System and method for handling a composite workpiece in a work cell
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsMatthew B. Moore, Patrick B. Stone
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for handling a composite workpiece includes a work cell and a plurality of workpiece holders to hold a composite workpiece in the work cell. Each one of the plurality of workpiece holders is selectively controlled to index the composite workpiece in the work cell and to conform the composite workpiece to an as-built shape of the composite workpiece.
Claims24
A system for handling a composite workpiece one of a plurality of work cells, wherein the system comprises:
- a plurality of workpiece holders to hold the composite workpiece in the one of the plurality of work cells,
- wherein:
- each one of the plurality of workpiece holders is selectively controlled to index the composite workpiece in the one of the plurality of work cells;
- and
- at least one of the plurality of workpiece holders is selectively controlled to conform the composite workpiece to an as-built shape of the composite workpiece.
10-11. (canceled)
13-16. (canceled)
A workpiece holder for handling a composite workpiece, wherein the workpiece holder comprises:
- a base;
- a clamp coupled to the base, wherein the clamp comprises:
- a first jaw;
- a support member coupled to the first jaw;
- and
- a second jaw coupled to the support member,
- wherein:
- the second jaw is movable along the support member relative to the first jaw to clamp the composite workpiece between the first jaw and the second jaw so that the composite workpiece conforms to an as-built shape of the composite workpiece;
- and
- with the composite workpiece clamped between the first jaw and the second jaw, the clamp is movable relative to the base to index the composite workpiece in a work cell.
23-25. (canceled)
A method for handling a composite workpiece, the method comprising steps of:
- transporting the composite workpiece to a work cell;
- holding the composite workpiece in the work cell;
- indexing the composite workpiece in the work cell;
- and
- conforming the composite workpiece to an as-built shape of the composite workpiece.
30-41. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.