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US 12,115,658 B2Granted
Indexing apparatus and method of indexing
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsJordan S. Erickson, Michael K. Louie
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An indexing apparatus includes a fixture tool, movable relative to an operation cell and an indexing feature, fixed relative to the fixture tool. The indexing apparatus also includes a gripper, configured to engage the indexing feature. The indexing apparatus further includes a controller, in communication with the gripper. The controller is configured to locate the fixture tool relative to the operation cell from a gripper location of the gripper, engaged with the indexing feature.
Claims24
An indexing apparatus, comprising:
- a fixture, movable relative to an operation cell;
- an indexing feature, fixed relative to the fixture;
- a gripper, movable relative to the operational cell and configured to engage the indexing feature;
- and
- a controller, in communication with the gripper,
- wherein:
- the controller is configured to determine a gripper location of the gripper relative to the operational cell;
- with the gripper engaged with the indexing feature, the gripper is configured to move the fixture in the operation cell;
- and
- with the gripper engaged with the indexing feature, the controller is further configured to determine a fixture location of the fixture relative to the operation cell based on the gripper location of the gripper.
7 more elements
A manufacturing system, comprising:
- an end effector, located in an operation cell and configured to perform at least one manufacturing operation;
- a fixture, configured to support a workpiece and movable relative to the operation cell;
- an indexing feature, mounted at a fixed location the fixture;
- a gripper comprising:
- a grip head, configured to engage the indexing feature;
- and
- a robotic arm, configured to move the grip head;
- and
- a controller, in communication with the gripper and the end effector,
- wherein:
- the controller is configured to determine a gripper location of the grip head of the gripper relative to the operational cell when moved by the robotic arm;
- with the grip head engaged with the indexing feature, the robotic arm is configured to move the fixture in the operational cell and relative to the end effector;
- with the grip head engaged with the indexing feature, the controller is further configured to determine a fixture location of the fixture relative to the operation cell based on the gripper location of the gripper;
- and
- the controller is further configured to index the end effector relative to the fixture location of the fixture in the operational cell based on the fixture location of the fixture.
12 more elements
A method for manufacturing, the method comprising:
- moving a fixture relative to an operation cell;
- engaging an indexing feature, fixed relative to the fixture, with a gripper;
- with the gripper engaged with the indexing feature, moving the fixture in the operational cell using the gripper;
- with the gripper engaged with the indexing feature, determining a gripper location of the gripper relative to the operational cell;
- determining a fixture location of the fixture relative to the operation cell from the gripper location of the gripper;
- and
- indexing the end effector relative to the fixture using the fixture location determined from the gripper location.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.