Abstract: A self-contained hand-held through-skin (HHTS) sensor for determining the location of an underlying aperture in a support structure suited to mount a skin or surface. In an embodiment, the HHTS sensor includes a sensor disposed in a housing and configured to determine a location of an aperture disposed in an adjacent surface through electromagnetic, x-ray, ultrasonic or other means. The HHTS sensor further includes an alignment assembly having an alignment orifice disposed in the housing and configured to be maneuvered in an x-y plane within the housing. The HHTS sensor also includes a vacuum pump system, a local battery and a processor coupled to the sensor and configured to control first and second actuators to maneuver the alignment orifice within the x-y plane to be co-axially located with the aperture in response to the sensor signal.

Abstract: An automated manufacturing system that includes a self-contained through-skin sensor for determining the location of an underlying aperture in a support structure suited to mount a skin or surface. In an embodiment, the sensor includes a sensor disposed in a housing and configured to determine a location of an aperture disposed in an adjacent surface through electromagnetic, x-ray, ultrasonic or other means. The sensor further includes an alignment assembly having an alignment orifice disposed in the housing and configured to be maneuvered in an x-y plane within the housing. The sensor also includes a vacuum pump system, a local battery and a processor coupled to the sensor and configured to control first and second actuators to maneuver the alignment orifice within the x-y plane to be co-axially located with the aperture in response to the sensor signal.

Abstract: A hand-held through-skin (HHTS) sensor for determining the location of an underlying aperture in a support structure suited to mount a skin or surface. In an embodiment, the HHTS sensor includes a sensor disposed in a housing and configured to determine a location of an aperture disposed in an adjacent surface through electromagnetic, x-ray, ultrasonic or other means. The HHTS sensor further includes an alignment assembly having an alignment orifice disposed in the housing and configured to be maneuvered in an x-y plane within the housing. The HHTS sensor also includes a processor coupled to the sensor and configured to receive a signal from the sensor indicating the location of the aperture and configured to control first and second actuators to maneuver the alignment orifice within the x-y plane to be co-axially located with the aperture in response to the sensor signal.

Abstract: A self-contained hand-held through-skin (HHTS) sensor for determining the location of an underlying aperture in a support structure suited to mount a skin or surface. In an embodiment, the HHTS sensor includes a sensor disposed in a housing and configured to determine a location of an aperture disposed in an adjacent surface through electromagnetic, x-ray, ultrasonic or other means. The HHTS sensor further includes an alignment assembly having an alignment orifice disposed in the housing and configured to be maneuvered in an x-y plane within the housing. The HHTS sensor also includes a vacuum pump system, a local battery and a processor coupled to the sensor and configured to control first and second actuators to maneuver the alignment orifice within the x-y plane to be co-axially located with the aperture in response to the sensor signal.

Abstract: A hand-held through-skin (HHTS) sensor for determining the location of an underlying aperture in a support structure suited to mount a skin or surface. In an embodiment, the HHTS sensor includes a sensor disposed in a housing and configured to determine a location of an aperture disposed in an adjacent surface through electromagnetic, x-ray, ultrasonic or other means. The HHTS sensor further includes an alignment assembly having an alignment orifice disposed in the housing and configured to be maneuvered in an x-y plane within the housing. The HHTS sensor also includes a processor coupled to the sensor and configured to receive a signal from the sensor indicating the location of the aperture and configured to control first and second actuators to maneuver the alignment orifice within the x-y plane to be co-axially located with the aperture in response to the sensor signal.

Abstract: An automated manufacturing system that includes a self-contained through-skin sensor for determining the location of an underlying aperture in a support structure suited to mount a skin or surface. In an embodiment, the sensor includes a sensor disposed in a housing and configured to determine a location of an aperture disposed in an adjacent surface through electromagnetic, x-ray, ultrasonic or other means. The sensor further includes an alignment assembly having an alignment orifice disposed in the housing and configured to be maneuvered in an x-y plane within the housing. The sensor also includes a vacuum pump system, a local battery and a processor coupled to the sensor and configured to control first and second actuators to maneuver the alignment orifice within the x-y plane to be co-axially located with the aperture in response to the sensor signal.

Abstract: A system and method for using locally stored historical performance data with a self-contained modular manufacturing device having modular tools and parts configured to collectively accomplish a specific task or function. In an embodiment, the modular device includes an interface configured to communicate with a remote control system capable of control the robotic arm. The modular device also includes one or more other modules that are configured to accomplish a particular task or function. Such modules are sometimes called end-effectors and work in conjunction with each other to accomplish tasks and functions. In a self-contained modular manufacturing device, a processor disposed in the housing may be configured to control the functional tools (e.g., each end-effector) independent of the overall manufacturing control system. Further, historical data may be locally stored and retrieved to tailor the functioning of the modular device.

Abstract: A system and method for a self-contained modular manufacturing device having self-contained modular tools configured to collectively accomplish a specific task or function in a hierarchical control manner. In an embodiment, the modular device includes a housing that has a mount configured to engage a robotic arm or other form of maneuvering actuator (such a crane or gantry). The housing may provide a base by which additional modules may be mounted and coupled. The modular device also includes an interface configured to communicate with a remote master control system capable of control the robotic arm. The modular device also includes one or more other modules that are configured to accomplish a particular task or function. Such modules are sometimes called end-effectors and work in conjunction with each other to accomplish tasks and functions. In a self-contained modular manufacturing device, individual processors disposed in the housing may be configured to control the functional tools (e.g.

Abstract: A system and method for a self-contained modular manufacturing device having self-contained modular tools configured to collectively accomplish a specific task or function. In an embodiment, the modular device includes a housing that has a mount configured to engage a robotic arm or other form of maneuvering actuator (such a crane or gantry). The housing may provide a base by which additional modules may be mounted and coupled. The modular device also includes an interface configured to communicate with a remote control system capable of control the robotic arm. The modular device also includes one or more other modules that are configured to accomplish a particular task or function. Such modules are sometimes called end-effectors and work in conjunction with each other to accomplish tasks and functions. In a self-contained modular manufacturing device, individual processors disposed in the housing may be configured to control the functional tools (e.g.

Abstract: A system and method for a self-contained modular manufacturing device having modular tools and parts configured to collectively accomplish a specific task or function. In an embodiment, the modular device includes a housing that has a mount configured to engage a robotic arm or other form of maneuvering actuator (such a crane or gantry). The housing provides a base by which additional modules are mounted and coupled. The modular device also includes an interface configured to communicate with a remote control system capable of control the robotic arm. The modular device also includes one or more other modules that are configured to accomplish a particular task or function. Such modules are sometimes called end-effectors and work in conjunction with each other to accomplish tasks and functions. In a self-contained modular manufacturing device, a processor disposed in the housing is configured to control the functional tools (e.g., each end-effector) independent of the overall manufacturing control system.

Abstract: A system and method for a self-contained modular manufacturing device having self-contained modular tools configured to collectively accomplish a specific task or function. In an embodiment, the modular device includes a housing that has a mount configured to engage a robotic arm or other form of maneuvering actuator (such a crane or gantry). The housing may provide a base by which additional modules may be mounted and coupled. The modular device also includes an interface configured to communicate with a remote control system capable of control the robotic arm. The modular device also includes one or more other modules that are configured to accomplish a particular task or function. Such modules are sometimes called end-effectors and work in conjunction with each other to accomplish tasks and functions. In a self-contained modular manufacturing device, individual processors disposed in the housing may be configured to control the functional tools (e.g.

Abstract: A system and method for a self-contained modular manufacturing device having self-contained modular tools configured to collectively accomplish a specific task or function. In an embodiment, the modular device includes a housing that has a mount configured to engage a robotic arm or other form of maneuvering actuator (such a crane or gantry). The housing may provide a base by which additional modules may be mounted and coupled. The modular device also includes an interface configured to communicate with a remote control system capable of control the robotic arm. The modular device also includes one or more other modules that are configured to accomplish a particular task or function. Such modules are sometimes called end-effectors and work in conjunction with each other to accomplish tasks and functions. In a self-contained modular manufacturing device, individual processors disposed in the housing may be configured to control the functional tools (e.g.

Abstract: A system and method for a self-contained modular manufacturing device having self-contained modular tools configured to collectively accomplish a specific task or function in a hierarchical control manner. In an embodiment, the modular device includes a housing that has a mount configured to engage a robotic arm or other form of maneuvering actuator (such a crane or gantry). The housing may provide a base by which additional modules may be mounted and coupled. The modular device also includes an interface configured to communicate with a remote master control system capable of control the robotic arm. The modular device also includes one or more other modules that are configured to accomplish a particular task or function. Such modules are sometimes called end-effectors and work in conjunction with each other to accomplish tasks and functions. In a self-contained modular manufacturing device, individual processors disposed in the housing may be configured to control the functional tools (e.g.

Abstract: A system and method for using locally stored historical performance data with a self-contained modular manufacturing device having modular tools and parts configured to collectively accomplish a specific task or function. In an embodiment, the modular device includes an interface configured to communicate with a remote control system capable of control the robotic arm. The modular device also includes one or more other modules that are configured to accomplish a particular task or function. Such modules are sometimes called end-effectors and work in conjunction with each other to accomplish tasks and functions. In a self-contained modular manufacturing device, a processor disposed in the housing may be configured to control the functional tools (e.g., each end-effector) independent of the overall manufacturing control system. Further, historical data may be locally stored and retrieved to tailor the functioning of the modular device.

Abstract: A system and method for a self-contained modular manufacturing device having self-contained modular tools configured to collectively accomplish a specific task or function in a hierarchical control manner. In an embodiment, the modular device includes a housing that has a mount configured to engage a robotic arm or other form of maneuvering actuator (such a crane or gantry). The housing provides a base by which additional modules may be mounted and coupled. The modular device also includes an interface configured to communicate with a remote master control system capable of control the robotic arm. The modular device also includes one or more other modules that are configured to accomplish a particular task or function. Such modules are sometimes called end-effectors and work in conjunction with each other to accomplish tasks and functions. In a self-contained modular manufacturing device, individual processors disposed in the housing are configured to control the functional tools (e.g.

Abstract: A system and method for using locally stored historical performance data with a self-contained modular manufacturing device having modular tools and parts configured to collectively accomplish a specific task or function. In an embodiment, the modular device includes an interface configured to communicate with a remote control system capable of control the robotic arm. The modular device also includes one or more other modules that are configured to accomplish a particular task or function. Such modules are sometimes called end-effectors and work in conjunction with each other to accomplish tasks and functions. In a self-contained modular manufacturing device, a processor disposed in the housing may be configured to control the functional tools (e.g., each end-effector) independent of the overall manufacturing control system. Further, historical data may be locally stored and retrieved to tailor the functioning of the modular device.

Abstract: A system and method for maneuvering a robotic end-effector using one or more motors that have a force limiter that is adaptable to take into account any effects of a changing gravitational force as the system moves. In one embodiment, the system includes an actuator, such as a drive motor, for applying a force vector to actuate a function of the end effector, such as moving the end-effector along a track that is attached to a contoured surface. Further, a force limiter coupled to the actuator is configured to interrupt the actuating if the force exceeds a first threshold. Further, the system includes an orientation detector to determine any changes in orientation with respect to gravity so as to adjust the force limit accordingly. Thus, if the force limiter determines that a threshold has been exceeded, the force limiter may limit or interrupt the motion while taking changing gravitational forces into account.