Reconfigurable flexible rail method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016256972-A1
Application number	US-201615060721-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 4, 2016
Priority date	Aug 15, 2008
Publication date	Sep 8, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A method and apparatus for performing operations on a work piece comprises a flexible rail system and a multi-axis carriage. The flexible rail system may be capable of being attached to a work surface. The multi-axis carriage may be coupled to the flexible rail system. The multi-axis carriage may be capable of moving along the flexible rail system and may be capable of moving a tool in axes relative to the work surface. The tool may be single use or multi use and may be removably coupled to the frame and or carriage

First claim

1 - 18 . (canceled)

19 . A method for performing an operation on a work piece, the method comprising:
attaching a flexible vacuum rail with a multi-axis carriage coupled to the flexible vacuum rail to a surface of a work piece; coupling a tool module to the multi-axis carriage, wherein the tool module has a tool capable of performing the operation; moving the multi-axis carriage along the flexible vacuum rail to a location on the work piece; and performing the operation at the location.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein performing the operation at the location comprises:
applying a force against the surface with a pressure unit located on a first side of the tool module, wherein the pressure unit is rotatable around an axis parallel to an axis of movement of the multi-axis carriage and wherein force is normal to the surface; providing a reactive force to the force with a reactive unit located on a second side of the tool module; and performing the operation after the force and the reactive force are applied.

21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the operation is selected from at least one of a drilling operation, a sealing operation, a measuring operation, and a fastening operation.

22 . A method for performing an operation on an aircraft work piece comprising:
attaching a flexible vacuum rail with a multi-axis carriage coupled to the flexible vacuum rail to a surface of the aircraft work piece; coupling a tool module to the multi-axis carriage, wherein the tool module has a tool capable of performing the operation; moving the multi-axis carriage along the flexible vacuum rail to a location on the aircraft work piece; and applying a force against the surface with a pressure unit located on a first side of the tool module, wherein the pressure unit is rotatable around an axis parallel to an axis of movement of the multi-axis carriage and wherein force is normal to the surface; providing a reactive force to the force with a reactive unit located on a second side of the tool module; and performing the operation after the force and the reactive force are applied, wherein the operation is selected from at least one of a drilling operation and a fastening operation.

23 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the tool module comprises a frame and the tool, wherein the tool is mounted on the frame, and wherein the method further comprises:
removing the tool module from the multi-axis carriage.

24 . The method of claim 23 further comprising:
thereafter installing a second tool module to the multi-axis carriage, different than the tool module.

25 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the tool is located on a first side of the tool module, wherein a pressure foot is located on the first side, and wherein the method further comprises:
applying pressure to the work piece using the pressure foot.

26 . The method of claim 25 , wherein the tool module further comprises a reaction unit located on a second side of the tool module, opposite the first side, and wherein the method further comprises:
stabilizing the multi-axis carriage using the reaction unit during operation of the tool.

27 . The method of claim 26 , wherein stabilizing is performed while the multi-axis carriage moves along the flexible vacuum rail.

28 . The method of claim 26 , wherein the reaction unit comprises a set of rollers.

29 . The method of claim 26 , wherein the reaction unit comprises a set of feet.

30 . The method of claim 23 , wherein the tool module comprises a frame and the tool, wherein the tool is mounted on the frame, and wherein the method further comprises:
removing the tool from the frame.

31 . The method of claim 30 further comprising:
installing a second tool to the frame, different than the tool.

32 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the tool module comprises a frame and the tool, wherein the tool is mounted on the frame, and wherein the method further comprises:
removing the tool module from the multi-axis carriage.

33 . The method of claim 32 further comprising:
thereafter installing a second tool module to the multi-axis carriage, different than the tool module.

34 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the tool module further comprises a reaction unit located on a second side of the tool module, opposite the first side, and wherein the method further comprises:
stabilizing the multi-axis carriage using the reactive unit.

35 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the reactive unit comprises a set of rollers.

36 . The method of claim 35 , wherein the reactive unit comprises a set of feet.

37 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the tool module comprises a frame and the tool, wherein the tool is mounted on the frame, and wherein the method further comprises:
removing the tool from the frame.

38 . The method of claim 37 further comprising:
installing a second tool to the frame, different than the tool.

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Reid Eric M
• Merkley Alan R
• Murphy James C

Classifications

• Y10T29/51

  Plural diverse manufacturing apparatus including means for metal shaping or assembling · CPC title

• B23Q9/0042 Primary

  the guide means being fixed only on the workpiece · CPC title

• B64F5/10

  Manufacturing or assembling aircraft, e.g. jigs therefor · CPC title

• B23Q9/0007

  Portable machines comprising means for their guidance or support directly on the workpiece · CPC title

• B23Q2210/008

  Flexible guiding rails · CPC title