5-axis hole transfer system and method
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorPaul R Gehlsen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system is disclosed that accepts portable power feed drilling equipment and enables the mechanical determination of an existing hole vector and duplication of the hole on the same vector in a new production part. The system allows for extremely accurate match drilling of parts with multiple, variable hole vectors. In addition, the system is adjustable in the Z-axis, which allows infinite and precise drill tip positioning prior to drilling to increase accuracy and manage chip exit. Interchangeable drill adaptors internal to the quill sleeve allow for a wide size range of drills to be used.
Claims18
A system for transferring one or more holes from a first workpiece to a second workpiece that is a substantial duplicate of the first workpiece, the system comprising:
- a gimbal assembly configured to mechanically determine a first position of a first hole in the first workpiece, wherein the first position comprises a first set of X, Y and Z coordinates relative to a surface of the first workpiece,
- wherein the gimbal assembly is further configured to mechanically determine a first vector of the first hole within the first workpiece, and
- wherein the gimbal assembly is further configured to secure a drill at substantially the same vector as the first vector of the first hole while a second hole is drilled at a second position in the second workpiece, wherein the second position relative to the second workpiece is substantially the same as the first position relative to the first workpiece;
- wherein the gimbal assembly comprises a floating gimbal surrounded by a locking nut that releasably fixes the position of the floating gimbal.
A system comprising:
- a gimbal surrounded by a clamp ring and a clamp nut,
- wherein the gimbal is configured to rotate freely within the clamp ring when the clamp nut is loose and to remain locked in a substantially fixed position within the clamp ring when the clamp nut is tightened;
- and
- a quill sleeve housed within the gimbal,
- wherein the quill sleeve is configured to adjust to a desired vertical position relative to the gimbal and is further configured to receive and secure a drill adaptor, and an adjustment nut and a conical nut coupled to the quill sleeve and configured to adjust the quill sleeve to a desired vertical position relative to the gimbal.
A method for duplicating a hole from a first workpiece to a second workpiece substantially identical to the first workpiece, the method comprising:
- positioning a gimbal assembly over a first hole at a first location relative to the first workpiece;
- inserting a step pin into the first hole;
- inserting an alignment pin into the gimbal assembly;
- mechanically aligning the alignment pin with the step pin to determine a first vector of the first hole;
- securing the gimbal assembly in alignment with the first vector;
- removing the alignment pin from the gimbal assembly;
- removing the step pin from the first hole;
- moving the gimbal assembly to a second location over the second workpiece, wherein the second location relative to the second workpiece is substantially the same as the first location relative to the first workpiece;
- drilling a second hole in the second workpiece at the second location and at a second vector that is substantially the same as the first vector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.