Abstract: Installation of an engine to a support structure includes temporarily attaching first and second alignment structures to the support structure and the engine. One of the alignment structures has a target pattern on its surface. The installation further includes using a machine vision system from the other of the mounting structures to indicate the relative position of the target pattern with respect to a reference. The relative position of the target pattern with respect to the reference provides information about relative position of an engine mounting element (e.g., bolt hole) with respect to a corresponding mounting element (e.g., bolt hole) in the support structure. The relative position of the target pattern with respect to the reference can be used to maneuver the engine in order to align the mounting elements.

Abstract: A system for machining semi-rigid curved panels includes a fixturing device within an enclosure cell, the cell having a sealable entrance and a sealable exit. A holding table, moveable through the sealable entrance between the inside and outside of the cell, is configured to receive unfinished semi-rigid curved panels. Another holding table, fixed outside of the cell, is configured to receive processed semi-rigid curved panels. A first robot inside the cell transports the semi-rigid curved panels from the first holding table and onto the fixturing device, later transporting the curved panels from the fixturing device onto the second holding table through the sealable exit. A second robot processes the semi-rigid curved panels on the fixturing device. A controller is configured to sequentially actuate first and second robots for transporting and processing the semi-rigid curved panels, and to manage a vacuum clamping system for workpiece retention on the fixturing device.

Abstract: An automated ply layup system uses a robot and an end effector for selecting plies from a kit and placing the plies at predetermined locations on a tool by further employing cameras for ply location detection, a laser scanner for detection and ply placement within a location on the tool, and compact sensors for compacting plies onto the tool.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a scissor lift comprising a passenger basket. The scissor lift also comprises a base that comprises wheels. The scissor lift further comprises a scissor extension mechanism between the passenger basket and the base. The scissor extension mechanism is configured to raise the passenger basket in a first direction relative to the base and lower the passenger basket in a second direction, opposite the first direction, relative to the base. The scissor lift additionally comprises a through-beam sensor system co-movably coupled to the scissor extension mechanism. The through-beam sensor system moves in a third direction, perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, when the scissor extension mechanism raises the passenger basket and moves in a fourth direction, opposite the third direction, when the scissor extension mechanism lowers the passenger basket.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a scissor lift comprising a passenger basket. The scissor lift also comprises a base that comprises wheels. The scissor lift further comprises a scissor extension mechanism between the passenger basket and the base. The scissor extension mechanism is configured to raise the passenger basket in a first direction relative to the base and lower the passenger basket in a second direction, opposite the first direction, relative to the base. The scissor lift additionally comprises a through-beam sensor system co-movably coupled to the scissor extension mechanism. The through-beam sensor system moves in a third direction, perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, when the scissor extension mechanism raises the passenger basket and moves in a fourth direction, opposite the third direction, when the scissor extension mechanism lowers the passenger basket.

Abstract: A system for machining semi-rigid curved panels includes a fixturing device within an enclosure cell, the cell having a sealable entrance and a sealable exit. A holding table, moveable through the sealable entrance between the inside and outside of the cell, is configured to receive unfinished semi-rigid curved panels. Another holding table, fixed outside of the cell, is configured to receive processed semi-rigid curved panels. A first robot inside the cell transports the semi-rigid curved panels from the first holding table and onto the fixturing device, later transporting the curved panels from the fixturing device onto the second holding table through the sealable exit. A second robot processes the semi-rigid curved panels on the fixturing device. A controller is configured to sequentially actuate first and second robots for transporting and processing the semi-rigid curved panels, and to manage a vacuum clamping system for workpiece retention on the fixturing device.

Abstract: Installation of an engine to a support structure includes temporarily attaching first and second alignment structures to the support structure and the engine. One of the alignment structures has a target pattern on its surface. The installation further includes using a machine vision system from the other of the mounting structures to indicate the relative position of the target pattern with respect to a reference. The relative position of the target pattern with respect to the reference provides information about relative position of an engine mounting element (e.g., bolt hole) with respect to a corresponding mounting element (e.g., bolt hole) in the support structure. The relative position of the target pattern with respect to the reference can be used to maneuver the engine in order to align the mounting elements.

Abstract: Installation of an engine to a support structure includes temporarily attaching first and second alignment structures to the support structure and the engine. One of the alignment structures has a target pattern on its surface. The installation further includes using a machine vision system from the other of the mounting structures to indicate the relative position of the target pattern with respect to a reference. The relative position of the target pattern with respect to the reference provides information about relative position of an engine mounting element (e.g., bolt hole) with respect to a corresponding mounting element (e.g., bolt hole) in the support structure. The relative position of the target pattern with respect to the reference can be used to maneuver the engine in order to align the mounting elements.

Abstract: Disclosed is a collision avoidance method, controller, and system for a scissor lift. The scissor lift includes a passenger basket, a scissor extension mechanism, and a base with wheels. The collision avoidance system includes at least one of a basket proximity sensor sub-system that has proximity sensor elements disposed on the passenger basket. The collision avoidance system also includes a basket contact sensor sub-system that has impact sensor elements disposed within padded bumpers coupled to the passenger basket and a through-beam sensor sub-system mounted to the scissor extension mechanism. Still further, the collision avoidance system includes a wheel position transducer that is coupled to at least one of the wheels of the base.

Abstract: An automated ply layup system uses a robot and an end effector for selecting plies from a kit and placing the plies at predetermined locations on a tool.

Abstract: Installation of an engine to a support structure includes temporarily attaching first and second alignment structures to the support structure and the engine. One of the alignment structures has a target pattern on its surface. The installation further includes using a machine vision system from the other of the mounting structures to indicate the relative position of the target pattern with respect to a reference. The relative position of the target pattern with respect to the reference provides information about relative position of an engine mounting element (e.g., bolt hole) with respect to a corresponding mounting element (e.g., bolt hole) in the support structure. The relative position of the target pattern with respect to the reference can be used to maneuver the engine in order to align the mounting elements.