US3865525A

US3865525A - Apparatus for coating three dimensional objects

Info

Publication number: US3865525A
Application number: US266191A
Authority: US
Inventors: John William Dunn
Original assignee: Owens Corning Fiberglas Corp
Current assignee: Owens Corning
Priority date: 1972-06-26
Filing date: 1972-06-26
Publication date: 1975-02-11
Anticipated expiration: 1992-02-11

Abstract

A method and apparatus for coating irregularly shaped three dimensional objects. The deposition means is supported on the bottom end of a vertical post that is reciprocally mounted on a horizontal rotatable arm that is positioned above the object to be coated. The arm is supported by a vertical spindle whose axis passes generally through the mold so that it can move the vertical post completely around the object while the post is reciprocated vertically. Passageways are provided through the spindle for communicating fluids to deposition means mounted on the vertical post. The spindle rotates in a collar which communicates fluids to the passageways of the spindle. The mold is supported on a turret which rotates the mold to bring projections of the mold generally parallel to the axis of the spindle, so that the deposition means revolves around each projection. One motor is used to revolve the spindle, and a second motor is used to reciprocate the vertical post. The motors are controlled by programming means which reciprocates one of the motors while indexing the other to move the deposition means over one uninterrupted contiguous area of the mold on one side of a mold projection. Thereafter the programming means indexes the turret to bring the mold surface on the opposite side of the projection in position to be covered by programmed movement of the deposition means.

Description

United States Patent Dunn [75] Inventor: John William Dunn, Sylvania, Ohio [73] Assignee: Owens-Corning Fiherg1asCorp., Toledo, Ohio [22] Filed: June 26, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 266,191

[52] US. Cl 425/60, 118/6, 118/318, 118/321, 425/166, 425/447, 425/DIG. 44,

. 239/186 [51] Int. Cl B05c 5/00, 8050 7/02, B29c 13/00 [58] Field of Search 118/321, 323, 318, 7, 6; 425/130, 447, 166, DIG. 44, 60,134/172, 134/144; 239/178, 186

[56] Relerences one? W- "m UNITED STATES PATENTS 588,404 8/1897 Degelman 118/500 X 1,604,405 10/1926 Fox 134/172 X 1,909,260 5/1933 Forbes 118/323 2,713,001 7/1955 Manning 118/321 X 2,926,627 3/1960 Demorest et a1. 118/321 X 3,645,282 2/1972 Kurronen 134/172 X 3,736,086 5/1973 Wiltshire et a1. 425/447 X Primary Examiner-John P. McIntosh Attorney, Agent, or FirmCarl G. Staelin; John W. Overman; William P. Hickey 1 1 Feb. 11, 1975 [57] ABSTRACT A method and apparatus for coating irregularly shaped three dimensional objects. The deposition means is supported on the bottom end of a vertical post that is reciprocally mounted on a horizontal totatable arm that is positioned above the object to be coated. The arm is supported by a vertical spindle whose axis passes generally through the mold so that it can move the vertical post completely around the object while the post is reciprocated vertically. Passageways are provided through the spindle for communicating fluids to deposition means mounted on the vertical post. The spindle rotates in a collar which communicates fluids to the passageways of the spindle.

The mold is supported on a turret which rotates the mold to bring projections of the mold generally parallel to the axis of the spindle, so that the deposition means revolves around each projection. One motor is used to revolve the spindle. and a second motor is used to reciprocate the vertical post. The motors are controlled by programming means which reciprocates one of the motors while indexing the other to move the deposition means over one uninterrupted contiguous area of the mold on one side of a mold projection. Thereafter the programming means indexes the turret to bring the mold surface on the opposite side of the projection in position to be covered by programmed movement of the deposition means.

14 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures 71 1 a i l lj 65 l o.92 w [W $6594 i .5! i a 4 il a APPARATUS FOR COATING THREE DIMENSIONAL OBJECTS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Plastics containing powdered fillers can be made into molded parts using substantially any molding technique as for example by extrusion techniques, matched metal dies, etc.. Plastics reinforced by long lengths of glass fibers cannot be made by these techniques because the fibers will not flow uniformly with the resin through either the sprues and passageways leading to the cavities of the mold, or over irregular mold surfaces during closing of matched metal dies. The technology of producing glass fibers has advanced to where the fibers can be made very uniformly in long lengths as in continuous strand rovings and bonded mats. The uniformity of such glass fiber reinforcement makes it possible to produce very strong products wherein the fibers carry the tensile and compressive forces, and the plastic merely bonds the fibers together and carries shear between the fibers. Entirely different techniques must be used to produce such glass fiber reinforced products than are used to mold flowable compounds. The art has developed two types of processes for producing such glass fiber reinforced products, both of which are costly and involve a large amount of hand labor. One of these hand processes is called hand layup in which glass fiber mat is hand laid upon the surface of a mold and a curable resin is brushed or sprayed onto the mat to impregnate the mat. In the other process, continuous lengths of glass fiber strands are cut into lengths that are projected onto the moldalong with a resin spray, by what is called a chopper. Some attempts have been made to move the chopper" over generally planar mold surfaces by adaptations of extensible arm and track type transfer mechanisms, but these mechanisms have not been capable of coating mold surfaces that extend around 360 of a mold.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved apparatus for depositing materials onto surfaces which extend 360 around a mold.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved apparatus of the above described type which can coat three dimensional objects or cavities with greater uniformity or pre-programmed local reinforcement with improved efficiency.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved apparatus for supplying resin, fiber, air and other materials to a chopper" which is both revolved around the surface being coated and moved up and down over the surfaces being coated.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved apparatus of the above described type which includes a turret support for the mold which permits the material depositing apparatus BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevational view of apparatus embodying principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a collapsible bag type mold, showing a support therefor, and a spray pattern whereby material can be deposited on all external surfaces of the mold;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of one half section of a split mold having an internal mold cavity of a configuration corresponding generally to that of the exter nal surface of the mold shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken approximately on the line 44 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken approximately on the line 5- -5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a schematic elevational view of another embodiment of the invention for supporting and coating of a split mold having a configuration similar to that shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a cross-shaped mold showing another type of coating pattern which the apparatus of the present invention is capable of producmg;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a cross-shaped mold similar to that shown in FIG. 7, but showing a vertical reciprocating coating pattern which the apparatus of the present invention is capable of producing;

FIG. 9 is a schematic wiring diagram for apparatus for programming actuation of the stepper motors shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 5 and 6; and FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing construction of the stepper motors.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As previously indicated, the present invention will i have utility for projecting any type of coating material onto a surface which envelops a three dimensional object or cavity. The apparatus and method will have particular advantages in spraying paints and resins on such surfaces, and is shown in the drawing as embodied in apparatus for depositing resin and chopped fibers onto surfaces which envelop three dimensional molds.

The three dimensional molds shown have surface discontinuities or obstructions which either interfere with the movement of the deposition means or reception of materials from the deposition means; and according to further objects of the invention, a method of mold support, and a pattern of reciprocation for the deposition means is provided which allows reciprocation from opposite ends of the mold to the surface discontinuities or obstructions in a manner which allows complete coverage of the mold surfaces.

The apparatus shown in FIG. 1 generally comprises a three dimensional mold 10 that is in the form ofa collapsible bag, and which is mounted on the end of a L- shaped arm 12 of a turret structure 14. The L-shaped arm 12 is mounted on a horizontal shaft 16 that in turn is journaled on a vertical support 18. The shaft 16 is adapted to be rotated or indexed by a stepper motor 20 which drives the shaft 16 by means of sprockets 22 and 24, and a drive chain 26.

The external surface of the mold is adapted to be coated with resin and fibers by means of a chopper 28 which will later be described in detail. The chopper 28 is supported on the lower end of a vertical tubular post 30, the upper end of which is telescopically received in the lower end of another tubular vertical post 32 to ,form an extensible member for reciprocating the chopper 28 vertically. The upper end of the post 32 is clamped to a horizontal rotary member or arm 34 having a vertical spindle 36 fixed thereto. The vertical spindle 36 is positioned generally axially of the center of the mold 10, and is rotatably mounted in a bearing housing 38 that is supported on the outer end of a stationary arm 40 which is fixed to the top end of a pedestal 42. The bearing housing 38 carries upper and lower antifriction bearings 44 and 46, the inner races of which receive the spindle 36 to rotatably support the same. The upper end of the spindle 36 is slightly enlarged to provide a shoulder 48 that engages the upper surface of the upper antifriction bearing 44. The upper bearing 44 is a thrust bearing which supports the weight of the rotary arm 34 and structure attached thereto. The spindle 36 is rotated by a stepper motor 50 whose shaft carries a worm gear 52 that meshes with a ring gear 54 that is keyed to the spindle 36. The

gears

52 and 54 are surrounded by a casing 56 for safety and cleanliness.

The chopper 28 must be supplied with glass strand, resin, catalyst and pressurized air for driving the cutters of the chopper. The strand 58 that is fed to the chopper is obtained from a continuous strand package 60 mounted on the bottom of the horizontal rotary arm 34 on the opposite side of the spindle 36 from the vertical posts 30 and 32 to act-as a counter balance therefor. The strand from the package 60 passes through a plurality of guide eyes, and since the package revolves with the rotating mechanism, problems of entanglement with stationary structure is avoided. Resin, catalyst and a reservoir of compressed air are best supplied from fixed locations where they can be serviced readily. In the apparatus shown in the drawing,

pressure vessels

62, 64 and 66 and which supply the resin, catalyst and air pressure respectively, are fixed to the pedestal 42. Outlet lines from the respective pressure vessels pass through electrically operated shut-off valves located within a valve box 68 that is fixed to the pedestal. The outlet lines from the valve box 68 are connected to a sleeve that is journaled about the upper end of the spindle 36 and which has

separate connections

72, 74 and 76 for the resin, catalyst and air lines respectively. The internal surface of the sleeve 70 which engages the spindle 36 is provided with longitudinally spaced annular grooves 78, 80 and 82 to which the

connections

72, 74, and 76 are respectively connected. The internal surface of the sleeve 70 is also provided with O-ring grooves 84 above and below the respective resin, catalyst and air grooves 78, 80 and 82. The spindle 36 is provided with

longitudinal passageways

86, 88 and 90 each of which has an upper lateral portion which communicates with the grooves 78, 80 and 82 respectively, and lower lateral portions which communicate with

connections

92, 94 and 96 respectiv ely. Flexible tubing supported by the rotating members 32 and 34 communicate the

connections

92, 94 and 96 with the chopper 28 to supply the chopper with resin, catalyst and air pressure. It will now be seen that the necessary materials can be supplied to the chopper during continuous rotation of the spindle 36, and that the rotary movement of the chopper is not restricted to reciprocation in order to avoid entanglement of its supply lines.

The operation of the invention will now be described in connection with the depositing of chopped fibers, resin, and catalyst onto the exterior surface of the cross-shaped bag mold shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It will be seen that the chopper 28 is supported a short distance outwardly of the exterior surface of the mold 10, and that the lateral projections L-2 and L-4 of the mold interfere with reciprocatory up-and-down movement of the chopper 28. The mold 10 is securedto the arm 12 with the lateral projection L-2 and L-4 extending transversely of the arm 12, so that the underside of g the lateral projections L-2 and L-4 is unobstructed. The

lower post 30 is raised and lowered by a stepper motor 98 whose shaft carries a pinion 100 that engages a rack 102 that is fixed to the lower extensible vertical post 30 and is guided in the upper vertical post 32. In order to reduce the load on the motor 98, the lower vertical post 30 is counter balanced by a weight 104 and a cable 106 which passes over a pulley 108. The weight 104 is confined in the tubular post 30. One end of the cable 106 is attached to the post 30 and the other end of the cable is fixed to the weight 104.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the chopper 28 is reciprocated downwardly from the upper end of the mold 10 to the top surface of the lateral projection L-4, while the spindle 36 is indexed by the stepper motor 50. The length of the reciprocation of the chopper 28 is increased during the indexing to coat the end of the mold positioned upwardly of the projection L-4. Once the chopper is clear of the projection L-4, reciprocation proceeds over the full vertical height of the mold 10 while the stepper motor indexes the spindle until interference with the projection L-2 would be encountered. Thereafter the reciprocation of the chopper 28 is confined to the-portion of the mold above the projection L-2. Once clear of the projection L-2 thechopper 28 is again reciprocated over the full height of the mold until the chopper and arm 30 again approach the projection L-4. Thereafter the reciprocation is confined to the portion lying above the projection L-4. The valves 68 are then closed, and the stepper motor 20 is actuated to rotate the mold 90 degrees to bring the projection L-2 into a vertical position.

After the mold is indexed, the valves 68 are again opened, and the stepper motor 98 is caused to reciprocate the chopper 28 over the height of the projection L-2 while the chopper is indexed about the projection L-2. In this position of the turret, the entire surface of the projection L-2 is coated. Thereafter the valves 68 are shut off, and the stepper motor 20 is actuated to invert the arm 12 to where it supports the mold from its top end. In this position, valves 68 are again opened and the chopper 28 is reciprocated from the upper end of the mold down to the upper surface of the projection L-2 to coat one of the surfaces indicated by the numeral 3. The stepper motor 98 is then quickly advanced until the chopper 28 is above the other projection L4 and the chopper is reciprocated from the upper end of the mold down to the top surface of the projection L-4 while the stepper motor 50 is advanced, to coat the other portion of the mold designated by the other numeral 3. Thereafter the valves 68 are again closed and the stepper motor 20 is again actuated to bring projection L-4 into a vertical position. Reciprocation of the chopper 28 is repeated while rotation occurs around the projections L-4 to coat the area designated by the numeral 4 in FIG. 2.

to be lifted vertically therefrom, and thereafter the valve 114 is closed and the air line 112 is communicated to an air pressure tank 116 through a normally closed valve 118. The pressure in tank 116 is automatically maintained to provide a desired inflation pressure. After the mold is again inflated, the process can be repeated to produce another part.

The mold 120 shown in FIG. 3 is a split mold having an internal cavity. One half of the mold 120 is supported by a horizontal shaft 122 mounted in a support 124 and rotated by a stepper motor and drive mechanisms a, 22a, 24a and 26a. The stepper motor and drive mechanisms 200 through 26a are similar to those of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and operate similarly. It will be seen that the chopper 28 can be inserted into the mold cavity of the mold 120 and reciprocated over its internal surfaces. It is desired to move the chopper over the mold surfaces without passing over the openings of its lateral branches, which if this occurred would require the resin, catalyst, and air to be stopped and started repeatedly. This is accomplished by the pattern of movement indicated in FIG. 8. It will be seen that internal cavities of the molds shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 can be covered using the pattern shown in FIG. 8, and that the pattern of FIG. 8 corresponds generally to the pattern shown in FIG. 2. As previously indicated, the connection between the upper vertical post 32 and the horizontal arm 34 is a clamp. It will be understood that the post 32 is slid more or less adjacent to the spindle 36 when the chopper is to be used to coat the internal mold surfaces shown in FIGS. 3 and 6.

It will also be apparent that the internal surfaces of the mold 120 can be coated using a rotary reciprocatory motion indicated by the arrows in FIG. 7. In the pattern of movement shown in FIG. 7, the arm 34 is reciprocated 180 while the stepper motor 98 is indexed downwardly to cover one half of the main body portion of the mold. Thereafter the chopper is raised and rotated 180 to cover the opposite half of the main body portion of the mold. The chopper 28 is thereafter with drawn from the mold, and the mold indexed by the stepper motor 20a to bring the projection L-2 to a vertical position. Thereafter the chopper 28 is lowered to a position opposite the bottom of projection L4 and rotated continuously while the stepper motor 50 is indexed to move the chopper upwardly and coat the internal surfaces of the projection L-4. The chopper 28 is then raised to a position opposite projection L-2 and the process repeated. The chopper is then withdrawn from the mold, and after the coating has hardened, the

mold is split and the part removed therefrom.

FIG. 9 of the drawing shows a preferred method of controlling the

stepper motors

20, 50 and 98. Indicia for the programs of the reciprocatory and rotary movements above described, is provided on a tape which may be a paper tape having holes therein, or may be a magnetic tape. The tape has eight columns. One pair of columns of the tape 130 will be for clockwise and counterclockwise movement, respectively, of the stepper motor 20, another pair of columns will be for the clockwise and counterclockwise movement of the stepper motor 50, and another pair of columns will be for the clockwise and counterclockwise movement of the stepper motor 98. Another column will control the valve 114; and another column will control the valve 118. In the device shown in the drawing, the tape is a paper tape having holes therein and contact wheels are provided in the tape reader 132 for providing an impulse to the driving circuits.

The driving circuit for stepper motor 20 includes eight and Gates" 134-1, 134-2, 134-3, 134-4, 134-5, 134-6, 134-7 and 134-8. The clockwise tape reader for each stepper motor is connected to and Gates 134-2, 134-3, 134-6 and 134-7. The counterclockwise tape reader for this stepper motor is connected to the remaining and Gates.

The driving circuit also comprises a pair of flipflops 136-1 and 136-2. The true output 136-1T of the flip-flop 136-1 is connected to a relay 138-1 which is in turn connected to the input terminal A1 of the coil windings 140 of the stepper motor 20. The flip-flop output 136-1F of the flip-flop 136-1 is connected to relay 138-2 which is in turn connected to the input terminal for the coil A2 of the windings 140. Similarly, the true output 136-2T for the flip-flop 136-2 is connected to the relay 138-3 and which in turn is connected to the coil B1, while the flip-flop output 136-2F is connected to the relay 138-4 which in turn is connected to the coil B2. The level and/or input terminals of the Gates 134-1 and 134-3 are connected to the relay 138-3 and then to the input to coil B1, while the level input for the Gates 134-2 and 134-4 .are connected to the relay 138-4 and then to the input to coil B2. The level input terminals for the Gates 134-6 and 134-8 are connected to the input to coil Al, and the level inputs for the Gates 134-5 and 134-7 are connected to the input to coil A2.

Each stepper motor has two sets of four stator windings designated N1, N2, S1, and S2 making a total of eight poles with 45 between poles. The rotor of the stepper motor is made by an annular permanent magnet running axially of the shaft, with a disc at the North end of the magnet having 10 poles or teeth and a disc at the South end of the magnet having 10 poles or teeth. The North and South discs are rotated A tooth from each other. It will be seen, therefore, that the poles of the armature are 36 apart leaving a difference of 9 between the stator and rotor poles, so that upon changing the energization from one pole to the next, the rotor moves 9. The construction of the motor is such that a maximum flux density at N1 is provided when coils A1 and B1 are energized, that a maximum flux density at N2 is provided when coils A2 and B1 are energized, a maximum flux at $1 is provided when A2 and B2 are energized, as given in Table 1 below.

Nl N2 S1 S2 Al A2 A2 Al Bl Bl B2 B2 Referring to Table l and FIG. 7, it will be seen that clockwise rotation is had by energizing the coils in the sequence given in Table 1 when reading from left to right, and that counterclockwise rotation is had when providing impulses as given in Table 1 proceedingfrom right to left.

IT. This causes the relay 138-2 to energize coil A2.

Since coil A2 was not previously energized, the same impulse does not energize and Gate 134-7 whereas 134-6 energizes the set terminal 136-2S of flip-flop 136-2 to cause the flip-flop to energize coil Bl through relay 138-3. This first impulse therefore now causes coils A2 and B1 to be energizedas shown in column N2 of the Table.

The second clockwise impulse causes and Gate 134-3 to energize terminal 136-1C of flip-flop 136-1 and thereby again supplying an impulse to coil A2. Gate 134-6 will not be activated, but Gate 134-7 will be activated to energize terminal 136-2C and thereby cause flip-flop 136-2 to deenergize terminal 136-2T and energize terminal 136-2F. This releases coil B1 and energizes coil B2. Coils A2 and B2 will now be energized as shown in Column S1 of Table l.

The next clockwise impulse'will activate Gate 134-2 but will not activate Gate 134-3, and will activate Gate 134-7 and will not activate Gate 134-6. Gate 134-2 will therefore energize the terminal 136-1S causing flip-flop 136-1 to deenergize output l36-1F and energize output l36-1T and thereby energize coil Al. Activation of Gate 134-8 energizes clear terminal 136-2C to energize flip-flop terminal 136-2F and deenergize terminal 136- 2T. Coils A1 and B2 will now be energized to provide maximum flux for coil S2 as shown in the last column of Table l.

It will also be seen that counterclockwise pulses will energize the coils in the sequence obtained proceeding from right to left in Table l to cause the motor to move backwardly. Assuming that the motor is now in its maximum flux condition for S2 and that coils A1 and B2 are energized, the counterclockwise pulse is transmitted to Gates 134-1, 134-4, 134-5, and 134-8. Since B2 is energized, Gate 134-4 becomes conductive to energize clear terminal l36-lC to energize its flip-flop output 136-1F and deenergize its output 136-1T. This deenergizes coil A1 and energizes coil A2. Simultaneously Gate 134-8 is made conductive to energize terminal l36-2C causing the flip-flop to energize its output l36-2F and thereby maintain energization of coil B2. It will now be seen that the motor has moved to the condition shown in Column S1 of Table 1 wherein maximum flux is at S1 to move the motor in a counterclockwise direction. Succeeding counterclockwise impulses can be similarly traced.

It will now be seen that an appropriate program of indicia can be provided on tape to actuate

motors

20, 50 and 98 to either reciprocate the chopper 28 vertically while indexing the motor 50 to provide the programs shown in FIGS. 2 and 8 or can reciprocate the motor 50 while indexing the motor 98 to produce the program shown in FIG. 7. In either instance the motor 20 will be actuated at appropriate times to index the turret 14 and bring different mold surfaces axially of the vertical post 30.

It will now be apparent that there has been provided means for programming the material deposition means around a surface of revolution in a manner which clears discontinuous areas or interruptions in the surface of revolution and that this movement is completely automatic. Such method and apparatus makes it possible to produce large size pipe fittings either on internal mold surfaces or on the external surfaces of a collapsible bag using fibers of appreciable length and which are too long to flow through injection molding equipment.

It will usually be desired to provide an additional thickness of material at the intersection of outlets with the main body of conduits that are produced by the above described process. At least some of this reinforcement can be accomplished by an overlap of the spray patterns of the deposited material which forms the main body portion and a side outlet portion. It will usually be necessary, however, to deposit additional material by slowing up the movement of the deposition means over the area that is to be reinforced. This can be easily accomplished by programming a change in speed of movement of the material deposition means over the area to be reinforced by means of suitable indicia on the tape 130. An additional build up of thickness of deposited materials can also be obtained by forming the main body portion using uniform reciprocatory motion followed by an additional spray pattern that is localized overthe area to be reinforced. The apparatus of the present invention is so completely flexible that the manner in which theadditional thickness of material is to be provided is not controlled by limitations in movement of the apparatus. The manner selected for depositing the additional thickness of material can be selected depending upon the peculiarities of I the materials being deposited, the rate of cure of the material, and the need for compaction of the materials as they are deposited.

While the invention has been described in considerable detail, i do not wish to be limited to the particular embodiments shown and described, and it is my intention to cover hereby all novel adaptations, modifications, and arrangements thereof which come within the practice of those skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

1 claim:

1. Apparatus for coating three dimensional surfaces of objects comprising: turret means constructed and arranged to provide a support for an object to be coated and for rotation of the centerlineof the support in a plane passing through the longitudinal axis of an object to be coated thereon, a rotatable member positioned to one side of said support and supported for rotation about an axis generally lying in said plane, an extensible member supported on said rotatable member for reciprocation generally parallel to said axis over the corresponding axial dimension of the object, material deposition means on said extensible member for coating the object, first drive means for rotating said rotatable member, second drive means for rotating said turret means, third drive means for reciprocating said extensible member by a distance corresponding to said axial dimension, and control means constructed and arranged to actuate said first drive means for 360 of rotation of said rotatable member while also actuating said third drive means to reciprocate said deposition means over one circumferentially extending area of the object, said control means thereafter actuating said second drive means to index said turret means to bring another area of the object in line with said axis, and said control means thereafter reactuating said first and third drive means to cause said deposition means to reciprocate over said other area of the object.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said rotatable member is supported by a spindle structure having multiple passageways therethrough communicating with longitudinally spaced openings, a sleeve structure slidably engaging said spindle and having longitudinally spaced openings respective ones of which register with respective ones of said longitudinally spaced openings in said spindle through circumferential grooves in one of said structures, and means communicating with said passageways and said annular grooves for supplying fluids to said material deposition means while said rotatable member swings about said axis.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said rotatable member is positioned over said object for rotation about a generally vertical axis, and wherein said extensible member is tubular, a counterbalance weight in said tubular member, a pulley supported for rotation above said tubular extensible member, and a flexible member passing over said pulley with its ends connected to said tubular extensible member and said weight.

4. Apparatus for coating three dimensional surfaces of objects comprising: a pedestal having a lateral arm thereon, a vertical tubular support member fixed on said lateral arm for swinging movement about a vertical axis, a generally vertical extensible tubular member telescoping with said tubular support member for raising and lowering movement, a pulley on said tubular support member above said vertical extensible tubular member, a counterbalance weight in said vertical tubular support member, a flexible member passing over said pulley with one end connected to said weight and the other end connected to said extensible tubular member, material deposition means carried by said extensible vertical tubular member, and flexible conduit means external of said tubular members connected between said material deposition means and said lateral arm.

5. Apparatus for producing three dimensional objects of glass fiber reinforced plastics, comprising: a generally vertical axially extending spindle having passageways with a first set of conduit connections at one end extending therethrough and communicating with a surface of revolution of said spindle, a lateral arm member attached to said spindle and rotatable about said axis of said spindle, first motor means for rotating said lateral arm, a generally vertical member guided by said lateral arm member for raising and lowering movement, sec

ond motor means for raising and lowering said vertical member, means for supporting a mold having a three dimensional surface thereon, deposition means mounted on said generally vertical member for dispensing resin and glass fibers onto said mold surface, a collar sealingly engaging said surface of revolution of said spindle with annular grooves communicating with respective ones of said passageways, said collar having a second set of conduit connections communicating with said grooves, conduits means communicating fluid supply sources to one of said sets of conduit connections and communicating said other set of conduit connections to said deposition means, and programming means for actuating said first and second motor means to reciprocate one of said members while indexing the other member to move said deposition means over a contiguous surface of said mold.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said mold comprises two sections having two external openings communicating with an internal mold cavity, said openings being adapted to receive said deposition means. and wherein said means for supporting said mold comprises a turret mounting said mold for rotation in a plane pass ing through said openings and adapted to bring said openings in line with said vertical member, and third motor means controlled by said programming means for indexing said turret to bring the other of said mold openings in line with said vertical member after said deposition means has been programmed through said one opening to cover a first contiguous surface of said mold.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said mold comprises an inflatable bag having three dimensional external mold surfaces extending between two projecting ends, a turret supporting said inflatable bag for rotation in a plane passing through both projecting ends, and third motor means controlled by said programming means for indexing said turret to bring the other of said two ends generally parallel to said vertical member after said deposition means has coated a contiguous surface of said mold adjacent one of its ends.

8. Apparatus for depositing materials on three dimensional objects comprising: a shaft supported for rotation about a first longitudinal axis; a generally L- shaped crank arm on said shaft with the outstanding leg of the arm being positioned generally laterally from and extending longitudinally of said shaft; support means on said outstanding leg for supporting the three dimensional object at a position spaced from and generally crosswise to said shaft; material deposition means; a support arm for said material deposition means rotatable about a second axis generally passing through said support means at generally a right angle to said first axis; first motor driven means capable of moving said material deposition means longitudinally parallel to said second axis a distance equal to the axial dimension of said objects; second motor driven means for rotating said support arm about said second axis; third motor driven means for indexing said shaft; and control means constructed and arranged to cause said first motor driven means to reciprocate said material deposition means over the object in a direction parallel to said second axis while also causing said second motor driven means to rotate said support arm about said second axis to move said material deposition means over a first circumferentially extending area of the object, said control means then indexing said third motor driven means to bring another area of the object in line with said second axis, and again actuating said first and second motor means to reciprocate said deposition means over the other area of the object in like manner. 7

9. The apparatus of 'claim 8 wherein said three dimensional object is a collapsible mold, and said support for said deposition means moves said deposition means around the outside of said collapsible mold.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said material deposition means includes means to project short lengths of glass fibers and a resin spray toward said second axis.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said three dimensional object is a split mold having an internal cavity with two side outlets at an angle relative to each other; wherein said support for said deposition means positions said deposition means radially inwardly of saidv cavity through one side outlet; and wherein said programming means actuates said first and second motor means to reciprocate and revolve said deposition means in said cavity while said third motor means is stationary, then causes said first motor means to move said deposition means out of said cavity, and then actuates said third. motor means to index said mold to bring said other outlet in line with said second axis for reciprocation of said deposition means over its surface.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said material deposition means includes means to project short lengths of glass fibers and a resin spray onto the walls of the mold cavity.

13. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said support arm includes: a-vertical spindle structure centered on said second axis; a depending extensible member on said support arm positioned to one side of said spindle, said extensible member being reciprocable in a direction generally parallel to said spindle; said material deposition means being carried on said extensible member, said spindle having multiple passageways therethrough communicating with longitudinally spaced openings in said spindle; a sleeve structure slidably engaging said spindle structure and having longitudinally spaced openings respective ones of which register with respective ones of said longitudinally spaced openings in said spindle structure through circumferential grooves in one of said structures; and means communicating with said passageways in said spindle and said openings in said sleeve for supplying fluids to said ma terial deposition means while said rotatable arm swings about said axis.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 including: means on said support on the opposite side of said spindle from said extensible member for supporting a coiled package of continuous strand, and guide means fastened to at least one of said members for feeding said strand to said deposition means.

Claims

1. Apparatus for coating three dimensional surfaces of objects comprising: turret means constructed and arranged to provide a support for an object to be coated and for rotation of the centerline of the support in a plane passing through the longitudinal axis of an object to be coated thereon, a rotatable member positioned to one side of said support and supported for rotation about an axis generally lying in said plane, an extensible member supported on said rotatable member for reciprocation generally parallel to said axis over the corresponding axial dimension of the object, material deposition means on said extensible member for coating the object, first drive means for rotating said rotatable member, second drive means for rotating said turret means, third drive means for reciprocating said extensible member by a distance corresponding to said axial dimension, and control means constructed and arranged to actuate said first drive means for 360* of rotation of said rotatable member while also actuating said third drive means to reciprocate said deposition means over one circumferentially extending area of the object, said control means thereafter actuating said second drive means to index said turret means to bring another area of the object in line with said axis, and said control means thereafter reactuating said first and third drive means to cause said deposition means to reciprocate over said other area of the object.

5. Apparatus for producing three dimensional objects of glass fiber reinforced plastics, comprising: a generally vertical axially extending spindle having passageways with a first set of conduit connections at one end extending therethrough and communicating with a surface of revolution of said spindle, a lateral arm member attached to said spindle and rotatable about said axis of said spindle, first motor means for rotating said lateral arm, a generally vertical member guided by said lateral arm member for raising and lowering movement, second motor means for raising and lowering said vertical member, means for supporting a mold having a three dimensional surface thereon, deposition means mounted on said generally vertical member for dispensing resin and glass fibers onto said mold surface, a collar sealingly engaging said surface of revolution of said spindle with annular grooves communicating with respective ones of said passageways, said collar having a second set of conduit connections communicating with said grooves, conduits means communicating fluid supply sources to one of said sets of conduit connections and communicating said other set of conduit connections to said deposition means, and programming means for actuating said first and second motor means to reciprocate one of said members while indexing the other member to move said deposition means over a contiguous surface of said mold.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said mold comprises two sections having two external openings communicating with an internal mold cavity, said openings being adapted to receive said deposition means, and wherein said means for supporting said mold comprises a turret mounting said mold for rotation in a plane passing through said openings and adapted to bring said openings in line with said vertical member, and third motor means controlled by said programming means for indexing said turret to bring the other of said mold openings in line with said vertical member after said deposition means has been programmed through said one opening to cover a first contiguous surface of said mold.

8. Apparatus for depositing materials on three dimensional objects comprising: a shaft supported for rotation about a first longitudinal axis; a generally L-shaped crank arm on said shaft with the outstanding leg of the arm being positioned generally laterally from and extending longitudinally of said shaft; support means on said outstanding leg for supporting the three dimensional object at a position spaced from and generally crosswise to said shaft; material deposition means; a support arm for said material deposition means rotatable about a second axis generally passing through said support means at generally a right angle to said first axis; first motor driven means capable of moving said material deposition means longitudinally parallel to said second axis a distance equal to the axial dimension of said objects; second motor driven means for rotating said support arm about saiD second axis; third motor driven means for indexing said shaft; and control means constructed and arranged to cause said first motor driven means to reciprocate said material deposition means over the object in a direction parallel to said second axis while also causing said second motor driven means to rotate said support arm about said second axis to move said material deposition means over a first circumferentially extending area of the object, said control means then indexing said third motor driven means to bring another area of the object in line with said second axis, and again actuating said first and second motor means to reciprocate said deposition means over the other area of the object in like manner.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said three dimensional object is a collapsible mold, and said support for said deposition means moves said deposition means around the outside of said collapsible mold.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said three dimensional object is a split mold having an internal cavity with two side outlets at an angle relative to each other; wherein said support for said deposition means positions said deposition means radially inwardly of said cavity through one side outlet; and wherein said programming means actuates said first and second motor means to reciprocate and revolve said deposition means in said cavity while said third motor means is stationary, then causes said first motor means to move said deposition means out of said cavity, and then actuates said third motor means to index said mold to bring said other outlet in line with said second axis for reciprocation of said deposition means over its surface.

13. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said support arm includes: a vertical spindle structure centered on said second axis; a depending extensible member on said support arm positioned to one side of said spindle, said extensible member being reciprocable in a direction generally parallel to said spindle; said material deposition means being carried on said extensible member, said spindle having multiple passageways therethrough communicating with longitudinally spaced openings in said spindle; a sleeve structure slidably engaging said spindle structure and having longitudinally spaced openings respective ones of which register with respective ones of said longitudinally spaced openings in said spindle structure through circumferential grooves in one of said structures; and means communicating with said passageways in said spindle and said openings in said sleeve for supplying fluids to said material deposition means while said rotatable arm swings about said axis.