ICM's Climber robot starts up a wind turbine
Image Gallery (10 images)
Image Gallery (10 images)
International Climbing Machines (ICM) has announced two new wall climbing
robots will be joining its original Climber
robot this year. Targeted at inspecting dams, wind turbines, and submarines,
the MINI robot will be used to squeeze into tight spaces, while the MAXI model
will be used to tackle large surfaces.
Made primarily for naval applications, the new MINI Climber weighs 20 lb (9 kg), and is about 14 in (35 cm) long and 15 in (38 cm) wide. The little robot is made from carbon fiber and epoxy to keep weight to a minimum, and carries a robotic arm that can position a laser to remove coatings from complex surfaces within confined spaces, like those found within a nuclear submarine.
ICM says it recently completed development of the MINI Climbing Robot, which will be put to work by the US Navy, but that the larger MAXI model is still under development. However, company CEO Sam Maggio tells us that the MAXI will be used to climb the exterior of Navy vessels to carry out coating removal tasks, and will be able to handle 1 in (25 mm) obstacles.
ICM started building wall climbing robots in 2001, after the owner of a industrial coatings company lamented that there was no easy way to clean large structures. The traditional method of scaffolding, scaffolding covers, and sandblasting was dirty and dangerous, creating a very hostile environment for workers high off the ground, breathing in dust, debris, and paint flecks.
To solve this problem, ICM invented the original Climber, which uses a vacuum
system to stick to walls – or even overhead surfaces. Since even a smooth wall
may contain obstacles, bolts, sills, or dirt, the robot needed to have some
ability to deal with rough surfaces. ICM developed a thick foam rubber pad that
forms a "rolling pressure seal" for the vacuum and acts as tank treads. The foam
is able to handle 3/4-in (20 mm) bumps, which gives it the ability to climb
brick walls, steel plates, and aircraft exteriors.
All of the ICM robots are remote controlled, operated by a worker using video cameras and a video-game type controller. A variety of cameras and sensors, cleaning systems (abrasion, sand blasting, etc.), and painting systems can be attached to the robots. Typical uses are inspection of giant wind turbine blades, cleaning the inside and outside of storage tanks, cleaning the bilges on ships and submarines, and inspecting the concrete in dams and nuclear power plants.
The new MINI robot is available now, as is the standard Climber robot. The larger MAXI robot will be available starting in July of 2014.
The video below shows the ICM wall climbing robot making the transition from floor to wall to start a climb.
Source: ICM
Made primarily for naval applications, the new MINI Climber weighs 20 lb (9 kg), and is about 14 in (35 cm) long and 15 in (38 cm) wide. The little robot is made from carbon fiber and epoxy to keep weight to a minimum, and carries a robotic arm that can position a laser to remove coatings from complex surfaces within confined spaces, like those found within a nuclear submarine.
ICM says it recently completed development of the MINI Climbing Robot, which will be put to work by the US Navy, but that the larger MAXI model is still under development. However, company CEO Sam Maggio tells us that the MAXI will be used to climb the exterior of Navy vessels to carry out coating removal tasks, and will be able to handle 1 in (25 mm) obstacles.
ICM started building wall climbing robots in 2001, after the owner of a industrial coatings company lamented that there was no easy way to clean large structures. The traditional method of scaffolding, scaffolding covers, and sandblasting was dirty and dangerous, creating a very hostile environment for workers high off the ground, breathing in dust, debris, and paint flecks.
All of the ICM robots are remote controlled, operated by a worker using video cameras and a video-game type controller. A variety of cameras and sensors, cleaning systems (abrasion, sand blasting, etc.), and painting systems can be attached to the robots. Typical uses are inspection of giant wind turbine blades, cleaning the inside and outside of storage tanks, cleaning the bilges on ships and submarines, and inspecting the concrete in dams and nuclear power plants.
The new MINI robot is available now, as is the standard Climber robot. The larger MAXI robot will be available starting in July of 2014.
The video below shows the ICM wall climbing robot making the transition from floor to wall to start a climb.
Source: ICM
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