Patent ID: 11534885

Abstract:
Processe and system for preparing a vehicle surface (e.g., an aircraft fuselage) for painting include a preparation booth (100) which is sized and configured to house the vehicle (F). At least one robotic assembly (200a, 200b) is reciprocally movable within the preparation booth (100) relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle (F), and is provided with a robotic hand (230) having at least one abrasive disc (242a) attached to an attachment pad (242) of the robotic hand (230), and at least one nozzle (252a, 252b, 252c) for discharging a stream of rinse fluid. Operation of the at least one robotic assembly (230) will cause the at least one abrasive disc (242a) of the robot hand (230) to abrade the surface of the vehicle (F). The robotic hand (230) may thereafter be maneuvered so that the at least one nozzle (252a, 252b, 252c) is directed toward the abraded vehicle surface (F). A stream of rinse fluid may then be discharged through the at least one nozzle (252a, 252b, 252c) and towards the abraded surface of the vehicle (F) so as to rinse the abraded surface of particulate matter.