A device and method for applying a material to a surface to repair, restore or refurbish at least a portion of the surface. The device has a sensor and one or more applicator nozzles. The device further includes a reservoir for containing a material to be deposited, and a CPU. The method includes providing information from the sensor about the surface to the CPU, which uses the information to identify where the material is to be deposited and/or how much to deposit.

Disclosed are methods of protecting porous substrates and/or increasing the peel-resistance of coatings and stains for porous substrates. The methods may include providing a stain or coating comprising a microencapsulated self-healing material; and applying the stain or coating to a porous substrate. Damage to the stain or coating may release the self-healing material at a site of damage, such as a crack or scratch in the stain or coating. The self-healing material may be a polymeric precursor, an unsaturated polyester resin or alkyd, a fatty acid-based natural oil or derivative thereof, or a cross-linkable silane or siloxane monomer or resin. The microencapsulated self-healing material may include a microcapsule having a shell wall that includes a thermosetting polymer or a thermoplastic polymer; the thermosetting polymer may include urea-formaldehyde, melamine formaldehyde, polyurethane, polyurea, or polyacrylate; and the thermoplastic polymer comprises poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(lactic acid), or poly(glycolic acid).

One aspect is a method for producing a plurality of wire elements, including providing a metal wire, coating the metal wire with a first layer to obtain a first coated wire, subjecting the first coated wire to a first quality control process, marking any first defects identified in the first quality control process, coating the first coated wire with a further layer to obtain a further coated wire, and cutting the further coated wire to obtain a plurality of wire elements. Prior to cutting the further coated wire to obtain the plurality of wire elements, a first length of the first coated wire is less than 10% longer than a further length of the further coated wire.

Candy color metallic paint finishes can be formed or repaired by applying to a substrate a colored liquid base coating composition containing a colored metal oxide-coated nontransparent silver dollar aluminum flake pigment and optional additional colored pigments or dyes dispersed in a first hardenable binder to form a reflective colored base layer that hides the primed substrate and has a sparkling metallic appearance. A colored liquid intermediate coating composition containing a colored pigment or dye dispersed in a second hardenable binder is applied to the base layer to form a colored intermediate layer that increases the color saturation of incident light reflected from the base layer. The intermediate layer can be overcoated with a liquid clearcoat composition. The completed finish can replicate an original equipment manufacturer multilayer candy color metallic finish, while providing ease of application, low sensitivity to layer thickness variation, and low mottle.

Methods and apparatus for performing repair operations using an unmanned aerial vehicle. The methods are enabled by equipping the UAV with tools for rapidly repairing a large structure or object (e.g., an aircraft or a wind turbine blade) that is not easily accessible to maintenance personnel. In accordance with various embodiments disclosed below, the unmanned aerial vehicle may be equipped with an easily attachable/removable module that includes an additive repair tool. The additive repair tool is configured to add material to a body of material. For example, the additive repair tool may be configured to apply a sealant or other coating material in liquid form to a damage site on a surface of a structure or object (e.g., by spraying liquid or launching liquid-filled capsules onto the surface). In alternative embodiments, the additive repair tool is configured to adhere a tape to the damage site.

A disc changing system for a robotic defect repair system is presented. The system has a first abrasive disc and a second abrasive disc. The first and second abrasive discs are coupled to a liner. The system includes an abrasive disc placement device configured to automatically: remove the first abrasive disc from the liner, transport the first abrasive disc to a robotic tool of the robotic defect repair system, and place the first abrasive disc on a backup pad coupled to the robotic tool. The system also includes an abrasive disc remover configured to automatically remove the first abrasive disc after receiving a removal signal. The system also includes a controller configured to send an instruction to the disc placement device to remove, transport and place the first abrasive disc, instruct the robotic tool to conduct an abrasive operation. The controller is also configured to send the removal signal. The controller is a processor and the instructions are stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium and executed by the processor

A method for repairing surface imperfections on a vehicle body includes the application of an uncured layer to a thickness of up to 0.254 mm of a primer composition comprising: a polyester resin, an acrylated urethane resin, a crosslinking agent, a solvent, and a particulate filler to the vehicle body. The uncured layer is exposed to actinic radiation to induce cure of the uncured layer to form a coating to fill the surface imperfection on the vehicle body. A surface coating primer composition is also provided that includes a polyester resin; an acrylated urethane oligomer or polymer; a crosslinking agent; a solvent; a photoinitiator; and a particulate filler. The uncured composition has a viscosity of between 100 and 800 centipoise.

The method for producing a repair sheet includes: attaching a nonpolar resin plate to an appropriate position on a dummy vehicle body corresponding to a repair area including a coating film in need of repair; supplying the dummy vehicle body to a topcoat application line and forming a pigment layer on a nonpolar resin plate and a clear layer on a nonpolar resin plate under a condition equal to that for topcoat application to a vehicle body to be actually coated; and supplying the dummy vehicle body to a coating drying line and drying the nonpolar resin plate having the pigment layer and the nonpolar resin plate having the clear layer formed thereon under a condition equal to that for coating drying of the vehicle body to be actually coated.

Methods and apparatus for performing repair operations using an unmanned aerial vehicle. The methods are enabled by equipping the UAV with tools for rapidly repairing a large structure or object (e.g., an aircraft or a wind turbine blade) that is not easily accessible to maintenance personnel. In accordance with various embodiments disclosed below, the unmanned aerial vehicle may be equipped with an easily attachable/removable module that includes an additive repair tool. The additive repair tool is configured to add material to a body of material. For example, the additive repair tool may be configured to apply a sealant or other coating material in liquid form to a damage site on a surface of a structure or object (e.g., by spraying liquid or launching liquid-filled capsules onto the surface). In alternative embodiments, the additive repair tool is configured to adhere a tape to the damage site.

A compound delivery applicator comprising a substantially conical portion comprising a first end configured to couple to a compound receptacle and an applicator blade coupled to the substantially conical portion. The applicator blade comprises a first portion extending outwardly along a longitudinal axis of and from a second end of the substantially conical portion, the first portion comprising a first side edge and a second side edge each forming an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the substantially conical portion and a scraper coupled to the first portion distal the substantially conical portion. The compound delivery applicator further comprises a compound delivery channel extending internally through at least a portion of the substantially conical portion, the compound delivery channel further extending through the scraper of the applicator blade and configured to pass a compound therethrough.