Automated object manipulation system

An apparatus comprising:

• an object manipulation system having a carrier that supports opposing first and second finger assemblies, each of the first and second finger assemblies capable of being rotated in unison together in the carrier about a carrier axis, the first finger assembly rotatable relative to the carrier about a first finger first axis and a first finger second axis, the first finger assembly also having a first finger mechanism to adjust a gap between a plurality of first fingers, the second finger assembly rotatable relative to the carrier about a second finger first axis and a second finger second axis, the second finger assembly also having a second finger mechanism to adjust a gap between a plurality of second fingers.

A method comprising:

• grasping a gas turbine engine component with a plurality of fingers of a first manipulator;
• handing off the gas turbine engine component to a second manipulator structured to rotate in a carriage that also includes the first manipulator;
• rotating the gas turbine engine component about a first axis and a second axis fixed in the carriage prior to the handing off such that the first axis and second axis rotate with the carriage.