Abstract: An introduced autonomous aerial vehicle can include multiple cameras for capturing images of a surrounding physical environment that are utilized for motion planning by an autonomous navigation system. In some embodiments, the cameras can be integrated into one or more rotor assemblies that house powered rotors to free up space within the body of the aerial vehicle. In an example embodiment, an aerial vehicle includes multiple upward-facing cameras and multiple downward-facing cameras with overlapping fields of view to enable stereoscopic computer vision in a plurality of directions around the aerial vehicle. Similar camera arrangements can also be implemented in fixed-wing aerial vehicles.

Abstract: Systems for improving fire safety in agricultural machinery are configured for detecting, at least partially controlling, and/or suppressing adverse fire-related conditions. The adverse fire-related conditions can include sparks, embers, and/or flames in the agricultural machinery.

Abstract: Historical in-process machining information can be used to make machining process parameter recommendations. The disclosed systems and methods enable continuous learning for machining parameter selection using aggregated in-process machining information. The systems and methods save in-process machining data in a database using a standardized format, use data augmentation outlier detection, aggregation, and clustering algorithms to make machining process parameter recommendations and expected cut time predictions based on user inputs. The system can include a front-end dashboard to facilitate visualization and interpret results.

Abstract: Systems for improving fire safety in agricultural machinery are configured for detecting, at least partially controlling, and/or suppressing adverse fire-related conditions. The adverse fire-related conditions can include sparks, embers, and/or flames in the agricultural machinery.

Abstract: Systems for improving fire safety in agricultural machinery are configured for detecting, at least partially controlling, and/or suppressing adverse fire-related conditions. The adverse fire-related conditions can include sparks, embers, and/or flames in the agricultural machinery.

Abstract: Systems for improving fire safety in agricultural machinery are configured for detecting, at least partially controlling, and/or suppressing adverse fire-related conditions. The adverse fire-related conditions can include sparks, embers, and/or flames in the agricultural machinery.

Abstract: Systems for improving fire safety in agricultural machinery are configured for detecting, at least partially controlling, and/or suppressing adverse fire-related conditions. The adverse fire-related conditions can include sparks, embers, and/or flames in the agricultural machinery.

Abstract: A manufacturing method, including: given a predetermined finished part geometry, providing a sacrificial structure preform that simultaneously contains the finished part geometry, minimizes material that must be removed from the sacrificial structure preform to achieve the finished part geometry during machining, and has a sufficient stiffness to resist a machining force that will be applied during machining without allowing the finished part geometry to be compromised; and machining the sacrificial structure preform to achieve the finished part geometry. The manufacturing method also includes preliminarily estimating a stiffness of the finished part geometry and the machining force that will be applied during machining.

Abstract: A manufacturing method, including: given a predetermined finished part geometry, providing a sacrificial structure preform that simultaneously contains the finished part geometry, minimizes material that must be removed from the sacrificial structure preform to achieve the finished part geometry during machining, and has a sufficient stiffness to resist a machining force that will be applied during machining without allowing the finished part geometry to be compromised; and machining the sacrificial structure preform to achieve the finished part geometry.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to deformation machining systems and methods that combine, in a single machine tool setup, the machining of thin structures and single point incremental forming (SPIF), such that novel part geometries and enhanced material properties may be obtained that are not achievable using conventional machining or forming systems and methods, individually or collectively. Important to many applications, lighter weight parts may be produced at lower cost using a conventional 3-axis computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine tool or the like, instead of the conventional 5-axis CNC machine tool or the like that is typically required.

Abstract: Disclosed are various systems and methods for assessing and improving the capability of a machine tool. The disclosure applies to machine tools having at least one slide configured to move along a motion axis. Various patterns of dynamic excitation commands are employed to drive the one or more slides, typically involving repetitive short distance displacements. A quantification of a measurable merit of machine tool response to the one or more patterns of dynamic excitation commands is typically derived for the machine tool. Examples of measurable merits of machine tool performance include workpiece surface finish, and the ability to generate chips of the desired length.

Abstract: The present invention provides dynamic metrology methods and systems for: periodically determining an actual position of one or more of a machine and a tool with respect to a workpiece using one or more laser interferometers; tracking a tracked position of the one or more of the machine and the tool with respect to the workpiece using one or more accelerometers; and altering a controlled position of the one or more of the machine and the tool with respect to the workpiece when either the actual position or the tracked position of the one or more of the machine and the tool with respect to the workpiece diverges from a desired position of one or more of the machine and the tool with respect to the workpiece.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for machining a part from a workpiece. The workpiece is divided into a plurality of sectors and a plurality of fiducials are disposed within each sector. The separation distance between each fiducial is then calibrated to a workpiece distance unit. The present invention then includes the steps of a) positioning the workpiece into the desired position relative to a cutting machine; b) calibrating the cutting machine to the workpiece distance units of one sector; c) cutting one sector with the calibrated cutting machine; d) repeating steps a-c until the part is completed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for chip breaking, controlling cutting tool wear, and the like in turning, boring, and other applications, including: engaging a workpiece with a cutting tool in a feed direction along a toolpath, superimposing an oscillation in the feed direction on the toolpath, and dynamically or non-dynamically varying the oscillation superimposed in the feed direction on the toolpath such that interrupted cuts and chips of a predetermined length or less are produced. These systems take full advantage of computer numerical control (CNC) methodologies.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating assemblies are described. One method described comprises providing a first element at a first temperature, providing a second element at a second temperature lower than the first temperature, coupling the first and second elements to create an assembly, and changing the first temperature to a third temperature, thereby preloading and interlocking the assembly. The first element comprises a first dimension at the first temperature. The second element comprises a second dimension lesser than the first dimension at the second temperature. The first element comprises a third dimension at the third temperature lesser than the first dimension.

Abstract: Disclosed are various systems and methods for assessing and improving the capability of a machine tool. The disclosure applies to machine tools having at least one slide configured to move along a motion axis. Various patterns of dynamic excitation commands are employed to drive the one or more slides, typically involving repetitive short distance displacements. A quantification of a measurable merit of machine tool response to the one or more patterns of dynamic excitation commands is typically derived for the machine tool. Examples of measurable merits of machine tool performance include workpiece surface finish, and the ability to generate chips of the desired length.

Abstract: The present invention provides dynamic metrology methods and systems for: periodically determining an actual position of one or more of a machine and a tool with respect to a workpiece using one or more laser interferometers; tracking a tracked position of the one or more of the machine and the tool with respect to the workpiece using one or more accelerometers; and altering a controlled position of the one or more of the machine and the tool with respect to the workpiece when either the actual position or the tracked position of the one or more of the machine and the tool with respect to the workpiece diverges from a desired position of one or more of the machine and the tool with respect to the workpiece.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating assemblies are described. One method described comprises providing a first element at a first temperature, providing a second element at a second temperature lower than the first temperature, coupling the first and second elements to create an assembly, and changing the first temperature to a third temperature, thereby preloading and interlocking the assembly. The first element comprises a first dimension at the first temperature. The second element comprises a second dimension lesser than the first dimension at the second temperature. The first element comprises a third dimension at the third temperature lesser than the first dimension.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating assemblies are described. One method described comprises providing a first element at a first temperature, providing a second element at a second temperature lower than the first temperature, coupling the first and second elements to create an assembly, and changing the first temperature to a third temperature, thereby preloading and interlocking the assembly. The first element comprises a first dimension at the first temperature. The second element comprises a second dimension lesser than the first dimension at the second temperature. The first element comprises a third dimension at the third temperature lesser than the first dimension.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to deformation machining systems and methods that combine, in a single machine tool setup, the machining of thin structures and single point incremental forming (SPIF), such that novel part geometries and enhanced material properties may be obtained that are not achievable using conventional machining or forming systems and methods, individually or collectively. Important to many applications, lighter weight parts may be produced at lower cost using a conventional 3-axis computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine tool or the like, instead of the conventional 5-axis CNC machine tool or the like that is typically required.