EP2858759B1 - Method for treating the surface of objects - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for the surface treatment of vehicle bodies or parts thereof.

When manufacturing many objects, they are subjected to a surface treatment. Here, the quality of the surface is refined, for example, and/or protected against external influences. For example, vehicle bodies or parts thereof, but also a large number of other objects such as sports equipment or the like are provided with a coating for this purpose.

There is often a desire for an individualization of the objects, through which the objects differ from other objects from the same production line. On the one hand, this affects the items during the production process on the part of the manufacturer, for example to link product information to the item. On the other hand, the end buyers and end users of an object often wish after its completion that the object differ in an individual way from other otherwise identical objects in order to be able to give their own object their own personal touch. For this purpose, objects are subsequently provided with stickers or the like, for example. But individualization through technical features that distinguish one object from another object or a first product line from a second product line can also be desired.

From the DE 10 2010 047808 A1 a method is known for applying a structured pattern to a vehicle body or a part thereof as an integrated process step during a painting process.

DE 10 2004 044655 A1 discloses a painting device for painting a curved surface, with a painting material ejection device, with a guiding device in the form of a robot arm and with a control device. A relief pattern is applied, thereby reducing an aircraft's drag and reducing fuel consumption.

DE 10 2009 004878 A1 describes a method for painting by applying overlapping tracks using a robotic arm.

A pattern is applied using a nozzle to guide the robot arm.

The DE 34 45 401 A1 discloses a method in which an identification pattern with the technical function of enabling the identification of the vehicle to be read out is applied to a vehicle body without the pattern being optically visible. The selection of either heat-insulating paint or metal creates the technical function of a reading option using temperature measuring devices or ultrasonic sensors.

It is the object of the invention to provide a method of the type mentioned at the outset which takes this idea into account.

This object is achieved in that the object is provided with a functional model by means of a coating process according to claim 1.

According to the invention, it was recognized that a particularly reliable and consistent individualization can be achieved by this measure. Instead of easily removable stickers or subsequent attachments, such as signs or technical components or the like, the object is provided with a coating that brings about the desired individualization. The type and nature of such a functional model will be discussed again in detail below.

It is particularly favorable if the object is provided with the functional model as part of a painting process, in which the object is provided with a coating in one or more steps in a coating room. In this way, closely related work steps are linked, namely the coating of the object with a coating, such as a paint finish, on the one hand and the coating of the object with the functional model on the other.

The functional model can be integrated into the coating of the object or applied to the outside of the coating of the object. If the functional model is integrated into the coating of the object, good protection of the functional model against external influences and manipulation from the outside can be achieved.

It is particularly practical when the functional pattern is printed on a printing surface of the object which is a surface area of the article that is exposed to the coating in the course of the coating process or after its completion and is available for printing. A print surface can also be given in the course of a varnishing process by an intermediate layer of varnish and then later covered with another layer.

Accordingly, it can be advantageous if the printing surface is formed on the surface of a material wall of the article or a layer of a coating material.

It is particularly favorable if the functional model is an individual model, an information model or a technical model. According to the invention, the functional model is a technical model in the form of a sensor for detecting environmental properties in the form of a light sensor, gas sensor, distance sensor, tactile sensor, or in the form of a solar cell or light-emitting diode (LED) or organic light-emitting diode (OLED) or an electrical or electronic circuit or a electrical conductor track or an RFID transponder.

This is also discussed in detail further below.

If the functional pattern is designed as a relief pattern, it can additionally or additionally be palpable, which can be advantageous in some cases. A relief pattern is characterized by elevations and depressions, among other possible functions.

Figur 1

schematisch eine Lackierkabine, in der Applikationsroboter und ein Fördersystem angeordnet sind, mit deren Hilfe Fahrzeugkarosserien lackiert und mit einem Funktionsmuster versehen werden;

Figuren 2 bis 5

verschiedene Varianten der Erzeugung eines Funktionsmusters;

Figur 6

schematisch einen Prozessablauf zur Erzeugung eines Funktionsmusters.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. In these show:

figure 1

a schematic of a paint booth in which application robots and a conveyor system are arranged, with the help of which vehicle bodies are painted and provided with a functional model;

Figures 2 to 5

different variants of creating a functional model;

figure 6

schematic of a process flow for generating a functional model.

In figure 1 10 denotes a system for coating objects as an example of a surface treatment of an object, which is shown by way of example as a painting system 12, in which objects are painted and of which only a section is shown. As an example of objects to be coated are in figure 1 Vehicle bodies 14 shown.

The painting installation 10 comprises a painting tunnel 16 as a coating space, in which a conveyor system 18 known per se is arranged, with which the vehicle bodies 14 are conveyed through the painting tunnel 16 .

On their way through the painting tunnel 16, the vehicle bodies 14 are provided with a coating in the form of a multilayer paint finish 20, for which purpose the vehicle bodies 14 pass through a number of coating zones 22, of which in figure 1 three coating zones 22a, 22b and 22c are shown from right to left. A coating robot in the form of a multi-axis painting robot 24 is arranged in each coating zone 22, as is known per se and by means of which the paintwork 20 is applied to the vehicle body 14. For this purpose, each painting robot 24 carries a paint application device, such as a high-speed rotary atomizer 26 . In the painting tunnel 16 the vehicle bodies thus go through a coating process in the form of a painting process.

In the coating zones 22a and 22c, in addition to the painting robots 24 located there, there are also sample application robots 28 with a sample application device 30, which in the present exemplary embodiment are designed as a multi-axis printing robot 32 and as a print head 34, the latter working on the principle of an inkjet print head. In the present exemplary embodiment, two printing robots 32a and 32b are arranged in the coating zone 22a, whereas only a single printing robot 32c is present in the coating zone 22c.

Expressed in general terms, the pattern application device 30 is movably guided. The sample application device 30 does not have to be carried by its own sample application robot 28 either, but can also be guided by a painting robot 24 . For this purpose, this can include, for example, a paint application device and a pattern application device 30 as a type of interchangeable head.

The vehicle bodies 14 are provided with a functional pattern 36 by means of a coating process with the aid of the pattern application robot 28 . This functional pattern 36 can be integrated into the paintwork 20 or applied to it on the outside. In the latter case, the sample application robots 28 or the printing robots 32 can also be arranged in a treatment room that is separate from the painting tunnel 16 and through which the vehicle bodies 14 pass after the painting process.

Details on the functional model 36 will be discussed in more detail further below.

In the present case of the printing robot 32, the functional patterns 36 are printed onto a printing surface 38 of the vehicle body 14. A printing surface 38 is a surface area of the vehicle body 14 which is on the outside in the course of the painting process or after its completion and is available for printing.

This is in the Figures 2 to 5 illustrated. There, 40 designates a material wall of an object, in the present example a sheet metal wall of a vehicle body 14 .

The sheet metal wall 40 now carries the paintwork 20, which is shown in FIGS. 2B, 3B, 4B and 5C and there, by way of example, comprises three layers. In the painting process, a layer of a primer 42 is first applied to the sheet metal wall 40 . The primer 42 is then provided with a coloring top coat 44 . A top coat 46 is then applied to the top coat 44 . This can be a transparent clear coat or a colored coat. Such a painting process is known per se.

In figure 2 It is illustrated that the functional pattern 36 was applied as a single-layer functional pattern 48 to the top coat 44 of the paintwork 20 in a first process step A before the top coat 46 is applied to it. In this case, the top coat 44 thus forms the printing surface 38. In a second process step B, the top coat 44 and the single-layer functional sample 48 are then coated with the top coat 46 and thereby sealed to the outside.

figure 3 shows a two-layer functional pattern 50 with a first layer 52 and a second layer 54. Here, too, the top coat 44 forms the printing surface 38. In a first process step A, the first layer 52 is applied by the pattern application robot 28 to the top coat 44 in a first partial step upset. In a second partial step of process step A, the first layer 52 of the two-layer functional model 50 is then covered with the second layer 54 . In a second process step B, the top coat 44 and the two-layer functional sample 50 are then coated with the top coat 46 .

In figure 4 a relief pattern 56 is shown as a functional pattern 28, which was also applied to the top coat 44 in a first process step A, which in turn serves as a printing surface 38. The relief pattern 56 includes elevations 58 and depressions 60, which can be visually recognized or felt by an observer. So that the relief pattern 56 can still be felt after the painting is complete, in a second process step B, the top coat 46 is applied to the top coat 44 and the relief pattern 56 in such a way that the top coat 46 follows the surface profile of the relief pattern 56, so that the relief contour of the relief pattern 56 finally reflected in the surface profile of the top coat 46.

Optionally, the top coat 46 can also be applied as a layer to the relief pattern 56, which levels out the elevations 58 and the depressions 60, so that a smooth paint surface of the vehicle body 14 without structuring is formed in the area of the relief pattern. In this case the relief pattern 56 can only be recognized visually.

In figure 5 a modification is shown in which the relief pattern 56 was not applied to the top coat 44, but rather to the primer 42 in a first process step A, which thus provides the printing surface 38. In a second process step B, the primer 42 and the relief pattern 56 are then covered with the top coat 44, which is then sealed with the top coat 46 in a third process step C. The surface contour of the relief pattern 56 on the surface of the top coat 46 is retained. For the sake of clarity, the elevations 58 and depressions 60 of the relief pattern 56 are shown in figure 5 not provided with reference marks.

Alternatively, the top coat 46 or already the top coat 44 can be applied to the relief pattern 65 in such a way that its surface structure is balanced and the top coat 46 again forms a smooth surface without structuring in the area of the relief pattern 56 .

In a modification not specifically shown here, the functional pattern 36 is printed directly onto the sheet metal wall 40 and then covered by the three layers of primer 42, top coat 44 and top coat 46.

Functional patterns 36 can now be patterns that can be applied to the used printing surface 38 by means of printing methods known per se, in particular according to the principle of inkjet printers.

Here, for example, individual samples are interesting, through which a vehicle can already be individualized for the end buyer and end user during the painting process. Such individual patterns can be, for example, photos, images, texts, Be patterns and structures or the like that can be specified individually by the end buyer or end user to the manufacturer.

Such individual patterns can be applied to the inside of the vehicle body 14 as a decorative pattern, for example. In figure 1 This is illustrated, for example, by the printing robot 32c in the coating zone 22c, which guides the print head 34 in the interior of the vehicle body 14. For example, it is possible to print a photograph or an image of a family member of the ultimate buyer as a decorative pattern on the interior of the vehicle body.

However, a vehicle body 14 can also be provided with individual patterns on the outside, which the printing robot 32a makes clear in the treatment zone 22a. There, the printing robot 32a imprints an opened tailgate 62 of the vehicle body 14. For example, the tailgate 62 of the vehicle body 14 can be provided in this way with an individual pattern, which replaces the usual manufacturer's emblem.

Such individual patterns can be handed over to the manufacturer, for example, as an image 64, which is figure 6 is shown. There are different from figure 1 more painting robots 24 are arranged in the painting tunnel 16 and the printing robots 32 are positioned differently. Also, instead of vehicle bodies 14, items 66 are shown generally, only some of which bear a reference number.

The image 64 is first converted into a file 68 electronically. If necessary--or if the manufacturer is given a file 68 directly by the customer--a conversion 70 into a data format may also be necessary, which is used by a process controller 72 for the printing robot or robots 32 of the paint shop 12 can be processed. In the present exemplary embodiment, the process controller 72 also communicates with the painting robots 24, which figure 6 is shown by the dashed lines.

The process controller 72 then coordinates the painting process and controls the painting robots 24 and the printing robots 32 in such a way that the result is an individualized vehicle body 14 or an individualized object 66 which corresponds to the customer's requirements.

A functional pattern 36 can also be in the form of an information pattern which provides information about or about the coated object, in the present case information about or about the vehicle. This includes, for example, serial or production numbers, visually encoded product information such as barcodes, QR codes or holograms, in which e.g. equipment features and scopes are stored, special maintenance or operating instructions, type designations, pictograms, brand names and company logos or the like. In the manner described above, such information patterns can be incorporated in particular into the coating 20 and thus protected against external influences.

This can be an advantage, especially for serial numbers. For example, removing and/or changing the chassis number attached to the vehicle body is quickly noticed, since this affects the paintwork 20 and not just a plate has to be replaced. In figure 1 1 illustrates the printing of such a chassis number on a vehicle body 14 by the printing robot 32b in the treatment zone 22a, the non-recognizable print head 34 of which is guided in the engine compartment of the vehicle body 14. In figure 6 74 designates a data input via which an information pattern can be transferred to the process control 72, which is indicated there by way of example by a barcode and a sequence of digits.

According to the invention, functional models 36 are also designed as technical models. Technical patterns are linked to a technical functionality. According to the invention, these include sensors for detecting environmental properties, e.g. light sensors, gas sensors, distance sensors, tactile sensors or the like, as well as solar cells and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). According to the invention, electrical or electronic circuits and electrical conductor tracks, with which other technical patterns or other electrical or electronic assemblies can be connected, can also be printed on as technical patterns.

Such technical patterns can also be applied to surfaces according to the principle of inkjet printers, which is known in particular for solar cells, distance sensors, electronic circuits, LEDs or OLEDs.

Functional patterns 36 can also be printed, which fulfill several functions at the same time. For example, a printed RFID transponder from which information can be read is both an information pattern and a technical pattern.

The printing of RFIDs is also known per se from the prior art.

In addition, both information patterns and technical patterns can be printed as individual patterns and hidden in a decor, so to speak, to ensure the pure to obscure functionality from the buyer or end user.

The functional patterns 36 can also always be subsequently applied to an object by means of separate printing robots 32 or also differently guided print heads 34 . Additional functional models 36 can also be attached to functional models 36 that are already present. This may be necessary, for example, if the equipment list changes due to the retrofitting of equipment features on a vehicle, which is then stored in an information template adapted to this.

Functional models 36 can also be applied to an object during or after repairs or maintenance work is carried out. For example, information about the work steps carried out and maintenance or repair work can be attached to the object - also in coded form.

Depending on the location at which the functional model is applied and on the manner in which this is done, the individual method steps that are necessary to create the functional model 36 are variable.

If necessary, the printing robot 32 can work together with a camera system, whereby the functional model 36 can be attached to the object, in the present exemplary embodiment thus to the vehicle body 14, with the smallest possible positional tolerances and can also be checked after application.

In addition to the print head 34, a printing robot 32 can also carry other treatment units with it, for example in order to cause the functional pattern 36 to flow or, in the case of a multi-layer functional pattern 36, to a layer of the same impede. Such treatment units can be, for example, heat or radiation units, by means of which a printed layer is dried or hardened by heat radiation or electromagnetic radiation.

All patterns, be they individual, informational or technical patterns, can be designed as a relief pattern 56, as in the Figures 4 and 5 is illustrated.

Claims (5)

1. Method for the surface treatment of vehicle bodies or of parts thereof, wherein the vehicle body (14; 66) or a part thereof is provided with a functional pattern (36) by means of a coating procedure, and the vehicle body (14; 66) or a part thereof is provided with the functional pattern (36) in the context of a painting process, in the case of which the vehicle body (14; 66) or a part thereof is provided with a coating (20) in a coating chamber (16) in one or more steps by means of paint application apparatuses that are movably guided by painting robots (24; 28), and the vehicle body (14; 66) or a part thereof is provided with the functional pattern (36) with the aid of a pattern application device (30) that is movably guided by a robot (24; 28), characterized in that the functional pattern (36) is a technical pattern, in the form of a sensor for detecting properties of surroundings in the form of a light sensor, gas sensor, distance sensor, tactile sensor, or in the form of a solar cell or light-emitting diode (LED) or organic light-emitting diode (OLED) or an electrical or electronic circuit or an electrical conductor track or an RFID transponder.
2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the functional pattern (36) is integrated into the coating (20) of the object (14; 66) or is applied to the exterior of the coating (20) of the object (14; 66).
3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the functional pattern (36) is printed onto a printing surface (38) of the object (14; 66), which surface is a surface region of the object (14; 66) which, in the course of the coating process for the coating (20) or after the completion thereof, is located on the exterior and is available for being printed.
4. Method according to Claim 3, characterized in that the printing surface (38) is formed on the surface of a material wall (40) of the object (14; 66) or a layer composed of a coating material (42, 44, 46).
5. Method according to any of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the functional pattern (36) is formed as a relief pattern (56).

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