Continuous-line manufacturing system and method for automated machine allocation

    公开(公告)号:US11886173B2

    公开(公告)日:2024-01-30

    申请号:US17502276

    申请日:2021-10-15

    IPC分类号: G05B19/418

    摘要: A method for employing a plurality of automated machines to deposit composite material includes a first tool located in a first station and a second tool located in a second station. The first station and the second station are located on a production line. The first station includes at least one automated machine of the plurality of automated machines and the second station includes at least two automated machines of the plurality of automated machines. At least one of the automated machines is movable from the second station to the first station. The method includes monitoring machine capacity and workload requirements of the plurality of automated machines. The method further includes determining an efficiency threshold based upon the machine capacity and workload requirements. The method further includes reallocating at least one of the automated machines from the second station to the first station once the efficiency threshold is met.

    INDEXING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF INDEXING

    公开(公告)号:US20220152843A1

    公开(公告)日:2022-05-19

    申请号:US17523061

    申请日:2021-11-10

    IPC分类号: B25J15/00

    摘要: An indexing apparatus includes a fixture tool, movable relative to an operation cell and an indexing feature, fixed relative to the fixture tool. The indexing apparatus also includes a gripper, configured to engage the indexing feature. The indexing apparatus further includes a controller, in communication with the gripper. The controller is configured to locate the fixture tool relative to the operation cell from a gripper location of the gripper, engaged with the indexing feature.

    INDEXING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF INDEXING

    公开(公告)号:US20220152756A1

    公开(公告)日:2022-05-19

    申请号:US17523015

    申请日:2021-11-10

    IPC分类号: B23P19/10

    摘要: An indexing apparatus includes a fixture tool, movable relative to an operation cell, and an indexing feature, fixed relative to the fixture tool. The indexing apparatus also includes a plurality of probes, configured to engage the indexing feature. The indexing apparatus further includes a controller, in communication with the plurality of probes, wherein the controller is configured to locate the fixture tool relative to the operation cell from a plurality of probe locations of the plurality of probes, engaged with the indexing feature.

    Indexing apparatus and method of indexing

    公开(公告)号:US11666996B2

    公开(公告)日:2023-06-06

    申请号:US17523015

    申请日:2021-11-10

    IPC分类号: B23P19/10

    CPC分类号: B23P19/10

    摘要: An indexing apparatus includes a fixture tool, movable relative to an operation cell, and an indexing feature, fixed relative to the fixture tool. The indexing apparatus also includes a plurality of probes, configured to engage the indexing feature. The indexing apparatus further includes a controller, in communication with the plurality of probes, wherein the controller is configured to locate the fixture tool relative to the operation cell from a plurality of probe locations of the plurality of probes, engaged with the indexing feature.

    COMPOSITE AUTOMATED DEBULK MACHINE FOR LARGE SCALE PARTS

    公开(公告)号:US20210001537A1

    公开(公告)日:2021-01-07

    申请号:US16502805

    申请日:2019-07-03

    IPC分类号: B29C53/56 B29C70/44

    摘要: An assembly for debulking an uncured stack of plies of fiber reinforced composite material positioned on a forming tool, including a force application element and a heat source, associated with the force application element. The heat source is positioned in at least one of the following positions: spaced apart from a top ply to directionally heat the uncured stack of plies from the top ply through a bottom ply of the uncured stack of plies; with the forming tool positioned between the heat source and the uncured stack of plies, the heat source to heat the forming tool, to directionally heat the uncured stack of plies in a direction from the bottom ply through the top ply; or between the uncured stack of plies and the forming tool, to directionally heat the uncured stack of plies in the direction from the bottom ply through the top ply.

    CONTINUOUS-LINE MANUFACTURING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATED MACHINE ALLOCATION

    公开(公告)号:US20220155763A1

    公开(公告)日:2022-05-19

    申请号:US17502276

    申请日:2021-10-15

    IPC分类号: G05B19/418

    摘要: A method for employing a plurality of automated machines to deposit composite material includes a first tool located in a first station and a second tool located in a second station. The first station and the second station are located on a production line. The first station includes at least one automated machine of the plurality of automated machines and the second station includes at least two automated machines of the plurality of automated machines. At least one of the automated machines is movable from the second station to the first station. The method includes monitoring machine capacity and workload requirements of the plurality of automated machines. The method further includes determining an efficiency threshold based upon the machine capacity and workload requirements. The method further includes reallocating at least one of the automated machines from the second station to the first station once the efficiency threshold is met.

    INDEXING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF INDEXING

    公开(公告)号:US20220152769A1

    公开(公告)日:2022-05-19

    申请号:US17523032

    申请日:2021-11-10

    IPC分类号: B23Q16/02 B64F5/10

    摘要: An indexing apparatus includes a fixture tool, movable relative to an operation cell, and an indexing feature, fixed relative to the fixture tool. The indexing apparatus also includes a sensor, configured to detect the indexing feature. The indexing apparatus further includes a controller, in communication with the sensor. The controller is configured to locate the fixture tool relative to the operation cell from an indexing-feature location of the indexing feature, identified by the sensor.