Abstract: A next generation painting robot with advanced fluid delivery system, enhanced kinematics and a service airlock compartment. The painting robot includes a fluid delivery system which places color changing valves and pumping hardware on the back side of the robot's mounting pedestal, where it can be serviced without a technician having to enter the spray booth. The fluid delivery system also allows smaller and lighter robot arms, and is designed to minimize paint waste and wait time during color changes. The robot also features kinematics providing redundant inner arm rotation. The arm kinematics, along with the smaller arms, a paint supply line routed through the center of first and third arm joints, and optimized motor conductor routing, dramatically improve near reach flexibility. The improved near reach flexibility in turn allows a smaller spray booth than possible with previous robot architectures.

Abstract: A next generation painting robot with advanced fluid delivery system, enhanced kinematics and a service airlock compartment. The painting robot includes a fluid delivery system which places color changing valves and pumping hardware on the back side of the robot's mounting pedestal, where it can be serviced without a technician having to enter the spray booth. The fluid delivery system also allows smaller and lighter robot arms, and is designed to minimize paint waste and wait time during color changes. The robot also features kinematics providing redundant inner arm rotation. The arm kinematics, along with the smaller arms, a paint supply line routed through the center of first and third arm joints, and optimized motor conductor routing, dramatically improve near reach flexibility. The improved near reach flexibility in turn allows a smaller spray booth than possible with previous robot architectures.

Abstract: To apply a course on a layup mold, a ply boundary that defines a ply area on the layup mold is determined and a tape of composite material is applied on the ply area at an oblique angle relative to the ply boundary. In addition, a leading edge of the tape is butt cut and the leading edge, and the ply boundary essentially converge. Furthermore, a trailing edge is generated. The trailing edge is a butt cut and the trailing edge and the ply boundary essentially converge.