A rotary atomizer for coating workpieces with a fine layer of liquid material, and a method of operating the said atomizer. A rotary atomizer (10) for coating workpieces with a fine layer of liquid material fed at very low flow rates includes a bell-type rotatable atomizing device (12) for dispensing the liquid from an edge (17) in an atomized condition under the effect of centripetal forces. The liquid fed into a tube (21) having an outlet (20) within the bell (12) appears as discontinuous drops (40) at the outlet (20). Air is also fed into the bell (12) via a tub (25) having an outlet (26) disposed adjacent the liquid outlet (20) such that the air jet (41) breaks up the drops (40) and forms a spray (42) directed at the internal wall of the bell (12). The spray (42) coalesces into a continuous film of liquid as it travels on the internal wall of the bell (12) to the discharge edge (17).
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