Abstract: A continuum arm robot section, in which the section comprises at least three segments, featuring a base, at least one middle segment and a tip segment. Each segment corresponding to at least one interconnecting portion between pairs of neighbouring discs that form a backbone of the section of the continuum arm robot. The base segment having a greater stiffness than the at least one middle segment and tip segment and the at least one middle segment having a greater stiffness than the tip segment. Also provided is a method of adjusting the stiffness of a continuum arm. The method comprising the steps applying a first stiffening component to a segment. Applying a second stiffening component to a different segment. The first stiffening means results in the base segment having a greater stiffness than the middle segment, and the second stiffening means results in the middle segment having lower stiffness than the base segment, but higher than the tip segment.

Abstract: A hyper redundant robot comprising: a first disk; a second disk positioned adjacent to the first disk, the first disk and the second disk having a longitudinal axis; a first joint arrangement positioned between the first disk and the second disk, the first disk and/or the second disk being in sliding contact with the first joint arrangement to enable the first disk and the second disk to rotate relative to one another; and a second joint arrangement positioned between the first disk and the second disk, the second joint arrangement being less stiff than the first joint arrangement.

Abstract: A method of providing datum features on a ceramic article including the steps of providing a ceramic member having a plurality of substantially parallel holes extending into the ceramic member. Providing a plurality of tubular mounts, the cross-sectional area of each tubular mount being less than the cross-sectional area of the corresponding hole. Applying adhesive to the exterior surface of each one of the tubular mounts and inserting an adhesive covered tubular mount into each one of the holes. Providing a fixture member having a plurality of substantially parallel projections extending from predetermined positions. Positioning the ceramic member on the fixture member such that each projection locates in one of the tubular mounts and fixes the tubular mounts at the predetermined positions. The ceramic article may be removed from the fixture member or located in a machine tool using the fixture member and machining the ceramic article.

Abstract: A hyper redundant robot comprising: a first disk; a second disk positioned adjacent to the first disk, the first disk and the second disk having a longitudinal axis; a first joint arrangement positioned between the first disk and the second disk, the first disk and/or the second disk being in sliding contact with the first joint arrangement to enable the first disk and the second disk to rotate relative to one another; and a second joint arrangement positioned between the first disk and the second disk, the second joint arrangement being less stiff than the first joint arrangement.

Abstract: A damper damping motion of a first object relative to a second object, the damper including: a casing including a conductor; plurality of magnetic elements serially in a first direction within the casing and each including at least one magnet so adjacent magnetic elements repel in the first direction; at least one magnetic element is moveable relative to other magnetic elements within and relative the casing; the conductor allows movement of at least one moveable magnetic element relative to the casing induces current in the conductor, the magnetic field produced by current providing a braking force to the moving magnetic element; at least one moveable magnetic elements includes a first connecting part and either casing or at least one other magnetic element includes a second connecting part, one connecting part for connecting the damper to the first object, and other connecting part for connecting the damper to the second object.

Abstract: A hyper redundant robot comprising: a first disk; a second disk positioned adjacent to the first disk, the first disk and the second disk having a longitudinal axis; a first joint arrangement positioned between the first disk and the second disk, the first disk and/or the second disk being in sliding contact with the first joint arrangement to enable the first disk and the second disk to rotate relative to one another; and a second joint arrangement positioned between the first disk and the second disk, the second joint arrangement being less stiff than the first joint arrangement.

Abstract: A method of supporting a cantilevered component prior to machining the cantilevered component, wherein the cantilevered component is mounted on a hub, the method comprising the step of providing an adhesive carrier, applying adhesive to the carrier and adhering the carrier to the cantilevered component and allowing the adhesive to cure. The carrier may rigid and braced against adjacent blades or against another carrier located on an opposing side of the aerofoil. Alternatively, the carrier may be a flexible fabric that can be wrapped around the blade. Advantageously, the blade can be machined through the carrier.

Abstract: A method of supporting a cantilevered component mounted to a hub by locating a cassette in proximity to the cantilevered component, the cassette defining a volume for filling with an encapsulant; filling the volume with an encapsulant material; and causing the encapsulant to solidify to the cantilevered component to support the cantilevered component. The cantilevered component is preferably a blade on a bladed disc and the encapsulant provides support to change the vibration response of the blade during a subsequent machining step.

Abstract: A method of providing datum features on a ceramic article including the steps of providing a ceramic member having a plurality of substantially parallel holes extending into the ceramic member. Providing a plurality of tubular mounts, the cross-sectional area of each tubular mount being less than the cross-sectional area of the corresponding hole. Applying adhesive to the exterior surface of each one of the tubular mounts and inserting an adhesive covered tubular mount into each one of the holes. Providing a fixture member having a plurality of substantially parallel projections extending from predetermined positions. Positioning the ceramic member on the fixture member such that each projection locates in one of the tubular mounts and fixes the tubular mounts at the predetermined positions. The ceramic article may be removed from the fixture member or located in a machine tool using the fixture member and machining the ceramic article.

Abstract: Fixture Apparatus and methods of manufacturing fixture apparatus. Fixture apparatus comprising: a first body to at least partially support an object, the first body including a structure having variable stiffness along at least a first axis of the first body.

Abstract: A fixture for stiffening a thin-walled component comprises linking elements which support respective biasing parts and pressure parts. The biasing parts are arranged to urge the pressure parts to press on a thin-walled component, and the linking elements are rigidly connected to one another to resist a reaction force exerted on the pressure parts by the thin-walled component.

Abstract: This invention concerns a support structure for releasably clamping onto a body relative to a central axis in use, wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of links connected at a plurality of pivots spaced about the axis and an array of contact members depending from the links at angularly spaced locations about the axis, whereby pivoting of the links causes actuation of the contact members in a substantially radial direction relative to the axis such that said contact members communicate an applied contact force about the body in use so as to clamp the support structure to the body via the array of contact members.

Abstract: A damper damping motion of a first object relative to a second object, the damper including: a casing including a conductor; plurality of magnetic elements serially in a first direction within the casing and each including at least one magnet so adjacent magnetic elements repel in the first direction; at least one magnetic element is moveable relative to other magnetic elements within and relative the casing; the conductor allows movement of at least one moveable magnetic element relative to the casing induces current in the conductor, the magnetic field produced by current providing a braking force to the moving magnetic element; at least one moveable magnetic elements includes a first connecting part and either casing or at least one other magnetic element includes a second connecting part, one connecting part for connecting the damper to the first object, and other connecting part for connecting the damper to the second object.

Abstract: Fixture Apparatus and methods of manufacturing fixture apparatus. Fixture apparatus comprising: a first body to at least partially support an object, the first body including a structure having variable stiffness along at least a first axis of the first body.

Abstract: A method of supporting a cantilevered component mounted to a hub by locating a cassette in proximity to the cantilevered component, the cassette defining a volume for filling with an encapsulant; filling the volume with an encapsulant material; and causing the encapsulant to solidify to the cantilevered component to support the cantilevered component. The cantilevered component is preferably a blade on a bladed disc and the encapsulant provides support to change the vibration response of the blade during a subsequent machining step.

Abstract: This invention concerns a support structure for releasably clamping onto a body relative to a central axis in use, wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of links connected at a plurality of pivots spaced about the axis and an array of contact members depending from the links at angularly spaced locations about the axis, whereby pivoting of the links causes actuation of the contact members in a substantially radial direction relative to the axis such that said contact members communicate an applied contact force about the body in use so as to clamp the support structure to the body via the array of contact members.

Abstract: A fixture for stiffening a thin-walled component comprises linking elements which support respective biasing parts and pressure parts. The biasing parts are arranged to urge the pressure parts to press on a thin-walled component, and the linking elements are rigidly connected to one another to resist a reaction force exerted on the pressure parts by the thin-walled component.

Abstract: A method of supporting a cantilevered component prior to machining the cantilevered component, wherein the cantilevered component is mounted on a hub, the method comprising the step of providing an adhesive carrier, applying adhesive to the carrier and adhering the carrier to the cantilevered component and allowing the adhesive to cure. The carrier may rigid and braced against adjacent blades or against another carrier located on an opposing side of the aerofoil. Alternatively, the carrier may be a flexible fabric that can be wrapped around the blade. Advantageously, the blade can be machined through the carrier.