Abstract: A system to adjust extension lengths of slats of a work platform relative to a workpiece includes sensors to collect first data associated with a position of an outer surface of the workpiece at a height of the slats. The system includes actuators configured to extend or retract the slats. The system also includes a controller coupled to the sensors and to the actuators. The controller is configured to receive the first data and second data associated with rotation of the workpiece. The controller is configured to provide signals to the actuators of the work platform based on the first data and the second data. The signals cause the actuators to adjust or maintain extension lengths of the slats of the work platform to maintain separation distances between ends of the slats and the outer surface of the workpiece within a separation distance range as the workpiece rotates.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for splicing airframe components. One embodiment is a method for assembling an airframe of an aircraft. The method includes forming a first skin of a first circumferential section of fuselage, the first skin including a distal portion comprising a lip and a shoulder, aligning a second skin of a second circumferential section of fuselage with the shoulder such that the lip overlaps the second skin, and affixing the first skin and the second skin together via a circumferential splice.

Abstract: A method of cutting an uncured composite material is presented. The uncured composite material is positioned onto a surface of a tool and over a groove in the surface, the groove having a groove filler and magnetic material within the groove. A cutter having a guide is positioned relative to the uncured composite material, the guide configured to detect the magnetic material. The uncured composite material is cut above the groove using the cutter as the cutter moves along a path defined by the groove, the cutter guided by the guide detecting the magnetic material in the groove.

Abstract: A method of cutting an uncured composite material is presented. The uncured composite material is positioned onto a surface of a tool and over a groove in the surface, the groove having a groove filler and magnetic material within the groove. A cutter having a guide is positioned relative to the uncured composite material, the guide configured to detect the magnetic material. The uncured composite material is cut above the groove using the cutter as the cutter moves along a path defined by the groove, the cutter guided by the guide detecting the magnetic material in the groove.

Abstract: A system to adjust extension lengths of slats of a work platform relative to a workpiece includes sensors to collect first data associated with a position of an outer surface of the workpiece at a height of the slats. The system includes actuators configured to extend or retract the slats. The system also includes a controller coupled to the sensors and to the actuators. The controller is configured to receive the first data and second data associated with rotation of the workpiece. The controller is configured to provide signals to the actuators of the work platform based on the first data and the second data. The signals cause the actuators to adjust or maintain extension lengths of the slats of the work platform to maintain separation distances between ends of the slats and the outer surface of the workpiece within a separation distance range as the workpiece rotates.

Abstract: A carrier film set configured to apply a number of stiffener assemblies to a layup mandrel, the carrier film set comprising: a number of alignment features configured to align the carrier film set relative to the layup mandrel; and a number of indexing features configured to index the number of stiffener assemblies onto the carrier film set.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for splicing airframe components. One embodiment is a method for assembling an airframe of an aircraft. The method includes forming a first skin of a first circumferential section of fuselage, the first skin including a distal portion comprising a lip and a shoulder, aligning a second skin of a second circumferential section of fuselage with the shoulder such that the lip overlaps the second skin, and affixing the first skin and the second skin together via a circumferential splice.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a composite structure is presented. The method comprises laying up a plurality of composite plies over a layup mandrel; positioning a first caul plate and a second caul plate over the plurality of composite plies, leaving composite material exposed; removing at least part of the composite material exposed between the first caul plate and the second caul plate to separate a first composite section from a second composite section; curing the first composite section and the second composite section to form a first composite part and a second composite part; and removing the first composite part and the second composite part from the layup mandrel immediately following curing.

Abstract: A carrier film set configured to apply a number of stiffener assemblies to a layup mandrel, the carrier film set comprising: a number of alignment features configured to align the carrier film set relative to the layup mandrel; and a number of indexing features configured to index the number of stiffener assemblies onto the carrier film set.

Abstract: A method is presented. A machine head is positioned in a desired location relative to a material on a tool using a sensor connected to the machine head and calibrated to detect magnetic material in the tool. An operation is performed on the material using the machine head starting at the desired location.

Abstract: A shelf assembly includes a first shelf unit having a first shelf coupleable to a first vertical support post and a second vertical support post to present a first support surface. A second shelf unit includes a second shelf coupleable to a third vertical support post and a fourth vertical support post to present a second support surface. A third shelf unit includes a third shelf coupleable to a fifth vertical support post and a sixth vertical support post to present a third support surface. A first bridge includes a first support surface and a second bridge includes a second support surface. The first bridge and the second bridge are configured such that in an assembled state of the shelving system a support surface spans an arc of 90 degrees between the first shelf and the second shelf.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a composite structure is presented. The method comprises laying up a plurality of composite plies over a layup mandrel; positioning a first caul plate and a second caul plate over the plurality of composite plies, leaving composite material exposed; removing at least part of the composite material exposed between the first caul plate and the second caul plate to separate a first composite section from a second composite section; curing the first composite section and the second composite section to form a first composite part and a second composite part; and removing the first composite part and the second composite part from the layup mandrel immediately following curing.

Abstract: A cabinet system includes a frame at least partially defined by a plurality of vertical legs and a shelf defining a first plane and supported by the plurality of vertical legs. The vertical legs extend transverse to the first plane. A countertop is supported by the plurality of vertical legs. A body panel is coupled to the frame and has a plurality of apertures. A door is coupled to the frame and operable to selectively provide access to the shelf. The door has a plurality of apertures. Posts are coupled to the frame and extend transverse to the first plane. Each post of the plurality of posts is configured to extend through (i) an associated aperture of the plurality of apertures in the body panel to couple the body panel to the frame or through (ii) an associated aperture of the plurality of apertures in the door to couple the door to the frame.

Abstract: A shelf assembly includes a first shelf unit having a first shelf coupleable to a first vertical support post and a second vertical support post to present a first support surface. A second shelf unit includes a second shelf coupleable to a third vertical support post and a fourth vertical support post to present a second support surface. A third shelf unit includes a third shelf coupleable to a fifth vertical support post and a sixth vertical support post to present a third support surface. A first bridge includes a first support surface and a second bridge includes a second support surface. The first bridge and the second bridge are configured such that in an assembled state of the shelving system a support surface spans an arc of 90 degrees between the first shelf and the second shelf.

Abstract: A cabinet system includes a frame at least partially defined by a plurality of vertical legs and a shelf defining a first plane and supported by the plurality of vertical legs. The vertical legs extend transverse to the first plane. A countertop is supported by the plurality of vertical legs. A body panel is coupled to the frame and has a plurality of apertures. A door is coupled to the frame and operable to selectively provide access to the shelf. The door has a plurality of apertures. Posts are coupled to the frame and extend transverse to the first plane. Each post of the plurality of posts is configured to extend through (i) an associated aperture of the plurality of apertures in the body panel to couple the body panel to the frame or through (ii) an associated aperture of the plurality of apertures in the door to couple the door to the frame.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for dynamically altering the shape of a forming tool for a composite part during forming. An exemplary forming tool includes a main body that holds a first portion of a multi-layer laminate, and a platform that holds a second portion of the laminate aligned with the first portion. The forming tool also includes a biasing device that repositions the second portion with respect to the first portion during forming of the laminate, causing shear stresses between the layers of the laminate.

Abstract: A method is presented. A machine head is positioned in a desired location relative to a material on a tool using a sensor connected to the machine head and calibrated to detect magnetic material in the tool. An operation is performed on the material using the machine head starting at the desired location.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for dynamically altering the shape of a forming tool for a composite part during forming. An exemplary forming tool includes a main body that holds a first portion of a multi-layer laminate, and a platform that holds a second portion of the laminate aligned with the first portion. The forming tool also includes a biasing device that repositions the second portion with respect to the first portion during forming of the laminate, causing shear stresses between the layers of the laminate.

Abstract: A reverse scissor tool can be used for cleaning and filling resealable plastic bags. The reverse scissor tool comprises a first handle mechanically coupled to a first body. The first handle is mechanically coupled to a second handle by a hinge. The second handle is further mechanically coupled to a second body. The first body is mechanically coupled to a first wing. The second body is mechanically coupled to a second wing. The reverse scissor tool can be inserted into a bag that has been turned inside out, and then gently expand the bag to expose all inside edges, corners, and seams for a thorough and complete cleaning.

Abstract: A method for enabling direct addressing of specific wsdl and/or xsd files within a web services application containing multipart files with relative imports. A virtual addressing scheme allows the files to be identified within a virtual/wsdl/directory that is appended to the endpoint URL. The desired filename is then placed after the virtual directory. When the web container of the web service application receives the endpoint request with the virtual directory, the container recognizes it as a file request and locates the requested file within the endpoint path (or sub-directory within the path). The file is then returned to the requestor along with the SOAP address.