Abstract: A system and method for machining an elongate workpiece in a plurality of work cells are provided. The work cells are positioned along a substantially linear process flow path so that the work operations can be performed on different lengthwise portions of the workpiece simultaneously. A transport system advances the workpiece from an infeed system along the process flow path, thereby moving the lengthwise portions of the workpiece successively through the work cells. The transport system includes a plurality of pallets that can be engaged to the workpiece so that the workpiece is supported by the pallets throughout at least part of the machining system.

Abstract: A system and method for machining an elongate workpiece in a plurality of work cells are provided. The work cells are positioned along a substantially linear process flow path so that the work operations can be performed on different lengthwise portions of the workpiece simultaneously. A transport system advances the workpiece from an infeed system along the process flow path, thereby moving the lengthwise portions of the workpiece successively through the work cells. The transport system includes a plurality of pallets that can be engaged to the workpiece so that the workpiece is supported by the pallets throughout at least part of the machining system.

Abstract: A hybrid composite structure is formed from layers of gore strips (12), polymeric matrix composite (71) comprising a resin impregnated slit tape or tow, and a central honeycomb layer formed from a plurality of rectangular sections (72). The first two steps include forming a plurality of the gore strips and providing a mold, or lay-up mandrel (10). Thereafter, a first set of gore strips is applied to the lay-up mandrel to form a first gore strip layer. Subsequently, the composite material in form of resin impregnated slit tape or tow is applied to the first gore strip layer to form a first composite material layer. Next, a second set of gore strips is applied to the first layer of polymeric matrix composite, opposite the first gore strip layer, to form at least one other gore strip layer. This creates a first sandwich structure having gore strips as the first and last layers of the structure. Thereafter, the layer of honeycomb material is applied to the last layer of the first sandwich structure.

Abstract: A system for automatically manufacturing shims for use between the structural components of an airframe is disclosed. The system includes: a calibration system (53) for evaluating the accuracy of the measurements made by shim gap probes (87) and producing related calibration coefficients; one or more data acquisition units (55) for measuring shim gaps (41) using calibrated shim gap probes (87); a cell controller (57) for producing machine tool numerical control instructions based on shim gap probe measurements; and, one or more numerically controlled machine tools (59) for manufacturing shims based on said numerical control instructions.

Abstract: A probe for use in determining the thickness of an interface gap between two parts is disclosed. The probe includes a wave spring (13) formed in one end of a thin, flat, elongate piece of resilient steel (11). The wave spring (13) includes three sinusoidal waves having a peak-to-peak separation that is greater than the maximum thickness of the gaps to be measured. Mounted on the wave spring (13), at the bottom of the concave depression (-) formed by each of the sinusoids are strain sensors (43a-d or 61a, b) positioned to sense the radial and circumferential strain applied to the wave spring (13) when the wave spring is positioned in a gap such that the wave spring sinusoids are compressed. Two or four strain sensors may be used to create a half or a full strain gauge bridge at the bottom of each concave depression. In the case of the half strain bridge arrangement, the remaining legs of the bridge are formed by "dummy" resistors located in a controlled environment remote from the wave spring.

Abstract: A saw tooth insert, for securing to a saw plate, comprises a front cutting surface containing two adjacent grooves extending for substantially the entire height of the cutting face and substantially radially outward from the rotational axis of the saw plate. The lower portions of the grooves end on opposite sides of the saw plate and the upper portions of the grooves form a central cutting edge between them and external cutting edges on each side of the cutting face where the grooves meet the side surfaces of the insert.