The Boeing Company

Michael Rojas

Skye Jenkins

Richard Agudelo

Benjamin B Warner

Gabrielle Forgione

Amelia R Gonzalez

Benjamin Christian Culver, Iii

Benjamin Christian Culver Lll

Described herein are methods and manufacturing systems that select fasteners for pre-feeding and, in some examples, pre-feed the selected fasteners. These methods involve aggregating historical manufacturing data, comprising hole identifications and fastener grip lengths, previously selected for these hole identifications. A specific grip length and a corresponding fastener repeatability rating are then determined for each hole identification from this historical manufacturing data. For example, a specific grip length corresponds to the most frequently selected grip length for this hole identification. In some examples, the historical manufacturing data is analyzed using machine learning. The fastener repeatability rating is compared to an operating threshold, in some examples, to determine if the corresponding grip length should be selected for a particular hole location. This grip length selection is then used for pre-feeding a corresponding fastener into an automated drilling machine, thereby saving significant processing time relative to conventional processes.

Methods and systems for selecting and pre-feeding fasteners into automated drilling machines using repeatability rating

Growing community of inventors

Summerville, SC, United States of America

Michael Rojas