An additive manufacturing machine (AMM) operates within a designated work cell. One or more pre-fabricated primary substructure pieces, produced by a first manufacturing process (which can be additive and/or subtractive), are transferred into the designated AMM work cell.
An additive manufacturing machine (AMM) operates within a designated work cell. One or more pre-fabricated primary substructure pieces, produced by a first manufacturing process (which can be additive and/or subtractive), are transferred into the designated AMM work cell.
The primary substructure pieces are aligned (optionally using alignment structures like rods or tubes which may be temporary aids or permanent stiffeners) and secured within the work cell, typically to a build surface. The alignment structure(s) may also serve as stiffening structure(s).
An additive manufacturing machine (AMM) operates within a designated work cell. One or more pre-fabricated primary substructure pieces, produced by a first manufacturing process (which can be additive and/or subtractive), are transferred into the designated AMM work cell.
The primary substructure pieces are aligned (optionally using alignment structures like rods or tubes which may be temporary aids or permanent stiffeners) and secured within the work cell, typically to a build surface. The alignment structure(s) may also serve as stiffening structure(s).
The AMM subsequently deposits additive material onto the aligned primary substructure, using a second, potentially distinct, additive manufacturing process (for example AFP applying one or more tows of pre-impregnated fiber material, such as carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP). This deposition integrates the primary substructure pieces, permanent stiffening structure(s), and/or builds additional features. During deposition, process parameters such as a heat source (commonly a laser or an infrared (IR) laser), and a compaction member (like a roller) are used to apply energy and pressure to both the newly applied additive material and/or the existing substrate, facilitating adhesion or welding between the materials and ensuring consolidation. Upon completion of the AMM process, the permanent previously separate primary substructure pieces(s), any permanent alignment/stiffening structure(s), and the applied additive material are unified into a single consolidated part.
B29C 64/147 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only solid materials using sheet material, e.g. laminated object manufacturing [LOM] or laminating sheet material precut to local cross sections of the 3D object
B29C 70/38 - Automated lay-up, e.g. using robots, laying filaments according to predetermined patterns
B29L 31/30 - Vehicles, e.g. ships or aircraft, or body parts thereof
A laser focusing telescope includes one or more lenses arranged to focus a laser beam to a size corresponding with a selected tow width. An additive manufacturing machine selects an appropriate laser focusing telescope from a plurality of laser focusing telescopes each having an arrangement of one or more lenses that corresponds to a respective different tow width.
A monoplace hyperbaric chamber design to permit at least 2 ATR (about 30 psi relative) internal pressure which accommodates upright seating and, with stiffeners removed for transport, has dimensions to facilitate the chamber passing through a common door opening width of a doctor's examination room where the stiffeners are attached without disturbing a hermetic seal of the hyperbaric chamber.
A61G 10/02 - Treatment rooms for medical purposes with artificial climateTreatment rooms for medical purposes with means to maintain a desired pressure, e.g. for germ-free rooms
A segmented mandrel for cold working having two forward segments and two rear segments positioned between the two forward segments, when fitted together have an approximately circular outline. The two forward segments and the two rear segments are movable separately and together.
A support system for AFP processing of irregular members including a base assembly, first and second rotational supports, a driver for rotating the first and second rotational supports, at least one movable support for contacting and supporting the irregular member as it rotates and a control for moving the support to maintain contact with the irregular member as it is rotated, permitting AFP processing.
An Automatic Fiber Placement (AFP) machine includes an optical assembly for selectively heating individual small-width tows as they are fed for placement on a substrate. The optical assembly includes a plurality of collimators arranged in parallel in at least two rows and having a pitch less than 0.5 inches to accommodate placement of small-width tows.
An AFP head providing a plurality of fiber element tows under tension to a compaction roller which in operation presses the individual tows onto a substrate to produce a part. A separate laser heat source, such as an individual laser module, is provided for each pair of tows or tetrad of tows. Each laser is separately controllable to provide an on/off capability.
Automation machines and tooling for commercial and military aviation and space flight, namely, riveting machines, fiber placement machines, robotic assembly machines and drilling machines
Automation machines and tooling for commercial and military aviation and space flight, namely, riveting machines, fiber placement machines, robotic assembly machines and drilling machines
Automation machines and tooling for commercial and military aviation and space flight, namely, riveting machines, fiber placement machines, robotic assembly machines and drilling machines
11.
Servo motor tension control for modular AFP head assembly
A modular head assembly or end effector for a fiber placement machine having a machine controller includes a back plate and a plurality of carbon fabric spool assemblies, each assembly including a servo motor combination and a dancer assembly for maintaining tension of the fabric as it is payed out. The spool assemblies include a linear displacement sensor for the dancer assembly and a sensor for determining the diameter of the carbon spool, the outputs of which are used to control the action of the servo motors. A programmable disconnecting assembly mates the modular head assembly with the fiber placement machine.
A nose portion assembly of a riveting apparatus is rotatable between a first vertical position and a second angled position which is adjacent an end of a rivet feed ramp. The angled position of the nose assembly matches the angle of a rivet feed ramp from a rivet feed member positioned on the side of the riveting apparatus.
A system for locating the center line of a bolt which extends through an aircraft part, including a robot which carries a nut or collar placement device and a stereo camera. A control system operates the camera to produce two images of the fastener at a specified angle. A processor then transforms the image information to control information for the robot to align the nut or collar placement device with the centerline of the fastener and then to place the nut or collar on the end of the fastener.
B64F 5/10 - Manufacturing or assembling aircraft, e.g. jigs therefor
G05B 19/402 - Numerical control [NC], i.e. automatically operating machines, in particular machine tools, e.g. in a manufacturing environment, so as to execute positioning, movement or co-ordinated operations by means of programme data in numerical form characterised by control arrangements for positioning, e.g. centring a tool relative to a hole in the workpiece, additional detection means to correct position
B21J 15/14 - Riveting machines specially adapted for riveting specific articles, e.g. brake lining machines
The magnetic base assembly includes an electromagnet assembly with a top surface open magnetic pole. A shunt plate is magnetically held to the top of the electromagnet. A canting or tilting of the shunt plate results when accidental side or pulling away contact is made between a riveting processing tool and an extending portion of the aircraft part being riveted as the tool is moved from one riveting location to another. The canting or pull off of the tool prevents damage. The operator can observe the tool canting and stop the tool movement or a micro switch or proximity switch senses the canting or tilting automatically so that the tool can be stopped before damage occurs. The magnetic field can be dynamically controlled to provide adequate pulldown force for the riveting function but a breakaway force less than the amount which would cause damage.
B25C 5/02 - Manually operated portable stapling toolsHand-held power-operated stapling toolsStaple feeding devices therefor with provision for bending the ends of the staples on to the work
B21J 15/30 - Particular elements, e.g. supportsSuspension equipment specially adapted for portable riveters
H01F 7/06 - ElectromagnetsActuators including electromagnets
H01F 7/20 - ElectromagnetsActuators including electromagnets without armatures
15.
System using an air gap for workpiece protection in a fastener machine
The system includes a ram assembly with fingers for grasping a fastener. An actuator moves the ram assembly toward the workpiece, under machine control. A housing member which is movable by the actuator includes a holding member for an anvil portion of the ram assembly, the holding member being movable within the housing member. The holding member and the housing member are arranged so there is a selected air gap between the movable member and the top of the housing at the start of the fastener cycle. An insertion sensor assembly changes signal state when the air gap begins to close. When the air gap begins to close either too early or too late relative to a properly positioned fastener, the actuator is stopped by the cycle motion controller.
A machine includes a feed system for moving fasteners to a track-type fastener injector system and a pusher for moving the fasteners along the track. A rivet ejector assembly comprises a pair of bomb bay-type doors which support a portion of the track feed system and a mechanism for recognizing misfed rivets as they approach the bomb bay doors. The bomb bay doors are rotated about their longitudinal axes so that opposing inner surfaces of the bomb bay doors pivot away from each other, along with the track portion, permitting the fastener to fall or be blown therethrough, ejected from the injector system.
B21J 15/14 - Riveting machines specially adapted for riveting specific articles, e.g. brake lining machines
B21J 15/32 - Devices for inserting or holding rivets in position with or without feeding arrangements
B23P 19/00 - Machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects, or metal and non-metal parts, whether or not involving some deformationTools or devices therefor so far as not provided for in other classes
17.
System for loading collars onto bolts in large-scale manufacturing operations
Collars having a center opening are conveyed through a feed channel by compressed air to a swaging die tool for bolts. There is sufficient clearance between the collar and the channel to permit movement of the collar as the forward end of the die pin engages a central opening of the collar, the feed assembly or the swaging die tool being moveable sufficiently thereafter to permit a die-pin engaged collar to move forward for engagement with a tail end of a bolt. The collar is loaded onto the bolt and the collar moved forward to a stackup of parts prior to a bolt being moved through an opening in the stackup for engagement with the collar.
B23Q 7/00 - Arrangements for handling work specially combined with or arranged in, or specially adapted for use in connection with, machine tools, e.g. for conveying, loading, positioning, discharging, sorting
18.
System for loading collars onto bolts in large-scale manufacturing operations
The system includes a moving feed assembly, including a feed channel, through which a collar is moved by compressed air to a position in substantial alignment with the centerline of a swaging die tool. There is sufficient clearance between the collar and the channel to permit movement of the collar as a forward end of a die pin portion of the swaging die tool moves and engages a center opening of the collar.
The system includes a collar feed assembly which includes a channel within a step assembly at the end thereof, which defines a receiving cavity for the collar. The receiving cavity is configured so that the collar can move slightly therein, permitting a die portion of a die tool to engage a center opening of the collar, so that the collar can come into accurate alignment with the center axis of the die tool. The die tool is mounted to be movable slightly transversely to permit a reliable transfer of the collar onto the bolt. The collar is more compliant than the die tool during loading of the collar onto the die pin and the die tool is more compliant than the collar during transfer of the collar from the die pin onto the bolt.
A robot mechanism for controlling the position of a machine tool in a large-scale manufacturing assembly includes six rotary axes and one linear axis. Secondary feedback systems are included on at least several of the axes. A controller receives secondary feedback information and uses it to control the position of the machine tool within an accuracy of ±0.3 mm.
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
B25J 13/08 - Controls for manipulators by means of sensing devices, e.g. viewing or touching devices
21.
System for loading collars onto bolts in large-scale manufacturing operations
The system includes a moving feed assembly through which a collar is moved by compressed air to a position in substantial alignment with the centerline of a swaging die assembly. Two spring-loaded fingers are mounted on opposing sides of the feed assembly for receiving the collar by compressed air action where it is maintained in substantial alignment with the swaging die assembly. The spring action of the fingers is strong enough that the collar can be pressed firmly against a curved receiving portion of the fingers by the compressed air. A die pin portion of the swaging die is then inserted into the collar, thereafter maintaining the position of the collar as the feed assembly with the opposing fingers are stripped away from the collar, leaving the die pin-engaged collar free to be moved by action of a ram assembly to a stackup of parts to be fastened, where the collar can be transferred onto a bolt which extends through the stackup.
