Optimizing non-productive part motion in an automated tape laydown machine
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsWei-Pai Tang, Brice Johnson, Daniel Edward Gonsor
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Abstract
The non-productive motion of an automatic composite tape laydown machine is optimized to increase the overall rate of the laydown. Ordering of tape courses is analyzed to determine the time required to move between courses using a time function that reflects operating characteristics and limitations of the tape laydown machine. The ordering is optimized by re-ordering, grouping and/or partitioning the tape courses so as to reduce the non-productive motion of the machine. The optimized ordering is used by a NC program that controls the operation of the machine.
Claims26
A method of optimizing the operation of an automated tape laydown machine used to fabricate a composite structure in which the tape is laid down in sequences each including courses forming one or more tape ply segments, comprising the steps of:
- (A) analyzing the course structure for each of the ply segments;
- (B) identifying non-productive motion of the laydown machine during movement between courses;
- (C) ordering the courses for each ply to reduce the non-productive motion identified in step (B);
- and,
- (D) generating a set of machine readable instructions for controlling the laydown machine based on the ordering performed in step (C).
A method of operating a numerically controlled tape laydown machine used to fabricate a composite part, comprising the steps of:
- (A) determining possible orders in which courses of the tape may be laid down by the tape laydown machine;
- (B) selecting one of the orders determined in step (A) that optimizes the non-productive movement of the laydown machine;
- (C) generating a set of machine-readable instructions for controlling the tape laydown machine based on the order of courses selected in step (B);
- and
- (D) controlling the tape laydown machine using the machine readable instructions generated in step (C).
A method of minimizing non-productive motion of an automated tape laydown machine used to fabricate a composite part, comprising the steps of:
- (A) selecting an initial ordering of courses over which tape may be laid down by the tape laydown machine;
- (B) determining the non-productive motion of the tape laydown machine based on the initial ordering of the courses selected in step (A);
- (C) revising the initial ordering of the courses to reduce the non-productive motion;
- and,
- (D) finalizing the ordering of the courses when the non-productive motion has been minimized.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.