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US RE40,885 E1Granted
Robotic tape applicator and method
AssigneeHenkel Corporation
InventorTerrance M. Sharp
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of fastening a first curved part to a second curved part comprises placing the second part into a specified orientation in relation to a robotically controlled tape applicator, applying two-sided adhesive tape along a non-linear path over the surface of the second part, and placing the first part into registry with the second part to adhere to the adhesive tape. A robotic tape applicator comprises a computer adapted to control a robotic arm, guide means, tensioning means and cutting means.
Claims31
A robotic tape applicator comprising:
- computer means which includes programmed data respecting the shape of a work piece and the proposed path of the tape to be adhered to the work piece;
- tape applicator means under the control of the computer means to apply the tape to the work piece along said path;
- and
- means to hold the work piece in registration with the tape applicator means, wherein the tape applicator means further comprises:
- a tape applicator head comprising a nose at one end;
- a cutting mechanism to cut the tape, wherein the cutting mechanism is integrated within the nose;
- and
- a tape braking mechanism that can be applied against the tape to hold the tape stationary during cutting.
5 more elements
A robotic tape applicator comprising:
- a computer adapted to control a robotic arm according to a program;
- the robotic arm comprising:
- a roller;
- a two-sided adhesive tape residing on the roller;
- a guide to guide the tape to a tape applicator head for application to a work piece;
- the tape applicator head comprising a nose capable of permitting reciprocal motion in a direction normal to the work piece;
- and
- a cutting mechanism integral with the tape applicator head to cut the tape under the control of the computer, wherein the cutting mechanism comprises a knife blade located within the perimeter of the nose when the cutting mechanism is not in operation.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.