Continuous-line manufacturing system and method for composite parts
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsJace J. Jerome, Richard A. Miller, Michael K. Louie, Jordan S. Erickson, Austin T. McAnelly
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Abstract
A method for depositing composite material onto a tool using an automated machine. The method includes coupling a first mobile platform with a second mobile platform to form a coupled system, the first mobile platform supporting the automated machine and the second mobile platform supporting the tool. The method further includes indexing the automated machine relative to the tool. The method further includes depositing composite material from the automated machine onto the tool while the coupled system moves along a production line.
Claims20
A method for facilitating continuous flow manufacturing of composite structures for aircraft, the method comprising:
- moving a first mobile platform along a continuous production line, the first mobile platform supporting a mandrel configured to hold a workpiece;
- coupling a second mobile platform and a third mobile platform with the first mobile platform to form a coupled system, wherein the second mobile platform and the third mobile platform each support an automated fiber placement machine;
- moving the coupled system along the continuous production line;
- depositing composite material onto the mandrel using the automated fiber placement machines on the second mobile platform and the third mobile platform while the coupled system travels along the continuous production line;
- and
- uncoupling the second mobile platform from the coupled system, wherein the third mobile platform continues to deposit composite material onto the mandrel after the second mobile platform is uncoupled.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.