread is arranged as a cylindrical substrate between the two nozzle elements 3.1, 3.2. In this case, a vertical centering of the substrate takes place in the nozzle channel K by aligning a construction of the nozzle 3.

The thread is arranged centered in the nozzle channel K, wherein the thread in each case has an equal distance from the inner walls of the nozzle elements 3.1, 3.2, at least in the closed position of the nozzle 3, wherein a cross section of Nozzle channel K in the closed position of the nozzle 3 in particular has a circular shape.

The nozzle 3 is closed, in which the two-way actuating cylinder 5 is driven and thereby the piston 5.1 is extended, so that the first nozzle member 3.1 by means of the movement of the piston 5.1 and the guide by the guide elements 6 to the second nozzle member 3.2 moves ,

The nozzle 3 is fluidly coupled to a line, not shown, which is flowed through by the fluid for coating the substrate and the fluid not shown in detail flows through openings of the nozzle elements 3.1, 3.2 and thus applied to the substrate.

In this case, the substrate is coupled to a conveying device, so that the substrate automatically passes the nozzle 3 at a predetermined speed in the conveying direction, ie in the X direction, and is coated in the nozzle 3.

In the production environment in which the device 1 is arranged, at least one in the FIGS. 1 and 2 Not shown detection unit arranged by means of which a change in the shape of the substrate is detected before passing through the nozzle 3.

For example, to lengthen a thread as a substrate, threads are linked together according to a desired run length, i. H. knotted, so that the extended thread has nodes in its course and thereby a cross-section of the substrate is partially enlarged, at least in the region of the nodes.

This change in the shape of the substrate, in particular with regard to the enlargement of its cross-section is detected by the detection unit, wherein the detected signals are fed to a not shown control unit of the device 1, processed in this and evaluated.

The substrate is moved by means of the conveyor at a predetermined speed, so that it is known at what time the node is detected as a change in the shape of the device 1, in particular on the nozzle 3.

If the node is at a predetermined distance from the nozzle 3, the two-way actuating cylinder 5 is actuated by means of at least one control signal generated by the control unit, so that the piston 5.1 as a function of the enlargement of the cross section of the substrate through the node in the two -Wege actuator cylinder 5 enters and opens the nozzle 3 thereby.

When the first nozzle element 3.1 is spaced apart from the second nozzle element 3.2, the lifting elements 7 of the lifting device pick up the thread as a cylindrical substrate, whereby the thread is lifted, so that the area of the substrate which has the enlarged cross section can pass through the opened nozzle 3 unhindered so do not get stuck and / or get stuck.

If the first nozzle element 3.1 is spaced from the second nozzle element 3.2, ie the nozzle 3 has an open position, it can be provided that the area of the substrate with the enlarged cross section, the node, passes through the nozzle 3, without the node having the nozzle Fluid is coated.

It is also conceivable that the node of the substrate is at least partially coated with the fluid when the nozzle 3 is open.

Preferably, the nozzle elements 3.1, 3.2, while these are spaced apart to pass the region of the substrate with the enlarged cross-section through the nozzle 3, cleaned automatically.

For this purpose, the nozzle elements 3.1, 3.2 with a cleaning agent, such as water and / or other fluid, rinsed, that is flooded and then dried by means of compressed air, wherein the nozzle elements 3.1, 3.2, the detergent and the compressed air is supplied via the same line as the fluid for coating the substrate.

Since the one line is used both for supplying the fluid for coating and for supplying the cleaning agent and preferably also for supplying the compressed air, a number of components of the device 1 is not increased.

The cleaning operation of the nozzle 3 is initiated by the control unit at the time when the nozzle 3 is opened, so that the area of the enlarged cross section of the substrate can pass the nozzle 3.

The controlled spacing of the nozzle elements 3.1, 3.2 relative to each other can alternatively or additionally also be carried out if the detection unit is a change in the shape of the substrate in the form of a splice. In this case, a splice is to be understood as a break-resistant, permanent and essentially non-detachable interweaving of threads, as a result of which a cross-section of the substrate is likewise enlarged.

In FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of a side view of the device 1 for coating a cylindrical substrate, wherein the nozzle elements 3.1, 3.2, as in FIG. 1 are shown spaced apart from each other.

By means of the device 1 according to the invention it is possible to provide substantially cylindrical substrates with different cross-sections with a coating, for example to produce technical threads.

In this case, the device 1 preferably operates independently of the speed, so that it is possible to let a cylindrical substrate, in particular a thread, pass the device 1 in a minute at a speed of up to 400 meters and to coat it in a contactless manner.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

contraption

2

frame

2.1

support element

3

jet

3.1

first nozzle element

3.2

second nozzle element

4

connecting element

5

Two-way actuating cylinders

5.1

piston

5.1.1

The End

6

guide element

7

lifting member

K

nozzle channel

L

longitudinal axis

Claims (8)

1. Device (1) for coating a substantially cylindrical substrate with a fluid, comprising at least one nozzle (3) with a nozzle channel (K), through which the substrate for coating is automatically guidable, characterized in that the nozzle (3) is formed from at least two nozzle elements (3.1, 3.2), the inner walls of which, which lie opposite one another, form in each case one part section of the nozzle channel (K), the nozzle elements (3.1, 3.2) being movable at least perpendicularly with respect to a longitudinal axis (L) of the nozzle channel (K) in such a way that a cross section of the nozzle channel (K) is variably adjustable depending on a cross section of the substrate, a second nozzle element (3.2) being fixed immovably on a carrier element (2.1), a first nozzle element (3.1) being positionable relative to the second nozzle element (3.2) at least by means of a number of guide elements (6).
2. Device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the nozzle elements (3.1, 3.2) are arrangeable in different positions with respect to one another, inner walls of the nozzle elements (3.1, 3.2) delimiting the nozzle channel (K) on the edge side in a closed position of the nozzle (3), at least the first nozzle element (3.1) being automatically positionable relative to the second nozzle element (3.2) in such a way that the nozzle elements (3.1, 3.2) are spaced apart from one another on at least one longitudinal side of the nozzle channel (K).
3. Device (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first nozzle element (3.1) is arranged such that it is displaceable with respect to the second nozzle element (3.2) substantially perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal axis (L) of the nozzle channel (K).
4. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one detection unit is provided, by means of which a change in the shape of the cylindrical substrate before passing the nozzle channel (K) is detectable, and in that, if a change in the shape is detected, the first nozzle element (3.1) is automatically positionable such that it is spaced apart relative to the second nozzle element (3.2).
5. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one cleaning agent is feedable to the nozzle elements (3.1, 3.2) in the case of an increase in spacing of the nozzle elements (3.1, 3.2) from one another which is a result of the change in the shape.
6. Device (1) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the cleaning agent is feedable to the nozzle elements (3.1, 3.2) via the same line, through which the fluid for coating flows.
7. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a lifting device is provided for automatically raising the substrate at least if a change in the shape of said substrate is detected, the lifting device being arranged on the first nozzle element (3.1).
8. Method for coating a cylindrical substrate with a fluid, comprising at least one nozzle (3) with a nozzle channel (K) through which the substrate for coating is guided automatically, characterized in that the nozzle (3) is formed from at least two nozzle elements (3.1, 3.2), the inner walls of which, which lie opposite one another, form in each case one part section of the nozzle channel (K), the nozzle elements (3.1, 3.2) being movable at least perpendicularly with respect to a longitudinal axis (L) of the nozzle channel (K) in such a way that a cross section of the nozzle channel (K) is variably adjusted depending on a cross section of the substrate, the nozzle elements (3.1, 3.2) being arrangeable in different positions with respect to one another, inner walls of the nozzle elements (3.1, 3.2) delimiting the nozzle channel (K) on the edge side in a closed position of the nozzle (3), at least one first nozzle element (3.1) being positioned automatically relative to a second nozzle element (3.2) in the case of a change in the shape of the cylindrical substrate before passing the nozzle channel (K), in such a way that the nozzle elements (3.1, 3.2) are spaced apart from one another on at least one longitudinal side of the nozzle channel (K).

Images