Method and automated rover device for surface treatment

Automated rover device for treating surfaces of an elongated part comprising a rover device 30 that removes material from opposite surfaces of an elongated part 32, such as a composite laminate stiffener. The device comprises a frame, a drive 38 carried on the frame for driving the device along the length of the part, a pair of surface treatment tools 42, a vacuum assembly 44 for removal of material generated by the tools; and a controller 52 for controlling operation of the drive, surface tools and vacuum assembly. In another aspect, a method of use comprises placing the rover on a composite stiffener 32, driving the rover along the length of the stiffener, sanding opposite sides of the stiffener using a pair of sanders 42 located on the rover, removing material dust produced by the sanding via a vacuum assembly 44 on board the rover, sensing the end of the composite stiffener using an on-board sensor 48, and disengaging the drive assembly 38 when the sensor has sensed the end of the composite stiffener.