Fig. 123.—Show Card Done by Spraying (Strong).
The finishing material, such as varnish, to be used is pumped from the bottom of the tank by the electric motor-driven pump, in a continuous stream, through the flexible hose, to the nozzle. The flow of material is adjusted by the regulator, by means of which a varying amount is not put into use and returned to the tank. In this way the flow from the nozzle is instantly adaptable to any class of work and viscosity of fluid without changing the speed of the motor.
When the nozzle is closed the material pumped is all forced back into the tank through the overflow. This, serves to agitate the material; in fact, is the only agitation necessary with material containing pigment, such as colour varnish.
The body to be flowed is—as shown in Fig. 122—placed over the drain trough. The operator first applies the material all along the top, then flows it copiously over the upper half of the surface. Sufficient material is thus, applied to insure a perfect flow to the bottom. The job is allowed to drain into the trough which carries the material back to the tank—here it is strained and, without the slightest waste, used again.
Only enough material is put into the tank to take care of the work at hand, or to handle the day's production. The maximum amount of material exposed is 15 gallons—the tank's capacity. The nozzle will operate satisfactorily on a gallon of material.
The tank, motor, pump and regulator are—as previously stated—mounted on a truck fitted with casters, permitting of these parts being moved about with the greatest of ease. Another appreciable advantage of this style of arrangement is that an extra truck can be kept on hand and put into immediate use in case of accident.
The cleaning of the parts is simple. The nozzle of the machine is detached and all of the material pumped out of the tank, after which a small quantity of naphtha—or some other similar solvent—is put into the tank and pumped through the machine.
As the motor is only 1-6 H.P., the consumption of power is low. The motor is made for all kinds of current, and can be attached to any light socket.
It may be observed that the pressure tank used in this equipment permits of the use of heavier or more viscid enamels and paints than would be possible where gravity was depended upon. In view, however, of the success which has been met with in the case of the Ford Motor Company, there appears to be no reason why the Floco process should not be used for some of the undercoats, as well as for the finishing.