Automated hole generation

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9545697-B2
Application number	US-41905409-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 6, 2009
Priority date	Apr 6, 2009
Publication date	Jan 17, 2017
Grant date	Jan 17, 2017

Abstract

A method for performing operations on a structure. A moveable platform may be positioned in an area relative to the structure to define a working envelope. The moveable platform may be connected to a tool that may be moved around a plurality of axes within the working envelope using the moveable platform. The tool may be moved to a plurality of locations within the working envelope using the moveable platform. An operation may be performed with the tool through the working envelope at each of the plurality of locations using the moveable platform.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for performing operations on a structure, the method comprising:
positioning a fixed platform associated with a moveable platform in an area relative to the structure to define a working envelope, wherein the working envelope is defined by an opening in the fixed platform, wherein the fixed platform is associated with the moveable platform through an actuation system for the moveable platform, and wherein the moveable platform is connected to a tool that is moveable around a plurality of axes using the moveable platform;
moving the tool to a plurality of locations within the working envelope using the moveable platform; and
performing an operation with the tool through the working envelope at each of the plurality of locations using the moveable platform.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
responsive to performing the operation with the tool through the working envelope at each of the plurality of locations, positioning the fixed platform associated with the moveable platform to another area relative to the structure to form a second working envelope;
moving the tool to another plurality of locations within the second working envelope using the moveable platform; and
performing another operation through the second working envelope at each of the another plurality of locations using the moveable platform.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the positioning step comprises:
moving the fixed platform associated with the moveable platform on a track system attached to the structure.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the fixed platform associated with the moveable platform is attached to a carriage capable of moving along the track system.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the moving and performing steps are controlled by a processor unit executing program code, wherein the program code defines a plurality of operations.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
moving the fixed platform associated with the moveable platform to a number of areas on the structure, wherein an associated working envelope is defined at each of the number of areas.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
normalizing the tool relative to the structure using the moveable platform prior to performing the operation.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the moveable platform and the tool are part of a parallel kinematics machine.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the parallel kinematics machine comprises a hexapod, wherein the tool is connected to the hexapod.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the opening in the fixed platform exposes a surface of the structure to the tool.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the performing step comprises:
at each of the plurality of locations, positioning a cutting tool over a surface of the structure in a selected position that is offset from a centerline for a hole using the moveable platform;
responsive to positioning the cutting tool, rotating the cutting tool;
responsive to rotating the cutting tool, moving the cutting tool into the surface of the structure using the moveable platform; and
responsive to rotating the cutting tool, moving the cutting tool around the centerline using the moveable platform.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the operation is selected from one of a drilling operation, a riveting operation, a boring operation, a fastening operation, a sealing operation, a measurement operation, a marking operation, and a painting operation.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tool is selected from one of a drill, a rivet gun, a sealant applicator, a paint gun, a laser, a probe, an ultrasonic drill, and a fastener machine.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of axes provide six degrees of freedom.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the working envelope is each portion of the structure at the area capable of being reached by the tool using the moveable platform to perform the operation.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the structure is selected from one of a mobile platform, a stationary platform, a land-based structure, an aquatic-based structure, a space-based structure, an aircraft, a surface ship, a tank, a personnel carrier, a train, a spacecraft, a space station, a satellite, an aircraft wing, an aircraft empennage, a fuselage, a nacelle, an engine case, a submarine, an automobile, a power plant, a bridge, a dam, a manufacturing facility, and a building.

17. A method for drilling holes in an aircraft structure, the method comprising:
placing a fixed platform associated with a moveable platform in a form of a hexapod in an area relative to the aircraft structure to define a working envelope, wherein the moveable platform is connected to a cutting tool that is moveable around a plurality of axes using the moveable platform, wherein the fixed platform is associated with the moveable platform through an actuation system for the moveable platform, and wherein the working envelope is defined by an opening in the fixed platform in which the opening exposes a surface of the aircraft structure to the cutting tool;
moving the cutting tool to a plurality of locations within the working envelope using the moveable platform;
normalizing the cutting tool relative to the aircraft structure prior to performing an operation at each of the plurality of locations using the moveable platform; and
performing a drilling operation through the working envelope at each of the plurality of locations using the moveable platform to form a plurality of holes in the aircraft structure in the area by:
at each of the plurality of locations, positioning a cutting tool over the surface of the aircraft structure in a selected position that is offset from a centerline for a hole using the moveable platform;
responsive to positioning the cutting tool, rotating the cutting tool;
responsive to rotating the cutting tool, moving the cutting tool into the surface of the aircraft structure using the moveable platform; and
responsive to rotating the cutting tool, moving the cutting tool around the centerline using the moveable platform;

wherein the moveable platform is placed at the area by moving the fixed platform on a track system attached to the structure to the area, wherein the fixed platform is attached to a carriage capable of moving along the track system, wherein the moving and performing steps are controlled by a processor unit executing program code, and wherein the program code defines a plurality of operations.

Assignees

• Whinnem Eric
• Lipczynski Gary A
• Baumann John A
• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Whinnem Eric
• Lipczynski Gary A
• Baumann John A

Classifications

• B23Q9/0014

  Portable machines provided with or cooperating with guide means supported directly by the workpiece during action · CPC title

• Y10T29/5107

  Drilling and other · CPC title

• Y10T408/55

  with work-engaging structure other than Tool or tool-support · CPC title

• Y10T408/03

  Processes · CPC title

• Y10T408/554

  Magnetic or suction means · CPC title