Abstract: A hole plug that can be used during rework or repair of a composite fiber assembly includes various features that allow placement of a vacuum force to the surface being reworked or repaired. In some implementations, the hole plug can include a plurality of nubs positioned around a shank. The nubs can secure the hole plug to the composite fiber assembly until a cure of an adhesive. The hole plug can further include a plurality of longitudinally oriented grooves extending along the shank and positioned between the plurality of nubs, and can include a notch positioned circumferentially around the shank. The grooves and notch can be used as adhesive carriers that assist with dispersal of a sufficient volume of the adhesive onto other portions of the shank and the composite fiber assembly during insertion of the hole plug into a hole in the composite fiber assembly.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to align applique cutters are disclosed. A disclosed example alignment rail is for use with cutting an applique relative to a surface of a vehicle. The example alignment rail includes a base to contact the surface. The example alignment rail also includes a body including a cross-sectional profile extending along a longitudinal axis of the alignment rail. The example alignment rail also includes a groove of the cross-sectional profile extending along the longitudinal axis, where the groove is to align movement of a cutting tool to cut the applique.

Abstract: A hole plug that can be used during rework or repair of a composite fiber assembly includes various features that allow placement of a vacuum force to the surface being reworked or repaired. In some implementations, the hole plug can include a plurality of nubs positioned around a shank. The nubs can secure the hole plug to the composite fiber assembly until a cure of an adhesive. The hole plug can further include a plurality of longitudinally oriented grooves extending along the shank and positioned between the plurality of nubs, and can include a notch positioned circumferentially around the shank. The grooves and notch can be used as adhesive carriers that assist with dispersal of a sufficient volume of the adhesive onto other portions of the shank and the composite fiber assembly during insertion of the hole plug into a hole in the composite fiber assembly.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to align applique cutters are disclosed. A disclosed example alignment rail is for use with cutting an applique relative to a surface of a vehicle. The example alignment rail includes a base to contact the surface. The example alignment rail also includes a body including a cross-sectional profile extending along a longitudinal axis of the alignment rail. The example alignment rail also includes a groove of the cross-sectional profile extending along the longitudinal axis, where the groove is to align movement of a cutting tool to cut the applique.

Abstract: A hole plug that can be used during rework or repair of a composite fiber assembly includes various features that allow placement of a vacuum force to the surface being reworked or repaired. In some implementations, the hole plug can include a plurality of nubs positioned around a shank. The nubs can secure the hole plug to the composite fiber assembly until a cure of an adhesive. The hole plug can further include a plurality of longitudinally oriented grooves extending along the shank and positioned between the plurality of nubs, and can include a notch positioned circumferentially around the shank. The grooves and notch can be used as adhesive carriers that assist with dispersal of a sufficient volume of the adhesive onto other portions of the shank and the composite fiber assembly during insertion of the hole plug into a hole in the composite fiber assembly.

Abstract: The advantageous embodiments include a system for operating machinery in a manufacturing environment. The system includes a sensor system and a computer. The sensor system is configured to distinguish human skeletal positions from non-human object positions and to determine whether one or more humans are present in a predetermined area. The computer is configured to: responsive to determining that only the one or more humans are in the predetermined area, determine whether a false positive result has occurred, wherein the false positive comprises a first determination that the one or more humans are present when no human is actually present. The computer is also configured to: responsive to determining that the false positive result has not occurred, the taking an action selected from the group consisting of issuing an alert, stopping the machinery, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for operating robotic actors in a human/robotic environment. A safety controller that is configured to communicate with one or more robotic actors can receive actor information about at least a location of one or more actors. The safety controller can receive robot information comprising at least a location of a particular robotic actor of the one or more robotic actors. The safety controller can determine a command for controlling operation of the particular robotic actor of the one or more robotic actors by applying one or more safety criteria to the actor information and the robot information. The safety controller can generate an output including the command for controlling operation of the particular robotic actor.

Abstract: The advantageous embodiments include a system for operating machinery in a manufacturing environment. The system includes a sensor system and a computer. The sensor system is configured to distinguish human skeletal positions from non-human object positions and to determine whether one or more humans are present in a predetermined area. The computer is configured to: responsive to determining that only the one or more humans are in the predetermined area, determine whether a false positive result has occurred, wherein the false positive comprises a first determination that the one or more humans are present when no human is actually present. The computer is also configured to: responsive to determining that the false positive result has not occurred, the taking an action selected from the group consisting of issuing an alert, stopping the machinery, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for operating robotic actors in a human/robotic environment. A safety controller that is configured to communicate with one or more robotic actors can receive actor information about at least a location of one or more actors. The safety controller can receive robot information comprising at least a location of a particular robotic actor of the one or more robotic actors. The safety controller can determine a command for controlling operation of the particular robotic actor of the one or more robotic actors by applying one or more safety criteria to the actor information and the robot information. The safety controller can generate an output including the command for controlling operation of the particular robotic actor.