Machine to paint a stripe…

[quizzical1]

Hi All,

Looking for an automated machine that can paint a stripe on a 2” diameter pipe x 3” long via rotation 360 degrees.
Preferably automated so it can be loaded via a 3 jaw chuck and press a button while worker builds the next assembly.

TIA

Q~

 

[TugboatEng]

A welding position can rotate the pipe. You'll need to attach some type of applicator.

An idea (not an expert):

https://www.keyence.com/ss/products/measure/sealing/coater-type/roll.jsp

See "slot die coater". Just picture the system without the film.

 

[3DDave]

The larger problem is the paint. Keeping the system primed, but not drying out and cleaned are the largest obstacles. Prepping the pipe for paint so the paint sticks is also a consideration.

I would consider using a paint pad that is wrapped around a stationary pipe. It can be parked on a reservoir of paint. Picture a hand dipped in paint grabbing the pipe. The mechanism would then be a paint pad stretched between two clam shell supports to clear the pipe with a small rotation of the clamshell to cover the joint.

Unless this is a once-per-second operation, having this paint tool would allow the operator to perform the operation in a couple of seconds - automation may not be required.

I see a 3 inch X 9 inch pad is available at regular hardware stores. You need a bit more than 6 inches to wrap around, that leaves a couple of inches to retain it.

 

[MintJulep]

Automatic paint machines exist. In general they will have more capability than needed for this simple task, and thus will likely be more expensive than you want to pay.

It shouldn't be too difficult to design and build a machine with only this limited capacity. What is the expected life of this product? Do you really want a machine that does this task and nothing else?

Does it really need to be paint? Self-adhesive film? Shrink film?

 

[rb1957]

an apprentice ?

"Hoffen wir mal, dass alles gut geht !"
General Paulus, Nov 1942, outside Stalingrad after the launch of Operation Uranus.

 

[LittleInch]

How accurate?
How thick is the paint?

How "sharp" do you want the edges?

Why not use a 3" wide coloured tape?

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[Pud]

https://youtu.be/bPqzYih70X8

Rotary printer. Other makes available. Example only.

Politicians like to panic, they need activity. It is their substitute for achievement.

 

[EdStainless]

This is usually done with rubber rollers.
One picks up paint from the reservoir and the other transfers it to the part.
By using transfer you can keep the thickness more uniform.
This is old tech but still used for simple line marking.
Try some packaging people.

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P.E. Metallurgy, consulting work welcomed

 

[quizzical1]

thanks, guys.

I'm now told it has to go on the Hex Nut as shown.
here is the actual part where we need to add the green stripe at the top.
the stripe dia is 1.850 x .25" wide; the hex is 2"; material is 303SS and the "paint" can be any quick dry permenant marker (Dykem?)

does this help?

 

[LittleInch]

So does that nut move up past the green stripe like a stub flange?

Is the painting before or after that hex nut is finally added into the connector.

How about an elastic flat band which you just slip over the stub end?

Here it is for anyone interested.

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[JohnRBaker]

How many of these items do you need to paint? Is this a one time batch or something that will be in continuous production?

John R. Baker, P.E. (ret)
Irvine, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

The secret of life is not finding someone to live with
It's finding someone you can't live without

 

[EdStainless]

Not exactly, your paint needs to be something special.
Quick drying, meets EHS rules, and doesn't contain anything that can harm SS.
Such as this from RDT F7-3T (this doc is ancient but still commonly used). Unless of course you have a better spec to use.

5. CONTAMINANTS IN MARKING MATERIALS
5.1 Marking Materials Used on Stainless Steels and Corrosion Resistant Alloys. Marking materials used for stainless steel and
corrosion-resistant alloys shall:
1. Contain less than 300 ppm aggregate of iron, copper, lead,
zinc, mercury, and sulfur as determined by spectrographic
methods.
2. Contain less than 200 ppm total halogens (free and chemically
combined) as determined by combustion-pyrohydrolysis treatment
of the sample, or use of an equivalent combustion technique,
and quantitative analysis of the product by titration or
specific ion electrode methods.
Unless a certified lot analysis is required by the purchaser,
marking materials may be accepted based on type-qualification or a

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P.E. Metallurgy, consulting work welcomed

 

[rb1957]

is there a reason you can't just dip the nut in the paint ?

This paint is to identify the nut, the system, or the fluid (inside the pipe) ?

"Hoffen wir mal, dass alles gut geht !"
General Paulus, Nov 1942, outside Stalingrad after the launch of Operation Uranus.

 

[quizzical1]

Thanks everyone!

The hex nut is one machined as shown. We make them by the hundreds, looking to color code them by month for tracking purposes.

They cannot be dipped into a paint due to the internal grooves shown would be affected.

Production preferences are for the stripe to be applied while the worker performs another task so some automated process is preferred. Quick drying dye or paint also preferable.

 

[3DDave]

Tracking for why? How many months and how many colors?

Get a fiber laser to etch the production date on one of the flats if its for traceability.

 

[quizzical1]

Seven different colors one for each year repeats every eighth year. Used to indicate age of hex for a two year rebuild program.

Must be visible at a distance using a flash light.

 

[Stick.]

If you're open to just buying something rather than building it, there's various solutions meant for product marking on production lines. I've worked with some inkjet printer based ones in the past and the print head was relatively compact and could potentially be integrated into your machine, depending on the exact setup. It would also give you the ability to print codes, logos, etc instead of using colors, if that works. If that sounds interesting, this is the company that made the printers I've used: markem-imaje. I'm not saying they're the best or even recommending them, they're just the only company I'm personally aware of in this space and figure it would help start your search.

 

[rb1957]

why a stripe ? why not a dot (easier to do) ?

when the nuts come off the line they go into bags, yes ? which have a label identifying them, yes? why not add the month of manufacture (heck, the full date) to the label ?

"Hoffen wir mal, dass alles gut geht !"
General Paulus, Nov 1942, outside Stalingrad after the launch of Operation Uranus.

 

[quizzical1]

Thanks Stick, I’ll check them out

rb1957, need a visual indication that can be seen at any position the nut gets tightened to so a dot is out. Need to ID year only once installed on the apparatus so marking the bags or boxes won’t work

 

[EdStainless]

Imaje is one the many inkjet marking companies. These usually come in two types, high speed and low speed.
High speed is putting lot numbers on food containers at 1000'/min.
The problem with inkjet units is that they must use thin inks, usually with MEK or acetone as the solvent.
A simple dot spray (Carco) or a roll marking system lets you use heavier paint like inks.

https://www.carcousa.com/marking-systems/

Or you could use a permanent roll marking with dies.

https://www.automator.com/en/roll-marking-machine/

https://www.pannier.com/stamping/roll-rotary-marking/

Though one of these with a solid roller in it narrow enough for your slot would do the job.

https://www.pannier.com/industrial-printers/flexographic/

In any case you will need to fixture and rotate the parts for marking.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
P.E. Metallurgy, consulting work welcomed