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US 12,611,824 B2Granted
Method for preforming a workpiece, composite manufacturing method and system associated therewith
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorNayeem Chowdhury
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for preforming a workpiece includes engaging a conformable member with a work surface of a worktable upon which the workpiece is prepositioned. The worktable is used to shape the workpiece to a desired shape. The conformable member retains the workpiece and disengages from the worktable while maintaining the desired shape of the workpiece. A system for preforming the workpiece includes the conformable member and the worktable. A composite manufacturing method and additional methods for preforming the workpiece are also provided.
Claims25
A method for preforming a workpiece, the method comprising:
- engaging at least a portion of an engagement surface of a conformable member with at least a portion of a work surface of a worktable, wherein the workpiece is prepositioned on the work surface such that the workpiece is compressed between another portion of the engagement surface and another portion of the work surface in conjunction with the engaging, wherein, prior to the workpiece being prepositioned on the work surface, the work surface opposes and faces the engagement surface;
- while the workpiece is sandwiched between the engagement surface of the conformable member and the work surface of the worktable, selectively raising and lowering portions of the work surface of the worktable to shape the workpiece to a desired shape and to shape the conformable member to the desired shape;
- and
- disengaging the conformable member from the worktable while maintaining the desired shape of the workpiece, wherein the workpiece is retained on the engagement surface of the conformable member and removed from the work surface of the worktable.
1 more element
A system for preforming a workpiece, the system comprising:
- a conformable member with an engagement surface;
- and
- a worktable with a work surface opposing the engagement surface,
- wherein the conformable member is configured to engage at least a portion of the engagement surface with at least a portion of the work surface of the worktable to compress the workpiece between the engagement surface and the work surface after the workpiece is prepositioned on the work surface of the worktable,
- wherein the system is configured to selectively raise and lower portions of the work surface of the worktable to shape the workpiece to a desired shape and to shape the conformable member to the desired shape while the workpiece is sandwiched between the engagement surface and the work surface, and
- wherein the conformable member is configured to disengage from the worktable while maintaining engagement with the workpiece and while maintaining the desired shape of the workpiece.
3 more elements
A composite manufacturing method comprising:
- engaging an engagement surface of a conformable member with a work surface of a worktable;
- while the engagement surface of the conformable member is engaged with the work surface of the worktable, selectively raising and lowering portions of the work surface of the worktable to shape the conformable member to a desired shape;
- maintaining the conformable member at the desired shape;
- and
- disengaging the conformable member from the worktable while maintaining the conformable member at the desired shape.
2 more elements
A method for preforming a workpiece, the method comprising:
- engaging at least a portion of an engagement surface of a conformable member with at least a portion of a work surface of a worktable, wherein the workpiece is prepositioned on the work surface such that the workpiece is compressed between the engagement surface and the work surface in conjunction with the engaging;
- while the workpiece is sandwiched between the engagement surface of the conformable member and the work surface of the worktable, selectively raising and lowering portions of the work surface of the worktable to shape the workpiece to a desired shape and to shape the conformable member to the desired shape;
- and
- disengaging the conformable member and the workpiece from the worktable while maintaining the desired shape of the workpiece, wherein the workpiece is retained on the engagement surface of the conformable member and removed from the work surface of the worktable.
1 more element
A method for preforming a workpiece, the method comprising:
- engaging at least a portion of an engagement surface of a conformable member with at least a portion of a work surface of a worktable, wherein the workpiece is prepositioned on the work surface;
- sandwiching the workpiece between the engagement surface of the conformable member and the work surface of the worktable in conjunction with the engaging;
- while the workpiece is sandwiched between the engagement surface and the work surface, selectively raising and lowering portions of the work surface of the worktable to shape the workpiece to a desired shape and to shape the conformable member to the desired shape;
- and
- disengaging the conformable member from the worktable while maintaining the desired shape of the workpiece, wherein the workpiece is retained on the engagement surface of the conformable member and removed from the work surface of the worktable.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.