High-density robotic system
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsHarinder S. Oberoi, Kevin Marion Barrick, Charles Yuanxin Hu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and apparatuses for performing automated operations using a high-density robotic cell. An apparatus comprises a first plurality of robotic devices; a second plurality of robotic devices; and a control system. Each of the second plurality of robotic devices is coupled to a single function end effector. The control system controls the second plurality of robotic devices to concurrently perform tasks at a plurality of locations on an assembly, while the first plurality of robotic devices independently maintain a clamp-up at each of the plurality of locations.
Claims30
A method for performing automated tasks for an assembly, the method comprising:
- positioning a first plurality of robotic devices relative to a first side of the assembly;
- positioning a second plurality of robotic devices relative to a second side of the assembly, each of the second plurality of robotic devices being used to perform a corresponding task;
- and
- performing a plurality of tasks at each of a plurality of locations on the assembly using the first plurality of robotic devices and the second plurality of robotic devices,
- the second plurality of robotic devices concurrently performing tasks at the plurality of locations while the first plurality of robotic devices independently maintain a single-sided clamp-up at each of the plurality of locations.
A method for building a fuselage assembly of an aircraft, the method comprising:
- positioning a plurality of cells relative to corresponding sections of the fuselage assembly, each of the plurality of cells comprising:
- a first plurality of robotic devices positioned relative to a first side of the fuselage assembly;
- and
- a second plurality of robotic devices positioned relative to a second side of the fuselage assembly;
- and
- performing an automated operation at each of a plurality of locations at each of the corresponding sections of the fuselage assembly concurrently using the plurality of cells, wherein robotic devices of each cell are interchangeable to perform different tasks of the automated operation according to a predetermined task sequence.
An apparatus comprising:
- a first plurality of robotic devices;
- a second plurality of robotic devices, each of the second plurality of robotic devices coupled to a single function end effector;
- and
- a control system for controlling the second plurality of robotic devices to concurrently perform tasks at a plurality of locations on an assembly, while the first plurality of robotic devices independently maintain a single-sided clamp-up at each of the plurality of locations.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.