Apparatus, system and method for performing automated finishing operations on a workpiece

1. A finishing apparatus for performing an automated finishing operation on a surface of a workpiece, the finishing apparatus comprising:

a platen fabricated from a magnetic material and having a platen surface; and

a finishing module disposed on the platen surface and having a finishing operation end effector, wherein the finishing module generates a magnetic field that biases the finishing module toward the platen, and is operable to generate a magnetic flux to control movement of the finishing module over the platen surface to perform the automated finishing operation on the surface of the workpiece.

2. The finishing apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the platen is one of a flat platen and a curved platen.

3. The finishing apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , comprising a mounting bracket to which the platen is coupled, wherein the mounting bracket couples the platen to a positioning apparatus that positions the finishing apparatus proximate the surface of the workpiece.

4. The finishing apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the finishing module comprises a base and an end effector positioning device connecting the finishing operation end effector to the base, wherein the end effector positioning device is operable to change a position and an orientation of the finishing operation end effector relative to the surface of the workpiece.

5. The finishing apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the finishing operation end effector applies one of paint and printer ink to the surface of the workpiece.

6. The finishing apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , comprising a pressurized air source in fluid communication with the platen, wherein pressurized air from the pressurized air source is discharged through a plurality of orifices through the platen surface to create an air gap between the platen surface and the finishing module.

7. The finishing apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the finishing module comprises a finishing module controller configured to control the magnetic flux to move the finishing module over the platen surface through a predetermined path.

8. A method of performing an automated finishing operation on a surface of a workpiece, the method implemented using a finishing apparatus having a platen fabricated from a magnetic material and having a platen surface, and a finishing module having a finishing operation end effector and disposed on the platen surface, wherein the finishing module generates a magnetic field biasing the finishing module toward the platen surface, the method comprising:

deploying the finishing module over the platen surface using a magnetic flux generated by the finishing module; and

performing, using the finishing operation end effector, the automated finishing operation.

9. The method in accordance with claim 8 , the method further comprising:

positioning the finishing apparatus proximate the surface of the workpiece; and

performing the automated finishing operation on the surface of the workpiece.

10. The method in accordance with claim 9 , wherein the platen is coupled to a mounting bracket that couples the platen to a positioning apparatus, the method further comprising controlling operation of the positioning apparatus while performing the automated finishing operation on the surface of the workpiece.

11. The method in accordance with claim 10 , wherein the positioning apparatus comprises a movable cart, the method further comprising controlling operation of the movable cart while performing the automated finishing operation on the surface of the workpiece.

12. The method in accordance with claim 8 , wherein performing the automated finishing operation further comprises applying one of paint and printer ink onto the surface of the workpiece with the finishing operation end effector.

13. The method in accordance with claim 9 , wherein the finishing module comprises a base and an end effector positioning device connecting the finishing operation end effector to the base, wherein positioning the finishing apparatus comprises operating the end effector positioning device to change a position and an orientation of the finishing operation end effector relative to the surface of the workpiece.

14. The method in accordance with claim 8 , wherein the platen includes a plurality of orifices, wherein the method further comprises discharging air through the plurality of orifices to create an air gap between the platen surface and the finishing module.

15. The method in accordance with claim 8 , the method further implemented using a finishing module controller of the finishing module, the method further comprising controlling, using the finishing module controller, the magnetic flux to move the finishing module through a predetermined path over the platen surface.

16. A finishing station for performing an automated finishing operation on a surface of a workpiece, the finishing station comprising:

a platen fabricated from a magnetic material and having a platen surface;

a finishing module disposed on the platen surface and having a finishing operation end effector, wherein the finishing module generates a magnetic field that biases the finishing module toward the platen, and is operable to generate a magnetic flux to control movement of the least one finishing module over the platen surface to perform the automated finishing operation on the surface of the workpiece; and

a finishing module controller coupled in communication with the finishing module, the finishing module controller configured to control the magnetic flux generated by the finishing module to move the finishing module over the platen surface to perform the automated finishing operation.

17. The finishing station in accordance with claim 16 , comprising a positioning apparatus coupled to the platen, wherein the positioning apparatus supports the platen adjacent to the surface of the workpiece while the finishing module performs the automated finishing operation on the surface of the workpiece.

18. The finishing station in accordance with claim 17 , wherein the positioning apparatus comprises an omni-cart, wherein the omni-cart is configured to traverse along at least a part of the workpiece during the automated finishing operation.

19. The finishing station in accordance with claim 16 , wherein the finishing module controller is further configured to control the magnetic flux generated by the finishing module to move the finishing module over the platen surface through a predetermined path.

20. The finishing station in accordance with claim 16 , wherein the finishing module controller is further coupled in communication with the finishing operation end effector to perform the automated finishing operation.