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Article
Publication date: 2 May 2008

Bryan Bridge

437

Abstract

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Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 35 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

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Article
Publication date: 2 May 2008

Jianzhong Shang, Bryan Bridge, Tariq Sattar, Shyamal Mondal and Alina Brenner

The project Climbing Robot Cell for Fast and Flexible Manufacture of Large Scale Structures seeks to modernise and take into the future the technology of the manufacture of large…

1690

Abstract

Purpose

The project Climbing Robot Cell for Fast and Flexible Manufacture of Large Scale Structures seeks to modernise and take into the future the technology of the manufacture of large fixed welded structures. It creates a transportable manufacturing cell consisting of a team of cooperating climbing robot work tools whose activities are coordinated and integrated through a central intelligence. The purpose of this paper is to present a wheeled robot, called NDT robot, designed for the real time inspection of long weld lines simultaneously with the welding process.

Design/methodology/approach

Neodymium permanent magnets are used for adhesion, which are capable of producing a maximum adhesion pressure of 4 × 104 Nm−2 at a 20 mm air gap. The strong neodymium magnets give the robot a high payload carrying capability. The arrangement of the magnet array increases its performance at large air gaps so that the robot has excellent capability to overcome obstacles, such as weld caps. The design of the wheeled robot with two sections jointed by a hinge joint has the advantage of high speed and good manoeuvrability, as well as working on curved surfaces and transferring between angled adjoining surfaces.

Findings

The NDT robot has been developed with the capability of climbing on steel walls carrying the specified payload and the ability to overcome the obstacles. The robot is also able to climb on curved surfaces with excellent manoeuvrability, and transfer between angled adjoining surfaces.

Originality/value

The arrangement of the magnet array enables the robot to retain a strong holding force at big air gap, so that the ability of the robot to overcome obstacles and work on curvatures is strengthened. The two‐section design improves the robot's performance on curvatures and enables it to transfer between angled adjoining surfaces.

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 35 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

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Article
Publication date: 19 June 2009

Tariq P. Sattar, Hernando Leon Rodriguez and Bryan Bridge

Structural integrity inspection of offshore wind turbine blades poses problems of gaining access to the blades, danger to human operatives and large costs of removing a blade and…

1489

Abstract

Purpose

Structural integrity inspection of offshore wind turbine blades poses problems of gaining access to the blades, danger to human operatives and large costs of removing a blade and transporting it off‐shore for inspection. The purpose of this paper is to show that a climbing robot that can perform in situ blade inspection with micro/nano focus computed axial X‐ray tomography is a solution to find defects in the thickest blade sections and reduce the cost of inspection.

Design/methodology/approach

The weight of such an inspection system will be high, typically 200 kg and cross sectional scanner dimensions of 1 × 2 m to envelope a blade. The design of a climbing ring robot that completely encircles a turbine tower, typically 3 m in diameter, will provide the best means of climbing with this payload. Because of the development costs of such a huge robot, the optimal design path is to first prototype a small scale model.

Findings

First results on such a model are described and from its performance the load carrying capabilities of a full scale version computed. The robot is able to climb either straight up or down, or with a spiralling motion, or rotate around the circumference at the same height. Furthermore, the design is entirely modular thus enabling easy on‐site assembly of the robot.

Originality/value

A climbing robot with high payload and versatile motion capability, with adhesive forces between the robot and climbing surface provided entirely by mechanical means rather than by vacuum suction or magnetic force, making the system much safer and easier to manipulate.

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 36 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

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Article
Publication date: 23 October 2007

Jianzhong Shang, Tariq Sattar, Shuwo Chen and Bryan Bridge

The paper aims to develop a robot that climbs on non‐ferrous surfaces, e.g. aircraft wings and fuselages, carrying a heavy payload up to 18 kg including scanning arm and various…

1655

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to develop a robot that climbs on non‐ferrous surfaces, e.g. aircraft wings and fuselages, carrying a heavy payload up to 18 kg including scanning arm and various equipments, for non‐destructive testing (NDT).

Design/methodology/approach

This robot in the study uses vacuum suction cups for adhesion, and two pairs of pneumatic cylinders to drive itself, moving in two directions in stepping gait. A rotation mechanism in the centre is used to correct the off‐course deviations by ± 5 degrees. Multiple universal joints are used to make every single suction cup, every robot foot and the whole structure flexible to negotiate with varying surface curvatures presented in different parts of aircraft. This flexible structure is also rigid once the robot is stuck on the surface to enable the NDT inspection being carried out reliably.

Findings

The paper finds that the walking speed is limited by the cylinder stroke, time for generating vacuum and changing legs. Although most NDT inspection is time‐consumable, it is still desirable to increase the robot speed.

Practical implications

The application of this robotic NDT can significantly reduce the cost of aircraft inspection, eliminate labour‐intensive and monotonous inspection tasks and eliminate the need for an operator to work in confined and dangerous spaces.

Originality/value

The paper introduces the structure that combines flexibility and rigidity for a robot climbing on non‐ferrous curvatures.

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 34 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

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Article
Publication date: 1 April 2000

Jack Hollingum

There has been a considerable growth of interest in climbing and walking robots since the first international conference in Brussels last year. The two‐day event at Portsmouth…

614

Abstract

There has been a considerable growth of interest in climbing and walking robots since the first international conference in Brussels last year. The two‐day event at Portsmouth University attracted speakers from 20 countries, a number of whom were able to report on machines that have been built and successfully tested, and in some cases are under evaluation in industry. Supporting these from the end of academic research were papers dealing with simulation, control, locomotion, teleoperation, navigation, sensing and other aspects. Much of the work is being funded by the European Commission under the Brite‐Euram programme. The conference was preceded by a workshop day and included a small industrial exhibition.

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 27 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

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Available. Content available
Article
Publication date: 23 October 2007

62

Abstract

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Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 34 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Available. Content available
Article
Publication date: 2 May 2008

Clive Loughlin

441

Abstract

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 35 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

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Book part
Publication date: 3 December 2005

Ward Churchill

There is no argument among serious researchers that a mongoloid stock first colonized the New World from Asia. Nor is there controversy about the fact that these continental…

Abstract

There is no argument among serious researchers that a mongoloid stock first colonized the New World from Asia. Nor is there controversy about the fact that these continental pioneers used the Bering Land Bridge that then connected the Asian Far East with Alaska.– Gerald F. Shields, et al.American Journal of Genetics (1992)

Details

Social Theory as Politics in Knowledge
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-84950-363-1

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Article
Publication date: 3 October 2018

Azmeri Rahman, Adrian J. Bridge, Steve Rowlinson, Bryan Hubbard and Bo Xia

The purpose of this paper is to present a novel version of Dunning’s eclectic paradigm of internationalisation (OLI framework) to explain both inbound and outbound Foreign Direct…

2168

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a novel version of Dunning’s eclectic paradigm of internationalisation (OLI framework) to explain both inbound and outbound Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in multinational contracting.

Design/methodology/approach

The OLI factors and hypothesis are significantly developed to address a weakness in the OLI framework in its application to settings, such as multinational contracting, with extreme heterogeneity arising from extreme location specificity.

Findings

These developments advance Dunning’s seminal contribution and bring this to life in construction research that has barely applied the framework and, when doing so, has focused only on outbound FDI by multinational contractors (MCs).

Research limitations/implications

The power of the OLI framework is increased on explaining and predicting FDI in contexts that exhibit extreme heterogeneity associated with extreme location specificity. Furthermore, the operationalisation of key theories representing the framework’s OLI factors is made far more precise.

Practical implications

Engineering, construction and architectural managers, can now more reliably apply the OLI framework both in MCs’ outbound FDI decisions and in governments’ decisions to attract new MCs – or inbound FDI.

Originality/value

A significant advance is made in the OLI framework in settings with extreme location specificity, along with the operationalisation of key theories associated with the OLI factors, including the first steps to operationalise Coase’s Nobel prize-winning transaction cost thesis.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 25 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

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Article
Publication date: 7 September 2021

Bryan Finch

The purpose of this paper is to examine the community recovery efforts undertaken by Houston, Texas, sport organizations following Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

134

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the community recovery efforts undertaken by Houston, Texas, sport organizations following Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

Design/methodology/approach

Forty-eight media articles, 138 social media posts from Houston athletes and five semi-structured interviews with Houston sport organization executives underwent a content analysis to categorize responses of disaster relief activities. All eleven categories were identified. Three themes emerged from additional analysis: organizations serving as communication hubs, earned trust and internal organizational support. Benchmark examples in key categories are also discussed.

Findings

This paper provided focused analysis of the reactions of several Houston area sport organizations during the immediate disaster recovery period. Organizations participated in both tangible and emotional recovery efforts. The long-term impacts of these efforts will require additional investigation. The findings of this case study are specific to the relief efforts in Houston, Texas, following Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and may not be generalizable beyond this scope.

Practical implications

Sport organizations and community leaders can better prepare for future disaster responses by gaining insight into the roles and procedures enacted by the Houston teams following the Hurricane in 2017.

Originality/value

This study provides a detailed examination of the responses of several Houston sport organizations following Hurricane Harvey, including perspectives from executives inside of the organizations. Utilizing social anchor theory, this paper expands our understanding of the impacts sport organizations may produce in their roles as social anchors during disaster relief and recovery.

Details

Sport, Business and Management: An International Journal, vol. 12 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-678X

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