The Boeing Company

Joseph D Doyle

Paul Robert Davies

Jeremy Glenn Eagan

Robin A Rongey

Randy Dean Baker

Paul R Davies

Gregg W Podnar

Robert William Grube

Christopher A Greer

Jerry Dean Zayic

Ronald J Collins

Farshad Forouhar

Joel T Adriance

Brian D Smith

Lorrie Sivich

Anthony Michael Thomason

Richard M Wcislak

Carrie Rule

A method includes receiving topic names from a metrology interface device, where the topic names correspond to data generated by metrology devices associated with a manufacturing operation. The method also includes accessing a data stream from the metrology interface device. The data stream includes converted metrology data (in a common format) from the metrology devices and corresponding topic names. The method further includes extracting first converted metrology data from the data stream based on a first topic name of the topic names. The first converted metrology data is generated by converting first metrology data from a first metrology device of the metrology devices to the first converted metrology data having the common format. The method also includes comparing the first converted metrology data to a specification, detecting a condition based on the comparison, and sending a command to a manufacturing device based on the condition.

Manufacturing device control based on metrology data

Methods for using predictive shimming to optimize part-to-part alignment. In accordance with one embodiment, the process uses measurement data acquired from mating surfaces and key features to virtually align two parts in a manner that optimizes the final orientation of the parts and determines the geometry of the shim needed to achieve this orientation during assembly.

Methods using predictive shimming to optimize part-to-part alignment

Methods and apparatus to automatically fabricate fillers are disclosed. An example method includes aligning rigid surface data with flexible surface data, the rigid surface data and the flexible surface data being permitted to overlap when aligned; when aligned, defining the rigid surface data and the flexible surface data based on a same parameter space; calculating a displacement function based on differences between corresponding ones of first points in the flexible surface data and second points in the rigid surface data; determining a modified position of a first one of the first points by modifying the first one of the first points based on a value of the displacement function; calculating a gap between the modified position of the first one of the first points and a second one of the second points; and creating a physical filler to fill a physical gap corresponding to the calculated gap.

Methods and apparatus to automatically fabricate fillers

Methods and systems for inspecting a workpiece are provided. The method includes storing model data associated with the workpiece in an inspection system, determining a relative position of a depth sensing device relative to the workpiece, and calibrating a pose view for the inspection system relative to the model based on the position of the depth sensing device relative to the workpiece. The method further includes measuring actual depth distance data of at least one pixel of the depth sensing device relative to the workpiece and determining, based on the actual depth distance data, if the workpiece satisfies predetermined inspection criteria.

Methods and systems for inspecting a workpiece

A method, apparatus, and point cloud generation system for managing a point cloud. Vertices for a model of an object are identified. The object comprises a plurality of parts. Identifiers for the plurality of parts are associated with points in the point cloud using the vertices for the model of the object.

Point cloud generation system

A system for generating surface data defining a position and location of an object is described. The system includes a non-contact measuring device for measuring the location of one or more points on a surface of an object with respect to the measuring device, an optical imaging device for capturing image information, and a processor. The processor is programmed to use the captured image information to determine location and orientation data for both the measuring device and the optical imaging device with respect to a fixed point in space, receive location measurement data from the measuring device, and combine the location and orientation data with the location measurement data to generate surface data for the object.

Vision based location and measurement device and methods

A method and apparatus for managing information about an object. A location on the object is identified. An association between the location on the object and a number of points in a point cloud for the object is identified. The number of points in the point cloud is associated with a number of parts for the object. The location on the object is associated with the number of parts for the object based on the association of the location on the object with the number of points in the point cloud. An identification of the number of parts associated with the location on the object is presented on a graphical user interface on a display system. Information for the location on the object in a number of types of media is identified. The information for the location on the object is associated with the location on the object.

Growing community of inventors

St. Charles, MO, United States of America

Joseph D Doyle