Apparatus and method for controllable application of a flowable material to a workpiece

摘要

A controllable device for applying a flowable material such as anti-seize composition to a workpiece utilizes a plurality of elongated nozzles insertably accommodated through a fixture plate to deposit such material onto the workpiece in a predetermined pattern. The fixture plate is provided with a corresponding number of apertures which accommodate different sizes and numbers of nozzles so that material may be applied to a large variety of workpieces without significant maintenance and modification to the device. The fixture plate is essential to define a predetermined clearance between an outlet through which the flowable material escapes from a nozzle and a surface onto which such material is applied and further cleans the nozzles in between application cycles to prevent overrun on to a workpiece surface. A corresponding method is provided which transfers flowable material from a storage reservoir to a plenum in flowable communication therewith which temporarily retains the material until an application cycle begins.