Abstract: A system is provided for manufacturing a component within a factory. The system may have an autonomous vehicle configured to transport the component to an area within an open space of the factory and to secure the component at the area during processing of a designated volume of the component. The system may also have a plurality of processing modules each configured to process a portion of the component less than a whole of the designated volume, and a controller in communication with the autonomous vehicle and the plurality of processing modules. The controller may be configured to coordinate operations of the plurality of processing modules according to a programmed process plan.

Abstract: A machining tool is provided having an insert that includes one or more interface surfaces configured to interact with a workpiece. The machining tool also has one or more distribution passages located within the insert. The one or more distribution passages are situated and sized to direct a fluid to the one or more interface surfaces while maintaining the fluid above a pressure at which the fluid exists in a supercritical state.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for measuring a feature of a component. The system may have a probe with a tip, and a sensing element configured to generate signals associated with a proximity of the tip to the feature. The system may also have an actuator configured to move the probe relative to the component, and a controller in communication with the sensing element and the actuator. The controller may be configured to generate a deviation report based on the signals, and to filter information from the deviation report according to wavelength into a plurality of deviation categories corresponding to specification requirements of the component. The plurality of deviation categories may include at least a waviness category. The controller may also be configured to determine a change to a process used to fabricate the component based on the information from the deviation report filtered into the waviness category.

Abstract: A system is provided for manufacturing a component within a factory. The system may have an autonomous vehicle configured to transport the component to an area within an open space of the factory and to secure the component at the area during processing of a designated volume of the component. The system may also have a plurality of processing modules each configured to process a portion of the component less than a whole of the designated volume, and a controller in communication with the autonomous vehicle and the plurality of processing modules. The controller may be configured to coordinate operations of the plurality of processing modules according to a programmed process plan.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for use in measuring a component. The system may have a probe configured to generate signals associated with a proximity to actual target points of the component, an actuator configured to move the probe relative to the component, and a controller in communication with the probe and the actuator. The controller may be configured to receive coordinates of intended form target points, to determine coordinates of the actual target points of the component relative to a component datum based on the signals, and to make a comparison of the coordinates of the intended form target points and the coordinates of the actual target points. The controller may also be configured to generate a deviation report based on the comparison, and to filter information from the deviation report according to wavelength into a plurality of deviation categories corresponding to component specification requirements of the component.

Abstract: A runout calibrator for use in measuring runout of a spindle of a machine tool using at least one hydrodynamic bearing includes a head assembly with a shaft adapted at a first end for mounting in a chuck of the machine tool and a head mounted to a second end of the shaft. The head has a reflective surface and at least one line of symmetry coincident with the centerline of the shaft. The runout calibrator also includes a sensor assembly with one or more optical sensors mounted orthogonal to each other for measuring a distance between each of the one or more sensors and the head.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for measuring internal cylinder pressure of a combustion chamber at least partially formed by a cylinder head. The system may include an emitter configured to generate and emit a wavelength of energy along a surface of the cylinder head, and a target inline with the emitter and configured to receive the wavelength of energy. The system may also include a controller in communication with the emitter and/or target. The controller may be configured to correlate a distortion of the wavelength of energy to the internal pressure.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for measuring internal cylinder pressure of a combustion chamber at least partially formed by a cylinder head. The system. may include an emitter configured to generate and emit a wavelength of energy along a surface of the cylinder head, and a target inline with the emitter and configured to receive the wavelength of energy. The system may also include a controller in communication with the emitter and/or target. The controller may be configured to correlate a distortion of the wavelength of energy to the internal pressure.

Abstract: A machining tool is provided having an insert that includes one or more interface surfaces configured to interact with a workpiece. The machining tool also has one or more distribution passages located within the insert. The one or more distribution passages are situated and sized to direct a fluid to the one or more interface surfaces while maintaining the fluid above a pressure at which the fluid exists in a supercritical state.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for measuring a feature of a component. The system may have a probe with a tip, and a sensing element configured to generate signals associated with a proximity of the tip to the feature. The system may also have an actuator configured to move the probe relative to the component, and a controller in communication with the sensing element and the actuator. The controller may be configured to generate a deviation report based on the signals, and to filter information from the deviation report according to wavelength into a plurality of deviation categories corresponding to specification requirements of the component. The plurality of deviation categories may include at least a waviness category. The controller may also be configured to determine a change to a process used to fabricate the component based on the information from the deviation report filtered into the waviness category.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for use in measuring a component. The system may have a probe configured to generate signals associated with a proximity to actual target points of the component, an actuator configured to move the probe relative to the component, and a controller in communication with the probe and the actuator. The controller may be configured to receive coordinates of intended form target points, to determine coordinates of the actual target points of the component relative to a component datum based on the signals, and to make a comparison of the coordinates of the intended form target points and the coordinates of the actual target points. The controller may also be configured to generate a deviation report based on the comparison, and to filter information from the deviation report according to wavelength into a plurality of deviation categories corresponding to component specification requirements of the component.

Abstract: A laser machining system for machining a workpiece is disclosed. The workpiece may have a primary surface and a secondary surface. The system may have a laser emitter configured to emit a laser beam. The system may also have a masking device having an absorbing portion formed from corundum. The absorbing portion may have a surface portion shaped to approximately correspond to a contour of an inner side of the primary surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: A machining tool is provided having an insert that includes one or more interface surfaces configured to interact with a workpiece. The machining tool also has one or more distribution passages located within the insert. The one or more distribution passages are situated and sized to direct a fluid to the one or more interface surfaces while maintaining the fluid above a pressure at which the fluid exists in a supercritical state.

Abstract: A electrical discharge machining apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus may have an electrode, an actuator configured to advance the electrode, and a power supply. The apparatus may also have a controller in communication with the actuator and the power supply. The controller may be configured to negatively charge the electrode, and regulate the actuator to advance the negatively charged electrode toward a positively charged workpiece, thereby initiating erosion of the positively charged workpiece. The controller may also be configured to positively charge the electrode and negatively charge the workpiece to erode the electrode to a desired condition after workpiece erosion has been initiated. The controller may also be configured to continue advancing the electrode toward the workpiece after the electrode has been eroded to the desired condition.

Abstract: A laser machining system for machining a workpiece is disclosed. The workpiece may have a primary surface and a secondary surface. The system may have a laser emitter configured to emit a laser beam. The system may also have a masking device having an absorbing portion formed from corundum. The absorbing portion may have a surface portion shaped to approximately correspond to a contour of an inner side of the primary surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: A electrical discharge machining apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus may have an electrode, an actuator configured to advance the electrode, and a power supply. The apparatus may also have a controller in communication with the actuator and the power supply. The controller may be configured to negatively charge the electrode, and regulate the actuator to advance the negatively charged electrode toward a positively charged workpiece, thereby initiating erosion of the positively charged workpiece. The controller may also be configured to positively charge the electrode and negatively charge the workpiece to erode the electrode to a desired condition after workpiece erosion has been initiated. The controller may also be configured to continue advancing the electrode toward the workpiece after the electrode has been eroded to the desired condition.