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US 12,390,865 B2Granted
Tool alignment system and method
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsCraig Martin Farniok, Todd Jeremy Roffo, Thomas A. Brown
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and a method include a fixture template configured to be secured to a component. The fixture template includes a plurality of insert holes. A plurality of guide inserts have channels. Each of the channels has an orientation. The orientation of at least two of the plurality of guide inserts differs. Each of the plurality of guide inserts is removably secured within a respective one of the plurality of inserts holes to position and orient the channels in relation to a pattern of openings to be formed in relation to the component. Each of the channels is configured to receive an operative member of a tool that is configured to form the pattern of openings in relation to the component.
Claims20
A system comprising:
- a fixture template configured to be secured to a component, the fixture template including a plurality of insert holes;
- and
- a plurality of guide inserts, wherein each of the plurality of guide inserts comprises:
- a respective plug;
- a respective collar;
- and
- a respective channel formed through the plug and the collar corresponding thereto, and wherein the respective plug of each of the plurality of guide inserts is configured to be received and retained by one of the plurality of insert holes of the fixture template,
- wherein the respective channel formed through the plug and the collar corresponding thereto has a longitudinal axis, and the respective channel extends a length that spans an entirety of said plug and an entirety of said collar,
- wherein, when each of the plurality of guide inserts is received and is retained by one of the plurality of insert holes of the fixture template, the respective longitudinal axis for each respective channel has an oblique orientation with respect to a vertical extending longitudinal axis of a corresponding key of each of the plurality of guide inserts,
- wherein outer dimensions of the respective plug and the respective collar for each of the plurality of guide inserts are the same, and wherein the oblique orientation of the respective channel of at least two of the plurality of guide inserts differs,
- wherein each of the plurality of guide inserts is removably secured within a respective one of the plurality of inserts holes to position and orient the respective channel of each of the plurality of guide inserts in relation to a pattern of openings to be formed in the component, and
- wherein the respective channel of each of the plurality of guide inserts is configured to receive an operative member of a tool that is configured to form the pattern of openings in the component.
9 more elements
A system comprising:
- a fixture template configured to be secured to a component, the fixture template including a plurality of insert holes and a plurality of index slots, wherein each one of the plurality of index slots is connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of insert holes;
- and
- a plurality of guide inserts, wherein each of the plurality of guide inserts comprises:
- a respective plug;
- a respective collar;
- a respective key that is configured to be removably secured within a corresponding one of the plurality of index slots, and
- a respective channel formed through the plug and the collar corresponding thereto, and wherein the respective plug of each of the plurality of guide inserts is configured to be received and retained by one of the plurality of insert holes of the fixture template,
- wherein the respective channel formed through the plug and the collar corresponding thereto has a longitudinal axis, and the respective channel extends a length that spans an entirety of said plug and an entirety of said collar, and
- wherein, when each of the plurality of guide inserts is received and is retained by one of the plurality of insert holes of the fixture template, the respective longitudinal axis for each respective channel has an oblique orientation with respect to a vertical extending longitudinal axis of the corresponding key of each of the plurality of guide inserts,
- wherein the oblique orientation of the respective channel of at least two of the plurality of guide inserts differs, and wherein outer dimensions of the respective plug and the respective collar for each of the plurality of guide inserts are the same,
- wherein each of the plurality of guide inserts is removably secured within a respective one of the plurality of inserts holes to position and orient the respective channel of each of the plurality of guide inserts in relation to a pattern of openings to be formed in the component, and
- wherein the respective channel of each of the plurality of guide inserts is configured to receive an operative member of a drill that is configured to form the pattern of openings in the component.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.