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 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 method of generating a path for processing a physical profile of a part with a tool is provided. The physical profile has a shape. The method comprises identifying a processing location on the physical profile of the part. The processing location is within an inspection region. The method also comprises identifying an inspection-region location based on the processing location. An inspection region is geometrically associated with the inspection-region location. The method additionally comprises identifying a processing location on the physical profile of the part. The processing location is within the inspection region. The method also comprises generating at least a portion of the path based on the processing location and the processing location.

Abstract: An applicator for delivering a glutinous substance to a workpiece from an end-effector is disclosed. The applicator comprises a body and a plunger. The plunger comprises a gate, movable within an outlet portion of a first channel of the body between, inclusively, an open position, allowing the glutinous substance to flow from an inlet of the first channel to an outlet of the first channel and a closed position, preventing the glutinous substance from flowing from the inlet of the first channel to the outlet of the first channel. The applicator further comprises an actuator, selectively operable to move the plunger such that the gate moves between, inclusively, the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: A sealant-applicator tip (100) comprises a body (102), having a plane of symmetry (104) and comprising an inlet opening (106). The sealant-applicator tip (100) also comprises a head (108), extending from the body (102) opposite the inlet opening (106). The head (108) comprising a first planar face (110), comprising a first linear edge (112), a second planar face (114), comprising a second linear edge (116), a third face (118), comprising a third edge (120), a fourth face (122), comprising a fourth edge (124), a fifth edge (126), a sixth edge (128), a seventh edge (130), and an outlet opening (134), formed in the third face (118) and in communication with the inlet opening (106) of the body (102). The sealant-applicator tip (100) further comprises a channel (140), extending from the inlet opening (106) to the outlet opening (134).

Abstract: Systems and methods according to one or more examples are provided for determining a flow rate of a fluid. In certain examples, a fluid volume flow rate measurement station may be provided. The station may include a plunger, a volume chamber with a cavity, and a level sensor attached to the volume chamber. In certain such examples, the station may measure the flow rate of a fluid. The station may be incorporated into an automated manufacturing system and certain parameters associated with the automated manufacturing system may be adjusted according to the flow rate of the fluid determined by the station.

Abstract: An applicator (102) for delivering a glutinous substance (168) to a workpiece (170) from an end-effector (101). The applicator (102) comprises a body (110), comprising a first channel (115), and comprises a tip (160), configured to be releasably attached to the body (110). The tip (160) comprises a through cavity (162), communicatively coupled with an outlet portion (182) of the first channel (115) when the tip (160) is coupled with the body (110). The applicator (102) also comprises a coupler (154), configured to releasably attach the tip (160) to the body (110) by interlocking with the tip (160) and with the body (110) such that the coupler (154) has no more than three degrees of freedom relative to the tip (160) and the body (110). The applicator (102) further comprises a retainer (156), configured to maintain the coupler (154) interlocked with the body (110) and with the tip (160).

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 installation device (300) for coupling a tip (160) to a body (110) of an applicator (102). The applicator (102) comprises a coupler (154), releasably engageable with the tip (160) to interlock the tip (160) with the body (110). The installation device (300) comprises a tip holder (362) that comprises two resilient pawls (361), configured to releasably retain the tip (160). A removal device (400) for decoupling a tip (160) from a body (110) of an applicator (102). The removal device (400) comprising a wall (430), a through channel (460) in the wall (430), a pawl (404) coupled to the wall (430), and a wedge extending from the wall (430).

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: 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 (100) of generating a path (470) for processing a physical profile (230) of a part (200) with a tool (303) is provided. The physical profile (230) has a shape. The method (100) comprises identifying a processing location (440a) on the physical profile (230) of the part (200). The processing location (440a) is within an inspection region (450a). The method (100) also comprises identifying an inspection-region location (460b) based on the processing location (440a). An inspection region (450b) is geometrically associated with the inspection-region location (460b). The method (100) additionally comprises identifying a processing location (440b) on the physical profile (230) of the part (200). The processing location (440b) is within the inspection region (450b). The method (100) also comprises generating at least a portion of the path (470) based on the processing location (440a) and the processing location (440b).

Abstract: Systems and methods according to one or more examples are provided for determining a flow rate of a fluid. In certain examples, a fluid volume flow rate measurement station may be provided. The station may include a plunger, a volume chamber with a cavity, and a level sensor attached to the volume chamber. In certain such examples, the station may measure the flow rate of a fluid. The station may be incorporated into an automated manufacturing system and certain parameters associated with the automated manufacturing system may be adjusted according to the flow rate of the fluid determined by the station.

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.