Patent ID: 8052857
Filing Date: 2011-11-08
Classification: B25J,C25D,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A process for anodizing a robotic device having structural components rotatably connected to one another at rotary joints, the robotic device having an outer housing formed of an electrically conductive material that forms at least one interior cavity that contains electrical components of the robotic device, the at least one interior cavity having an opening, the process comprising: providing anodizing solution; sealing the opening of the at least one interior cavity in order to prevent a flow of said anodizing solution into said at least one interior cavity when the device is immersed in said anodizing solution, wherein said sealing comprises replaceably sealing the opening of the at least one interior cavity with a generally circular cover, wherein the generally circular cover comprises an O-ring seal disposed at the periphery of the generally circular cover, and wherein the generally circular cover is positioned in the opening of the at least one interior cavity so that the cover seals against the adjacent surfaces of the at least one interior cavity; electrically connecting all of the exterior structural components of the robotic device, including the rotary joints; immersing said sealed and electrically connected robotic device in said anodizing solution; and applying an electrical current through the solution and the immersed robotic device to effect an anodizing of all the exposed exterior surfaces of the robotic device without a pre-masking of the robotic device.