Testing arrangement for controlling the manufacturing of a component

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10150263-B2
Application number	US-201615208106-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 12, 2016
Priority date	Jul 14, 2015
Publication date	Dec 11, 2018
Grant date	Dec 11, 2018

Abstract

A testing arrangement serves for controlling the manufacturing of a fiber reinforced component. The testing arrangement includes an inspection device with a sensor system, with the inspection device being configured to move on and/or above one or more material layer(s) and/or a surface of the component and to examine the material layer(s) or the surface with the sensor system. A device serves for automated manufacturing of a fiber reinforced plastic laminate. The device includes a forming tool, a laying head for automated laying of material layers in the forming tool as well as a testing arrangement.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A testing arrangement for controlling a manufacturing of a fiber reinforced component, wherein the testing arrangement comprises:
an inspection device with a sensor system, the inspection device being configured to move on and/or above one or more material layer(s) and/or a surface of the component and to examine the material layer(s) or the surface with the sensor system,
wherein the inspection device is configured to move in a forming tool dissociated or separated from a laying head which lays the material layers in an automated layer laying process, and
wherein the inspection device is configured to change its direction of movement relative to a direction of movement of the laying head, and
wherein the inspection device comprises at least one actuator for removing a defect.

2. The testing arrangement according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one controlling unit configured to control the movement of the inspection device and/or the activities of the sensor system.

3. The testing arrangement of claim 2 , wherein the controlling unit:
is configured to operate being stationary arranged; or
is arranged on or at the inspection device and being configured to move with the inspection device; or
is configured to move dissociated from the inspection device.

4. The testing arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the inspection device comprises wheels, stilts, at least one suspension and/or at least one hover mechanism representing a moving mechanism.

5. The testing arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the sensor system is configured to apply one or more of:
thermography method, laser light sectioning method, stray light method, laser time-of-flight measurement, image recognition, pattern recognition, magnetic resonance method, triangulation method for examination of the material layer(s) or of the surface.

6. The testing arrangement of claim 1 , being configured to examine the material layer(s) or the surface of the component for defects based on the examination by the sensor system.

7. The testing arrangement of claim 6 , being configured to
generate at least an optical and/or acoustical signal;
cancel a process step of the manufacturing;
fix the defect;
mark the defect on the material layer(s); and/or
store data of a position of the defect,
in case of finding a defect.

8. The testing arrangement of claim 1 , further comprising a position system for determining a position of the inspection device at or above the material layer(s).

9. The testing arrangement of claim 1 , further comprising a display device configured to graphically display results of the testing arrangement.

10. The testing arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the inspection device is configured to communicate with at least one element for manufacturing the component and/or with a repairing device for material layers.

11. The testing arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the inspection device is a first inspection device and wherein the testing arrangement further comprises at least one second inspection device with a second sensor system,
wherein the second inspection device is controlled by a controlling unit commonly with the first inspection device or by another controlling unit as the first inspection device;
wherein the second sensor system comprises at least one other sensor and/or applies another measuring method as the sensor system of the first inspection device;
wherein the second inspection device comprises a different or an equal movement mechanism in comparison to the first inspection device; and/or
wherein the first inspection device is configured to communicate with the second inspection device.

12. A device for automated manufacturing of a fiber reinforced plastic laminate, the device comprising:
a forming tool;
a laying head for automated laying of material layers in the forming tool; and
a testing arrangement for controlling a manufacturing of a fiber reinforced component,
wherein the testing arrangement comprises an inspection device with a sensor system, which inspection device is configured to move on and/or above one or more material layer(s) and/or a surface of the component and to examine the material layer(s) or the surface with the sensor system,
wherein the forming tool is dissociated or separated from the laying head and comprises the inspection device, and
wherein the inspection device is configured to change its direction of movement relative to a direction of movement of the laying head, and
wherein the inspection device comprises at least one actuator for removing a defect.

Assignees

• Airbus Defence & Space Gmbh

Inventors

• Bauer Daniel
• Engel Franz
• Orth Tilman
• Weimer Christian

Classifications

• G01M5/0075

  by means of external apparatus, e.g. test benches or portable test systems (G01M5/005 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G01M5/0033

  by determining damage, crack or wear · CPC title

• G01M5/0091

  by using electromagnetic excitation or detection · CPC title

• B29C70/54

  Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations {, e.g. feeding or storage of prepregs or SMC after impregnation or during ageing} · CPC title

• B29C70/30 Primary

  Shaping by lay-up, i.e. applying fibres, tape or broadsheet on a mould, former or core; Shaping by spray-up, i.e. spraying of fibres on a mould, former or core · CPC title