Abstract: A method of producing a shim for use in an aircraft, the method comprising: providing an aircraft airframe; measuring a surface of the airframe; creating a digital model of the airframe using those measurements; providing an aircraft skin; measuring a surface of the aircraft skin; creating a digital model of the aircraft skin using those measurements; digitally assembling the digital model of the airframe with the digital model of the aircraft skin; using the digitally assembled models, creating a digital model of a shim, the digital model of the shim substantially filling a gap between the digitally assembled digital models of the airframe and the skin; and producing a physical shim using the digital model of the shim.

Abstract: A method of producing a component part (202, 204) of an aircraft airframe (200), the method comprising: providing a first digital model, the first digital model being a digital model of the component part (202, 204); producing an initial physical part using the first digital model; measuring a surface of the initial physical part; creating a second digital model using the measurements of the surface of the initial physical part, the second digital model being a digital model of the initial physical part; specifying one or more fastener holes (606) in the second digital model; and drilling one or more fastener holes (606) in the initial physical part using the second digital model with the one or more fastener holes specified therein, thereby producing the component part (202, 204) of an aircraft airframe (200).

Abstract: An assembly method comprising: providing a digital model of an aircraft airframe (200), the digital model comprising digital models of component parts (202, 204) of the airframe (200); providing the component parts (202, 204), each comprising one or more predrilled fastener holes; fixing a first component part (202a) to a support structure (1102); fixing a second component part (204a) to an end effector (1112) of a robot arm (1110); using the airframe digital model, controlling the robot arm (1110) to move the second component part (204a) relative to the first component (202a) as specified in the airframe digital model to cause one or more predrilled holes in the second component (204a) part to align with one or more predrilled holes in the first component part (202a); and attaching the second component part (204a) to the first component part (202a) using fasteners through the aligned predrilled holes.

Abstract: A method of producing a shim for use in an aircraft airframe (200) comprising: providing a plurality of component parts (202, 204) of the aircraft airframe (200); measuring a surface of each of the component parts (202, 204) and creating a digital models of the component part (202, 204) therefrom; digitally assembling together the digital models of the component parts (202, 204) thereby to produce a digital model (600) of at least part of the aircraft airframe (200); using that digital model (600), creating a digital model of a shim (604), the digital model of the shim (604) filling a gap between at least two digital models of component parts (202, 204) in the digital model (600) of at least part of the aircraft airframe (200); and producing a physical shim using the digital model of the shim (604).

Abstract: A method of producing a shim for use in an aircraft airframe (200) comprising: providing a plurality of component parts (202, 204) of the aircraft airframe (200); measuring a surface of each of the component parts (202, 204) and creating a digital models of the component part (202, 204) therefrom; digitally assembling together the digital models of the component parts (202, 204) thereby to produce a digital model (600) of at least part of the aircraft airframe (200); using that digital model (600), creating a digital model of a shim (604), the digital model of the shim (604) filling a gap between at least two digital models of component parts (202, 204) in the digital model (600) of at least part of the aircraft airframe (200); and producing a physical shim using the digital model of the shim (604).

Abstract: A method of producing a component part (202, 204) of an aircraft airframe (200), the method comprising: providing a first digital model, the first digital model being a digital model of the component part (202, 204); producing an initial physical part using the first digital model; measuring a surface of the initial physical part; creating a second digital model using the measurements of the surface of the initial physical part, the second digital model being a digital model of the initial physical part; specifying one or more fastener holes (606) in the second digital model; and drilling one or more fastener holes (606) in the initial physical part using the second digital model with the one or more fastener holes specified therein, thereby producing the component part (202, 204) of an aircraft airframe (200).

Abstract: An assembly method comprising: providing a digital model of an aircraft airframe (200), the digital model comprising digital models of component parts (202, 204) of the airframe (200); providing the component parts (202, 204), each comprising one or more predrilled fastener holes; fixing a first component part (202a) to a support structure (1102); fixing a second component part (204a) to an end effector (1112) of a robot arm (1110); using the airframe digital model, controlling the robot arm (1110) to move the second component part (204a) relative to the first component (202a) as specified in the airframe digital model to cause one or more predrilled holes in the second component (204a) part to align with one or more predrilled holes in the first component part (202a); and attaching the second component part (204a) to the first component part (202a) using fasteners through the aligned predrilled holes.

Abstract: A method of producing a shim (1500) for use in an aircraft, the method comprising: providing an aircraft airframe (200); measuring a surface of the airframe (200); creating a digital model of the airframe (200) using those measurements; providing an aircraft skin (1506); measuring a surface of the aircraft skin (1506); creating a digital model of the aircraft skin (1506) using those measurements; digitally assembling the digital model of the airframe (200) with the digital model of the aircraft skin (1506); using the digitally assembled models, creating a digital model of a shim (1500), the digital model of the shim (1500) substantially filling a gap between the digitally assembled digital models of the airframe (200) and the skin (1506); and producing a physical shim (1500) using the digital model of the shim(1500).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for machining a workpiece (2). The method comprises specifying a path along which a cutting tool (6) is moved during machining the workpiece (2), the path comprising segments (26); defining, for each segment (26), an exit point on that segment (26); defining, for each segment (26), an exit path (38) from the exit point of that segment (26) to a point remote from the workpiece (2); performing a machining process including moving the cutting tool (6) along the tool path and machining the workpiece (2); and, during the machining process, when one or more criteria are satisfied: interrupting the machining process and, without machining the workpiece (2), moving the cutting tool (6) to the exit point of the current segment (26) and then along the exit path (38) of the current segment (26).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for determining a depth of a feature (4) formed in an object (2), the feature (4) having been formed in the object (2) by a cutting tool (38). The apparatus comprises: a camera (42) configured to capture an image of the feature (4) and a portion of the object (2) proximate to the feature (4); and one or more processors operatively coupled to the camera (42) and configured to: detect, in the image, an edge (72) of the feature (4) between the feature (4) and a surface of the object (2); using the detected edge (72), calculate a diameter for a circle (74, 76, 78); acquire a point angle of the cutting tool (38); and, using the calculated diameter and the acquired point angle, calculate a depth value for the feature (4).

Abstract: Drilling apparatus and method, the apparatus comprising: a first robot (10); a first member (30) (e.g. a pressure foot) and a drilling tool (38) both coupled to the first robot (10); a second robot (12); and a second member (52) coupled to the second robot (12); wherein the apparatus is arranged to press the members (30, 52) against opposite sides of a part to be drilled (2, 100) (e.g. an aircraft panel) so as to hold the part (2, 100) and prevent deflection of at least a portion of the part (2, 100); and the first member (30) and the drilling tool (38) are arranged such that the drilling tool (38) may drill into the portion of the part (2, 100) of which deflection is opposed from the side of the part (2, 100) pressed against by the first member (30). The robots (10, 12) may be robotic arms.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for machining a workpiece (2). The method comprises specifying a path along which a cutting tool (6) is moved during machining the workpiece (2), the path comprising segments (26); defining, for each segment (26), an exit point on that segment (26); defining, for each segment (26), an exit path (38) from the exit point of that segment (26) to a point remote from the workpiece (2); performing a machining process including moving the cutting tool (6) along the tool path and machining the workpiece (2); and, during the machining process, when one or more criteria are satisfied: interrupting the machining process and, without machining the workpiece (2), moving the cutting tool (6) to the exit point of the current segment (26) and then along the exit path (38) of the current segment (26).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for determining a depth of a feature (4) formed in an object (2), the feature (4) having been formed in the object (2) by a cutting tool (38). The apparatus comprises: a camera (42) configured to capture an image of the feature (4) and a portion of the object (2) proximate to the feature (4); and one or more processors operatively coupled to the camera (42) and configured to: detect, in the image, an edge (72) of the feature (4) between the feature (4) and a surface of the object (2); using the detected edge (72), calculate a diameter for a circle (74, 76, 78); acquire a point angle of the cutting tool (38); and, using the calculated diameter and the acquired point angle, calculate a depth value for the feature (4).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for machining a workpiece (2). The method comprises specifying a path along which a cutting tool (6) is moved during machining the workpiece (2), the path comprising segments (26); defining, for each segment (26), an exit point on that segment (26); defining, for each segment (26), an exit path (38) from the exit point of that segment (26) to a point remote from the workpiece (2); performing a machining process including moving the cutting tool (6) along the tool path and machining the workpiece (2); and, during the machining process, when one or more criteria are satisfied: interrupting the machining process and, without machining the workpiece (2), moving the cutting tool (6) to the exit point of the current segment (26) and then along the exit path (38) of the current segment (26).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for machining a workpiece (2). The method comprises: specifying a path along which a cutting tool (6) is to be moved during machining of the workpiece (2), the path comprising a plurality of segments (26); defining, for each segment (26), an entry point and an entry path (32) from a point remote from the workpiece (2) to that entry point; moving a first cutting tool (6) along the tool path from a first point to a second point and machining the workpiece (2); after the first cutting tool (6) has been moved to the second point, moving the first cutting tool (6) to a point remote from the workpiece (2); moving a second cutting tool (18) along the entry path (32) of the segment (26) that contains the second point, and then from the entry point to the second point.

Abstract: Drilling apparatus and method, the apparatus comprising: a first robot (10); a first member (30) (e.g. a pressure foot) and a drilling tool (38) both coupled to the first robot (10); a second robot (12); and a second member (52) coupled to the second robot (12); wherein the apparatus is arranged to press the members (30, 52) against opposite sides of a part to be drilled (2, 100) (e.g. an aircraft panel) so as to hold the part (2, 100) and prevent deflection of at least a portion of the part (2, 100); and the first member (30) and the drilling tool (38) are arranged such that the drilling tool (38) may drill into the portion of the part (2, 100) of which deflection is opposed from the side of the part (2, 100) pressed against by the first member (30). The robots (10, 12) may be robotic arms.

Abstract: Drilling apparatus and method, the apparatus comprising: a first robot (10); a first member (30) (e.g. a pressure foot) and a drilling tool (38) both coupled to the first robot (10); a second robot (12); and a second member (52) coupled to the second robot (12); wherein the apparatus is arranged to press the members (30, 52) against opposite sides of a part to be drilled (2, 100) (e.g. an aircraft panel) so as to hold the part (2, 100) and prevent deflection of at least a portion of the part (2, 100); and the first member (30) and the drilling tool (38) are arranged such that the drilling tool (38) may drill into the portion of the part (2, 100) of which deflection is opposed from the side of the part (2, 100) pressed against by the first member (30). The robots (10, 12) may be robotic arms.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for machining a workpiece (2). The method comprises: specifying a path along which a cutting tool (6) is to be moved during machining of the workpiece (2), the path comprising a plurality of segments (26); defining, for each segment (26), an entry point and an entry path (32) from a point remote from the workpiece (2) to that entry point; moving a first cutting tool (6) along the tool path from a first point to a second point and machining the workpiece (2); after the first cutting tool (6) has been moved to the second point, moving the first cutting tool (6) to a point remote from the workpiece (2); moving a second cutting tool (18) along the entry path (32) of the segment (26) that contains the second point, and then from the entry point to the second point.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for machining a workpiece (2). The method comprises specifying a path along which a cutting tool (6) is moved during machining the workpiece (2), the path comprising segments (26); defining, for each segment (26), an exit point on that segment (26); defining, for each segment (26), an exit path (38) from the exit point of that segment (26) to a point remote from the workpiece (2); performing a machining process including moving the cutting tool (6) along the tool path and machining the workpiece (2); and, during the machining process, when one or more criteria are satisfied: interrupting the machining process and, without machining the workpiece (2), moving the cutting tool (6) to the exit point of the current segment (26) and then along the exit path (38) of the current segment (26).

Abstract: Drilling apparatus and method, the apparatus comprising: a first robot (10); a first member (30) (e.g. a pressure foot) and a drilling tool (38) both coupled to the first robot (10); a second robot (12); and a second member (52) coupled to the second robot (12); wherein the apparatus is arranged to press the members (30, 52) against opposite sides of a part to be drilled (2, 100) (e.g. an aircraft panel) so as to hold the part (2, 100) and prevent deflection of at least a portion of the part (2, 100); and the first member (30) and the drilling tool (38) are arranged such that the drilling tool (38) may drill into the portion of the part (2, 100) of which deflection is opposed from the side of the part (2, 100) pressed against by the first member (30). The robots (10, 12) may be robotic arms.