The Boeing Company

Tim Pollock

Reed Hannebaum

Roger W Engelbart

Sam Orr

Eric Rector

Jeff Putnam

Roger W Englebart

An inspection system () includes an idler wheel () that is coupled to a fabrication system () and is in contact with a backing layer () of an applied material (), A rotation sensor () monitors the idler wheel () and generates a rotational signal. A controller () is coupled to the rotation sensor () and determines a characteristic of one or more flaws and FOD () on a composite structure () in response to the rotation signal.

In-process vision detection of flaw and FOD characteristics

A course material that is applied to a substrate during fabrication of a composite item is inspected by a system that includes a vision assembly. The vision assembly includes an area light, a line generator, a sensor, and an image processor. The area light illuminates an area of the course material. The line generator generates a line of illumination across the area. The sensor captures an image of the area. The image processor analyzes the image. The image processor is configured to identify debris on the course material in response to the area light being activated and the image processor is configured to identify placement aberrations in response to the line generator being activated.

Vision inspection system device and method

A flaw and foreign object debris (FOD) detection system () for use during fabrication of a structure () includes an illumination device (). The illumination device () is configured to be in proximity with a fabrication system () and illuminates a portion () of the structure (). The illumination device () directs light rays () at acute angles relative to the portion (). A detector () monitors the portion () and detects FOD in the portion () during fabrication of the structure () in response to the reflection of the light rays () off of the portion ().

In-process vision detection of flaws and FOD by back field illumination

An inspection system () includes an idler wheel () that is coupled to a fabrication system () and is in contact with a backing layer () of an applied material (). A rotation sensor () monitors the idler wheel () and generates a rotational signal. A controller () is coupled to the rotation sensor () and determines a characteristic of one or more flaws and FOD () on a composite structure () in response to the rotation signal.

A system and method of inspecting material laid by a material placement machine. Light is directed onto the material in a direction essentially normal to the material to illuminate a section of the material. Laser energy is projected onto the section at an angle predetermined to reveal inconsistencies in the section. This system provides improved illumination for material widths exceeding six inches and is scalable for inspecting various material widths.

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Ballwin, MO, United States of America

Tim Pollock