Nexterity develops remote-controlled robot for pipefitting bolt automation

Automating Pipefitting Tasks

Nexterity, a startup founded by Lindsey Elliott, has introduced a remote-controlled robot designed to automate the process of loosening and tightening bolts on bolted flange joints in pipelines. Elliott, a former engineer and planner at ExxonMobil, identified this specific task as a significant challenge in the oil, gas, and petrochemical infrastructure.

Addressing Industry Challenges

The physical demands of pipefitting, particularly the repetitive and strenuous work involved with bolts, contribute to worker injuries and labor shortages within the industry. Elliott noted that North American pipefitting productivity is often low due to these factors. The robot aims to mitigate these issues by taking over the hard, physical labor.

Robot Design and Functionality

The robot consists of two main pieces that attach around a pipe. Battery-powered, it can move along the pipe and simultaneously loosen or tighten four bolts. Nexterity has developed configurations for standard pipe sizes, specifically targeting pipes between two and eight inches in diameter, which account for 80% of pipes according to industry experts. The units are designed to be portable, fitting into a Pelican case and carried by a single worker, facilitating easy deployment.

Business Model and Impact

Nexterity plans to operate with a rental model, treating the robot as construction equipment. This approach offers flexibility for deployment to various sites. The automation of this task could enhance worker safety and increase productivity in the pipefitting sector, potentially changing how this blue-collar job is performed if widely adopted.