Abstract: A composite assembly that includes one or more panels and integral stiffeners. The composite assembly is formed from multiple composite plies that form the one or more panels and stiffeners. The construction process uses multiple tool segments that each replicate a section of the composite assembly. Composite plies are positioned on each tool segment and then the tool segments and their composite plies are placed together. Sections of the plies that extend along the faces of the tool segments form the panel. Sections of the composite plies that extend along lateral sides of the tool segments form the stiffeners. Additional composite plies are layed up over the tool segments and composite plies to complete the process. The composite plies are then cured to form the finished composite assembly.

Abstract: Presently disclosed systems and methods provide for a quick-change clamp arm that may be coupled to and removed from a robot end effector via a quick-change feature coupled to the robot end effector. Systems may include a plurality of such quick-change clamp arms that each may be coupled to a given robot end effector such that when one is removed, a different respective quick-change clamp arm may be coupled to the robot end effector. The robot end effector may be configured to perform a task to one side of a workpiece, while the quick-change clamp arm applies a stabilizing normal force to the other side of the workpiece. Due to the interchangeable nature of presently disclosed quick-change clamp arms, systems may reduce the number of robot end effectors required for a given manufacturing process. Related methods of removing and coupling quick-change clamp arms to robot end effectors may be automated.

Abstract: Presently disclosed systems and methods provide for a quick-change clamp arm that may be coupled to and removed from a robot end effector via a quick-change feature coupled to the robot end effector. Systems may include a plurality of such quick-change clamp arms that each may be coupled to a given robot end effector such that when one is removed, a different respective quick-change clamp arm may be coupled to the robot end effector. The robot end effector may be configured to perform a task to one side of a workpiece, while the quick-change clamp arm applies a stabilizing normal force to the other side of the workpiece. Due to the interchangeable nature of presently disclosed quick-change clamp arms, systems may reduce the number of robot end effectors required for a given manufacturing process. Related methods of removing and coupling quick-change clamp arms to robot end effectors may be automated.