Apparatus and method for applying material to articles

摘要

PCT No. PCT/GB85/00111 Sec. 371 Date Nov. 21, 1985 Sec. 102(e) Date Nov. 21, 1985 PCT Filed Mar. 22, 1985 PCT Pub. No. WO85/04350 PCT Pub. Date Oct. 10, 1985.Two paint spray guns (2) are mounted on a common manifold block (14) by means of which trigger air, atomizing air and paint are fed to the guns. Each spray gun (2) is individually controlled by a respective solenoid valve (28) also supported on the manifold block. The apparatus is mounted on a robot arm (52) and is maneuvered thereby to undertake a painting operation. During each stage of the painting operation a selected one of the spray guns is positioned adjacent a surface to be painted and then operated to apply paint. The painting operation can be performed very quickly as the movements required of the robot are simpler and therefore faster than those of a conventional painting robot having just a single spray gun.