Systems and methods for determining fasteners
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsLuis Rogelio Gonzalez, Peter Hoang Bui, Aksel Bode
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods are used to determine a defined fastener for fastening two parts together at an assembly fastener location. The defined fastener comprises fastener components selected from a plurality of different fastener components available for use in an assembled fastener. The fastener components of the defined fastener may be selected based on criteria defining characteristics of an assembly stackup including the two parts and the assembled defined fastener. Dimensions of the two parts at respective fastener locations forming the assembly fastener location may be used to determine a part stackup dimension for the assembled fastener at the assembly fastener location.
Claims20
A method for fastening two parts together comprising, prior to joining a first part with a second part:
- obtaining dimensions of the first part and the second part at respective fastener locations forming an assembly fastener location of an assembly of the first part joined with the second part where the first part is to be fastened to the second part by an assembled fastener, wherein obtaining dimensions of the first part and the second part includes measuring the first and second parts using at least one electronic sensor;
- determining, based on the dimensions of the first and second parts at the respective fastener locations, a part stackup dimension for the assembled fastener at the assembly fastener location including a first dimension of the first part and a second dimension of the second part;
- obtaining dimensions of each of a plurality of different fastener components available for use in the assembled fastener, wherein the plurality of different fastener components includes a plurality of bolts, wherein each bolt has a threaded portion and an unthreaded grip portion, and wherein each unthreaded grip portion of the plurality of bolts has a different predefined length;
- obtaining criteria defining characteristics of an assembly stackup including the first and second parts and the assembled fastener, the criteria including a maximum length and a minimum length of an unthreaded grip portion for a bolt of the assembled fastener;
- and
- determining a defined fastener satisfying the criteria and having fastener components selected from the plurality of different fastener components and including a bolt of the plurality of bolts for which the predefined different length is in a range defined by the maximum and minimum lengths.
A data processing system for identifying fastener components, comprising:
- one or more processors;
- a memory including one or more digital storage devices;
- and
- a plurality of instructions stored in the memory and executable by the one or more processors to:
- store data representing dimensions of a first part and a second part at respective fastener locations forming an assembly fastener location of an assembly of the first part joined with the second part where the first part is to be fastened to the second part by an assembled fastener, wherein the dimensions are obtained by measuring the first and second parts using at least one electronic sensor;
- determine, based on the stored data, a part stackup dimension for the assembled fastener at the assembly fastener location including a first dimension of the first part and a second dimension of the second part;
- identify dimensions of each of a plurality of different fastener components available for use in the assembled fastener, wherein the plurality of different fastener components includes a plurality of bolts, wherein each bolt has a threaded portion and an unthreaded grip portion, and wherein each unthreaded grip portion of the plurality of bolts has a different predefined length;
- receive criteria defining characteristics of an assembly stackup including the first and second parts and the assembled fastener, the criteria including a maximum length and a minimum length of an unthreaded grip portion for a bolt of the assembled fastener;
- and
- determine a defined fastener satisfying the criteria and having fastener components selected from the plurality of different fastener components and including a bolt of the plurality of bolts for which the predefined different length is in a range defined by the maximum and minimum lengths.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.