The Boeing Company

Eric Rector

Roger W Engelbart

Reed Hannebaum

Tim Pollock

Jeff Putnam

Sam Orr

Jeffrey Haywood

Roger W Englebart

A system comprises a laser projector, an automated material placement head, and a laser inspection system. The laser projector is configured to project boundary projection line onto a part. The automated material placement head is configured to lay down a course of composite material. The laser inspection system is connected to the automated material placement head and configured to project a laser beam into a laser line parallel to the motion of the automated material placement head in laying the composite material.

Measurement of ply boundaries

A system for determining cumulative tow gap width includes an in-process vision system having at least one camera adapted to record images of a composite material and a data analysis computer communicating with and adapted to receive image data from the in-process vision system. The data analysis computer may be adapted to calculate a cumulative gap width of tow gaps in the composite material. A user interface may communicate with and be adapted to receive data analysis results from the data analysis computer. A method for determining cumulative tow width gap of tow gaps in a composite structure is also disclosed.

System and method for determining cumulative tow gap width

The three dimensional (3-D) locations of splices in pre-preg tows placed by an automatic fiber placement machine to form a laminated composite structure are mapped to allow visualization of alignment patterns in the splices.

Mapping tow splices in composite structures

A system and method of inspecting material laid by a material placement machine. Light is directed onto the material in a direction essentially normal to the material to illuminate a section of the material. Laser energy is projected onto the section at an angle predetermined to reveal inconsistencies in the section. This system provides improved illumination for material widths exceeding six inches and is scalable for inspecting various material widths.

Growing community of inventors

St. Charles, MO, United States of America

Eric Rector