Dynamic Indexing for Moving Parts In a Fabrication Environment
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsJordan Seth Erickson, Michael Kenneth-Que Louie
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus is provided for indexing a layup mandrel for a composite part. The apparatus identifies a surface of a layup mandrel that travels in a process direction during fabrication of a composite part. A lamination head is in contact with the surface traversing the surface of the layup mandrel. A stream of 3D coordinates of the lamination head is acquired as the lamination head traverses the surface. The layup mandrel is characterized based on the stream of 3D coordinates. A Numerical Control (NC) program is alters such that a controller directs layup of fiber reinforced material at the layup mandrel based on a difference between the alignment of the layup mandrel and a nominal alignment of the layup mandrel.
Claims20
A lamination machine for a composite part, the lamination machine comprising:
- a lamination head comprising:
- a roller;
- a suspension that enables deflection of the roller;
- a position sensor that measures deflection of the roller;
- and
- a dispenser that dispenses tows of fiber-reinforced material;
- and
- a controller operable to use the measured deflections to index the lamination head with respect to a layup mandrel that travels in a process direction between serially arranged workstations during fabrication of the composite part.
An apparatus for indexing a rigid tool for a composite part, the apparatus comprising:
- an indexing head comprising an indexing end;
- and
- position sensors that measure 3D coordinates of the indexing head, wherein the indexing end is configured to traverse a groove formed in the rigid tool and that extends in a process direction, wherein the rigid tool travels in the process direction during fabrication of the composite part.
An apparatus for indexing a lamination head with respect to an arcuate tool for a composite part, the apparatus comprising:
- an indexing head comprising an indexing end and position sensors that provide 3D coordinates of the indexing end;
- and
- a rotatable support for the arcuate tool;
- and
- a controller having an NC program configured to position the indexing head with respect to a groove formed in an arcuate portion of the arcuate tool and extends circumferentially along the arcuate portion of the arcuate tool, the controller further configured to rotate the arcuate tool relative to the indexing head such that the indexing end traverses the groove.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.