Systems, methods, and apparatus for automated sealant application
First Claim
1. A method for shaping sealant applied to a fastener, the method comprising:
- storing a first amount of solvent in a first layer of a porous member of a dabbing tool;
storing a second amount of solvent in a second layer of the porous member, the second amount being wicked away from the first amount of solvent stored in the first layer, wherein the first layer is positioned inside a chamber of the dabbing tool and has a surface defined, at least in part, by an interior surface of the chamber, and wherein the second layer is positioned across an opening of the chamber;
pressing, using an end effector of a robotic arm, the dabbing tool against the sealant, the sealant sealing a surface of the fastener along a surface of an assembly, the pressing of the dabbing tool shaping an exterior surface of the sealant;
releasing an amount of solvent from the dabbing tool in response to the pressing, the amount of solvent reducing adhesion between the dabbing tool and the sealant, the amount of solvent being released, at least in part, from the porous member included in the dabbing tool; and
disengaging the dabbing tool from the sealant after the shaping of the exterior surface of the sealant.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for shaping sealant applied to a fastener. Methods include pressing, using an end effector of a robotic arm, a dabbing tool against the sealant, the sealant sealing a surface of the fastener along a surface of an assembly, the pressing of the dabbing tool shaping an exterior surface of the sealant. Methods also include releasing an amount of solvent from the dabbing tool in response to the pressing, the amount of solvent reducing adhesion between the dabbing tool and the sealant, the amount of solvent being released, at least in part, from a porous member included in the dabbing tool. Methods further include disengaging the dabbing tool from the sealant after the shaping of the exterior surface of the sealant.
14 Citations
16 Claims
-
1. A method for shaping sealant applied to a fastener, the method comprising:
-
storing a first amount of solvent in a first layer of a porous member of a dabbing tool; storing a second amount of solvent in a second layer of the porous member, the second amount being wicked away from the first amount of solvent stored in the first layer, wherein the first layer is positioned inside a chamber of the dabbing tool and has a surface defined, at least in part, by an interior surface of the chamber, and wherein the second layer is positioned across an opening of the chamber; pressing, using an end effector of a robotic arm, the dabbing tool against the sealant, the sealant sealing a surface of the fastener along a surface of an assembly, the pressing of the dabbing tool shaping an exterior surface of the sealant; releasing an amount of solvent from the dabbing tool in response to the pressing, the amount of solvent reducing adhesion between the dabbing tool and the sealant, the amount of solvent being released, at least in part, from the porous member included in the dabbing tool; and disengaging the dabbing tool from the sealant after the shaping of the exterior surface of the sealant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A method for applying and shaping sealant on a fastener, the method comprising:
-
moving an end effector of a robotic arm to a position to align the end effector with a location of a fastener in an assembly; applying, using the end effector, an amount of sealant to the fastener; storing a first amount of solvent in a first layer of a porous member of a dabbing tool; storing a second amount of solvent in a second layer of the porous member, the second amount being wicked away from the first amount of solvent stored in the first layer, wherein the first layer is positioned inside a chamber of the dabbing tool and has a surface defined, at least in part, by an interior surface of the chamber, and wherein the second layer is positioned across an opening of the chamber; pressing, using the end effector, the dabbing tool against the sealant, the sealant sealing a surface of the fastener along a surface of the assembly, the pressing of the dabbing tool shaping an exterior surface of the sealant; releasing an amount of solvent from the dabbing tool in response to the pressing, the amount of solvent reducing adhesion between the dabbing tool and the sealant, the amount of solvent being released, at least in part, from the porous member included in the dabbing tool; and disengaging the dabbing tool from the sealant after the shaping of the exterior surface of the sealant. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A method for applying acid shaping sealant on a plurality of fasteners, the method comprising:
-
storing a first amount of solvent in a first layer of a porous member of a dabbing tool; storing a second amount of solvent in a second layer of the porous member, the second amount being wicked away from the first amount of solvent stored in the first layer, wherein the first layer is positioned inside a chamber of the dabbing tool and has a surface defined, at least in part, by an interior surface of the chamber, and wherein the second layer is positioned across an opening of the chamber; moving an end effector of a robotic arm to a first fastener at a first position; pressing, using the end effector, the dabbing tool against a first sealant sealing a first surface of the first fastener along a surface of an assembly, the pressing of the dabbing tool shaping a first exterior surface of the first sealant; releasing a first amount of solvent from the dabbing tool in response to the pressing, the first amount of solvent reducing adhesion between the dabbing tool and the first sealant, the first amount of solvent being released, at least in part, from the porous member included in the dabbing tool; disengaging the dabbing tool from the first sealant after the shaping of the first exterior surface of the first sealant; determining, based on engineering data, if additional fasteners should be sealed; and moving the end effector to a second fastener at a second position responsive to determining that additional fasteners should be sealed. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
-
Specification