Apparatus and method for applying a coating to a windshield
An apparatus and process for applying a material layer to a workpiece for a vehicle can include ultrasonically verifying a residual film from a first material layer previously applied to a surface of a workpiece, and verified, applying a second material layer over the first material layer on the surface of the workpiece. The first material layer can include a pre-primer material. The pre-primer material layer can be dried to form a clear transparent surface. The second material layer can include a primer material for application to the pre-primer material layer previously applied to the surface of the workpiece to be treated. A urethane sealant material can then be applied to the primer material layer previously applied to the surface of the workpiece. The workpiece can include a contour class member for a vehicle, such as a front window, rear window, or side window, and/or roof window.
1 . A process for applying a layer of material to a workpiece for a vehicle comprising the steps of:
ultrasonically verifying a residual film from a first material layer previously applied to a surface of a workpiece; and
if verified, applying a second material layer over the first material layer on the surface of the workpiece.
2 . The process of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:
applying the first material layer to at least a portion of the surface of the workpiece; and
drying the first material layer to form a clear transparent surface.
3 . The process of claim 2 , wherein the first material layer applying step further comprises the step of:
providing a pre-primer material for application to at least a portion of the surface of the workpiece.
4 . The process of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:
applying a third material layer over the second material layer previously applied to the surface of the workpiece.
5 . The process of claim 4 , wherein the third material layer applying step further comprises the step of:
providing a urethane sealant material for application to at least a portion of the surface of the workpiece.
6 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the second material layer applying step further comprises the step of:
providing a primer material for application to at least a portion of the surface of the workpiece.
7 . The process of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:
providing a contoured glass member as the workpiece to be processed;
providing a pre-primer material as the first material layer for application to at least a portion of the surface of the workpiece;
applying the first material layer to the surface of the workpiece;
drying the first material layer to form a clear transparent surface;
providing a primer material as the second material layer for application on top of the first material layer on the surface of the workpiece;
providing a urethane sealant material as a third material layer for application to at least a portion of the surface of the workpiece; and
applying the third material layer on top of the second material layer on the surface of the workpiece.
8 . The process of claim 1 further comprising the step of:
if the first material layer is not verified in the ultrasonically verifying step, rejecting the workpiece as defective.
9 . The process of claim 1 further comprising the step of:
identifying at least one of a pattern, size, and shape of a contoured glass workpiece to be processed; and
selecting at least one of material layers to be applied, a sequence of application, and a path of applicator travel based on the workpiece identified in the identifying step.
10 . The process of claim 9 , wherein the identifying step further comprising the step of:
ultrasonically identifying at least one of pattern, size, and shape of a contoured glass workpiece.
11 . An apparatus for applying a material layer to a workpiece for a vehicle comprising:
means for ultrasonically verifying a residual film from a first material layer previously applied to a surface of a workpiece; and
if verified, means for applying a second material layer over the first material layer on the surface of the workpiece.
12 . The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising:
means for applying the first material layer to at least a portion of the surface of the workpiece; and
means for drying the first material layer to form a clear transparent surface.
13 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the first material layer applying means further comprises:
means for providing a pre-primer material for application to at least a portion of the surface of the workpiece.
14 . The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising:
means for applying a third material layer over the second material layer previously applied to the surface of the workpiece.
15 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the third material layer applying means further comprises:
means for providing a urethane sealant material for application to at least a portion of the surface of the workpiece.
16 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the second material layer applying means further comprises:
means for providing a primer material for application to at least a portion of the surface of the workpiece.
17 . The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising:
means for providing a contoured glass member as the workpiece to be processed;
means for providing a pre-primer material as the first material layer for application to at least a portion of the surface of the workpiece;
means for applying the first material layer to the surface of the workpiece;
means for drying the first material layer to form a clear transparent surface;
means for providing a primer material as the second material layer for application on top of the first material layer on the surface of the workpiece;
means for providing a urethane sealant material as a third material layer for application to at least a portion of the surface of the workpiece; and
means for applying the third material layer on top of the second material layer on the surface of the workpiece.
18 . The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising:
means for rejecting the workpiece as defective, if the first material layer is not verified in the ultrasonic verifying means.
19 . The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising:
means for identifying at least one of a pattern, size, and shape of a contoured glass workpiece to be processed; and
means for selecting material layers to be applied, a sequence of application, and a path of applicator travel based on the workpiece identified in the identifying means.
20 . An apparatus for applying a material layer to a workpiece for a vehicle comprising:
a contoured glass workpiece having a pre-primer material layer applied along a predetermined path on a surface of the workpiece leaving a residual film;
an ultrasonic sensor for identifying a workpiece and for verifying presence of the residual film of pre-primer material layer along the predetermined path on the surface of the workpiece;
a first applicator for applying a primer material layer over the pre-primer material layer on the surface of the workpiece, if presence of the residual film is verified; and
a second applicator for applying a urethane sealant material layer over the primer material layer on the surface of the workpiece.