Robotic Paint Stripping Cell
Abstract
The purpose of this work has been to develop a robotic system for stripping paint from F-16 aircraft using non-chemical means and to integrate the system at Ogden Air Logistics Center (OO-ALC). The Robotic Paint Stripping Cell (RPSC) is an automation system consisting chiefly of two large robots developed for removal of paint from fighter size aircraft and aircraft components using the plastic media blast (PMB) process. The system was installed at Hill AFB in the Plastic Media Blast Booth at building 220 and put into production use by the Air Force in September 1992. The technical effort on this project resulted in the development of an automated system incorporating two robots of unique kinematic design especially suited for paint stripping and general surface processing of fighter-size aircraft. A more consistent paint stripping quality is achievable with the sensor-based, computer-controlled robotic plastic media blast system than is possible using manual methods. The sensor-based controls are used for all F-16 substrate materials, including graphite-epoxy composites. The RPSC is a fully automated plastic media blast paint stripping system, providing improvement of operator health and safety conditions by removing them from the blast environment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA279158
Entities
People
- James Lukemeyer
Organizations
- Wright Laboratory