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Even rock climbing requires grip points and support points to climb up from the ground. But now there are already robots that can climb vertical smooth surfaces without grasping points and supporting points. International Climbing Machines (ICM) recently released two new types of wall climbing robots. The two robots are mainly used to inspect and clean large machines such as dams, wind turbines and submarines that are difficult to inspect. The MINI Climber robot can be squeezed into a confined space, while the MAXI robot can perform large area inspections and cleaning.
The MINI Climber robot weighs 9 kg, about 35 cm long and 38 cm wide. It is made of carbon fiber and epoxy resin and can maintain a minimum weight. It also has a built-in laser robotic arm that removes coating from a confined space such as the interior of a nuclear submarine on a complex surface. ICM said that they have recently completed the development of the MINI Climber robot, which will soon work for the US Navy. However, the MAXI robot is still under development and will be available in July 2014. But the company’s CEO, Sam Maggio, said that the MAXI robot will be able to climb onto the outer surface of the naval vessel and complete the task of removing the coating. It can also handle 25mm obstacles.
In order to allow these robots to climb on various surfaces, the company designed them to use vacuum systems to attract walls. ICM considers that there may be various obstacles, Bolts, windowsills, or dirt on a smooth surface. The robot needs the ability to handle these things. Therefore, they developed a thick foam rubber pad to form a vacuum. "Rolling pressure seals." These foams can handle 20 mm bulges, so it can crawl on brick walls, steel frames and aircraft fuselage.
Both robots are remotely controlled and workers use a video camera and a video game controller to operate. It has multiple cameras and sensors on it, as well as abrasive and sandblasting cleaning systems and painting systems. For example, it can climb the wind blades of wind turbines, clean the inner walls of tanks, clean the bilges of submarines and submarines, or inspect concrete dams and nuclear power plants.
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Jiangsu Dingtian Stainless Steel Products Co., Ltd. , https://www.dingtiancasting.com