Abstract:
A one-piece barrel assembly cart (10) includes a right assembly cart base (210) connected with a left assembly cart base (220) and at least three stabilizer rings (17, 18, 19) that are attached to the assembly cart base. The one-piece barrel assembly cart may be used to stabilize a tapered cured composite barrel (31), for example the large fuselage barrel of the aft section of a large new generation aircraft, such as a 7E7 Boeing airplane. A modular assembly cart (40) includes at least two identical modules (41). Each of these modules includes a cart base (42) and a stabilizer ring (43). The diameter of the inner surface of the stabilizer ring may vary as needed. Other modules including a fuselage support may be added. By providing modular assembly carts any shape and size of a one-piece composite barrel may be stabilized after curing of the composite material.
Abstract:
Apparatus and methods for manufacturing operations are disclosed. In one embodiment, a vacuum cup (110) assembly includes a housing having a vacuum generator (112) formed therein, and a compliant sealing member (118) coupled to the housing. The vacuum generator (112) is coupleable to a source of pressurized fluid and is adapted to generate a reduced pressure region. The sealing member (118) forms an enclosable region in fluid communication with the reduced pressure region. In another embodiment, a method of performing a manufacturing operation includes installing a coordinating pin into an indexing hole, the coordinating pin including a quantum of indexing information. The quantum of indexing information is sensed, and a manufacturing operation is performed based at least partially on the quantum of indexing information.
Abstract:
A method and associated apparatus for forming a composite structural member from a charge are provided. The charge can be disposed on a first die of the apparatus and formed to a desired configuration defined by a recess of the die by inserting a second die or a tool into the recess. In some cases, the first die can include two portions that are adjustable in a transverse direction so that the recess can be opened by the insertion of the second die or tool. The second die or tool can be a substantially rigid member or an inflatable bladder. In either case, the charge can be disposed on the first die, formed, and then further processed on the first die, thereby facilitating indexing of the charge for each operation.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for manufacturing multiple layer composite structures and structures containing components made of multiple layer composite structures, comprising dispensing layers of composite material, trimming each layer to its final shape as it is being dispensed, and positioning it properly with respect to prior layers in the part lay-up.
Abstract:
To fabricate a composite item, a device (302) places a composite ply on a curved form(200) at about 0° relative to a longitudinal axis of the form. The form includes a web surface (202) and a cap surface (204) . The device includes a web compaction roller (1008) and a set of guides (308) . The web compaction roller compacts a composite material upon the web surface and generate a web ply. The set of guide rollers urges against the cap surface. The compaction roller is directed along the form by the guide rollers.
Abstract:
A conformal vacuum cup (10) provides a machine tool attachment fitting usable in a flexible-track drill system. Using multiple, independently articulated stiffeners (26, 28), the conformal vacuum cup conforms to the contour of complex aerostructure surface shapes (70). The individual stiffeners (26, 28) are decoupled from each other to some extent by grooves (62) and slots (60) molded into resilient overmolding material to support long-axis curving. Spacing pins (18) employ a domed shape consonant with the elastic deformation of the workpiece surface (70) under load. The pins (18) employ a hard material to prevent particle embedment in use and to control position tolerance for drill heads and other tools traveling on the flexible track. Partial holes (24, 54) in each vacuum cup (10) are blocked by diaphragms (58). Interconnection from a vacuum system manifold to the vacuum cups can be realized by penetrating the diaphragms (58) and inserting barbed fittings (64) connected by vacuum tubing (68).
Abstract:
A conformal vacuum cup provides a machine tool attachment fitting usable in a flexible-track drill system. Using multiple, independently articulated stiffeners, the conformal vacuum cup conforms to the contour of complex aerostructure surface shapes. The individual stiffeners are decoupled from each other to some extent by grooves and slots molded into resilient overmolding material to support long-axis curving. Spacing pins employ a domed shape consonant with the elastic deformation of the workpiece surface under load. The pins employ a hard material to prevent particle embedment in use and to control position tolerance for drill heads and other tools traveling on the flexible track. Partial holes in each vacuum cup are blocked by diaphragms. Interconnection from a vacuum system manifold to the vacuum cups can be realized by penetrating the diaphragms and inserting barbed fittings connected by vacuum tubing.
Abstract:
A flexible rail machine tool couples temporarily to a structure by vacuum cups and positions a tool head at any desired point over an area. The tool head can perform operations such as drilling, bolt insertion, and acquisition of dimension data. The flexible rail can conform to surface curvature in one or more axes. Tool head perpendicularity to the structure can be sensed and adjusted as needed. The as-attached position of the rail may be compensated for through coordinate transformation, allowing holes, for example, to be placed with substantial precision.
Abstract:
A method of forming a flat composite charge (36) into a contoured composite part reduces wrinkles in the part as the charge is being formed. Dies (32, 34) are used to form a portion of charge to the steepest contour of the part, while tension is maintained on the charge as the remaining portions of the charge are formed.
Abstract:
A large scale composite structure is fabricated by forming a plurality of composite laminate modules (208d, 208e) and joining the modules together along their edges (210) using scarf joints.