A portable programmable machine enhances efficiency and ergonomics associated with conducting otherwise manual operations within confined spaces. A main body supports a programmable telescoping arm configured to extend through an access port to reach a confined space. The arm includes an articulating wrist for holding and manipulating tools for autonomously processing work parts. The machine can also act semi-autonomously to accommodate interventions of an operator for overriding and fine-tuning interaction of a tool with a work part for proper processing of the part. The arm communicates with a computer in the main body for processing numerical data, and the operator may use a reference camera to fine tune any particular process. The machine incorporates multiple processing functions, for example collar swaging, nut running, cleaning, and/or application of sealants, all through an aircraft wing access port. The main body has lockable wheels for securing the main body near the access port.

A painting system includes a conveying mechanism adapted to convey a workpiece to be painted to a painting station, a holding and rotating mechanism mounted at the painting station and adapted to hold and rotate the workpiece, and a robot having a nozzle adapted to spray a paint on the workpiece held by the holding and rotating mechanism. The robot is configured to spray the paint onto the workpiece while the holding and rotating mechanism rotates the workpiece, spraying a layer of the paint on an outer surface of the workpiece.

In various embodiments, a zero-turn radius robotic base may comprise a substantially rectangular (e.g., rectangular) base portion that comprises a plurality of wheels. In various embodiments, the plurality of wheels are configured to support the robotic base adjacent a support surface (e.g., the ground, a suitable flooring surface within a building, etc.). In some embodiments, the robotic base comprises a first and second driving wheel and a plurality of stability wheels. In some embodiments, an axis of rotation of the first and the second driving wheel are collinear. In various embodiments, the plurality of stability wheels are spaces apart from the axis of rotation of the first and second driving wheels to provide stability to the robotic base.

This link actuation device includes: a proximal end side link hub; a distal end side link hub; and three or more link mechanisms which each couple the distal end side link hub to the proximal end side link hub. Each link mechanism includes: proximal side and distal side end link members, and an intermediate link member. The link mechanism is provided with an actuator which arbitrarily changes the posture of the distal end side link hub relative to the proximal end side link hub. A workpiece is disposed on the proximal end side link hub, and an end effector is disposed in the distal end side link hub so as to face inside of arrangement of the link hubs and perform work onto the workpiece.

A light-based measurement system is capable of directing a light beam to a cooperative target used in conjunction with a cable robot to accurately control the position of the end effector within a large volume working environment defined by a single coordinate system. By measuring the end effector while the device is in operation, the cable robot control system can be adjusted in real time to correct for errors that are introduced through the design of the robot itself providing accuracy in the tens or hundreds of micron range. A coordination processor runs control software that communicates with both the laser tracker and the cable robot. An action plan file is loaded by the software that defines the coordinate system of the working volume, the locations where actions need to be performed by the cable robot, and the actions to be taken.

This solution is for painting the external walls of a building, and adopts a lightweight six axis robotic arm mounted on a mini-gondola hoisted by a pulley system with the controlling motor located within the mini-gondola, while another set of motor located on the pulley system at the roof-top end drives the mini-gondola to traverse laterally on a set of twin-rails on the roof-top of the building. Four vacuum suction cups mounted on the mini-gondola through linear actuator are used to secure the mini-gondola to the wall. Each linear actuator has three ultrasonic distance sensors that measure and manage the distance between the mini-gondola and the wall to be painted. Once the gondola is in position, the robotic arm will be activated to start the painting process.

Automated systems and methods of using a smart end-effector tool (20) including an applicator (30) to apply a coating onto an object surface (2) (e.g., a wind blade) are provided. The smart tool (20) can process on-board sensor signals and update its working state with a remote robot controller (28) in real time and send instructions to the robot controller (28) to adjust the tool's travelling around the object surface (2) and optimize the applicator's (30) operation.

In a spraying process for coating a substrate with a substance atomised in a stream of gas, a spray head is used to generate a stream of gas that acts upon the substrate. The substance is present in a syringe-like application container equipped with an application tip. The application tip of the application container containing the substance is introduced into the stream of gas outside the spray head at a distance therefrom and transversely with respect to the main direction of flow of the stream of gas, and the substance is introduced from the application container into the stream of gas at that location.

A method for the surface treatment of an article (2) by means of a robotic device (3) comprising a robotic arm (5) and a spraying head (4) fitted on the robotic arm (5); the method comprises a learning step, during which the operator moves the spraying head (4) by means of a handling device (9) and the movements made by the spraying head (4) are stored by a storage unit (8); and a reproduction step, which is subsequent to the learning step and during which the robotic arm (5) is operated so that the spraying head (4) repeats the movements stored by the storage unit (8).

A moving robot includes a main body, a drive assembly moving the main body, and a cleaner head performing cleaning on a cleaning area in which the main body is positioned, wherein the drive assembly includes a plurality of pulleys, a motor connected to any one of the plurality of pulleys and generating a driving force, a belt rotated in contact with the plurality of pulleys, and a support shaft connected to some of the plurality of pulleys and changing a position of the pulley such that an area in which the belt is in contact with a ground or an obstacle is maintained to be equal to or greater than a reference area.