Abstract: A method of manipulating a brush relative to a brush-arm assembly of an end-effector comprises locating a carriage in one of a first position or a second position relative to a stationary component. The method also comprises, with the carriage in one of the first position or the second position, different from the first position, relative to the stationary component, locating the brush-arm assembly of the end-effector with respect to the stationary component so that the brush-arm assembly is in contact with the stationary component. The method further comprises moving the carriage in a second direction toward the stationary component, from the first position to a third position, to load the brush onto the brush-arm assembly, or moving the carriage in a first direction away from the stationary component from the second position to the first position to unload the brush from the brush-arm assembly.

Abstract: A method of delivering a glutinous substance from a cartridge to an applicator comprises receiving the cartridge inside a sleeve through an inlet of the sleeve when a pressure cap, coupled to the sleeve proximate the inlet, is in an open position. The method additionally comprises moving the pressure cap into a closed position to sealingly couple the pressure cap with a trailing end of the cartridge. The method also comprises selectively causing an automated coupler to automatically sealingly couple the applicator with a leading end of the cartridge when the cartridge is inside the sleeve and the pressure cap is in the closed position. The method further comprises applying pressure to the glutinous substance in the cartridge through a first pressure input of the pressure cap to urge the glutinous substance from the cartridge into the applicator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a sealant to a structure. The method comprises scanning a surface of the structure with a vision system to form scanned data. The method further determines a sealant application path for the structure using the scanned data. The method also controls movement of an application tip along the sealant application path using a controller.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a substance in a form of a bead on a surface in a progression direction includes a dispenser having: a leading edge, a contact portion comprising two contact points with the surface, and a trailing edge that extends between the two contact points and terminates therein. The system is configured to move the dispenser along a virtual travel plane, which is parallel to the path and passes through the two contact points, while maintaining the contact portion in communication with the surface as the substance is being dispensed. The system is also configured to monitor a leading portion of the bead and to generate a signal responsive to at least one characteristic of the leading portion, wherein the leading portion is located ahead of a portion of the leading edge in the progression direction along the path.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for applying materials at interface areas formed by fasteners and parts. Specifically, a material is delivered to an interface area such that at least a portion of a fastener remains free from this material. The interface area may be sealed such that the material is contained within that area. As such, a controlled amount of the material is dispensed in a precise location. An applicator used for this process may include a housing and inner guide slidably disposed within this housing. The material may be delivered through an annular flow channel between the housing and inner guide. The inner guide may be sealed against and, in some embodiments, centered with respect to the fastener. The housing may be sealed with respect to the part and, in some embodiments, may be rotated with respect to the part to redistribute the material at the interface area.

Abstract: A method of delivering a glutinous substance from a cartridge to an applicator is disclosed. The method comprises receiving the cartridge inside a sleeve through an inlet of the sleeve while a pressure cap is in an open position. The method also comprises moving the pressure cap into a closed position to sealingly couple the pressure cap with a trailing end of the cartridge and to sealingly couple the applicator with a leading end of the cartridge. The method further comprises applying pressure to the glutinous substance in the cartridge through the pressure input of the pressure cap to urge the glutinous substance from the cartridge into the applicator. Additionally, the method comprises moving the pressure cap into the open position to provide sufficient clearance sufficient for removal of the cartridge from the sleeve through the inlet of the sleeve.

Abstract: A method of dispensing a brushable substance onto a surface comprises (1) with a cartridge positioned inside a sleeve between an inner tubular sleeve wall and an outer tubular sleeve wall, circumscribing the inner tubular sleeve wall, and also positioned between a twist-lock pressure cap, hermetically coupled with the cartridge, and a valve, communicatively coupled with the cartridge, linearly moving an annular plunger, received between an inner tubular cartridge wall and an outer tubular cartridge wall, circumscribing the inner tubular cartridge wall, toward the valve along a first axis to urge the brushable substance from the cartridge, through the valve, and to a brush that is communicatively coupled to the valve; and (2) controlling flow of the brushable substance from the valve to the brush.

Abstract: A method of depositing an extrudable substance comprises, with a cartridge positioned inside a sleeve between an inner tubular sleeve wall and an outer tubular sleeve wall, circumscribing the inner tubular sleeve wall, and also positioned between a twist-lock pressure cap, hermetically coupled with the cartridge, and a valve, communicatively coupled with the cartridge, linearly moving an annular plunger, received between an inner tubular cartridge wall and an outer tubular cartridge wall, circumscribing the inner tubular cartridge wall, toward the valve along a first axis to urge the extrudable substance from the cartridge, through the valve, and out of a nozzle that is communicatively coupled with the valve. The method also comprises controlling flow of the extrudable substance from the valve to the nozzle.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a brushable substance comprises a bracket and a sleeve, comprising an inner tubular sleeve wall and an outer tubular sleeve wall. The sleeve is coupled to the bracket and is rotatable relative to the bracket. The apparatus also comprises a cartridge, comprising an inner tubular cartridge wall and an outer tubular cartridge wall. The apparatus additionally comprises a valve, configured to be communicatively coupled with the cartridge, a brush-arm assembly, coupled to the sleeve a linear actuator to control flow of the brushable substance from the valve, an annular plunger, positioned between the inner tubular cartridge wall and the outer tubular cartridge wall, and a twist-lock pressure cap, configured to be hermetically coupled with the cartridge. The cartridge is configured to be positioned between the inner tubular sleeve wall and the outer tubular sleeve wall and between the twist-lock pressure cap and the valve.

Abstract: An apparatus for depositing an extrudable substance comprises a bracket and a sleeve, comprising an inner tubular sleeve wall and an outer tubular sleeve wall. The sleeve is coupled to the bracket and is rotatable relative to the bracket. The apparatus also comprises a cartridge, comprising an inner tubular cartridge wall and an outer tubular cartridge wall, wherein the cartridge is configured to be positioned between the inner tubular sleeve wall and the outer tubular sleeve wall. The apparatus additionally comprises a valve, configured to be communicatively coupled with the cartridge, a nozzle, configured to be communicatively coupled with the valve, a linear actuator to control flow of the extrudable substance from the valve to the nozzle, an annular plunger, positioned between the inner tubular cartridge wall and the outer tubular cartridge wall, and a twist-lock pressure cap, configured to be hermetically coupled with the cartridge.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a flowable material is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a rotary actuator, a reservoir, containing a hydraulic fluid, a piston, movable inside the reservoir, a linear actuator, coupled to the piston, a gear train, coupling the rotary actuator with the linear actuator, and a flowable-material dispenser, hydraulically coupled with the reservoir.

Abstract: A method for dispensing a flowable material is disclosed. The method comprises holding a hydraulic fluid in a reservoir at a negative pressure, inserting a cartridge tube, having an interior, into a cartridge housing, locking an over-center mechanism relative to the cartridge housing so that a hermetic seal is created between a plunger and an interior of the cartridge tube and between an end-cap and the interior of the cartridge tube, and turning a rotary actuator in a rotational direction so that a linear actuator advances a piston within the reservoir to transfer at least a portion of the hydraulic fluid from the reservoir to a flowable-material dispenser through the end-cap and into the interior of the cartridge tube, causing the plunger to advance within the cartridge tube in a forward plunger direction, away from the end-cap.

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: A robot includes an actuator assembly, first and second parallel telescoping lead screw assemblies cantilevered from the actuator assembly, and an end effector supported by ends of the lead screw assemblies. The actuator assembly causes each lead screw assembly to independently deploy and retract.

Abstract: An applicator for delivering a glutinous substance comprises a first body portion, including an end-effector interface, extending from a base portion, a side cover to be removably coupled to the base portion, and a first cavity. A second body portion, having a second cavity intersecting the first cavity, extends from the base portion and is non-parallel to the first body portion. A tip portion, to be removably coupled to the second body portion, comprises a nozzle portion, a third cavity, communicatively coupled with the second cavity, an inner sleeve, having a splined outer surface, and an actuator interface, extending from the second body portion opposite the tip portion. The tip portion and the inner sleeve are interlocked when the inner sleeve is received inside the third cavity of the tip portion, such that the inner sleeve is prevented from rotating with respect to the tip portion.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for dispensing a flowable material (308) is disclosed. The apparatus (100) comprises a rotary actuator (120), a reservoir (140), containing a hydraulic fluid (155), a piston (145), movable inside the reservoir (140), a linear actuator (130), coupled to the piston (145), a gear train (125), coupling the rotary actuator (120) with the linear actuator (130), and a flowable-material dispenser (160), hydraulically coupled with the reservoir (140).

Abstract: A method of delivering a glutinous substance to a workpiece from an end-effector comprises using the end-effector to rotate a brush relative to the workpiece about a rotational axis. The method also comprises, while rotating the brush relative to the workpiece about the rotational axis, urging the glutinous substance from the end-effector through a channel of a body of the brush from an axial inlet of the channel to an outlet of the channel, into contact with a thatch of bristles of the brush. Additionally, the method comprises using the end-effector to position the brush relative to the workpiece such that the glutinous substance in contact with the thatch is delivered onto at least a first surface and a third surface of the workpiece.

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: 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 brush for delivering a glutinous substance to a workpiece from an end-effector is disclosed. The brush comprises a body having a rotational axis. The body comprises a first end, a second end, opposite the first end, and a channel, comprising an axial inlet and an outlet. The axial inlet is at the first end of the body and is coaxial with the rotational axis. The brush also comprises bristles, extending from the body so that the bristles are not parallel to the rotational axis of the body.