Abstract: A production system for manufacturing a workpiece comprises an index system including a plurality of index devices removably mounted on the workpiece at known longitudinally spaced locations therealong, and a longitudinally extending index member releasably engaged with at least two of the index devices such that a position and orientation of the index member are fixed relative to the workpiece by the index devices, the index member having position-indicating features distributed therealong. The production system further comprises a machine module mounted for longitudinal movement along the index member and operable to perform an operation, the machine module being operable to detect the position-indicating features on the index member and thereby determine a position of the machine module relative to the workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling a plurality of tubes is disclosed. The apparatus includes a positioning device that directs a tube from a hopper to a labeler where a label is applied to the tube. The positioning device further directs the tube to one of a plurality of filling stations where a continuous flow of filling material is dispensed into the tube. The tube is then directed to a capping device where a cap is applied to an end of the tube.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for designing and administering self-funded survivor benefit plans is disclosed. The system includes a specific purpose computer programmed with several computer software modules that enable the system to carry out the method disclosed. The system also includes at least one investment vehicle, such as a trust fund, that holds the employer/employee contributions to the plan, manages the investments of the plan and may also purchase and manage insurance contracts on certain high-risk and other employees to limit the liability and tax exposure of the plan. The computer software modules include a data import module for importing employer/employee data into a database that is also part of the system, a benefit plan design and costing module for modeling and optimizing the survivor benefit plan, an enrollment and administration module to manage the ongoing operation of the plan, and several other ancillary modules.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for designing and administering self-funded survivor benefit plans is disclosed. The system includes a specific purpose computer programmed with several computer software modules that enable the system to carry out the method disclosed. The system also includes at least one investment vehicle, such as a trust fund, that holds the employer/employee contributions to the plan, manages the investments of the plan and may also purchase and manage insurance contracts on certain high-risk and other employees to limit the liability and tax exposure of the plan. The computer software modules include a data import module for importing employer/employee data into a database that is also part of the system, a benefit plan design and costing module for modeling and optimizing the survivor benefit plan, an enrollment and administration module to manage the ongoing operation of the plan, and several other ancillary modules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pressure foot that applies a clamping pressure to an area undergoing drilling or fastening operations on a joint formed by a first panel and a second panel. The pressure foot includes a front clamp for pressing against a front side of the area undergoing the drilling or fastening operations, and a carriage for moving the front clamp along a length and width of the joint formed by the first panel and the second panel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tool position detection assembly that aligns a tool relative to a feature within a lap joint of a first panel and a second panel. The detection assembly includes an indexing device engageable to the feature. The indexing device includes a reflecting member having a width. The assembly also includes an end-effector movable along at least one axis parallel to the lap joint for positioning the tool. The end-effector has a dual laser device for detecting when the device is aligned with the reflecting member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to vacuum fastened guide that supports and facilitates movements of a machining device along at least one component to be operated upon. The guide includes a primary rail that is vacuum coupled to the component. The primary rail includes a primary tube portion for slideable engagement with the machining device, and a primary contact platform coupled to the primary tube portion for forming a vacuum between the primary rail and the component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bucking bar that upsets a shank of a rivet. The bucking bar includes an L-shaped bucking die having a wide section and a thin angular section capable of sliding between an obstacle and the shank. The L-shaped bucking bar consists of Tungsten Carbide. The bucking bar also includes a bucking bar arm coupled to the wide section of the L-shaped bucking die for positioning the thin angular section of the bucking die between the obstacle and the shank of the rivet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bucking bar assembly that positions a bucking bar for clamping a first panel and a second panel along a lap joint and upsets a rivet to fasten the first panel to the second panel at the lap joint. The assembly includes a lateral carriage system for moving the bucking bar along a length of the lap joint, and a rotational carriage system for rotating the bucking bar relative to the lateral carriage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable process for automated fastening of aircraft structures. The invention will employ two primary elements for locating and installing through-the-skin fasteners. Inside and outside units are attached onto an airframe and indexed to each other through coordination holes that have been pre-drilled through the structure. The aircraft structure is assembled with the pre-drilled coordination holes by aligning adjacent airframe parts and inserting alignment pins. The alignment pins will provide a degree of clamping to pull the parts together and provide indexing for inside and outside vacuum attachment track systems. The invention is equipped to traverse along the track system, accurately position itself, and drill only or countersink a hole, insert a fastener, and fasten, i.e., upset a rivet, or run down a threaded nut, then reposition itself to the next fastener location and repeat the process.

Abstract: A process for bending a thermoplastic skinned honeycomb core panel includes clamping a planar portion of the panel between upper and lower platens to hold the panel against movement parallel to the plane of the planar portion. A linear band of a face sheet on one side of the panel is heated with a heater bar to soften resin in the face sheet and disbond adhesive holding the face sheet to the honeycomb core. The heater bar is lifted away from the face sheet, forming the linear band into a bubble separated away from the honeycomb core. A distal leg of the panel, outboard of the clamped portion, is bent around a heated anvil along an axis parallel to the linear band to form a bend having an inside radius, with the bubble coinciding with the inside radius. The bubble collapses around the inside radius and forms an overlapping flap of face sheet material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protrusion sensor that determines the acceptability of a rivet within a component. The sensor includes a baseline detector which remains stationary, a movable detector which moves with a bucking bar module and produces a first signal proportionate to a distance between the baseline detector and the movable detector, and a CPU electronically connected to the movable detector and receiving the first signal.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for designing and administering self-funded survivor benefit plans is disclosed. The system includes a specific purpose computer programmed with several computer software modules that enable the system to carry out the method disclosed. The system also includes at least one investment vehicle, such as a trust fund, that holds the employer/employee contributions to the plan, manages the investments of the plan and may also purchase and manage insurance contracts on certain high-risk and other employees to limit the liability and tax exposure of the plan. The computer software modules include a data import module for importing employer/employee data into a database that is also part of the system, a benefit plan design and costing module for modeling and optimizing the survivor benefit plan, an enrollment and administration module to manage the ongoing operation of the plan, and several other ancillary modules.

Abstract: An automated hole inspection system for measuring, on a plurality of planes, the diameter of a hole in a workpiece includes a hole gauge for measurement of a hole diameter in one plane, and a remote centering compliance device connected to the proximal end of the probe for allowing the probe to move laterally, perpendicularly to the probe axis, to self-center in the hole. A center locking device locks the remote centering compliance device on the axis of the probe after the probe has self-centered in the hole. A rotary actuator rotates the remote centering compliance device to rotate the probe to a new desired plane for making an additional diameter measurement in the hole.

Abstract: An automated assembly machine for fabricating large mechanical structures including a floor assembly jig for receiving and holding parts in a desired orientation, a pair of carriages, a first drive mechanism for independently driving the carriages longitudinally, a second drive mechanism for moving the carriages vertically, a tool tray mounted on the carriages, and a plurality of tools, including a drill, a hole diameter measurement probe, a nut runner, and an electromagnetic riveter, mounted on the tool tray for lateral movement toward and away from a workpiece clamp-up position. The tools are positioned at the workpiece clamp-up position by moving one of the carriages longitudinally along the floor assembly jig and raising the other carriage to elevate the tool tray to a desired elevation.