Analysis of end effector operations by a robot
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorChristopher A Greer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for placing non-destructive marks onto a part via an end effector of a robot. One embodiment is a system comprising an end effector of a robot. The end effector includes an extendable punch that places targets onto a part, and supports that hold a strip of reflective adhesive tape between the punch and the part. Extending the punch cuts out a target from the strip and applies an adhesive side of the target to the part, and retracting the punch leaves a reflective side of the target visible on the part.
Claims23
A system comprising:
- an end effector of a robot, the end effector comprising:
- an extendable punch that places targets onto a part;
- and
- supports that hold a strip of reflective adhesive tape between the punch and the part,
- extending the punch cuts out a target from the strip and applies an adhesive side of the target to the part, and retracting the punch leaves a reflective side of the target visible on the part.
A method comprising:
- identifying locations indicated by a Numerical Control (NC) program for permanently altering a part;
- placing, via an end effector of a robot in accordance with the NC program, non-destructive marks onto the part at each location indicated by the NC program;
- comparing the locations of the marks to desired locations for permanently altering the part;
- and
- determining an accuracy of the NC program prior to permanently altering the part.
A non-transitory computer readable medium embodying programmed instructions which, when executed by a processor, are operable for performing a method of operating an end effector of a robot, the method comprising:
- identifying locations indicated by a Numerical Control (NC) program for permanently altering a part;
- placing, via an end effector of a robot in accordance with the NC program, non-destructive marks onto the part at each location indicated by the NC program;
- comparing the locations of the marks to desired locations for permanently altering the part;
- and
- determining an accuracy of the NC program prior to permanently altering the part.
A system comprising:
- a robot comprising:
- a marking element that applies non-destructive marks to a part;
- and
- a controller that directs the marking element to apply the non-destructive marks at each location where a Numerical Control (NC) program indicates that permanent alterations will be made on the part.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.