Abstract: A method of supporting an item in a mounting apparatus includes providing an item having first, second, and third members that are at least partially-spherical. The method additionally includes supporting the first member with a first mount configured to constrain the first member against movement along three mutually-orthogonal directions. The method also includes supporting the second member with a second mount configured to constrain the second member against movement along exactly two of the directions, and supporting the third member with a third mount configured to constrain the third member against movement along exactly one of the directions.

Abstract: A calibration system for a three-dimensional measurement system having a calibration standard assembly positioned in a large scale three-dimensional volumetric area. The calibration standard assembly has a stable base portion and a plurality of structural members disposed on the stable base portion. The calibration standard assembly has a plurality of target position nests coupled to the plurality of structural members. Each target position nest has a known three-dimensional location determined with a coordinate measuring device and a plurality of retroreflective targets. The calibration standard assembly has a plurality of calibration targets each having a same diameter as a diameter of each of the retroreflective targets. The calibration system has a three-dimensional measurement system for measuring locations of the plurality of calibration targets.

Abstract: A system and method for configuring an electronic device is disclosed. A location identifier module comprising a location identifier is positioned at a location, and the electronic device is positioned at the location. The electronic device is configured based on the location identifier.

Abstract: A method of supporting an item in a mounting apparatus includes providing an item having first, second, and third members that are at least partially-spherical. The method additionally includes supporting the first member with a first mount configured to constrain the first member against movement along three mutually-orthogonal directions. The method also includes supporting the second member with a second mount configured to constrain the second member against movement along exactly two of the directions, and supporting the third member with a third mount configured to constrain the third member against movement along exactly one of the directions.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus for repeatable positioning of an item may include a first mount, a second mount, and a third mount. The first mount may be configured to receive a first member coupled to the item wherein the first mount may constrain the first member against movement along three mutually-orthogonal directions. The second mount may be configured to receive a second member coupled to the item and constrain the second member against movement along two of the directions. The third mount may be configured to receive a third member coupled to the item and constrain the third member against movement along one of the directions. The first, second, and third member may be at least partially-spherical and may be engaged to the respective first, second, and third mount.

Abstract: There is provided a counter-torque control assembly for mounting to a tail boom of a rotorcraft where the rotorcraft has a single main rotor, no tail rotor, and no tail fin. The assembly has an air intake chamber with at least a first opening for receiving an air flow stream and a vane assembly housed within the air intake chamber. The vane assembly has at least two vane elements capable of counter-rotation in the air flow stream. The assembly further has one or more microjet propulsion devices coupled to a second end of the air intake chamber. The one or more microjet propulsion devices draw the air flow stream over the vane elements to generate a counter-torque force to counter a torque from the single main rotor.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for calibrating a laser projection system. The apparatus has a structural frame assembly extending along three mutually orthogonal axes. The apparatus further has a plurality of non-movable reflective targets disposed on the structural frame assembly. The apparatus further has at least three positioning stages coupled to the structural frame assembly respectively about each of the three mutually orthogonal axes. At least one movable reflective target is disposed on each positioning stage. The non-movable reflective targets and the at least one movable reflective target are each configured to reflect a laser beam from a laser projection system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a programmable component may be present. A location on an object may be identified using a programming unit based on a position of the programming unit with respect to the object. Programming information for the programmable component may be identified based on the location on the object. The programmable component may be programmed using the programming information for the programmable component.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus for repeatable positioning of an item may include a first mount, a second mount, and a third mount. The first mount may be configured to receive a first member coupled to the item wherein the first mount may constrain the first member against movement along three mutually-orthogonal directions. The second mount may be configured to receive a second member coupled to the item and constrain the second member against movement along two of the directions. The third mount may be configured to receive a third member coupled to the item and constrain the third member against movement along one of the directions. The first, second, and third member may be at least partially-spherical and may be engaged to the respective first, second, and third mount.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for calibrating a laser projection system. The apparatus has a structural frame assembly extending along three mutually orthogonal axes. The apparatus further has a plurality of non-movable reflective targets disposed on the structural frame assembly. The apparatus further has at least three positioning stages coupled to the structural frame assembly respectively about each of the three mutually orthogonal axes. At least one movable reflective target is disposed on each positioning stage. The non-movable reflective targets and the at least one movable reflective target are each configured to reflect a laser beam from a laser projection system.

Abstract: There is provided a counter-torque control assembly for mounting to a tail boom of a rotorcraft where the rotorcraft has a single main rotor, no tail rotor, and no tail fin. The assembly has an air intake chamber with at least a first opening for receiving an air flow stream and a vane assembly housed within the air intake chamber. The vane assembly has at least two vane elements capable of counter-rotation in the air flow stream. The assembly further has one or more microjet propulsion devices coupled to a second end of the air intake chamber. The one or more microjet propulsion devices draw the air flow stream over the vane elements to generate a counter-torque force to counter a torque from the single main rotor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a programmable component may be present. A location on an object may be identified using a programming unit based on a position of the programming unit with respect to the object. Programming information for the programmable component may be identified based on the location on the object. The programmable component may be programmed using the programming information for the programmable component.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making measurements. Images of an object are generated. A plurality of coordinates for a plurality of points on a surface of the object is identified from the images using a number of reference points in the images. A first portion of the plurality of points on the object is visible on the object in the images. A second portion of the plurality of points on the object is visible on a number of mirror units in the images.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making measurements. Images of an object are generated. A plurality of coordinates for a plurality of points on a surface of the object is identified from the images using a number of reference points in the images. A first portion of the plurality of points on the object is visible on the object in the images. A second portion of the plurality of points on the object is visible on a number of mirror units in the images.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for calibrating a laser projection system that is used for marking and guidance of components during manufacturing are disclosed. The apparatus includes a structural frame. One or more positioning stages are coupled to the structural frame. Each of the positioning stages is provided with a movable reflective target that is configured to reflect a corresponding laser beam.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer usable program product for calibrating rivet height gages. In one embodiment, the process calculates a size of sphere required to create a sphere-based ring gage to simulate a contact point between a rivet height gage and a sharp edge of a specified sharp-edged ring gage. The process identifies an expected protrusion height from a top of the rivet height gage to a reference surface formed by tops of a set of spheres of the size of sphere required to simulate the contact point.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for calibrating a laser projection system that is used for marking and guidance of components during manufacturing are disclosed. The apparatus includes a structural frame. One or more positioning stages are coupled to the structural frame. Each of the positioning stages is provided with a movable reflective target that is configured to reflect a corresponding laser beam.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer usable program product for calibrating rivet height gages. In one embodiment, the process calculates a size of sphere required to create a sphere-based ring gage to simulate a contact point between a rivet height gage and a sharp edge of a specified sharp-edged ring gage. The process identifies an expected protrusion height from a top of the rivet height gage to a reference surface formed by tops of a set of spheres of the size of sphere required to simulate the contact point.

Abstract: An apparatus for calibrating a laser projection device can be used to establish the deviation of known measurement points from an approved digital model or reference condition. The apparatus includes a target having a reflective portion and a mask surrounding the reflective portion. The mask includes a material that changes appearance when excited by a laser. This target eliminates or minimizes user subjectivity in laser projection calibration.

Abstract: A system for certifying laser projection beam accuracy includes a certification fixture having a test pattern and a color background. The certification fixture is configured so that any portion of the laser projection beam reflected from the color background is reflected with a color contrasting to that of the laser beam or of the test pattern. Contrast can be further enhanced by making the pattern of a material that absorbs the laser beam color. Failure of the test is indicated by the presence of any of the laser beam light reflecting from the background. Passage of the test is indicated by the laser beam striking only the test pattern. A functional test pattern tests for both laser beam width and positioning accuracy. A method is provided to use a calibration test pattern to test laser beam width and length projection accuracy independently of one another.