A robotic paint applicator having a plurality of relatively movable housing
enclosures each including an explosion proof motor including a housing
having a gas inlet and outlet, and a source of non-combustible gas under
pressure connected to each motor housing inlet circulating non-combustible
gas through the motor housing and directing non-combustible gas into the
robot housing enclosures. The robot housing enclosures are substantially
air-tight and interconnected with a control unit operating an inlet valve
to maintain a predetermined pressure of non-combustible gas within each
robot housing enclosure. The method of this invention includes purging the
motor housings and robot enclosures at a first pressure and maintaining a
lesser pressure of non-combustible gas following purging.
