Water-Jet/Ultrasonic Removal and Real-Time Gauging of Paint
TBMG-7338
05/01/2001
- Content
An improved robotic water-jet system for stripping paint from a ship or other large metallic structure is undergoing development. In addition to utilizing a high-pressure water jet to remove paint and a robotic crawler to scan the jet along the painted structure, the system utilizes high-intensity ultrasound to loosen the paint just ahead of the water jet in order to ensure more nearly complete removal. The improved system also includes a quantitative gauging subsystem that measures the thickness of the paint and a qualitative gauging subsystem that generates an approximate map of paint residues; these subsystems provide real-time feedback for control of the crawler, water-jet, and ultrasonic subsystems.
- Citation
- "Water-Jet/Ultrasonic Removal and Real-Time Gauging of Paint," Mobility Engineering, May 1, 2001.