Method and apparatus for reducing imperfections in the electrodeposition coating process

Abstract

A method and apparatus for reducing imperfections in an electrodeposition coating process. An apparatus includes a frame and at least one air nozzle coupled to the frame for blowing a low pressure, high volume air on an object that has undergone electrodeposition coating. A first method includes the steps of electrically depositing a material on an object, blowing a low pressure, high volume air on the object, and curing the electrically deposited material to the object. A second method includes the steps of electrically depositing a material on an object, blowing a high pressure, low volume air on the object, blowing a low pressure, high volume air on the object, and curing the electrically deposited material to the object.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for reducing imperfections in an electrodeposition coating process, comprising the steps of:
 electrically depositing a material on an object;   blowing a low pressure, high volume air on the object having the electrically deposited material thereon; and   curing the electrically deposited material to the object.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of blowing a low pressure, high volume air on the object is performed prior to the step of curing the electrically deposited material to the object. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of blowing a low pressure, high volume air on the object is performed during the step of curing the electrically deposited material to the object. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of blowing a low pressure, high volume air on the object comprises directing the low pressure, high volume air at a particular area of the object. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the step of blowing a low pressure, high volume air on the object comprises directing the low pressure, high volume air into an inner cavity of the object to facilitate removal of fluid from the inner cavity. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the inner cavity comprises an interior surface of a vehicle body. 
     
     
         7 . A method for reducing imperfections in an electrodeposition coating process, comprising the steps of:
 electrically depositing a material on an object;   blowing a high pressure, low volume air on the object having the electrically deposited material thereon;   blowing a low pressure, high volume air on the object having the electrically deposited material thereon; and   curing the electrically deposited material to the object.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of blowing a high pressure, low volume air on the object is performed prior to the step of blowing a low pressure, high volume air on the object, and the step of blowing a low pressure, high volume air on the object is performed prior to the step of curing the electrically deposited material to the object. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of blowing a low pressure, high volume air on the object comprises directing the low pressure, high volume air at a particular area of the object. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the step of blowing a low pressure, high volume air on the object comprises directing the low pressure, high volume air into an inner cavity of the object to facilitate removal of fluid from the inner cavity. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the step of passing the object through a frame, wherein the step of passing the object through a frame is performed after the step of electrically depositing a material on an object. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the frame comprises a plurality of air knives for blowing the high pressure, low volume air on the object, and a plurality of air nozzles for blowing the low pressure, high volume air on the object. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the material comprises a rust preventative material. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the step of applying a second material on the object, wherein the step of applying a second material on the object is performed after the step of curing the electrically deposited material to the object. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for reducing imperfections in an electrodeposition coating process, comprising
 a frame and at least one air nozzle coupled to the frame, wherein the air nozzle is configured to blow a low pressure, high volume air on an object that has undergone electrodeposition coating.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the air nozzle is further configured to blow the low pressure, high volume air on a predefined area of the object. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the object comprises a vehicle body that has undergone electrodeposition coating. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising a controller configured to control the at least one air nozzle. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the controller is configured to control when the at least one air nozzle blows the low pressure, high volume air. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the controller is configured to control a position of the air nozzle to control where the low pressure, high volume air is blown.