Method and apparatus for automated location marking

A method of forming a compliant marking tool for use with a machine tool to place marks on various portions of a workpiece being operated on by the machine tool, comprising:

• providing a marking tool having a tip portion for marking on the workpiece;
• mounting the marking tool in a holder with the tip portion facing the workpiece;
• mounting the holder in a member to enable pivotal movement of the holder;
• supporting the member from a flexible element able to flex in two dimensions, the flexible element being supported from a portion of the machine tool;
• and
• using the machine tool to move the flexible element such that the tip portion of the marking tool contacts the workpiece and marks on the workpiece, the flexible element and the member enabling the marking tool to follow a contour of the workpiece.

A method of marking on a workpiece being acted on by a machine tool, the method comprising:

• supporting a marking tool having a tip portion adapted to contact a surface of the workpiece, from a movable portion of the machine tool;
• supporting the marking tool from a flexible component enabling the marking tool to move in two orthogonal planes in response to contact with said workpiece to enable the marking tool to follow a contour of said workpiece as said marking tool is moved relative to the workpiece;
• further securing the marking tool to the machine tool such that the marking tool is in a known position relative to a machine axis of the workpiece;
• and
• using a computer program to control the machine tool to move the marking tool to place marks on the workpiece at precise locations on the workpiece.

A method of marking on a workpiece being acted on by a machine tool, the method comprising:

• supporting a marking tool having a tip portion adapted to contact a surface of the workpiece, from a movable portion of the machine tool;
• supporting the marking tool from a flexible component enabling the marking tool to move in two orthogonal planes in response to contact of said tip portion with said workpiece to enable the tip portion to follow a contour of said workpiece as said marking tool is moved relative to the workpiece;
• aligning the marking tool relative to a laser associated with the machine tool such that the location of the marking tool is determined relative to a laser beam of the laser, wherein the laser beam is directed at the workpiece;
• and
• using a computer program to control movement of the marker by the machine tool in accordance with said laser beam generated by said laser, to cause said tip portion to mark on said workpiece at predetermined locations.

A method of using an NC controlled fiber placement machine to mark detail locations on a work piece by using a marking tool attached to the fiber placement machine, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing an NC controlled fiber placement machine with a work piece positioned on the fiber placement machine;
• providing a marking tool having a flexible member that is configured and adapted to flex in response to the marking tool contacting the work piece, a holder pivotably connected to the flexible member so that the holder can pivot relative to the flexible member, and a marking member attached to the holder so that a tip of the marking member can contact the work piece and make a mark on the work piece;
• attaching the marking tool to the fiber placement machine so that the marking member is in a known position relative to a machine axis of the fiber placement machine;
• providing an NC program to control the fiber placement machine so that when the NC program is run the tip of the marking member contacts the work piece and makes marks on the work piece at predetermined locations;
• and
• running the NC program so that the tip of the marking member makes marks on the work piece at the predetermined locations.