The Boeing Company

Kwok Tung Chan

Tanni Sisco

Mark Albrecht

Eric M Reid

Jeffrey Devlin

John Hartmann

Jeff Devlin

Skye Jenkins

Farahnaz Sisco

Everette Desmond Gray

Monica Joy Brockway

Scott Charles Tomchick

Brendan Elmore

Frank Charles Mestemacher

Riley Harrison HansonSmith

Tobias Weber

Jeffrey Martin Devlin

Darrell Darwin Jones

Daniel R Smith

Dan Dresskell Day

Mark A Woods

Gary Backhaus

John A Davies, Jr

Andreas Bartl

Gregory John Shish

José Antonio Blanco Del Álamo

Nathan Christopher McRae

Eric M Avakian

Omar J Pacheo Agosto

Riley Hansonsmith

Jeffrey M Devlin

Everette D Gray

Skye Sutherland Jenkins

A system and a method include a control unit configured to receive one or more force signals from one or more force sensors coupled to one or both of a tool or an end effector. The one or more force signals are indicative of one or more forces exerted in relation to the tool or the end effector as the tool operates on a first component and a second component. The control unit is further configured to detect a difference in the one or more forces as an operative portion of the tool passes through a gap between the first component and the second component. The control unit is further configured to determine a distance of the gap based on the difference in the one or more forces.

Systems and methods for evaluating a gap between structural components

Systems and methods are provided for assembling aircraft fuselages. One embodiment is a method for assembling a fuselage of an aircraft. The method includes indexing an arcuate section of a fuselage to a frame installation station, feeding a frame at the frame installation station into a concavity defined by the arcuate section, placing the frame against an Inner Mold Line (IML) of the arcuate section while the frame is within the concavity, and affixing the frame to the arcuate section.

Frame installation station for aircraft fuselage segments

Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to the manufacture of assemblies of components, and in particular to methods, apparatus, and systems for performing manufacturing operations. In one aspect, a method of manufacturing an assembly of components includes positioning first and second components into a nominal configuration with respect to each other at a first factory location. The method further includes drilling a fastener joining hole through an interface of the first and second components at the first factory location. The method further includes positioning the first and second components for fastener joining at a second factory location. The method further includes inserting a fastener into the fastener joining hole to couple the first and second components together.

Precision assembly process and advance tooling methods of use

Systems and methods are provided for inspecting installation of a fastener. One method includes monitoring hydraulic pressure of a tool that is installing the fastener, detecting that the hydraulic pressure has dropped by more than a threshold amount within a period of time, determining that a pintail of the fastener has snapped in response to the detecting, and reducing the hydraulic pressure in response to the determining.

Sensor based control of swage tools

A method for installing a fastener system. A position on a structure relative to an overhang on the structure is automatically sensed for installing a fastener system in a hole using an offset collar installer. The offset collar installer is moved about a rotation axis to the position such that a collar in the fastener system is held in the position over the hole. The offset collar installer is connected to a platform and rotatable about the rotation axis. The collar is fastened to an engagement feature for a bolt in the hole.

Fastener installation

A compound contour vacuum track, and an automated fastening machine using the track, for automation of final assembly inside an aircraft fuselage. The track is mounted at an angle to a surface, such as an inside surface of the fuselage, wherein the surface has one or more holes through which fasteners are inserted. The automated fastening machine is mounted on the track to traverse the track while performing fastening functions and steps. The automated fastening machine includes a carriage, arm, and end effector, wherein the arm is mounted on the carriage and the end effector is mounted on the arm. The carriage is attached to the track for positioning the arm and end effector, the arm is attached to the carriage for positioning the end effector, and the end effector is attached to the arm for installing the fasteners into the holes of the surface.

Compound contour vacuum track for automation of final assembly from the interior of a fuselage

Systems, methods, and apparatus for a detector and reflector for automation cell safety and identification are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, a method for machinery safety comprises transmitting, by an active transponder, at least one interrogation signal. The method further comprises receiving, by at least one passive transponder located on a user or on an item, the interrogation signal(s). Also, the method comprises generating, by a non-linear device of the passive transponder(s) in response to the interrogation signal(s), at least one response signal. In addition, the method comprises receiving, by the active transponder, the response signal(s). Additionally, the method comprises determining, by at least one processor, a location of the passive transponder(s) based on the response signal(s). Further, the method comprises determining, by the processor(s), whether the passive transponder(s) is located within a threshold distance away from machinery by using the location of the passive transponder(s).

Detector and reflector for automation cell safety and identification

Systems and methods are provided for fastening via a swage tool. One embodiment is a method for fastening via a swage tool. The method includes steps of selecting a hole located at a part, aligning an axis of a lockbolt collar with a center of the hole, placing the lockbolt collar flush against the part at a first end of the hole, and swaging the lockbolt collar onto a lockbolt that has been driven through the hole. This securely fastens the lockbolt collar to the lockbolt.

Offset collar delivery for swage tools

A plug gauge includes a housing defining an internal volume and a longitudinal axis AH. The housing includes an opening into the internal volume. The plug gauge also includes a contact element at least partially received in the opening. The plug gauge further includes a plunger at least partially received in the internal volume. The plunger is biased into engagement with the contact element to urge the contact element radially outward from the housing through the opening. The plug gauge additionally includes a sealing member between the contact element and the housing.

Plug gauge and associated method for sealing the same

An indexing pin comprises a central axis. The indexing pin further comprises a threaded portion, extending along the central axis. The indexing pin also comprises a stem, extending along the central axis opposite the threaded portion. The indexing pin further comprises a cylindrical surface, extending along the central axis between the threaded portion and the stem. The indexing pin further comprises a tapered surface, extending between the threaded portion and the cylindrical surface. The indexing pin further comprises a flange, located between the stem and the cylindrical surface.

Indexing pins and indexing clamps for aligning a first body and a second body of a structure

A plug gauge including a probe housing defining an internal volume and a longitudinal axis, the probe housing includes a first and second openings, a first contact element having a portion extending through the first opening, a first cam member defining a first axis of rotation, the first cam member being in camming engagement with the first contact element such that movement of the first contact element relative to the probe housing causes corresponding rotation of the first cam member about the first axis of rotation, a second contact element having a portion extending through the second opening, and a second cam member defining a second axis of rotation, the second cam member being in camming engagement with the second contact element such that movement of the second contact element relative to the probe housing causes corresponding rotation of the second cam member about the second axis of rotation.

Plug gauges and associated systems and methods for taking multiple simultaneous diametric measurements

A method for evaluating a surface of a bore formed in a structure, where the bore defines a bore axis. The method includes moving a probe at least partially through the bore in a first lineal direction about the bore axis while simultaneously rotating the probe about the bore axis. The probe includes a contact element contacting the surface of the bore at a plurality of first contact points as the probe moves in the first lineal direction.

Systems and methods for evaluating a surface of a bore formed in a structure

A vibration assisted drilling system is presented. The vibration assisted drilling system comprises a drill feed motion system having a drill feed axis, an oscillation motion system having an oscillation axis, a drill spindle having a drill bit, and a mounting system configured to connect the drill spindle to the oscillation motion system. The drill feed axis is substantially parallel to and offset from the oscillation axis.

Vibration assisted drilling system and method of use

Provided is cutting tool. The tool, in certain examples, includes a drill body that defines a drill axis, and a tool window formed in the drill body. The tool also includes a drill bit extending from the drill body, and a material reworking attachment ('MRA') coupled to the drill body and storable within the tool window. The MRA is extendable from a stored position into either a surface-finishing position or a material-removal position. The MRA includes a first chamfering blade, a second chamfering blade, and a finishing surface interposed between the chamfering blades. The tool also includes a position manager to detect a position of the cutting tool with reference to a workpiece, and an actuator to transition the MRA from the stored position to the material-removal position, followed by a transition to the surface-finishing position, and followed by a transition to material-removal position.

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Seattle, WA, United States of America

Kwok Tung Chan