SBIR/STTR Research Award
Instablox: Intelligent, Modular, and Interchangeable Robotic Manufacturing Equipment to Paint Large Aircraft with Precision and Accuracy
Award amount
$49,616Program and phase
SBIR · Phase IAward year
2021Award details
- Awarding agency
- Department of Defense
- Branch
- Air Force
- Recipient company
- KUGAR INC
- Proposal award date
- 2021-04-15
- Contract end date
- 2021-07-15
- UEI
- XQ91QQVR3KX3
- Solicitation number
- X21.1
- Topic code
- AF211-CSO1
Research abstract
In this proposal, we will present to the 402nd Air Force Maintenance Group (AMXG) a novel approach to painting large-frame aircraft using Instablox, robotic, modular, and interchangeable, manufacturing equipment for automation. Kugar’s modular manufacturing platform features upwards of 30 interchangeable manufacturing ‘blocks’ working together to achieve automation, some blocks will be structural, others mechanical, some will build out customizable motors/actuators, and some will feature robotic arms capable of accomplishing industrial painting. The system is controlled by localized software. Users can use cybersecurity-hardened network features to upload plans or reconfigurations into the machine, but it is not necessary. Later iterations of Instablox will include the ability to 3D scan for legacy parts. Paint patterns aircraft-specific reconfigurations will take place with the touch of a button, and our system is safety secured with collision detection, path planning, and precision paint flow. These modular components act seamlessly as one machine, and can be configured in a number of different ways, each with low vibration, low chatter, and able to operate in rugged environments. The Kugar team aims to change the face of manufacturing, we are backed by strong investment and decades of industry expertise.
Technology keywords
Not reported
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