Nexterity develops robot to automate work with pipe flanges — TechCrunch

Startup Nexterity has developed a remotely controlled robot that can loosen or tighten four bolts simultaneously on pipe flange connections. The device is designed to automate the physically demanding and injury-prone part of pipefitters’ work, TechCrunch reports.

A two-part robot

The robot consists of two main modules installed around a pipe. Once mounted, the battery-powered device can move along the pipe and work on four bolts at a time.

Lindsay Elliott previously worked as an engineer and planner at ExxonMobil. According to her, tightening and loosening the bolts that connect pipe sections requires considerable physical effort and is a source of injuries among pipefitters. She also noted that the industry lacks workers and that the productivity of pipefitting work in North America is low.

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Rental model and common pipe sizes

Nexterity has created several device configurations for standard pipe sizes. According to Elliott, each of them is compact enough to fit into a Pelican case and be carried by one worker. This is intended to make it easier to deliver the equipment to new sites.

The startup views the robots as rental construction equipment. Elliott explained that about 80% of pipes have diameters of two to eight inches, or NPS2–NPS8, creating conditions for repeatable automation use.

Such pipelines are used, among other things, in water supply, wastewater disposal and water treatment, the food and beverage industry, mining, nuclear energy, and sustainable manufacturing facilities. Nexterity was included in the Startup Battlefield 200 list to participate in TechCrunch Disrupt.