Abstract: An applicator, for applying a glutinous substance to a seam between a first part and a second part, comprises a roller, comprising a circumferential surface, and a housing, comprising a delivery port, a scraper, and a shaper. The roller is coupled to the housing and is rotatable relative to the housing about an axis. The circumferential surface of the roller is communicatively coupled with the delivery port. The intersection of the circumferential surface and a virtual plane, passing through the axis, is a non-linear segment. The scraper is geometrically complementary at least with the non-linear segment. The shaper is communicatively coupled with the scraper.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for dispensing a brushable substance (102) comprises a bracket (104) and a sleeve (110), comprising an inner tubular sleeve wall (114) and an outer tubular sleeve wall (112). The sleeve (110) is coupled to the bracket (104) and is rotatable relative to the bracket (104). The apparatus (100) also comprises a cartridge (124), comprising an inner tubular cartridge wall (126) and an outer tubular cartridge wall (128). The apparatus (100) additionally comprises a valve (140), configured to be communicatively coupled with the cartridge (124), a brush-arm assembly (152), coupled to the sleeve (110), a linear actuator (138) to control flow of the brushable substance (102) from the valve (140), an annular plunger (148), positioned between the inner tubular cartridge wall (126) and the outer tubular cartridge wall (128), and a twist-lock pressure cap (150), configured to be hermetically coupled with the cartridge (124).

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for depositing an extrudable substance (102) comprises a bracket (104) and a sleeve (110), comprising an inner tubular sleeve wall (114) and an outer tubular sleeve wall (112). The sleeve (110) is coupled to the bracket (104) and is rotatable relative to the bracket (104). The apparatus (100) also comprises a cartridge (124), comprising an inner tubular cartridge wall (126) and an outer tubular cartridge wall (128), wherein the cartridge (124) is configured to be positioned between the inner tubular sleeve wall (114) and the outer tubular sleeve wall (112).

Abstract: An autonomous shim fabrication system includes a gap data acquisition device that acquires gap data for a gap between mating surfaces of components that are to be assembled, a gap data conversion system that converts the gap data into three dimensional computer solid model data of the gap, a solid model data correction system that corrects the solid model data to generate corrected solid model data of the gap, and a solid model data conversion system that converts the corrected solid model data into a manufacturing sequence. When the manufacturing sequence is executed by a computer communicatively coupled to a manufacturing machine, the system controls the manufacturing machine to manufacture a shim corresponding to the gap.

Abstract: A method of delivering a glutinous substance from a cartridge to a brush comprises receiving the cartridge inside a sleeve through an inlet of the sleeve while a pressure cap, located proximate the inlet of the sleeve, is in an open position. The method also comprises moving the pressure cap, located proximate the inlet of the sleeve, into a closed position to sealingly couple the pressure cap with a trailing end of the cartridge and to sealingly couple a valve with a leading end of the cartridge. The method further comprises applying pressure to the glutinous substance in the cartridge through a pressure input of the pressure cap to urge the glutinous substance from the cartridge to the valve. The method additionally comprises rotating the brush and opening the valve to enable the glutinous substance to flow from the valve to the brush at least when the brush is rotating.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a glutinous substance from a cartridge to an applicator is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a sleeve and a pressure-cap assembly coupled to the sleeve. The pressure-cap assembly comprises a pressure cap proximate an inlet of the sleeve. The pressure cap is movable between, inclusively, a closed position, in which the pressure cap is in sealed engagement with a trailing end of the cartridge, and an open position, in which the pressure cap provides clearance sufficient for insertion of the cartridge inside the sleeve through the inlet of the sleeve. The pressure cap comprises a pressure input, through which pressure is selectively applied to the glutinous substance in the cartridge. The apparatus also comprises an applicator interface proximate the outlet of the sleeve.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a glutinous substance from a cartridge to a brush is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a sleeve and a pressure-cap assembly. The pressure-cap assembly comprises a pressure cap, proximate an inlet of the sleeve. The pressure cap comprises a pressure input, selectively operable to apply pressure to the glutinous substance in the cartridge when the cartridge is received within the sleeve, the pressure cap is in the closed position, and a leading end of the cartridge is in sealed engagement with a valve. The apparatus further comprises a brush-arm assembly, configured to retain the brush and capable of rotating the brush. The valve is selectively operable to enable the glutinous substance to flow from the cartridge to the brush.

Abstract: An applicator (200), for applying a glutinous substance (140) to a seam (330) between a first part (310) and a second part (320), comprises a roller (210), comprising a circumferential surface (216), and a housing (220), comprising a delivery port (222), a scraper (232), and a shaper (234). The roller (210) is coupled to the housing (220) and is rotatable relative to the housing (220) about an axis (202). The circumferential surface (216) of the roller (210) is communicatively coupled with the delivery port (222). The intersection of the circumferential surface (216) and a virtual plane, passing through the axis (202), is a non-linear segment (217). The scraper (232) is geometrically complementary at least with the non-linear segment. The shaper (234) is communicatively coupled with the scraper (232).

Abstract: An apparatus (102) for delivering a glutinous substance (168) from a cartridge (166) to an applicator (154) is disclosed. The apparatus (102) comprises a sleeve (106) and a pressure-cap assembly (104) coupled to the sleeve (106). The pressure-cap assembly (104) comprises a pressure cap (110) proximate an inlet (124) of the sleeve (106). The pressure cap (110) is movable between, inclusively, a closed position, in which the pressure cap (110) is in sealed engagement with a trailing end (169) of the cartridge (166), and an open position, in which the pressure cap (110) provides clearance sufficient for insertion of the cartridge (166) inside the sleeve (106) through the inlet (124) of the sleeve (106). The pressure cap (110) comprises a pressure input (118), through which pressure is selectively applied to the glutinous substance (168) in the cartridge (166). The apparatus (102) also comprises an applicator interface (108) proximate the outlet (128) of the sleeve (106).

Abstract: A brush (400) for delivering a glutinous substance (168) to a workpiece (170) from an end-effector (102) is disclosed. The brush (400) comprises a body (402), having a rotational axis (438). The brush (400) also comprises a shaft (404), coupled to the body (402) and coaxial with the rotational axis (438). Additionally, the brush (400) comprises a tube (430), having a first end (411) and a second end (412), opposite the first end (411). The tube (430) comprises a first channel (408), coaxial with the rotational axis (438) and having an inlet (409) and an outlet (480). Furthermore, the tube (430) extends from the body (402) in a first direction (A) along the rotational axis (438), to the second end (412). The brush (400) further comprises bristles (420) that surround a portion of the tube (430), wherein the bristles (420) extend from the body (402) in the first direction (A).

Abstract: A brush (200) for delivering a glutinous substance (168) to a workpiece (170) from an end-effector (102) is disclosed. The brush (200) comprises a body (202), having a rotational axis (238) and comprising a first channel (208) that comprises an inlet (209) and a first outlet (280). The inlet (209) is coaxial with the rotational axis (238) and the first outlet (280) is offset from the rotational axis (238). The brush (200) also comprises tufts (222), extending from the body (202) and each comprising at least one bristle (220) and a tip (227). The brush (200) further comprises a first tube (210), communicatively coupled with the first outlet (280) of the first channel (208) of the body (202).

Abstract: An applicator (102) for delivering a glutinous substance (168) to a workpiece (170) from an end-effector (101) is disclosed. The applicator (102) comprises a body (110) and a plunger (186). The plunger (186) comprises a gate (118), movable within an outlet portion (182) of a first channel (115) of the body (110) between, inclusively, an open position, allowing the glutinous substance (168) to flow from an inlet (116) of the first channel (115) to an outlet (117) of the first channel (115) and a closed position, preventing the glutinous substance (168) from flowing from the inlet (116) of the first channel (115) to the outlet (117) of the first channel (115). The applicator (102) further comprises an actuator (131), selectively operable to move the plunger (186) such that the gate (118) moves between, inclusively, the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus (102) for delivering a glutinous substance (168) from a cartridge (166) to a brush (298) is disclosed. The apparatus (102) comprises a sleeve (106) and a pressure-cap assembly (104). The pressure-cap assembly (104) comprises a pressure cap (110), proximate an inlet (124) of the sleeve (106). The pressure cap (110) comprises a pressure input (118), selectively operable to apply pressure to the glutinous substance (168) in the cartridge (166) when the cartridge (166) is received within the sleeve (106), the pressure cap (110) is in the closed position, and a leading end (167) of the cartridge (166) is in sealed engagement with a valve (154). The apparatus (102) further comprises a brush-arm assembly (176), configured to retain the brush (298) and capable of rotating the brush (298). The valve (154) is selectively operable to enable the glutinous substance (168) to flow from the cartridge (166) to the brush (298).

Abstract: An apparatus (102) for delivering a glutinous substance (168) from a cartridge (166) to an applicator (154) is disclosed. The apparatus (102) comprises a sleeve (106) and a pressure-cap assembly (104) coupled to the sleeve (106). The pressure-cap assembly (104) comprises a pressure cap (110) proximate an inlet (124) of the sleeve (106). The pressure cap (110) is movable between, inclusively, a closed position, in which the pressure cap (110) is in sealed engagement with a trailing end (169) of the cartridge (166), and an open position, in which the pressure cap (110) provides clearance sufficient for insertion of the cartridge (166) inside the sleeve (106) through the inlet (124) of the sleeve (106). The pressure cap (110) comprises a pressure input (118), through which pressure is selectively applied to the glutinous substance (168) in the cartridge (166). The apparatus (102) also comprises an applicator interface (108) proximate the outlet (128) of the sleeve (106).

Abstract: An apparatus (102) for delivering a glutinous substance (168) from a cartridge (166) to an applicator (254) comprises a sleeve (106) and a pressure-cap assembly (104). The pressure-cap assembly (104) comprises a pressure cap (110), proximate an inlet (124) of the sleeve (106). The pressure-cap assembly (104) also comprises an actuator (114), coupled to the pressure cap (110) and to the sleeve (106). The apparatus (102) further comprises an automated coupler (223), configured to automatically reversibly sealingly couple the applicator (254) with the leading end (167) of the cartridge (166).

Abstract: A brush (400) for delivering a glutinous substance (168) to a workpiece (170) from an end-effector (102) is disclosed. The brush (400) comprises a body (402), having a rotational axis (438). The brush (400) also comprises a shaft (404), coupled to the body (402) and coaxial with the rotational axis (438). Additionally, the brush (400) comprises a tube (430), having a first end (411) and a second end (412), opposite the first end (411). The tube (430) comprises a first channel (408), coaxial with the rotational axis (438) and having an inlet (409) and an outlet (480). Furthermore, the tube (430) extends from the body (402) in a first direction (A) along the rotational axis (438), to the second end (412). The brush (400) further comprises bristles (420) that surround a portion of the tube (430), wherein the bristles (420) extend from the body (402) in the first direction (A).

Abstract: An apparatus (812) for loading and unloading a brush (822) to and from a brush-arm assembly (802) of an end-effector (102) is disclosed. The apparatus (812) comprises a base (814) and a carriage (818), which is movable along an axis (A) at least to a first position, a second position, or a third position relative to the base (814). The carriage (818) comprises a brush receptacle (820), configured to prevent movement of the brush (822) in a first direction, but not in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, when the brush (822) is placed in the brush receptacle (820). The apparatus (812) also comprises a stationary component (832), fixed relative to the base (814) and configured to prevent movement of the brush-arm assembly (802) in the second direction. Additionally, the apparatus (812) comprises a linear actuator (816), configured to move the carriage (818).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a dispensing device. Sensor data about fluid that is being dispensed through the dispensing device may be received. A pressure of the fluid may be identified using the sensor data. A tool configured to move the fluid from a fluid source to the dispensing device based on the pressure identified to control a rate at which the fluid flows from the fluid source to the dispensing device may be controlled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a dispensing device. Sensor data about fluid that is being dispensed through the dispensing device may be received. A pressure of the fluid may be identified using the sensor data. A tool configured to move the fluid from a fluid source to the dispensing device based on the pressure identified to control a rate at which the fluid flows from the fluid source to the dispensing device may be controlled.