Automated Joint Replacement for Superior Flightline Pavement Maintenance

Flightlines are one of the most critical assets for the AF that enables the USA to project airpower anytime, anywhere. In fact, USAF bases contain over 2.2 billion square feet of pavement that require constant maintenance and repair. However, current joint replacement methods are inefficient, requiring manually operated machinery and large numbers of personnel. necoTECH will make a CE Squadron’s maintenance work safer, easier, and more efficient while also avoiding the reliance on third-party providers that require lengthy security clearance and upcharges.    We hold a DoD license to pursue the development of robotic technologies for use in aerospace applications. We recently received a Phase II award for the fine-tuning of this technology focused on crack sealing and want to utilize this Phase 1 to explore retrofitting for joint replacement. Our planned approach is to mount an automated system on a mobile chassis. It will utilize automation to perform the following procedure for joint replacement: Remove the damaged joint material Clean out debris from joint Insert a foam backer rod  Inject sealant