Gemcor Engineering Corp.

Mark J Catania

Robert J Kellner

Jeffrey P Weaver

Thomas H Rummell

Ernest K Krell

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for positioning tooling with respect to a curvilinear workpiece which is curved in a first direction extending along a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the workpiece and which is curved in a second direction extending along a plane to the workpiece longitudinal axis, the degree of curvature in the first direction being greater than the degree of curvature in the second direction. An illustrative example is automatic drilling, inserting and upsetting one or two piece fasteners such as exterior skin rivets on an airplane fuselage. Inner and outer positioning systems carry or support inner and outer tooling, respectively, which engage the workpiece from opposite sides thereof during tooling operations thereon. Each of the inner and outer positioning systems move the respective tooling through a large number of axes, for example six axes of movement provided by the outer positioning system and seven axes of movement provided by the inner positioning system. Movements of the inner and outer positioning systems are controlled and co-ordinated by an adaptive, master-slave control system. A lateral trasfer system enables the appratus to operate successively on a plurality of workpieces.

Method for positioning tooling

Apparatus for positioning tooling

A method and apparatus for positioning tooling (16, 16) with respect to an arc-shaped workpiece assembly (12) spaced radially away from a centerline (14). The apparatus includes axially spaced apart support arm assemblies (40, 42) which are swingable about the centerline. Each support arm is provided with a fixed portion (72) and a radially inwardly and outwardly movable portion (70), the movable portions of both arm assemblies being simultaneously movable under the control of a CNC controller (58). The ends of inner and outer beams (36, 38) are supported by the radially movable portion (70). Supported upon each of the inner and outer beams is a carriage assembly (32, 34) movable along the beam (36, 38). A head (28, 30) is supported upon each of the carriages, each head having a relatively stationary half (124) and a shiftable half (122), the shiftable half being mounted upon a track carried by the stationary half to provide for movement about a center point. In operation the beams will be swung to their desired position about the centerline, the carriages will be moved to their desired positions, at least one of the heads will be extended, and the tooling will be advanced towards the workpiece, all of this movement being controlled by the CNC controller. To permit loading of the apparatus, the inner beam may be split and shifted axially outwardly as the workpiece assembly is loaded.

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Tonawanda, NY, United States of America

Mark J Catania