Abstract: An automated inspection system for monitoring a manufacturing process includes a core platform to operatively connect a plurality of systems or subsystems via one or more interfaces. A sensor system operatively coupled with the core platform to monitor one or more characteristics of a manufactured article. An actuation system operatively coupled with the core platform to implement the manufacturing process based on instruction from the core platform. The core platform is configured to receive a first measurement of the one or more characteristics of a composite article from the sensor system after application of a plurality of layers of one or more raw materials; receive data regarding a second measurement of the one or more characteristics from the sensor system after curing the composite article; and generate an alert in response to a determination that a defect exists in the composite article based on the first or second measurement.

Abstract: A manufacturing monitoring system is disclosed. The manufacturing monitoring system comprises a manufacturing workspace. Technicians wearing force sensor and/or motion capture marker equipped gloves may work within the manufacturing workspace. Motion capture cameras may ring the manufacturing workspace. Motion data from the cameras and/or force data from the gloves may be sent to a remote workstation where they may be processed and analyzed. The workstation may produce quality assessment and/or training outputs based on the motion and/or force data.

Abstract: A manufacturing monitoring system is disclosed. The manufacturing monitoring system comprises a manufacturing workspace. Technicians wearing force sensor and/or motion capture marker equipped gloves may work within the manufacturing workspace. Motion capture cameras may ring the manufacturing workspace. Motion data from the cameras and/or force data from the gloves may be sent to a remote workstation where they may be processed and analyzed. The workstation may produce quality assessment and/or training outputs based on the motion and/or force data.

Abstract: Provided is a material-inspection system for planning a cutting pattern for a composite material sheet based on a detected defect. The system comprises one or more sensors to measure one or more material properties of the composite material sheet; a cutter assembly having a cutter tool to cut the composite material sheet; a control system comprising a processor and a storage medium comprising instructions, that when executed by the processor, configured to: obtain an initial cutting pattern for the composite material sheet, wherein the initial cutting pattern comprises a plurality of shapes to be cut; determine a defect in the composite material based on a sensor; determine a reject region in the composite material around the defect; shift one or more shapes of the plurality of shapes away from the reject region; and provide a revised cutting pattern based on the shifting to be cut by the cutter assembly.

Abstract: An automated inspection system for monitoring a manufacturing process includes a core platform to operatively connect a plurality of systems or subsystems via one or more interfaces. A sensor system operatively coupled with the core platform to monitor one or more characteristics of a manufactured article. An actuation system operatively coupled with the core platform to implement the manufacturing process based on instruction from the core platform. The core platform is configured to receive a first measurement of the one or more characteristics of a composite article from the sensor system after application of a plurality of layers of one or more raw materials; receive data regarding a second measurement of the one or more characteristics from the sensor system after curing the composite article; and generate an alert in response to a determination that a defect exists in the composite article based on the first or second measurement.

Abstract: A cutting machine for detecting a defect during a manufacturing process is disclosed. The cutting machine comprises a base structure having a planar surface defining a working area, a rack to support a material spool, a cutter assembly, and a material-inspection system. The rack may be positioned at an end of the base structure to facilitate unrolling of a composite material sheet from the material spool and onto the working area. The cutter assembly comprises a cutter tool to cut the composite material sheet on the working area. The cutter assembly may be configured to move relative to the working area via a two-axis gantry. The material-inspection system comprises a plurality of non-contact ultrasonic sensors to measure one or more material properties of the composite material sheet. The measured one or more material properties can be used to detect and predict defects in the composite material sheet.

Abstract: A composite structure cured by the process of: electrically coupling a first lead to a first portion of said composite structure; electrically coupling a second lead to a second portion of said composite structure; and using an electric power source to pass electric current through said composite structure from said first portion to said second portion, wherein passing said electric current through said composite structure causes the temperature of at least a portion of said composite structure increase to a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to methods and apparatuses for forming composites. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of making a composite. The method can include placing a resin-impregnated fiber on a tooling surface. The method can include at least partially curing the resin-impregnated fiber. The method can also include placing a material in contact with the resin-impregnated fiber, to provide a composite.

Abstract: A composite structure cured by the process of: electrically coupling a first lead to a first portion of said composite structure; electrically coupling a second lead to a second portion of said composite structure; and using an electric power source to pass electric current through said composite structure from said first portion to said second portion, wherein passing said electric current through said composite structure causes the temperature of at least a portion of said composite structure increase to a predetermined temperature.