Particle and Debris Protector

Overview

During the implementation of Dometic's automated painting process, a rotating gear bar was introduced to manipulate actuator housings throughout the paint cycle. However, overspray gradually accumulated on the gear teeth, and as the gear rotated, dried paint particles would break loose and fall onto freshly painted parts, resulting in inconsistent surface finishes and increased rework. To address this issue, I designed a snap-fit adapter that attached directly to the existing gear mechanism and supported an inexpensive, commercially available plastic brim to act as a debris shield. The shield redirected falling paint particles away from the product without interfering with the robot's motion or requiring any modifications to the existing paint system. The adapter was designed in Creo Parametric with a focus on ease of installation, durability, and low manufacturing cost. Hundreds of units were manufactured and deployed throughout production, providing a simple and cost-effective solution that significantly improved paint quality while minimizing downtime and implementation costs.

Key Deliverables

• Designed a snap-fit debris shield adapter for an automated painting system.
• Developed complete 3D CAD models and manufacturing drawings in Creo Parametric.
• Reduced paint contamination by redirecting falling debris away from painted parts.