Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing a composite member. The system and methods are configured to move different types of composite plies from different supply stations. The composite plies are moved along a conveyance member and then with a transfer station to a forming tool. One or more forming members form the composite plies onto the forming tool.

Abstract: A trench scoop bucket that can be welded to, or otherwise integrally formed with, bucket that attaches to a tractor, front loader, or any other machinery that can operate a bucket. The trench bucket is attached level with the bottom plate of the bucket and slopes down to a depth to match the dimensions of a trench. The sidewalls of the trench scoop bucket extend vertically downward to match the depth of the trench, and a ramp plate slopes from the bottom plate of the bucket into the trench. Horizontal plates are disposed on either side of the ramp plate and attached to the sidewalls to provide structural support to the ramp plate. The horizontal plates are level with the bottom plate of the trench scoop bucket and can provide alignment of the ramp plate within the trench.

Abstract: A method enables a component to be secured within a tool for manufacture. The tool includes a fixture, a component locator, and a clamping member. The method includes fixedly coupling the component locator to the fixture, coupling the clamping member to the fixture, locating the component within the tool using the component locator such that the component is positioned for manufacture with respect to the fixture, securing the component within the tool between the component locator and the clamping member such that the component locator, the clamping member, and the component are fixedly secured in position for manufacture with respect to the fixture, and retaining the component in position with respect to the fixture using the component locator and the clamping member.

Abstract: A method for aligning a first and a second component for manufacturing using an alignment member. The first component includes at least one first datum and the second component includes at least one second datum. The method includes fixedly securing the alignment member to a fixture in a first orientation relative to the fixture, coupling the first component to the fixture such that the at least one first datum is aligned with a corresponding datum locator of a first datum nest of the alignment member, removing the first component from the fixture, repositioning the alignment member relative to the fixture from the first orientation to a second orientation, fixedly securing the alignment member in the second orientation, and coupling the second component to the fixture such that the at least one second datum is aligned with a corresponding datum locator of a second datum nest of the alignment member.

Abstract: A method for securing a component for manufacture. The method includes fixedly coupling a first clamping member and a biasing mechanism to a tool that includes a fixture. The fixture includes a first clamping member, a second clamping member, and a biasing mechanism. The method further includes coupling the second clamping member to the fixture, using the biasing mechanism to align the component within the tool between the first and second clamping members such that the component is maintained in position relative to the fixture, securing the component between the first and second clamping members such that the first clamping member, the second clamping member, and the component are fixedly secured in position with respect to the fixture, and retaining the component in position with respect to the fixture using the first and second clamping members.

Abstract: A gas turbine component blank is shaped by clamping the gas turbine component blank into a fixture that accurately positions the gas turbine component blank in three dimensions. The positioning is accomplished against stops accurately machined into a base of the fixture, by first supporting the gas turbine component blank on one set of stops that prevents movement in the direction perpendicular to a plane of the base, and then operating a movable clamp to force the gas turbine component blank against other sets of stops that limit the movement of the gas turbine component blank in directions lying in the base plane. The clamp has a compound movement that simultaneously forces the gas turbine component blank against stops that prevent movement in orthogonal directions lying in the base plane. The gas turbine component blank is thereafter shaped, preferably by grinding the sides of the root precursor of the gas turbine component blank.

Abstract: A method for aligning a component including at least a first and a second datum for inspection. The method includes providing a tool including a fixture having at least a first and a second datum locator, aligning the first datum with the first datum locator, and rotating the component about the first datum to align the second datum with the second datum locator.

Abstract: A method for securing a component for manufacture. The method includes fixedly coupling a first clamping member and a biasing mechanism to a tool that includes a fixture. The fixture includes a first clamping member, a second clamping member, and a biasing mechanism. The method further includes coupling the second clamping member to the fixture, using the biasing mechanism to align the component within the tool between the first and second clamping members such that the component is maintained in position relative to the fixture, securing the component between the first and second clamping members such that the first clamping member, the second clamping member, and the component are fixedly secured in position with respect to the fixture, and retaining the component in position with respect to the fixture using the first and second clamping members.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting a dovetail slot of a gas turbine engine disk, including: a first pin member fixed in a stationary position; a second pin member having the ability to move between a first position and a second position, wherein the second pin member is oriented substantially parallel to the first pin member; a member actuable between a first position and a second position, wherein the member functions to automatically position the first and second pin members in a predetermined position within the dovetail slot when in the second member position; a first probe for measuring a distance between the first and second pin members when in the predetermined dovetail slot position; and, at least one plate member forming a base to which the first pin member, the second pin member, the actuable member, and the first probe are assembled in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting a dovetail slot of a gas turbine engine disk, including: a first pin member fixed in a stationary position; a second pin member having the ability to move between a first position and a second position, wherein the second pin member is oriented substantially parallel to the first pin member; a member actuable between a first position and a second position, wherein the member functions to automatically position the first and second pin members in a predetermined position within the dovetail slot when in the second member position; a first probe for measuring a distance between the first and second pin members when in the predetermined dovetail slot position; and, at least one plate member forming a base to which the first pin member, the second pin member, the actuable member, and the first probe are assembled in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: A method for aligning a component including at least a first and a second datum for inspection. The method includes providing a tool including a fixture having at least a first and a second datum locator, aligning the first datum with the first datum locator, and rotating the component about the first datum to align the second datum with the second datum locator.

Abstract: A method enables a component to be secured within a tool for manufacture. The tool includes a fixture, a component locator, and a clamping member. The method includes fixedly coupling the component locator to the fixture, coupling the clamping member to the fixture, locating the component within the tool using the component locator such that the component is positioned for manufacture with respect to the fixture, securing the component within the tool between the component locator and the clamping member such that the component locator, the clamping member, and the component are fixedly secured in position for manufacture with respect to the fixture, and retaining the component in position with respect to the fixture using the component locator and the clamping member.

Abstract: A method for securing a component for manufacture. The method includes fixedly coupling a first clamping member and a biasing mechanism to a tool that includes a fixture. The fixture includes a first clamping member, a second clamping member, and a biasing mechanism. The method further includes coupling the second clamping member to the fixture, using the biasing mechanism to align the component within the tool between the first and second clamping members such that the component is maintained in position relative to the fixture, securing the component between the first and second clamping members such that the first clamping member, the second clamping member, and the component are fixedly secured in position with respect to the fixture, and retaining the component in position with respect to the fixture using the first and second clamping members.

Abstract: A gas turbine component such as a turbine blade is clamped into a fixture having a base upon which a remainder of the fixture is supported, a stop which limits the movement of the gas turbine component, and two clamp arms affixed to the base and controllably clamping against the lower side of the platform of the gas turbine component to force the gas turbine component against the stop. When the gas turbine component is clamped in this position, its root may be readily shaped as by grinding.

Abstract: A turbine component such as a turbine blade is clamped into a fixture having a base upon which a remainder of the fixture is supported and a stop which limits the movement of the turbine component. The fixture further has two clamp arms affixed to the base and which controllably clamp against one pair of the pressure surfaces of the root to force the turbine component against the stop, which preferably is contacted by another pair of the pressure surfaces of the root. When the turbine component is clamped in this position, its root may be readily shaped as by grinding.

Abstract: A gas turbine component such as a turbine blade is clamped into a fixture having a base upon which a remainder of the fixture is supported, a stop which limits the movement of the gas turbine component, and two clamp arms affixed to the base and controllably clamping against the lower side of the platform of the gas turbine component to force the gas turbine component against the stop. When the gas turbine component is clamped in this position, its root may be readily shaped as by grinding.

Abstract: A gas turbine component blank is shaped by clamping the gas turbine component blank into a fixture that accurately positions the gas turbine component blank in three dimensions. The positioning is accomplished against stops accurately machined into a base of the fixture, by first supporting the gas turbine component blank on one set of stops that prevents movement in the direction perpendicular to a plane of the base, and then operating a movable clamp to force the gas turbine component blank against other sets of stops that limit the movement of the gas turbine component blank in directions lying in the base plane. The clamp has a compound movement that simultaneously forces the gas turbine component blank against stops that prevent movement in orthogonal directions lying in the base plane. The gas turbine component blank is thereafter shaped, preferably by grinding the sides of the root precursor of the gas turbine component blank.

Abstract: A turbine component such as a turbine blade is clamped into a fixture having a base upon which a remainder of the fixture is supported and a stop which limits the movement of the turbine component. The fixture further has two clamp arms affixed to the base and which controllably clamp against one pair of the pressure surfaces of the root to force the turbine component against the stop, which preferably is contacted by another pair of the pressure surfaces of the root. When the turbine component is clamped in this position, its root may be readily shaped as by grinding.

Abstract: An article includes a cylindrical object such as a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) and a support body having a keyed slot therethrough. The keyed slot has a cylindrical aperture elongated along an aperture axis and a slot extending radially from the cylindrical aperture. A sleeve is received in the keyed slot and includes an annular segment of a hollow cylinder received within the cylindrical aperture and having a first annular end and a second annular end, an inner annular diameter DI sized to slidingly receive the cylindrical object therein, and an outer annular diameter DO sized for the annular segment to fit snugly within the cylindrical aperture. The cylindrical object is received within the annular segment of the hollow cylinder. A first tab extends from the first annular end into the slot, and a second tab extends from the second annular end into the slot and contacts a side of the slot.