3-D imaging subsystem and dry film thickness metrology subsystem for ultra high pressure automated paint removal/application systems

Due to the severe conditions in which Navy ships are required to operate, considerable time and money is spent on a ship´s repair and refurbishment to insure that an effective, properly equipped war-fighting platform is maintained. Two of the most basic-yet important-procedures in this maintenance process are the removal of old paint and the repainting of supply and/or holding tanks. Current methods of performing paint removal/application are both time and labor intensive and-due to the nature of the materials involved-create potential environmental hazards. For purposes of this paper only the 3-D imaging subsystem (3-DIS) and the dry film thickness metrology (DFTMS) subsystem will be illustrated since these two sensor systems are designed to work with present paint removal/application systems.