Automated three-dimensional precision effector method

A coating application method for applying a coating to an object, comprising the steps of:

• providing, in response to a series of stored instructions, an arm control signal and a coating supply signal;
• moving, in response to said arm control signal, an articulated robot arm having a coating applicator mounted thereon along a coating application path on a three-dimensional surface of said object at various applicator positions and angles with respect to a normal to the three-dimensional surface of the object dictated by the arm control signal;
• and
• providing, in response to said coating supply control signal, said coating from said applicator in a controlled amount to the surface of the object.

A method for controlling a robot arm having an effector mounted thereon, comprising the steps of:

• providing, in response to a series of stored instructions, a robot arm control signal and an effector control signal;
• moving, in response to a robot arm control signal, said robot arm for moving said effector along a selected path on a three-dimensional surface of an object at various effector positions and angles with respect to a normal to the three-dimensional surface of the object dictated by the robot arm control signal;
• and
• controlling, in response to an effector control signal, said effector to effect said object.

A coating application method for applying a coating to an object, comprising the steps of:

• providing, in response to a series of stored instructions utilizing a stored representation of a three-dimensional surface of said object, an arm control signal and a coating supply signal;
• moving, in response to said arm control signal, an articulated robot arm having a coating applicator mounted thereon along a coating application path on said three-dimensional surface of said object;
• and
• providing, in response to said coating supply signal, said coating from said applicator in various controlled amounts along said coating application path for controlling application of said coating to said object in various corresponding coating thicknesses.