Novel robot platform for stripping and/or painting and resulting work stations

Abstract

A technical system comprising a structure within an enclosed space, inside which paint-stripping and refurbishing operations for aircraft, rail rolling stock or sea-going vessels are carried out, comprising: an accommodation workshop for the craft to be stripped, at least one appliance for stripping or painting, a storage site for paints ( 1 ), at least one site for personnel ( 2 ), an office for supervision of the stripping and medium-reprocessing operations ( 3 ), a site for compression devices ( 6 ), a site for reprocessing ( 4 ′) and storage ( 4 ) of the abrasive material, a cabin for stripping components after dismantling ( 5 ), connection blocks ( 8 ) installed permanently to supply power to the nozzles for dry-blasting with a medium, fed by compressed air, mobile or fixed stripping stations ( 12 ) surrounding the craft to be stripped, pipes distributing the abrasive agent ( 9 ) and an abrasive medium which attacks the paintwork without damaging the primer coating.

1 . Layout of a technical system comprising a structure within an enclosed space, inside which paint-stripping and re-furbishing operations for aircraft, rail rolling stock or sea-going vessels are carried out, comprising: 
 an accommodation workshop for the craft to be stripped    one or more appliances for stripping or painting,    a storage site for paints ( 1 ),    one or more sites for personnel ( 2 ),    an office for supervision of the stripping and medium-reprocessing operations ( 3 ),    a site for the compression devices ( 6 ),    a site for re-processing ( 4 ′) and storage ( 4 ) of the abrasive material,    a cabin for stripping components after dismantling ( 5 ),    characterized in that the layout utilizes, in addition, connection blocks ( 8 ) installed permanently and serving to supply power to the nozzles for dry-blasting with a medium, fed by compressed air, mobile or fixed stripping stations ( 12 ) surrounding the craft to be stripped, pipes distributing the abrasive agent ( 9 ) and an abrasive medium which attacks the paintwork without damaging the primer coating.    
     
     
         1 . Layout according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it also includes an inlet for paints (A), an outlet for paint wastes (B), an inlet for the new medium (C), an outlet for the medium wastes (D), an outflow for the new or reprocessed medium (F), and an inlet for the medium after blasting (E), the abrasive medium being formed from wheat flour that has been reticulated and calcined.  
     
     
         1 . Layout according to  claim 1  or claim  2 , characterized in that the connection blocks ( 8 ) are linked to the stripping stations ( 12 ) by computer and power connections.  
     
     
         1 . Layout according to  claims 1  to  3 , characterized in that the medium is recovered by suction and other wastes are removed from it by a filtering system.  
     
     
         1 . Layout according to  claims 1  to  4 , characterized in that the nozzles for dry-blasting with a medium are moved manually by operatives.  
     
     
         1 . Layout according to any one of  claims 1  to  5 , characterized in that the soiled medium falling onto the ground is recovered and then recycled.  
     
     
         1 . Layout according to any one of  claims 1  to  6 , characterized in that the medium recovered is mixed with the new medium so that it can be used in a new operation.  
     
     
         1 . Layout according to claim  5 , characterized in that each blasting nozzle ( 12 ) has its own generating unit ( 8 ) mounted oil an independent trolley that can be moved about on the ground and is adjustable in height.  
     
     
         9 . Layout according to claim  8 , characterized in that the stripping trolley ( 23 ) comprises a pressurized canister, a distribution unit allowing regulation of the medium flow rate, valves effecting the isolation of or supply from the generator and a flexible bag-type supply support placed above a feed hopper.  
     
     
         10 . Layout according to any one of  claims 1  to  9 , characterized in that it comprises an automatic or semi-automatic control device which makes possible local treatment of the unit's operation.  
     
     
         11 . Layout according to any one of  claims 1  to  10 , characterized in that the flow rate of the abrasive is between 0.5 and 6 kg/min, whilst operating at a relative pressure of between 1 and 6 bar.  
     
     
         12 . Layout according to any one of  claims 1  to  11 , characterized in that the recycling or supply apparatus has a capacity varying from 200 to 2,000 liters and preferably of the order of 500 liters.  
     
     
         13 . Layout according to any one of  claims 1  to  12 , characterized in that it comprises means designed to effect the stripping and reconditioning of aircraft, sea-going craft and land vehicles, and in particular planes, boats or trains.