Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130158697 | Autonomous Carrier System for Moving Aircraft Structures - A method and apparatus for manufacturing a structure. A part for the structure may be supported on a plurality of mobile fixtures configured to control an orientation of the part. The part for the structure may be moved using the plurality of mobile fixtures to a number of stations for performing a number of operations for manufacturing the structure using the part. The plurality of mobile fixtures may be configured to move in a coordinated manner and substantially maintain a desired orientation for the part while moving the part to a station in the number of stations. The number of operations for manufacturing the structure may be performed at the number of stations while the plurality of mobile fixtures supports the part. | 06-20-2013 |
20140353894 | Modular and Reconfigurable Support System - An apparatus and method for supporting an object. In one illustrative embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a support structure, a positioning system, and a retention system. The positioning system may be associated with the support structure and configured to position the support structure with respect to a number of linear axes. The retention system may be associated with the support structure. The retention system may be configured to retain a portion of an object and move the portion of the object towards a platform such that the portion of the object substantially conforms to a shape of the platform. | 12-04-2014 |
20140368316 | POSITIONING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Manufacturing systems and methods are disclosed. In one example, a system includes a track to be positioned proximate a structure. The track has a length extending along an axis and a location indicator positioned along the length of the track. The location indicator provides a unique tag which identifies a location of the location indicator along the first axis. | 12-18-2014 |
20150266147 | System and Method for Assembly Manufacturing - A system for assembly manufacturing may include at least one tacking cell configured to perform at least one tack fastening operation on a workpiece, at least one fastening cell configured to perform at least one final fastening operation on the workpiece and a material-handling system linking the tacking cell and the fastening cell, wherein the material-handling system positions the workpiece within the tacking cell and wherein the material-handling system transfers the workpiece from the tacking cell to the fastening cell. | 09-24-2015 |
20150314888 | System and Method for Positioning an Automated Assembly Tool Relative to a Structure - A method and apparatus for positioning an end effector relative to a structure. The apparatus may comprise the end effector and a sensor system. The end effector may be configured to perform an operation on the structure. The sensor system may have a plurality of sensors extending outward from the end effector. | 11-05-2015 |
20150314889 | Flexible Manufacturing System for Aircraft Structures - A method and apparatus for manufacturing an aircraft structure. A drivable support may be driven from a first location to a second location to bring the drivable support together with at least one other drivable support to form a drivable support system. A structure may be held in a desired position using the drivable support system. | 11-05-2015 |
20150314890 | Mobile Automated Overhead Assembly Tool for Aircraft Structures - A method and apparatus for performing an operation on a work surface of a structure. The apparatus may comprise a motion platform and an overhead support system. The motion platform may be configured to be positioned above the work surface of the structure to perform the operation on the work surface. The overhead support system may be configured to carry the motion platform across a floor of a manufacturing environment from a first location to a second location. | 11-05-2015 |
20150314891 | Metrology System for Positioning Assemblies - A method and apparatus for maintaining a selected configuration for a structure during a manufacturing process for forming a product using the structure. Metrology data for a support system is received. The support system holds the structure during the manufacturing process. A determination is made as to whether a current configuration of the structure is within selected tolerances of the selected configuration for the structure based on the metrology data. The support system is reconfigured to move the structure into the selected configuration in response to a determination that the current configuration of the structure is not within the selected tolerances of the selected configuration for the structure. | 11-05-2015 |
20150314892 | Apparatus, System, and Method for Supporting a Wing Assembly - A method and apparatus for supporting a structure. The apparatus may comprise a support, a load-balancing structure associated with the support, and a set of connection devices associated with the load-balancing structure. The set of connection devices may be configured to connect to the structure to form a set of control points. Each of the set of connection devices may be configured to independently control a location of a corresponding control point in the set of control points. | 11-05-2015 |