Abstract: A method of manufacturing a rotary abrasive machining tool, the rotary abrasive machining tool including a hub and a plurality of abrasive segments mounted to the hub, the method including the steps of: mounting each abrasive segment on the hub; machining an abrading edge on each abrasive segment while the abrasive segment is mounted on the hub.

Abstract: A sensing system for a continuum arm robot, the sensing system comprising at least one camera ring system mounted to the continuum robot, the camera ring system having at least two forward-facing cameras that face along the axis of the robot towards the tip.

Abstract: A universal actuator for driving a continuum arm robot having a plurality of tendons includes; a housing; a power supply pack with a power source; a control pack with an industrial programmable logic controller, a screen, a rotary encoder linked to an analogue input device, a digital output device, a plurality of electronic control cards that connect the programmable logic controller to a user input device, the rotary encoder and an actuator pack for controlling the motion of the continuum arm robot, the programmable logic controller or the screen having a computer program to allow for set up and control of the continuum arm robot.

Abstract: A method of forming a protective coating includes providing a substrate including a major surface. The method further includes providing a top coat layer adjacent to the major surface of the substrate. The top coat layer includes a top coat surface distal to the substrate. The method further includes forming a plurality of slots in the top coat layer. The method further includes at least partially heating the top coat surface above a threshold temperature, such that a first portion of the top coat layer extending from the top coat surface partially melts to form a glazed layer, and a second portion of the top coat layer disposed between the glazed layer and the major surface of the substrate is not melted and includes at least a portion of each of the plurality of slots.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating a surface of a substrate includes an evaporant source disposed within an open environment including air at atmospheric pressure. The evaporant source includes a coating material. The apparatus further includes an energy beam source disposed within the open environment and configured to emit at least one energy beam that impinges on an emission region of the evaporant source to form a vapour plume at the emission region. The vapour plume includes the coating material of the evaporant source. The apparatus further includes a fixture configured to position the evaporant source relative to the substrate within the open environment, such that a maximum distance between the emission region of the evaporant source and the surface of the substrate is less than or equal to 10 cm.

Abstract: A continuum arm robot comprising: a tool, a tip section comprising a number of sections a manipulatable robotic section having multiple degrees of freedom, a stiffening section comprising a passive core with an inflatable section surrounding the passive core and a valve for allowing a fluid into the inflatable outer; and a passive section comprising a length of flexible conduit, wherein the core of the passive section and the stiffening section contain the cables for manipulating the tip section and the fluid conduit for supplying the fluid to the inflatable outer.

Abstract: An inspection system for mounting on a user's hand. The inspection system comprising: an imaging unit comprising two sub-units, the first sub-unit being configured to provide images from a first point of view and the second sub-unit being configured to provide images from a second point of view; and a measuring unit configured to provide data relating to a physical property measured at a measurement location on the user's hand. The imaging unit has a separation sensor configured to measure the separation between the two sub-units of the imaging unit. A method of inspecting and/or servicing a machine is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cutting insert for a cutting tool includes a body having a cutting edge, a rake face, and micro channels provided on the rake face adjacent the cutting edge. The micro channels define a grid pattern of micro channels that intersect each other in a region of the rake face where contact between a chip and the rake face is assumed to occur during cutting with the cutting insert.

Abstract: A continuum arm robot system comprising at least a first continuum arm robot and a second continuum arm robot, each continuum arm robot being controlled by its own actuator pack, and each actuator pack being coupled to a single control computer, wherein at least the second continuum arm robot comprises a releasable connection mechanism to engage in gripping the first continuum arm robot in a workspace, so as to link the at least two continuum arm robots into a single redundant robotic system with at least the second continuum arm robot providing support for the first continuum arm robot.

Abstract: A universal actuator for driving a continuum arm robot having a plurality of tendons includes; a housing; a power supply pack with a power source; a control pack with an industrial programmable logic controller, a screen, a rotary encoder linked to an analogue input device, a digital output device, a plurality of electronic control cards that connect the programmable logic controller to a user input device, the rotary encoder and an actuator pack for controlling the motion of the continuum arm robot, the programmable logic controller or the screen having a computer program to allow for set up and control of the continuum arm robot.

Abstract: A coolant for a subtractive machine process, the coolant comprising a phase change material which changes from a solid state to a liquid state as a result of frictional heat generated during the subtractive machine process of the machine tool on a component to be machined, and returns to the solid state as the component cools.

Abstract: A clamping mechanism for machining a composite component. The clamping mechanism comprising two or more opposing clamping plates, each clamping plate comprising a clamping surface; and wherein each clamping surface is adaptable to follow the microstructural surface of the composite component being clamped. The clamping surface may comprise a plurality of deformable micropillars featuring a body that extends to a base on the clamping plates and a head that deforms to follow the microstructural surface of the composite component. The clamping surface in use may be an exact negative of the microstructural surface of the component clamping surface. Each clamping surface may comprise a disposable insert that replicates exclusively at the point of contact the microstructural surface of the component being clamped.

Abstract: A hand-mounted inspection system, configured to be mounted on a user's hand, comprising: an imaging unit, configured to provide images from at least one point of view located on the user's hand; and a measuring unit, configured to provide data relating to a physical property measured at a measurement location on the user's hand. The measuring unit includes a sensor configured to provide a measurement between two measurement locations, each of the two measurement locations being located on a digit of the user's hand, a tip of a digit of the user's hand, on the phalanges of a digit of a user's hand, on the palm of the user's hand or on the back of the user's hand.

Abstract: An inspection system for mounting on a user's hand. The inspection system comprising: an imaging unit comprising two sub-units, the first sub-unit being configured to provide images from a first point of view and the second sub-unit being configured to provide images from a second point of view; and a measuring unit configured to provide data relating to a physical property measured at a measurement location on the user's hand. The imaging unit has a separation sensor configured to measure the separation between the two sub-units of the imaging unit. A method of inspecting and/or servicing a machine is also disclosed.

Abstract: A scanning fixture for use in moving a tool across a surface of an object is arranged to be attached to the object and comprises: a carriage arranged to have the tool connected thereto; and a frame arranged to be mounted on the object and to have the carriage mounted thereon. The frame comprises: a first mount arranged to be mounted on the object; a second mount arranged to be mounted on the object; a carriage support arranged to extend between the first and second mounts, across a surface of the object, and to have the carriage moveably connected thereto. The carriage support is a modular carriage support, comprising a plurality of modules rotatably mounted on an elongate member. The plurality of modules together form a path along which the carriage can move. The tool may be a probe for use in inspecting the object. The fixture may comprise one or more encoders arranged to generate position data for the carriage.

Abstract: A rotary abrasive machining tool (101) is shown. The tool comprises a hub (103) having plurality of axially-oriented radial slots in the outer circumference thereof, and plurality of abrasive segments each of which is located in a respective slot in the hub and which form an abrading surface (102). The abrasive segments comprise a tab for location in a slot in the hub, and an abrading edge defining a plurality of abrasive elements.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a rotary abrasive machining tool, the rotary abrasive machining tool including a hub and a plurality of abrasive segments mounted to the hub, the method including the steps of: mounting each abrasive segment on the hub; machining an abrading edge on each abrasive segment while the abrasive segment is mounted on the hub.

Abstract: A hand-mounted inspection system, configured to be mounted on a user's hand, comprising: an imaging unit, configured to provide images from at least one point of view located on the user's hand; and a measuring unit, configured to provide data relating to a physical property measured at a measurement location on the user's hand. The measuring unit includes a sensor configured to provide a measurement between two measurement locations, each of the two measurement locations being located on a digit of the user's hand, a tip of a digit of the user's hand, on the phalanges of a digit of a user's hand, on the palm of the user's hand or on the back of the user's hand.

Abstract: A cutting tool comprises a tool body having a first end and a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end. The first end comprises two or more cutting portions, with each of the cutting portions comprising a cutting edge and a flank surface. Each cutting edge extends radially outwardly from a centre region of the first end to a perimetral edge of the first end, with the cutting edge being angled relative to the longitudinal axis. Each flank surface extends circumferentially from the cutting edge. Each of at least two of the two or more flank surfaces comprises an abrasive portion extending over at least a part of the respective flank surface and each abrasive portion comprises a plurality of abrasive features.

Abstract: Methods of controlling a hyper redundant manipulator, the hyper redundant manipulator including: a plurality of sections comprising a first free end section and a second end section; and a base arranged to receive the plurality of sections in a coiled configuration, the base being coupled to the second end section of the plurality of sections, the method comprising: receiving a trajectory for movement of the plurality of sections; determining an error in position and/or orientation relative to the trajectory for one or more sections of the plurality of sections, the error being caused at least in part by the coiled configuration; and controlling movement of the one or more sections using the determined error to compensate for the error in position and/or orientation of the one or more sections.