Abstract: Methods of forming a part via additive manufacturing include depositing a first layer of thermoplastic material along a first path via an extruder head, initiating deposition of a second layer of thermoplastic material along a second path via the extruder head, and monitoring a thermal profile of the first layer along the first path while the second layer is deposited. Methods also include determining an energy that is sufficient to raise a present temperature of a cooled portion of the first layer to within a higher temperature range that is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold temperature, and heating the cooled portion of the first layer to within the higher temperature range before the second layer of thermoplastic material is added to the cooled portion. Systems include an extruder head configured to deposit a plurality of layers of thermoplastic material, a thermal imaging system, and a heating system.

Abstract: A method of controlling at least one operation performed on a workpiece is provided. The method includes transmitting, from a first electronic reference device coupled to the workpiece, at least one operating parameter to at least one autonomous device. The method also includes performing, by the at least one autonomous device, the at least one operation on the workpiece in accordance with the received at least one operating parameter.

Abstract: A method of performing automated operations on a workpiece by at least one autonomous device is provided. The method includes sensing, by a first of the at least one autonomous devices, a guidance pattern positioned on the workpiece along a first path. The method also includes traversing, by the first autonomous device, along the first path by following the sensed guidance pattern, to a first path location that is within a detection distance of a first precision target indicator positioned on the workpiece.

Abstract: A method of performing automated operations on a workpiece by at least one autonomous device is provided. The method includes sensing, by a first of the at least one autonomous devices, a guidance pattern positioned on the workpiece along a first path. The method also includes traversing, by the first autonomous device, along the first path by following the sensed guidance pattern, to a first path location that is within a detection distance of a first precision target indicator positioned on the workpiece.

Abstract: A method of controlling at least one operation performed on a workpiece is provided. The method includes transmitting, from a first electronic reference device coupled to the workpiece, at least one operating parameter to at least one autonomous device. The method also includes performing, by the at least one autonomous device, the at least one operation on the workpiece in accordance with the received at least one operating parameter.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for generating a three-dimensional model of an object of interest in an aircraft. In response to transmitting a plurality of x-rays from a set of transmission points into the aircraft, backscatter x-ray data is received. The object identified from a two-dimensional diagram of the backscatter data. Points for the object are created from the identification of the object in the received data. The points are placed at a first distance from the transmission points to form a first curve. The points are placed at a second distance from the transmission points to form a second curve. A first surface is formed from the first and second curves. A second surface is formed that intersects the first surface to form an intersection. Three-dimensional data is generated for the three-dimensional model of the object from the intersection.

Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments provide a method for alignment of platform features. A number of feature locations for a platform is identified using a platform model. A number of platform instructions for taking measurements at the number of feature locations is identified using the platform model. Instructions are generated having a number of measurement locations for each feature location in the number of feature locations for the platform.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for generating a three-dimensional model of an object of interest in an aircraft. In response to transmitting a plurality of x-rays from a set of transmission points into the aircraft, backscatter x-ray data is received. The object identified from a two-dimensional diagram of the backscatter data. Points for the object are created from the identification of the object in the received data. The points are placed at a first distance from the transmission points to form a first curve. The points are placed at a second distance from the transmission points to form a second curve. A first surface is formed from the first and second curves. A second surface is formed that intersects the first surface to form an intersection. Three-dimensional data is generated for the three-dimensional model of the object from the intersection.

Abstract: A method for making a corrugated fiber reinforced preform for a corrugated channel is disclosed which involves the sequential application of fiber plies to a shaping tool, each of the plies individually formed to the contours of the shaping tool, using a corrugating tools, restraining means used to maintain the plies in conformance with the tool. The plies are then subjected to debulking and heated to stabilize the fiber plies in their shaped condition, with additional plies applied thereover using the same steps of application, forming, restraining and stabilizing to produce a thick debulked fiber preform which avoids wrinkling of the fibers at the radius between the web and side portions of the corrugated channel.