External Wall Painter Robot: Hardware and Remote PC-Based Controller Design and Implementation

Khoo, Chong Hwa (2016) External Wall Painter Robot: Hardware and Remote PC-Based Controller Design and Implementation. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University College.

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Abstract

In Malaysia, local skilled painting workers are getting less and gradually replaced by foreign workers. Low wage is the main reason and also safety concern when comes to painting the walls of high rise. Although this can be solved by getting foreign workers to fill in the vacant, this creates several social issues on the other hand. Therefore, this project proposed an external wall painter robot as a solution to this longstanding problem. Successful creation of a functional external wall painter robot will help to reduce excess import of foreign workers and return of local workers is expected as the safety worries are excluded. To achieve this goal, it is needed to create an external wall painter robot which is capable to execute the commands given by the operator in order to complete the painting work. Thus, a combination of mechanical structure and software control is required. A prototype is constructed to validate if the solution is feasible. The mechanical structure is built to provide 2-axis movement, which are left and right as well as up and down. Whereas, a user interface application is created by using Visual Basic to allow the user to give command which then establish a connection with Arduino controller to actually execute and manipulate the movement of painter using power window motors. An assumption is made that the surface of the wall is even without protrusions or indentations. The algorithm used to move the spray painter is zigzag movement prioritized on horizontal axis in order to reduce the paint waste. As an added feature, simple path planning algorithm will be applied to certain situation where only certain area needed to be painted instead of a whole wide area of the wall. It is expected to perform better in terms of labor cost and also time cost. In this project, the external wall painter robot is built to complete wall painting works involving an operator to give command. With further development, this robot certainly can be put into commercial use to solve the shortage of skilled painting workers and greatly decrease the accidents happen in the construction site as human life is very valuable.