The Boeing Company

James Arthur Hammond, Jr

Michael D Katzenberger

George E Anderson

Ike C Schevers

Brian Joseph Martinek

David L Fritsche

Anthony P Slade

Russell DeVlieg

Kip Ryan Kuldell

Christian E Schaefer

Trevor A Hartnagel

Steven L Arana

Warren Richard Koch

Joseph A Kaufman

Patrick Dunn

A robotic forming system and method for forming a tapered hole in a workpiece include a housing and a nose extending from the housing. The housing defines an internal chamber. A vacuum gate is in fluid communication with an internal cavity of the nose. A seal is within the nose. A first spindle includes a first operative head. The first spindle is retained within the internal chamber. The first spindle is configured to be moved between a first stowed position within the housing and a first operating position in which the first operative head extends into the nose. The first operative head is configured to form an initial hole within the workpiece. A second spindle includes a second operative head. The second spindle is retained within the internal chamber. The second spindle is configured to be moved between a second stowed position within the housing and a second operating position in which the second operative head extends into the nose. The second operative head is configured to modify the initial hole to form a tapered hole.

Systems and methods for forming tapered holes in workpieces

A tapered drill bit having a proximal end and a distal end includes a shank extending from the distal end at least partially towards the proximal end of the tapered drill bit and a body coupled to the shank. The body includes a tapered portion and the body extends from the shank to the proximal end of the tapered drill bit. The tapered drill bit further includes at least one flute extending from the proximal end along a portion of the body. The tapered drill bit also includes a conduit extending from an inlet aperture at the distal end to an outlet aperture, wherein the outlet aperture is formed through the at least one flute.

Tapered drill bit and automated process

The disclosure provides a computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for managing inspection of items. In one embodiment, an identifier for an item is received in a shipment of items to form a received item. Inspection criteria for inspecting the shipment of items are adjusted using a quality history. The quality history is data regarding results of inspections of items. A result of the inspection is received. The quality history is updated with the result of the inspection.

Method and apparatus for a receiving, inspection, and supplier quality system

A guide assembly comprises a frame assembly, a plurality of clamping assemblies, and a head assembly. The clamping assemblies may be mountable to the frame assembly for attaching the frame assembly to a structure. The head assembly may be mountable to the frame assembly and may include a tool coupled to the head assembly. The tool assembly may be axially movable relative to the head assembly to cause the tool to exert a down force on the structure when the frame assembly is attached thereto.

Guide assembly

A method of engaging a fastener may include attaching a guide assembly to a structure. The guide assembly may include a first arm, a second arm, and a head assembly mounted to an end of the first arm. The method may further include threadably engaging a tool sleeve to the head assembly, coupling a tool to the tool sleeve, and adjusting and clamping the angular orientation of the second arm relative to the first arm using a swivel mechanism. The method may additionally include engaging the tool to a fastener, rotating the tool sleeve relative to the head assembly, and applying a down force to the fastener in response to rotating the tool sleeve to move the tool axially relative to the head assembly.

Guide assembly and method

In one advantageous embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a boring bar, a slot, a channel, a centering pin, and an adjustment system. The slot may extend substantially perpendicular to an axis extending through the boring bar. The slot may be configured to receive a cutting unit. The channel may be located within the boring bar extending substantially along the axis. The centering pin may be moveably located within the channel and configured to selectively engage a centering feature in the cutting unit. The adjustment system may be configured to position the centering pin relative to the channel in a plurality of axes.

Boring bar apparatus

A coldwork tool assembly including an outer housing and an inner housing in telescopic arrangement with each other and a retaining collar configured to accommodate a plurality of mandrel configurations. One of a plurality of various mandrels is removably coupled to the inner housing using the retaining collar to secure the mandrel to the inner housing as the inner housing moves between a contracted and an expanded position relative to the outer housing.

Coldwork tool assembly

A method and device for testing a substantially cylindrical tool having an axis is performed by imparting a testing torque to the cylindrical tool. The tool is clamped in a vise. The tool has a driven end including a shank and a working end in opposed relation along the axis. The vise is configured to clamp the tool to prevent rotation of the tool about the axis. The shank is clamped in a chuck. The chuck has a adapter defining a void configured to engagingly receive a socket drive shaft. A torque wrench having a lever arm and a socket driver shaft is engaged by insertion of the socket drive shaft into the void. A torque is imparted to the cylindrical tool about its axis by suitably imparting a force on the lever arm. The quantum of torque imparted is measured based upon operation of the torque wrench.

Growing community of inventors

O'Fallon, MO, United States of America

James Arthur Hammond, Jr