Device for imaging and/or varnishing the surfaces of objects

Abstract

A device for imaging and/or varnishing the surfaces of objects or vehicles, etc. includes adapting a time lag between an application of fluid and further treatment thereof, such as drying ink or varnish, to a spreading behavior of the fluid during the application thereof. The fluid may be applied to the surface of the object in sections, firstly drying the fluid in individual sections before applying it to the next section.

1 . A device for treating surfaces of objects, including vehicles, with fluids, the device comprising:
 an application tool configured to apply a fluid to the object;   a further treatment tool configured to treat the fluid subsequent to application;   a control computer operating one path control or simultaneously operating two path controls for said application tool and said further treatment tool; and   a memory storing said path or paths to be controlled and storing displacement speeds to provide a time lag between applying the fluid and subsequently further treating the fluid, said time lag being adapted to a spreading behavior of the fluid for locations being successively passed by said tools.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , which further comprises two robot arms, said application tool being attached to one of said robot arms, said further treatment tool being attached to the other of said robot arms, and both of said tools configured to be spaced-apart and simultaneously moved across the surface to be treated. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , which further comprises a robot arm having an end, a magazine or a removable receiving element supported on said end of said robot arm, said application tool and said further treatment tool being two of multiple tools, and said control computer moving said application tool and said further treatment tool into operating positions in accordance with a rhythm adapted to a spreading time of ink. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein said magazine is a revolving head having an axis of rotation implemented by an existing robot axis or by a virtual axis created from movements about multiple axes. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein said revolving head additionally carries at least one of a tool for pretreating the surface to be imaged or further ink application tools. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said application tool is formed of multiple individual tools being separately extendible in a direction towards the surface to be treated. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said further treatment tool is connected to said application tool by one or more movement axes and a position of said further treatment tool relative to said application tool is adjustable through said axes. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 7 , wherein said further treatment tool and said application tool are separated by a distance being adjustable to provide a desired time lag depending on a displacement speed. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 7 , which further comprises computer-controlled drives associated with said movement axes. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 7 , wherein a motion profile for said further treatment tool is correlated and stored with said path control for said application tool.