A system and a method for determining a sealant profile to be applied by a sealant applicator, the applicator being arranged to apply sealant to the surface of a component. The system includes an imager configured to generate measurement data representing the surface of the component and a data receiver. The data receiver is arranged to receive the generated measurement data and predetermined component-related data. The system also includes a processor arranged to analyse the received data and to generate, based on the analysis, a sealant profile for application to the component, and a data output arranged to output data representing the generated sealant profile to the sealant applicator.

A tire shine application system includes a computer having at least one sensor interfaced thereto that detects and measures sizes of a tire of a vehicle as the vehicle enters a car wash. A tire shine applicator is interfaced to a three-directional movement device that is controlled by the computer. When the tire approaches the tire shine applicator, the computer controls the three-directional movement device to position the tire shine applicator to an outwardly facing wall of the tire and controls the three-directional movement device so that the tire shine applicator traverses the outwardly facing wall of the tire while tracking the tire as the tire shine applicator deposits tire shine liquid on the outwardly facing wall of the tire.

A dispensing apparatus includes a frame having a gantry configured to provide movement in the X axis and Y axis directions, and first and second dispensing units coupled to the gantry and configured to dispense material onto a substrate. The second dispensing unit is coupled to the gantry by an automatic adjustment mechanism. The dispensing apparatus further includes a controller configured to control the operation of the gantry, the first dispenser, the second dispenser, and the automatic adjustment mechanism. The automatic adjustment mechanism is configured to move the second dispenser in the X axis and Y axis directions to manipulate a spacing between the first dispensing unit and the second dispensing. Methods of dispensing material on the substrate are further disclosed.

A method is provided for preparing an area of the ground surface to be milled by a milling machine. Prior to performing any milling operation on the area of the ground surface, a survey vehicle separate from the milling machine is used to traverse the area. The survey vehicle detects the presence of buried obstacles with a sensor and generates a sensor output signal indicative of the presence of the buried obstacle. The sensor output signal is received in a controller which generates a sprayer actuation signal and responds to the sensor output signal. A marking sprayer is actuated in response to the sprayer actuation signal and sprays the ground surface above the obstacle with a visible marking emitted from the sprayer. Subsequently, a milling machine separate from the survey vehicle may be utilized to mill the ground surface and by observation of the visible markings the operator may avoid impacting the milling drum with the buried obstacles.

A material deposition system and method is disclosed for depositing material onto raised features on a surface of a substrate. The material deposition system and method are a contact deposition or printing system and method, which employs biased rollerball to deposit the material as it travels along the substrate and over the raised features.

A system for automatically applying a bead of sealant within a peripheral groove defined between two elements coupled to each other and having dimensions that are not strictly predetermined. In one example, a manipulator robot includes a sealant dispensing head including a dispensing nozzle and a profilometer. An electronic controller moves the sealant dispensing head for a first pass along the peripheral groove to detect the profile of the facing lateral surfaces defining the peripheral groove. The correct amount of sealant is calculated based on the detected profile of the groove. The electronic controller moves the dispensing head for a second pass to dispense the calculated amount of sealant in the peripheral groove. In one example, the sealant is dispensed with a constant flow rate and the speed of movement of the dispensing nozzle varies to apply the calculated amount of sealant to each portion of the peripheral groove.

Provided are a pump position feedback type dispenser and dispensing method, in which an image of a work, to which a viscous liquid is to be dispensed, is captured to determine an accurate position and direction of the work, and then a position of a pump is received in real time so as to dispense the viscous liquid to the work while ensuring that the pump reaches the accurate position of the work.

An imprint apparatus forms imprint material using a mold on a substrate. The imprint apparatus includes a movable stage configured to hold the substrate, a supply portion configured to discharge the imprint material, and a control unit configured to cause the supply portion to discharge the imprint material while moving the stage so that the imprint material is supplied onto the substrate. The control unit controls discharge of the imprint material from the supply portion so that a target amount of the imprint material is arranged at a target position on the substrate, based on property information indicating a relation between a discharge amount of imprint material from the supply portion and a position on a target object where the imprint material is to be arranged.

A system and a method for determining a sealant profile to be applied by a sealant applicator, the applicator being arranged to apply sealant to the surface of a component. The system includes an imager configured to generate measurement data representing the surface of the component and a data receiver. The data receiver is arranged to receive the generated measurement data and predetermined component-related data. The system also includes a processor arranged to analyse the received data and to generate, based on the analysis, a sealant profile for application to the component, and a data output arranged to output data representing the generated sealant profile to the sealant applicator.

An improved system for applying a coating to a sheet is disclosed. The system allows precise control of the actuation of the valves and movement of the nozzle to create a plurality of coating profiles. The system includes a controller, which is used to actuate the valves to begin and terminate the flow of material onto the sheet through a nozzle. In addition, the controller may move the nozzle from its operative position to an inoperative position away from the sheet. In some embodiments, a fluid displacement mechanism is used. The controller is also able to coat the opposite side of the sheet. Registration of the coating can be programmed to be in exact alignment, or advanced or delayed by a specific amount.