Powder coating system and method for quick color change

Abstract

A powder coating system includes a booth and one or more powder-recovery modules that are insertable into an equipment-receiving space of the booth. A color change method includes removing a first powder-recovery module from the equipment-receiving space and positioning a second powder-recovery module in the equipment-receiving space.

1 - 22 . (canceled)  
     
     
         23 . A method of changing a powder coating system that operates to dispense powder onto objects to be coated by the powder from coating objects with powder of a first color to coating objects with powder of a second color, the method including removing from an equipment-receiving space defined beneath a bottom wall of a booth a first powder-recovery module associated with coating objects with powder of the first color, and positioning in the equipment-receiving space a second powder-recovery module associated with coating objects with powder of the second color.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein removing the first powder-recovery module includes removing from the equipment-receiving space a separator assembly of the first powder-recovery module.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein removing the first powder-recovery module includes removing from the equipment-receiving space a hopper assembly of the first powder-recovery module that is coupled to the separator assembly.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23  further including decoupling the first powder-recovery module from a powder station that is to receive recovered powder from the first powder-recovery module when objects are being coated with powder of the first color.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23  further including turning off a vibrator of the first powder-recovery module.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23  wherein removing the first powder-recovery module includes lowering the first powder-recovery module away from the bottom wall.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28  wherein lowering the first powder-recovery module away from the bottom wall includes operating an actuator to lower the first powder-recovery module away from the bottom wall.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 23  wherein removing the first powder-recovery module includes lowering the first powder-recovery module away from the bottom wall and then withdrawing the first powder-recovery module from the equipment-receiving space along a substantially horizontal path.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 23  wherein positioning the second powder-recovery module includes positioning in the equipment-receiving space a separator assembly of the second powder-recovery module.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31  wherein positioning the second powder-recovery module includes positioning in the equipment-receiving space a hopper assembly of the second powder-recovery module that is coupled to the separator assembly.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 23  further including coupling the second powder-recovery module to a powder station that is to receive recovered powder from the second powder-recovery module when objects are being coated with powder of the second color.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 23  further including turning on a vibrator of the second powder-recovery module.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 23  wherein positioning a second powder-recovery module includes raising the second powder-recovery module toward the bottom wall.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35  wherein raising the second powder-recovery module includes operating an actuator to move the second powder-recovery module into a raised position.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 23  wherein positioning a second powder-recovery module includes moving the second powder-recovery module into the equipment-receiving space along a substantially horizontal path and then raising the second powder-recovery module toward the bottom wall.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 23  further including closing an opening formed in the bottom wall after removing the first powder-recovery module.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38  further including cleaning walls of the booth after closing the opening formed in the bottom wall.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39  further including opening the opening after cleaning walls of the booth and before positioning the second powder-recovery module.