AIRBRUSH, a machine used for applying liquid colouring powders, flock, latex, and glazes to a surface by means of com pressed air. The use of compressed air for the atomization of liquids has been known for many years, but it is only in the last 35 years that the principle has been successfully applied to the application of all types of coating materials in commercial and industrial enterprises, and today there is hardly an institution anywhere whose product requires finishing that does not employ this method of application. The early successful use of airbrushes was in the field of art for retouching, etc.
The airbrush shown in fig. (P. 44i) is used in drawing the most delicate hair-line work, as well as photographic retouching. It is a common implement in all large newspaper art departments. Fig. 2 illustrates the next step towards a commercial airbrush, this style being used for decorative and show-card work.
The natural evolution of the airbrush that was used by the artist brought about the present industrial type (fig. 3) which is used in practically every automobile and furniture factory, or any industry applying liquid finishes to their product. This is a universal airbrush, inasmuch as it may be used with any style of fluid supply, gravity (overhead bucket), pressure tank and cup (either syphon or gravity), thus making the airbrush ap plicable to all purposes. The heads for this type are made in twelve sizes, all interchangeable, thus adapting the airbrush to all consistencies of material. The production of as high as 5,000 automobiles per day could never have been reached were it not for the airbrush, which makes it possible to coat a body in less than one minute. Fig. 4 shows an industrial installation as used for the finishing of furniture, the booth and ventilating equipment being very necessary to carry off the fumes and excess spray.
Fig. 5 illustrates an automatic adhesive and flocking unit such as used by largest industrial organizations for high speed daily production. In this unit, the airbrushes are operated automatically. In section to the right the automatic airbrush applies the adhesive or binder and in the second station at the left the specially de signed airbrush applies the flock, the unit reclaiming all unused material. Daily production in 8 hours is ,000 discs. Contract painters and large railroad companies also use the airbrush for general painting on buildings and bridges, effecting large savings, in addition to the fact they are able to do the work in season. Portable airpainting units for both electric and gasoline (petrol) engine operation are universally selected for outside airpainting jobs.
Airbrushes are now made to function in every capacity from that of a cement mixture to the most delicate art work.