Abstract: Liquid applicators and methods. The liquid applicators include a frame and an applicator head operably coupled to the frame and configured to support a section of an applicator fabric for operable application of a liquid to a substrate. The liquid applicators further include a fabric conveyance system that is operably coupled to the frame and includes a fabric pay-out assembly configured to supply the applicator fabric to the applicator head and a fabric take-up assembly configured to receive the applicator fabric from the applicator head. The liquid applicators further include a liquid delivery system configured to deliver the liquid to the section of the applicator fabric. The methods include delivering the liquid to the section of applicator fabric, engaging the section of applicator fabric with the substrate, and moving the section of the applicator fabric across the substrate to apply the liquid thereto.

Abstract: Liquid applicators and methods. The liquid applicators include a frame and an applicator head operably coupled to the frame and configured to support a section of an applicator fabric for operable application of a liquid to a substrate. The liquid applicators further include a fabric conveyance system that is operably coupled to the frame and includes a fabric pay-out assembly configured to supply the applicator fabric to the applicator head and a fabric take-up assembly configured to receive the applicator fabric from the applicator head. The liquid applicators further include a liquid delivery system configured to deliver the liquid to the section of the applicator fabric. The methods include delivering the liquid to the section of applicator fabric, engaging the section of applicator fabric with the substrate, and moving the section of the applicator fabric across the substrate to apply the liquid thereto.

Abstract: Methods of cleaning a surface with an assembly comprise (i) delivering cleaning fluid to a first portion of a cleaning fabric and/or a first region of the surface; (ii) engaging the first region with the first portion and moving the first portion in a predefined motion; (iii) disengaging the first portion from the first region; (iv) replacing the first portion with a second portion of the cleaning fabric; (v) engaging the first region with the second portion and moving the second portion in a predefined motion; (vi) disengaging the second portion from the first region; (vii) replacing the second portion with a third portion of the cleaning fabric; (viii) moving the assembly relative to the surface and/or moving the surface relative to the assembly; and (ix) repeating steps (i)-(viii) with respect to a second region of the surface and with the third portion and a fourth portion of the cleaning fabric.

Abstract: Rotating applicators are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes an inlet to receive a surface coating to be applied to a surface of a workpiece, a shaft having a fluid channel extending therethrough, where the fluid channel is in fluid communication with the inlet, and an applicator coupled to an end of the shaft, where the applicator has an opening in fluid communication with the fluid channel. The apparatus also includes a pump to cause the surface coating to flow from the inlet to the opening, and a motor to rotate the shaft while the applicator dispenses the surface coating from the opening.

Abstract: Rotating applicators are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes an inlet to receive a surface coating to be applied to a surface of a workpiece, a shaft having a fluid channel extending therethrough, where the fluid channel is in fluid communication with the inlet, and an applicator coupled to an end of the shaft, where the applicator has an opening in fluid communication with the fluid channel. The apparatus also includes a pump to cause the surface coating to flow from the inlet to the opening, and a motor to rotate the shaft while the applicator dispenses the surface coating from the opening.

Abstract: Methods of cleaning a surface with an assembly comprise (i) delivering cleaning fluid to a first portion of a cleaning fabric and/or a first region of the surface; (ii) engaging the first region with the first portion and moving the first portion in a predefined motion; (iii) disengaging the first portion from the first region; (iv) replacing the first portion with a second portion of the cleaning fabric; (v) engaging the first region with the second portion and moving the second portion in a predefined motion; (vi) disengaging the second portion from the first region; (vii) replacing the second portion with a third portion of the cleaning fabric; (viii) moving the assembly relative to the surface and/or moving the surface relative to the assembly; and (ix) repeating steps (i)-(viii) with respect to a second region of the surface and with the third portion and a fourth portion of the cleaning fabric.

Abstract: In one aspect, a vacuum alignment tool for holding and aligning a first fastener with a second fastener is provided. The vacuum alignment tool includes a main body including an end wall having an aperture disposed therein configured to receive at least a portion of the first fastener. The vacuum alignment tool also includes a vacuum receiving portion coupled to the main body. The vacuum receiving portion including a vacuum bore disposed therein, wherein a vacuum channel extends within the main body and within the vacuum receiving portion between the aperture and the vacuum bore.

Abstract: Robotic surface-cleaning assemblies include a base configured to be operatively coupled to a robotic arm; a supply of cleaning fabric supported relative to the base; an applicator supported relative to the base, wherein the applicator is configured to support a portion of cleaning fabric from the supply of cleaning fabric and operatively and selectively position the portion into engagement with a surface to be cleaned; and a source of cleaning fluid supported relative to the base, wherein the source of cleaning fluid is configured to operatively and selectively (i) deliver cleaning fluid directly to the portion of cleaning fabric supported by the applicator and/or (ii) deliver cleaning fluid directly to the surface to be cleaned. Methods of cleaning a surface with a robotic surface-cleaning assembly also are disclosed.

Abstract: One example of the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for manipulating a fastener. The apparatus comprises a chamber that includes a first location and a second location. A first actuator is movable between a first position, contiguous with the first location, and a second position, contiguous with the second location. A second actuator is movable between a third position, contiguous with the second location, and a fourth position, contiguous with a third location. A third actuator is movable between a fifth position, contiguous with the third location, and a sixth position, contiguous with the fourth location. The third location is at least partially outside the chamber, and the fourth location is entirely outside the chamber.

Abstract: In one aspect, a vacuum alignment tool for holding and aligning a first fastener with a second fastener is provided. The vacuum alignment tool includes a main body including an end wall having an aperture disposed therein configured to receive at least a portion of the first fastener. The vacuum alignment tool also includes a vacuum receiving portion coupled to the main body. The vacuum receiving portion including a vacuum bore disposed therein, wherein a vacuum channel extends within the main body and within the vacuum receiving portion between the aperture and the vacuum bore.

Abstract: Robotic surface-cleaning assemblies include a base configured to be operatively coupled to a robotic arm; a supply of cleaning fabric supported relative to the base; an applicator supported relative to the base, wherein the applicator is configured to support a portion of cleaning fabric from the supply of cleaning fabric and operatively and selectively position the portion into engagement with a surface to be cleaned; and a source of cleaning fluid supported relative to the base, wherein the source of cleaning fluid is configured to operatively and selectively (i) deliver cleaning fluid directly to the portion of cleaning fabric supported by the applicator and/or (ii) deliver cleaning fluid directly to the surface to be cleaned. Methods of cleaning a surface with a robotic surface-cleaning assembly also are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed of configuring a robotic end effector to prevent two or more axes of joints of a robotic arm from being in alignment. A connecting part is attached between a robotic arm and a tool in a pre-determined configuration chosen to prevent the two or more axes of joints of the robotic arm from being in alignment for a selected process involving the tool. Reconfigurable end plates may be disposed between the connecting part and the robotic arm, and between the connecting part and the tool to put the connecting part into the pre-determined configuration which prevents the two or more axes of the joints of the robotic arm from being in alignment for the selected process involving the tool.

Abstract: One example of the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for manipulating a fastener. The apparatus comprises a chamber that includes a first location and a second location. A first actuator is movable between a first position, contiguous with the first location, and a second position, contiguous with the second location. A second actuator is movable between a third position, contiguous with the second location, and a fourth position, contiguous with a third location. A third actuator is movable between a fifth position, contiguous with the third location, and a sixth position, contiguous with the fourth location. The third location is at least partially outside the chamber, and the fourth location is entirely outside the chamber.