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The Flying Carpet: A Tool to Improve Ship Repair Efficiency
Published
Author(s)
Roger V. Bostelman, William P. Shackleford, Frederick M. Proctor, James S. Albus, Alan M. Lytle
Abstract
NIST is working directly with industry to improve repair and conversion operations of ships in dry dock. The technology discussed is applicable to shipbuilding, aircraft maintenance, construction, and other industries requiring worker-access to large, external surfaces with minimum footprint and maximum system rigidity and control. The technology augments conventional suspended-scaffold systems by providing safe, rapid access to non-planar surfaces. This approach moves toward more autonomous large-scale manufacturing applications.
Proceedings Title
American Society of Naval Engineers Sumposium, Manufacturing Technology for Ship Construction and Repair
cable controlled, large scale manufacturing, robotics, ship repair, worker-access
Citation
Bostelman, R.
, Shackleford, W.
, Proctor, F.
, Albus, J.
and Lytle, A.
(2002),
The Flying Carpet: A Tool to Improve Ship Repair Efficiency, American Society of Naval Engineers Sumposium, Manufacturing Technology for Ship Construction and Repair, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=823431
(Accessed October 10, 2025)