The Boeing Company
Robotic printing system for an aircraft exterior

Abstract:

A robotic printing system for an exterior surface of an aircraft includes a robotic printer, the robotic printer having a body and a plurality of vacuum suction cups mounted to the body for attaching the robotic printer to the exterior surface of the aircraft, where the plurality of vacuum suction cups are configured to move the robotic printer along the exterior surface of the aircraft. The robotic printer also includes a printing head mounted to the body, where the printing head is positioned to apply a print medium to the exterior surface of the aircraft. The robotic printer also includes a laser-based positioning device mounted to the body for determining a position of the robotic printer on the exterior surface of the aircraft.