Abstract: A brush (200) for delivering a glutinous substance (168) to a workpiece (170) from an end-effector (102) is disclosed. The brush (200) comprises a body (202), having a rotational axis (238) and comprising a first channel (208) that comprises an inlet (209) and a first outlet (280). The inlet (209) is coaxial with the rotational axis (238) and the first outlet (280) is offset from the rotational axis (238). The brush (200) also comprises tufts (222), extending from the body (202) and each comprising at least one bristle (220) and a tip (227). The brush (200) further comprises a first tube (210), communicatively coupled with the first outlet (280) of the first channel (208) of the body (202).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching a nozzle to a fluid dispensing system and a tip to the nozzle. In one illustrative example, the fluid dispensing system may be moved by a robotic device towards a nozzle retaining structure having nozzle retaining areas holding nozzles. A nozzle may be selected for use based on a nozzle identifier element corresponding to each of the nozzles. The robotic device may move the fluid dispensing system to the nozzle selected to attach the fluid dispensing system to the nozzle selected. Further, the fluid dispensing system may be moved by a robotic device towards a tip retaining structure having tip retaining areas holding tips. A tip may be selected for use based on a tip identifier element corresponding to each of the tips. The robotic device may move the fluid dispensing system to the tip selected to attach the nozzle to the tip selected.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a glutinous substance from a cartridge to an applicator 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 assembly also comprises an actuator, coupled to the pressure cap and to the sleeve. The apparatus further comprises an automated coupler, configured to automatically reversibly sealingly couple the applicator with the leading end of the cartridge.

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: A method of removing a glutinous substance from an applicator comprises removing a plunger before the glutinous substance has solidified; allowing the glutinous substance to solidify inside the applicator; detaching a side cover from a base portion of a first body portion to expose a first sealant plug; severing the first sealant plug from a second sealant plug; severing the first sealant plug from a third sealant plug; detaching a tip portion of the applicator from a second body portion to expose a portion of the second sealant plug; extracting the second sealant plug from the second body portion by pulling the portion of the second sealant plug in a direction along the second body portion; separating the first sealant plug from the base portion of the first body portion; and extracting the third sealant plug from an end-effector interface of the first body portion.

Abstract: A brush for delivering a glutinous substance to a workpiece from an end-effector is disclosed. The brush comprises a body, having a rotational axis and comprising a first channel that comprises an inlet and a first outlet. The inlet is coaxial with the rotational axis and the first outlet is offset from the rotational axis. The brush also comprises tufts, extending from the body and each comprising at least one bristle and a tip. The brush further comprises a first tube, communicatively coupled with the first outlet of the first channel of the body.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading and unloading a brush to and from a brush-arm assembly of an end-effector is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a base and a carriage, which is movable along an axis at least to a first position, a second position, or a third position relative to the base. The carriage comprises a brush receptacle, configured to prevent movement of the brush in a first direction, but not in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, when the brush is placed in the brush receptacle. The apparatus also comprises a stationary component, fixed relative to the base and configured to prevent movement of the brush-arm assembly in the second direction. Additionally, the apparatus comprises a linear actuator, configured to move the carriage.

Abstract: An apparatus (100), for cleaning a surface (102), comprises a bracket (104) and a drum (108), coupled to the bracket (104) and rotatable relative to the bracket (104) about a first axis (110). The apparatus (100) further comprises a brush motor (114), mounted to the drum (108), and a brush (112), rotatable by the brush motor (114) relative to the drum (108) about a second axis (116), parallel to the first axis (110).

Abstract: An apparatus (100), for cleaning a surface (102), comprises a handle (126) and a bracket (104), connected to the handle (126). The apparatus (100) further comprises a drum (108), rotatably coupled to the bracket (104) and rotatable about a first axis (110) relative to the bracket (104), a drum motor (130), mounted to the handle (126), and a drum power-transmitting component (132), rotationally coupling the drum motor (130) and the drum (108). The apparatus (100) also comprises a brush motor (114), mounted to the drum (108), and a brush (112), rotatable by the brush motor (114) relative to the drum (108) about a second axis (116), which is parallel to the first axis (110).

Abstract: An apparatus (100), for cleaning a surface (102), comprises a handle (126) and a bracket (104), connected to the handle (126). The apparatus (100) further comprises a drum (108), rotatably coupled to the bracket (104), and an anti-rotation fixture (124), configured to prevent rotation of the drum (108) about a first axis (110) relative to the bracket (104). The apparatus (100) also comprises a brush motor (114), mounted to the drum (108), and a brush (112), rotatable by the brush motor (114) relative to the drum (108) about a second axis (116), which is parallel to the first axis (110).

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 (100) for dispensing a brushable substance (102) comprises a bracket (104) and a sleeve (110), comprising an inner tubular sleeve wall (114) and an outer tubular sleeve wall (112). The sleeve (110) is coupled to the bracket (104) and is rotatable relative to the bracket (104) about a first axis (118). The apparatus (100) also comprises a cartridge (124), comprising an inner tubular cartridge wall (126) and an outer tubular cartridge wall (128). The cartridge (124) is configured to be positioned between the inner tubular sleeve wall (114) and the outer tubular sleeve wall (112).

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for dispensing a brushable substance (102) comprises a bracket (104) and a sleeve (110), comprising an inner tubular sleeve wall (114) and an outer tubular sleeve wall (112). The sleeve (110) is coupled to the bracket (104) and is rotatable relative to the bracket (104). The apparatus (100) also comprises a cartridge (124), comprising an inner tubular cartridge wall (126) and an outer tubular cartridge wall (128). The apparatus (100) additionally comprises a valve (140), configured to be communicatively coupled with the cartridge (124), a brush-arm assembly (152), coupled to the sleeve (110), a linear actuator (138) to control flow of the brushable substance (102) from the valve (140), an annular plunger (148), positioned between the inner tubular cartridge wall (126) and the outer tubular cartridge wall (128), and a twist-lock pressure cap (150), configured to be hermetically coupled with the cartridge (124).

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for depositing an extrudable substance (102) comprises a bracket (104) and a sleeve (110), comprising an inner tubular sleeve wall (114) and an outer tubular sleeve wall (112). The sleeve (110) is coupled to the bracket (104) and is rotatable relative to the bracket (104). The apparatus (100) also comprises a cartridge (124), comprising an inner tubular cartridge wall (126) and an outer tubular cartridge wall (128). The cartridge (124) is configured to be positioned between the inner tubular sleeve wall (114) and the outer tubular sleeve wall (112).

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for depositing an extrudable substance (102) comprises a bracket (104) and a sleeve (110), comprising an inner tubular sleeve wall (114) and an outer tubular sleeve wall (112). The sleeve (110) is coupled to the bracket (104) and is rotatable relative to the bracket (104). The apparatus (100) also comprises a cartridge (124), comprising an inner tubular cartridge wall (126) and an outer tubular cartridge wall (128), wherein the cartridge (124) is configured to be positioned between the inner tubular sleeve wall (114) and the outer tubular sleeve wall (112).

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for additive manufacturing systems and methods to form reinforced additive manufactured objects. A method for forming a reinforced additive manufactured object includes forming a first structural layer with a first void that extends partially through the first structural layer, forming a second structural layer with a second void that extends fully through the second structural layer to a border between the first structural layer and the second structural layer, where the first void and the second void align to form a cross-load void across the border between the first and second structural layers, and filling the cross-load void with a reinforcing material to form a cross-load member.

Abstract: A method (500) for removing glutinous substance (298) from applicator (100) comprises removing plunger (342) from applicator (100) before glutinous substance (298) has solidified; allowing glutinous substance (298) to solidify inside applicator (100); detaching side cover (110) from base portion (111) of first body portion (102) to expose first sealant plug (302); severing first sealant plug (302) from second sealant plug (304); severing first sealant plug (302) from third sealant plug (300); detaching tip portion (106) of applicator (100) from second body portion (104) to expose a portion of second sealant plug (304); extracting second sealant plug (304) from second body portion (104) by pulling portion of second sealant plug (304) in direction (320) along second body portion (104); separating first sealant plug (302) from base portion (111) of first body portion (102); and extracting third sealant plug (300) from end-effector interface (112) of first body portion (102).

Abstract: A method (500) for removing glutinous substance (298) from applicator (100) comprises removing plunger (342) from applicator (100) before glutinous substance (298) has solidified; allowing glutinous substance (298) to solidify inside applicator (100); detaching side cover (110) from base portion (111) of first body portion (102) to expose first sealant plug (302); severing first sealant plug (302) from second sealant plug (304); severing first sealant plug (302) from third sealant plug (300); detaching tip portion (106) of applicator (100) from second body portion (104) to expose a portion of second sealant plug (304); extracting second sealant plug (304) from second body portion (104) by pulling portion of second sealant plug (304) in direction (320) along second body portion (104); separating first sealant plug (302) from base portion (111) of first body portion (102); and extracting third sealant plug (300) from end-effector interface (112) of first body portion (102).

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: A method and apparatus for applying a viscous fluid onto a surface. An applicator associated with an extension member may be positioned over the surface using a robotic operator. The extension member may be configured to maintain a selected distance between the applicator and a fluid source for the viscous fluid. The viscous fluid may be dispensed from the fluid source to the applicator. The viscous fluid may be applied onto the surface using the applicator.