The Boeing Company

Paul Charles Hollingshead

Bruce Allen Wilson

Brandon Heath Wegge

Michael Kent

Mark David Shirley

Daniel Michael Quick

Craig A Beike

A method and apparatus for identifying a potential movement of a part containing features. First lines are formed by a computer system on a plane extending from a rotation point on the plane to centers of the features in a feature pattern. Second lines are formed by the computer system on the plane extending from the centers of the features in which the second lines are substantially perpendicular to corresponding first lines. Third lines are formed by the computer system extending from ends of the second lines in which the third lines are substantially perpendicular to the plane. Elongate volumes are formed by the computer system extending from the centers of the features to ends of the third lines. An intersection of the elongate volumes is formed by the computer system. The potential movement of the part containing the features is identified using the intersection.

Float remaining volume identification

Certain embodiments of the disclosure provide one or more methods and/or systems to provide for determination of valid fastener zones that meet certain design rules. A method may include selecting at least one fastener having a preselected size and providing a first structural member and second structural member each having preselected sizes and shapes. The method may include determining a first fastener placement zone in the first structural member and determining a second fastener placement zone in the second structural member, where the respective first and second fastener placement zones are determined as a function of the structural design rules. The method may include determining a final fastener zone by identifying an overlap of the first and second fastener zones.

Method and system for identifying fastener placement zones

A method, apparatus, and computer program product for identifying associations in a model of a structure. A number of fastener locations is identified in the model of the structure. A line segment extends through each of the number of fastener locations to form a number of line segments. The line segment extends a selected distance away from an associated fastener location in the number of fastener locations. A number of parts is identified through which the line segment extends to form a number of identified parts for a fastener for each of the number of line segments.

Method and apparatus for deriving associations between parts and fasteners

A method, apparatus, and computer program product for identifying gaps. A grid of points is generated on a first surface. The grid of points is associated with a point for a first part associated with a second part in a model. A line segment is formed from the first surface of the first part to a second surface of the second part for each point in the grid of points to form a plurality of line segments. A gap size is identified between the first surface and the second surface using the plurality of line segments to form a plurality of gap measurements.

Method and apparatus for identifying gaps between parts

A method for analyzing tolerances for features for an object. A framework may be created from the plurality of features for the object. The framework may be fitted to a plurality of manufactured features for the object based on the plurality of features to form a fit framework. A remaining clearance may be identified between each of a plurality of manufactured sizes associated with the plurality of features and each of plurality of virtual conditions for the plurality of features to form a plurality of remaining clearances. A plurality of remaining clearance geometric shapes may be formed from the plurality of remaining clearances. The plurality of remaining clearance features may be positioned around a single true position. A common region may be identified from between the plurality of remaining clearances. A minimum remaining float may be identified from the common region. A resulting pattern transformation may be determined.

Finding minimum remaining float for a pattern of non-uniform sized features

The invention discloses differing embodiments of methods for checking the location or potential location of one or holes in structure relative to edges, fillets, and thickness changes. The area in the vicinity of the hole may be checked in order to determine whether the location or potential location of the hole meets a pre-determined threshold. If the location or potential location of the hole does not meet the pre-determined threshold, the hole may be flagged as being a potential problem. In such manner, the suitability of the hole for insertion of a fastener device may be determined. In other embodiments, apparatus are disclosed having one or more fastener devices extending through one or more holes in a structure. The location of the one or more holes may have been approved for insertion of the one or more fastener devices utilizing a pre-determined threshold standard.

Hole location method and apparatus

A machine readable medium and a method are disclosed that determine whether a pattern of manufactured or simulated features violates a feature relating tolerance and determines acceptability of the pattern. Allowable tolerance may include feature relating tolerances and material conditions. Manufactured centers are drawn relative to a one true position. A circle drawn through or outside the manufactured centers is used to determine if there is feature relating tolerance violation. Material condition may also be used.

Machine readable medium and method for determining feature-relating tolerance consumed

One aspect is a method which determines a float remaining figure (for example, a float remaining circle) for a manufactured pattern of features. In some embodiments, the size and relative location of two or more float remaining figures, each for a different part (each part typically designed in accordance with a different pattern of features), are compared and optionally also transformed to provide a quantifiable measure of whether the two parts fit (or can be modified to fit) and if so how well the parts fit. Other aspects are systems programmed to perform any embodiment of the method, and computer readable media which store code for implementing any embodiment of the method.

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Florissant, MO, United States of America

Paul Charles Hollingshead