Portable computer numeric controlled manufacturing machines and associated methods
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorJames N. Buttrick, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A workpiece is assembled by removably mounting an alignment tool to a conventional wing structure so that the alignment tool holds multiple conventional strut fittings to the wing structure. A frame of a CNC manufacturing machine is moved to and removably mounted to the workpiece. The orientation of the workpiece with respect to the frame mounted thereto is quantified. A predetermined pattern of operations to be performed by the CNC manufacturing machine to form attachment holes for use in attaching the strut fittings to the wing structure is adjusted to compensate for the orientation of the workpiece relative to the frame. Thereafter, the CNC manufacturing machine automatically forms the attachment holes.
Claims13
A method of manufacturing attachment holes for use in attaching strut fittings to a wing structure, comprising:
- assembling a workpiece, comprising removably mounting an alignment tool to a wing structure so that the alignment tool holds the strut fittings to the wing structure;
- moving at least a frame of a computer numeric controlled manufacturing machine from a first position that is distant from the workpiece to a second position that is proximate the workpiece;
- removably mounting the frame to the workpiece;
- quantifying an orientation of the workpiece with respect to the frame;
- adjusting a predetermined pattern of operations to be performed by the manufacturing machine on the workpiece to compensate for the orientation of the workpiece relative to the frame;
- and
- operating the manufacturing machine to perform the predetermined pattern of operations on the workpiece, comprising forming attachment holes in the strut fittings and the wing structure.
A method of machining a workpiece, comprising:
- moving at least a frame of a computer numeric controlled manufacturing machine from a first position that is distant from a workpiece to a second position that is proximate the workpiece;
- removably mounting the frame to the workpiece;
- quantifying an orientation of the workpiece with respect to the frame;
- adjusting a predetermined pattern of operations to be performed by the manufacturing machine on the workpiece to compensate for the orientation of the workpiece relative to the frame;
- and
- operating the manufacturing machine to perform the predetermined pattern of operations on the workpiece.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.