Abstract: A double eccentric positioning apparatus uses two equal offset eccentric bushings to accurately position a tool (such as a drill bushing) in two dimensions. Miniature servo motors and precise gearing control the rotation of each eccentric bushing, which controls the direction of the offset vectors. The offset vectors are used to determine the final position of the drill bushing. The desired rotation angles can be mathematically calculated based on desired position. The inner eccentric bushing is located concentric to the offset of the outer eccentric bushing. This allows any position, within a radius of two times the eccentric offset, to be achieved. The use of worm gearing on the eccentric bushings prevents back-driving of the servo motors, due to the lead angle of the worm gears, and the friction between the worm wheel and worm gear.

Abstract: Methods comprise (a) sequentially transferring, from a part supply structure to a part staging structure, a first predetermined selection of parts; (b) sequentially transferring, from the part staging structure to a first manufacturing kit holder, the first predetermined selection of parts to define a first kitted holder; (c) concurrently with (b), sequentially transferring, from the part supply structure to the part staging structure, a second predetermined selection of parts; and (d) subsequent to (b), sequentially transferring, from the part staging structure to a second manufacturing kit holder, the second predetermined selection of parts to define a second kitted holder. Systems comprise a part supply structure; a part staging structure; a first robotic transfer device; a plurality of manufacturing kit holders; a second robotic transfer device; and a holder positioning structure.

Abstract: Methods comprise (a) sequentially transferring, from a part supply structure to a part staging structure, a first predetermined selection of parts; (b) sequentially transferring, from the part staging structure to a first manufacturing kit holder, the first predetermined selection of parts to define a first kitted holder; (c) concurrently with (b), sequentially transferring, from the part supply structure to the part staging structure, a second predetermined selection of parts; and (d) subsequent to (b), sequentially transferring, from the part staging structure to a second manufacturing kit holder, the second predetermined selection of parts to define a second kitted holder. Systems comprise a part supply structure; a part staging structure; a first robotic transfer device; a plurality of manufacturing kit holders; a second robotic transfer device; and a holder positioning structure.

Abstract: A double eccentric positioning apparatus uses two equal offset eccentric bushings to accurately position a tool (such as a drill bushing) in two dimensions. Miniature servo motors and precise gearing control the rotation of each eccentric bushing, which controls the direction of the offset vectors. The offset vectors are used to determine the final position of the drill bushing. The desired rotation angles can be mathematically calculated based on desired position. The inner eccentric bushing is located concentric to the offset of the outer eccentric bushing. This allows any position, within a radius of two times the eccentric offset, to be achieved. The use of worm gearing on the eccentric bushings prevents back-driving of the servo motors, due to the lead angle of the worm gears, and the friction between the worm wheel and worm gear.

Abstract: A double eccentric positioning apparatus uses two equal offset eccentric bushings to accurately position a tool in two dimensions. Miniature servo motors and precise gearing control the rotation of each eccentric bushing, which controls the direction of the offset vectors. The offset vectors are used to determine the final position of the drill bushing. The desired rotation angles can be mathematically calculated based on desired position. The inner eccentric bushing is located concentric to the offset of the outer eccentric bushing. This allows any position, within a radius of two times the eccentric offset, to be achieved. The use of worm gearing on the eccentric bushings prevents back-driving of the servo motors, due to the lead angle of the worm gears, and the friction between the worm wheel and worm gear.

Abstract: A method for determining characteristics of a shim fittable between first and second bodies, comprising: (a) placing optical targets in respective sets of holes in the first and second bodies; (b) scanning respective surfaces of the first and second bodies using a three-dimensional scanner to acquire point cloud scan data, measured hole vector data and other discrete feature data; (c) processing the point cloud scan data, measured hole vector data and other discrete feature data to derive first deviation values representing the deviation of the surface of the first body from a nominal surface of the first body and second deviation values representing the deviation of the surface of the second body from a nominal surface of the second body; (d) correlating the first deviation values with the second deviation values based on a best fit position of the first body relative to the second body; and (e) computing shim gap values based on the correlated first and second deviation values.

Abstract: A method for determining characteristics of a shim fittable between first and second bodies, comprising: (a) placing optical targets in respective sets of holes in the first and second bodies; (b) scanning respective surfaces of the first and second bodies using a three-dimensional scanner to acquire point cloud scan data, measured hole vector data and other discrete feature data; (c) processing the point cloud scan data, measured hole vector data and other discrete feature data to derive first deviation values representing the deviation of the surface of the first body from a nominal surface of the first body and second deviation values representing the deviation of the surface of the second body from a nominal surface of the second body; (d) correlating the first deviation values with the second deviation values based on a best fit position of the first body relative to the second body; and (e) computing shim gap values based on the correlated first and second deviation values.

Abstract: A method for determining characteristics of a shim fittable between first and second bodies, comprising: (a) placing optical targets in respective sets of holes in the first and second bodies; (b) scanning respective surfaces of the first and second bodies using a three-dimensional scanner to acquire point cloud scan data, measured hole vector data and other discrete feature data; (c) processing the point cloud scan data, measured hole vector data and other discrete feature data to derive first deviation values representing the deviation of the surface of the first body from a nominal surface of the first body and second deviation values representing the deviation of the surface of the second body from a nominal surface of the second body; (d) correlating the first deviation values with the second deviation values based on a best fit position of the first body relative to the second body; and (e) computing shim gap values based on the correlated first and second deviation values.