Abstract: A system includes a robotic arm, a rotisserie control linkage, and a computer system. The robotic arm includes a touch probe and laser head. The rotisserie control linkage is configured to couple to a transport cart. The computer system is communicatively coupled to the robotic arm and the rotisserie control linkage and is configured to control the system to probe, using the touch probe of the robotic arm, a transparent outer layer of an aircraft canopy located on the transport cart in order to determine surface measurements of the aircraft canopy. The computer system also controls the system to ablate, using a plurality of predetermined parameters and the laser head of the robotic arm, an interface layer located between the transparent outer layer and the aircraft canopy, wherein movements of the robotic arm during the ablation are based on the surface measurements.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a spray gun light includes an aperture configured to allow the spray gun light to attach over an air cap of a spray gun. The spray gun light also includes multiple horn clips. Each horn clip is configured to couple to a respective horn of a plurality of horns of the air cap of the spray gun. The spray gun light also includes a plurality of lights that include a first light configured to shine light along a first side of a spray plume generated by the air cap, and a second light configured to shine light on along a second side of the spray plume that is opposite the first side. The spray gun light is configured to rotate along with the air cap as the air cap is rotated, thereby preventing light from the plurality of lights from being blocked by the spray plume.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system comprises a robot, a spray gun coupled to the robot and operable to spray a first predefined number of passes of a material onto a substrate at a first flow rate, and a measurement device operable to measure one or more properties of the material sprayed onto the substrate while the material is wet. The system further comprises an analyzer operable to determine a thickness of the wet material based on the one or more measured properties and calculate a second flow rate required to achieve a cured thickness of the material within a second predefined number of passes. The calculated second flow rate is based on the first predefined number of passes, an expected thickness of the wet material for one pass of the first predefined number of passes, the determined thickness of the wet material, and the first flow rate.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system comprises a robot, a spray gun coupled to the robot and operable to spray a first predefined number of passes of a material onto a substrate at a first flow rate, and a measurement device operable to measure one or more properties of the material sprayed onto the substrate while the material is wet. The system further comprises an analyzer operable to determine a thickness of the wet material based on the one or more measured properties and calculate a second flow rate required to achieve a cured thickness of the material within a second predefined number of passes. The calculated second flow rate is based on the first predefined number of passes, an expected thickness of the wet material for one pass of the first predefined number of passes, the determined thickness of the wet material, and the first flow rate.

Abstract: A method is provided for the non-contact measurement of variations in thickness of composite materials and structures prepared from composite parts. Metrologic methods are employed to provide a 3D image of the structure or part. Variations that are greater than an acceptable amount can be corrected by adding a compensation layer to the surface of the structure or part.

Abstract: A method is provided for the non-contact measurement of variations in thickness of composite materials and structures prepared from composite parts. Metrologic methods are employed to provide a 3D image of the structure or part. Variations that are greater than an acceptable amount can be corrected by adding a compensation layer to the surface of the structure or part.