Abstract: Automated systems and methods of using a smart end-effector tool (20) including an applicator (30) to apply a coating onto an object surface (2) (e.g., a wind blade) are provided. The smart tool (20) can process on-board sensor signals and update its working state with a remote robot controller (28) in real time and send instructions to the robot controller (28) to adjust the tool's travelling around the object surface (2) and optimize the applicator's (30) operation.

Abstract: A method of repairing a defect on a surface is presented that includes imaging the surface to locate the defect with a first imaging system. The method also includes conducting a repair operation by contacting the surface with an abrasive article. The abrasive article is pressed into contact with the surface in an area of the defect by a robotic repair system. The method also includes imaging the abraded surface, with a second imaging system. Imaging includes scanning the surface in the defect area to obtain a topography of the defect area, passing the second imaging system over the defect area such that a distance between the second imaging system and the surface is maintained. Imaging also includes generating an image of the defect area, wherein the image is a near dark field image or a dark field image and generating an evaluating regarding the repair operation based on the generated image.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a surface is presented that includes imaging the surface, with an imaging system. Imaging includes providing a camera of the imaging system proximate the surface. Imaging also includes causing the imaging system and the surface to move relative to each other, such that a distance between the imaging system and the surface is substantially maintained. Imaging also includes capturing image data of the surface. The image data is captured in a near dark field mode or a dark field image mode. The method also includes analyzing the image data and detecting a topography and/or appearance of the surface. The method also includes generating an evaluation regarding the surface based on the detected topography and/or surface appearance.

Abstract: A cultivation system (100) includes a substantially vertical film (10) including a distribution of holes (12) each to receive a basket (50). A mounting mechanism (20) is disposed adjacent to a top edge of the vertical film. The system allows for a customized distribution of the holes and thus allows for the control of the spacing between the received baskets. The vertical film further includes water-guiding features (e.g., channels) to flow fluid primarily by gravity and direct the fluid to the holes.

Abstract: A defect detection and ranking system for a vehicle assembly line is provided. The system includes an image capture device that captures a plurality of images of a vehicle on the vehicle assembly line. The system also includes a defect detector that analyzes the plurality of captured images and, based on the analysis, detects a plurality of defects on the surface of the vehicle. Each of the plurality of defects has an associated x-y-z coordinate location, a defect type, and a defect severity. The system also includes a datastore containing a vehicle specification, for the vehicle on the vehicle assembly line, and a defect priority based on the vehicle specification. The system also includes a defect prioritization generator configured to: receive the plurality of defects from the defect detector, retrieve the vehicle specification and the defect priority, and apply the defect priority to the plurality of defects, and output a prioritized list of defects, wherein the prioritized list of defects.

Abstract: A dual mounted end-effector system mounted on a motive robot arm for preparing an object surface is described. The system includes a first tool configured to contact and prepare the object surface and a second tool configured to contact and prepare the object surface. The system also includes a force control. The force control is configured to align, in a first state, with the first tool in position to contact and prepare the object surface and, in a second state, with the second tool in a position to contact and prepare the object surface.

Abstract: A disc changing system for a robotic defect repair system is presented. The system has a first abrasive disc and a second abrasive disc. The first and second abrasive discs are coupled to a liner. The system includes an abrasive disc placement device configured to automatically: remove the first abrasive disc from the liner, transport the first abrasive disc to a robotic tool of the robotic defect repair system, and place the first abrasive disc on a backup pad coupled to the robotic tool. The system also includes an abrasive disc remover configured to automatically remove the first abrasive disc after receiving a removal signal. The system also includes a controller configured to send an instruction to the disc placement device to remove, transport and place the first abrasive disc, instruct the robotic tool to conduct an abrasive operation. The controller is also configured to send the removal signal.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for optimizing a process of manufacturing a product. In one aspect, the method comprises repeatedly performing the following: i) selecting a configuration of input settings for manufacturing a product, based on a causal model that measures causal relationships between input settings and a measure of a quality of the product; ii) determining the measure of the quality of the product manufactured using the configuration of input settings; and iii) adjusting, based on the measure of the quality of the product manufactured using the configuration of input settings, the causal model.

Abstract: A robotic abrading system that includes a robotic tool coupled to a robotic arm. The robotic arm is configured to move the robotic tool into an abrading position with respect to a workpiece. The system also includes a backup pad coupled to the robotic tool. The system also includes a polishing pad coupled to the backup tool. The backup pad or the polishing pad include a heat accumulation reduction mechanism that passively reduces heat accumulation within the backup pad during successive polishing operations.

Abstract: A defect detection and ranking system for a vehicle assembly line is provided. The system includes an image capture device that captures a plurality of images of a vehicle on the vehicle assembly line. The system also includes a defect detector that analyzes the plurality of captured images and, based on the analysis, detects a plurality of defects on the surface of the vehicle. Each of the plurality of defects has an associated x-y-z coordinate location, a defect type, and a defect severity. The system also includes a datastore containing a vehicle specification, for the vehicle on the vehicle assembly line, and a defect priority based on the vehicle specification. The system also includes a defect prioritization generator configured to: receive the plurality of defects from the defect detector, retrieve the vehicle specification and the defect priority, and apply the defect priority to the plurality of defects, and output a prioritized list of defects, wherein the prioritized list of defects.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for optimizing a process of manufacturing a product. In one aspect, the method comprises repeatedly performing the following: i) selecting a configuration of input settings for manufacturing a product, based on a causal model that measures causal relationships between input settings and a measure of a quality of the product; ii) determining the measure of the quality of the product manufactured using the configuration of input settings; and iii) adjusting, based on the measure of the quality of the product manufactured using the configuration of input settings, the causal model.

Abstract: A repaired area on a work surface is presented. The repaired area includes a repairboundary. Within the repairboundary, the work surface has a repair texture and, outside of the repair boundary, the work surface has a work surface texture. The repaired area also includes a repair depth distribution within the repair boundary and a concealing feature. The repaired area is a result of a robotic repair executed on the work surface to remove a defect.

Abstract: A system includes a computing device a personal protective equipment (PPE) device. The PPE device is configured to be worn by a worker and includes and at least one physiological sensor configured to generate physiological data indicative of one or more physiological characteristics of a worker. The computing device is configured to determine a safety risk score for the worker based at least in part on the physiological data and a risk profile associated with the worker.

Abstract: A wiping system for a robotic repair unit is presented that includes a motive robot arm with a motor, a connection mechanism coupled to the motive robot arm, and a wiping medium coupled to the connection mechanism. The wiping medium includes a base layer and a plurality of features extending from the base layer. The motive robot arm, powered by the motor, moves the wiping medium. The motive robot arm is configured to move the wiping medium toward, or away from, a worksurface. The motive arm is configured to press the wiping medium toward the worksurface during a wiping operation. During the wiping operation, the wiping medium is driven by a wiping motor against the surface.

Abstract: A disc changing system for a robotic defect repair system is presented. The system has a first abrasive disc and a second abrasive disc. The first and second abrasive discs are coupled to a liner. The system includes an abrasive disc placement device configured to automatically: remove the first abrasive disc from the liner, transport the first abrasive disc to a robotic tool of the robotic defect repair system, and place the first abrasive disc on a backup pad coupled to the robotic tool. The system also includes an abrasive disc remover configured to automatically remove the first abrasive disc after receiving a removal signal. The system also includes a controller configured to send an instruction to the disc placement device to remove, transport and place the first abrasive disc, instruct the robotic tool to conduct an abrasive operation. The controller is also configured to send the removal signal.

Abstract: A method of tuning the contact pressure across an abrasive disc is presented. The method includes coupling the abrasive disc to a backup pad comprising a pressure tuning feature that causes an experienced pressure by a worksurface, across a radius of the abrasive disc, to be uniform. The method also includes abrading a worksurface by contacting the abrasive disc to the worksurface. The backup pad causes the abrasive disc to have a cut rate that is substantially uniform across the surface of the abrasive disc when compared to the abrasive disc on a backup pad with no pressure tuning feature.

Abstract: A disc changing system for a robotic defect repair system is presented. The system has a first abrasive disc and a second abrasive disc. The first and second abrasive discs are coupled to a liner. The system includes an abrasive disc placement device configured to automatically: remove the first abrasive disc from the liner, transport the first abrasive disc to a robotic tool of the robotic defect repair system, and place the first abrasive disc on a backup pad coupled to the robotic tool. The system also includes an abrasive disc remover configured to automatically remove the first abrasive disc after receiving a removal signal. The system also includes a controller configured to send an instruction to the disc placement device to remove, transport and place the first abrasive disc, instruct the robotic tool to conduct an abrasive operation. The controller is also configured to send the removal signal.

Abstract: An imaging and repair system (100) is presented that includes a first imaging system (110) configured to image and detect a defect on a worksurface. The first imaging system comprises a first camera configured to capture a plurality of first images of the worksurface. The plurality of first images are stored in a data source. The system also includes a second imaging system (110) configured to image and characterize an orange peel of the worksurface in an area proximate the defect. Characterizing the worksurface comprises identifying a delta value of orange peel. The system also includes a defect repair processor configured to select a repair strategy based on a defect type. The system also includes a defect modifier configured to modify the selected repair strategy based on the orange peel characterization of the worksurface. The system also includes a defect repair tool (120) configured to automatically effect the modified repair strategy.

Abstract: A robotic repair unit (400) is presented that includes a removal tool (330, 425) coupled tot he robotic repair unit (400). The removal tool (330, 425) is configured to remove fluid or debris from a worksurface (130). The repair unit (400) also includes a controller (150) configured to control the robotic repair unit (400).