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 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 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: 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: A method and apparatus for forming and shaping a fillet at an interface. A fluid may be dispensed from a nozzle onto the interface as the nozzle is moved along the interface to form the fillet. An exposed surface of the fillet may be worked using a fairing element associated with the nozzle, as the nozzle is moved along the interface and the fluid is dispensed from the nozzle.

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: 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: 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 body (402) comprises a first end (407), a second end (411), opposite the first end (407), and a channel (408), comprising an axial inlet (409) and an outlet (480). The axial inlet (409) is at the first end (407) of the body (402) and is coaxial with the rotational axis (438). The brush (400) also comprises bristles (420), extending from the body (402) so that the bristles (420) are not parallel to the rotational axis (438) of the body (402).

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: 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 and apparatus for applying a fluid onto a number of surfaces. In one illustrative example, an apparatus may comprises a base having a number of channels, a number of flexible members extending from the base, and an applicator extending from the base on a same side as the number of flexible members. A flexible member in the number of flexible members may have a fluid channel connected to at least one of the number of channels in the base to allow a fluid flowing through the number of channels to flow out of the fluid channel. The applicator may be configured to apply the fluid flowing out of the number of flexible members onto a number of surfaces.

Abstract: One example of the present disclosure relates to a system for dispensing a substance in a form of a bead on a surface in a progression direction along a path. The system includes a dispenser having, while the substance is being dispensed: a leading edge, a contact portion including two contact points with the surface, and a trailing edge that extends between the two contact points and terminates therein. The system also includes first means for moving 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 also includes second means for monitoring a leading portion of the bead and for generating 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: A method and apparatus for cleaning surfaces of an object. A platform may be moved along a path relative to the object using a robotic device. A liquid may be applied onto the plurality of surfaces of the object using an applicator associated with the platform. The liquid may be worked into the plurality of surfaces using a plurality of cleaning elements associated with the platform to dislodge undesired material from the plurality of surfaces. A plurality of flexible members may be moved along the plurality of surfaces to dry the plurality of surfaces and remove the undesired material from the plurality of surfaces. An airflow may be generated that moves the undesired material into a vacuum duct in a vacuum system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a fluid onto a number of surfaces. In one illustrative example, an apparatus may comprises a base having a number of channels, a number of flexible members extending from the base, and an applicator extending from the base on a same side as the number of flexible members. A flexible member in the number of flexible members may have a fluid channel connected to at least one of the number of channels in the base to allow a fluid flowing through the number of channels to flow out of the fluid channel. The applicator may be configured to apply the fluid flowing out of the number of flexible members onto a number of surfaces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching a nozzle to a fluid dispensing system and a tip to the nozzle. In one illustrative example, the fluid dispensing system may be moved by a robotic device towards a nozzle retaining structure having nozzle retaining areas holding nozzles. A nozzle may be selected for use based on a nozzle identifier element corresponding to each of the nozzles. The robotic device may move the fluid dispensing system to the nozzle selected to attach the fluid dispensing system to the nozzle selected. Further, the fluid dispensing system may be moved by a robotic device towards a tip retaining structure having tip retaining areas holding tips. A tip may be selected for use based on a tip identifier element corresponding to each of the tips. The robotic device may move the fluid dispensing system to the tip selected to attach the nozzle to the tip selected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming and shaping a fillet at an interface. A fluid may be dispensed from a nozzle onto the interface as the nozzle is moved along the interface to form the fillet. An exposed surface of the fillet may be worked using a fairing element associated with the nozzle, as the nozzle is moved along the interface and the fluid is dispensed from the nozzle.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a drill bit including a drill bit body having a central axis. A first cutting edge is disposed on the drill bit body at a first radial distance from the central axis as measured within a plane normal to the central axis. And a second cutting edge is disposed on the drill bit body at a second radial distance from the central axis as measured from within the plane. The first radial distance is less than the second radial distance.