Abstract: A method of controlling a robot within a volume, the method comprising: receiving a three dimensional model including a model of the robot and a model of the volume in which the robot is configured to move within; defining a plurality of positions within the model of the volume to which the robot is moveable to, the plurality of positions being identified by an operator; receiving scanned three dimensional data of the robot and at least a part of the volume; determining a transformation algorithm using the three dimensional model and the scanned three dimensional data; applying the transformation algorithm to one or more positions of the plurality of positions to provide one or more transformed positions; and controlling movement of the robot using one or more of the transformed positions.

Abstract: A method of controlling a robot within a volume, the method comprising: receiving a three dimensional model including a model of the robot and a model of the volume in which the robot is configured to move within; defining a plurality of positions within the model of the volume to which the robot is moveable to, the plurality of positions being identified by an operator; receiving scanned three dimensional data of the robot and at least a part of the volume; determining a transformation algorithm using the three dimensional model and the scanned three dimensional data; applying the transformation algorithm to one or more positions of the plurality of positions to provide one or more transformed positions; and controlling movement of the robot using one or more of the transformed positions.

Abstract: Features such as holes in a component which may be an aerofoil component of a gas turbine engine are re-drilled after initial formation, for example to remove blockages created in a coating process. In order to ensure that re-drilling occurs at the precise location of the initial holes, a selected number of the holes are selected, and their exact positions identified, for example by camera imaging and image processing. The actual positions of the selected features are compared with the nominal positions, and an algorithm is generated and then used to calculate the actual positions of the non-selected holes of the array.

Abstract: Features such as holes 10 in a component which may be an aerofoil component of a gas turbine engine are re-drilled after initial formation, for example to remove blockages created in a coating process. In order to ensure that re-drilling occurs at the precise location of the initial holes, a selected number of the holes A-F are selected, and their exact positions identified, for example by camera imaging and image processing. The actual positions of the selected features are compared with the nominal positions, and an algorithm is generated and then used to calculate the actual positions of the non-selected holes of the array.

Abstract: A method and device for monitoring the condition of an electrode in an electro-discharge machine are disclosed. The device includes an electrode detector operable to produce a position signal indicative of the position of an end region of the electrode in the nose-guide, and a signal processing unit connected to receive a position signal from the electrode detector and operable to determine from the position signal when retraction of the electrode into the nose-guide has occurred. The method monitors the position of the end region of the electrode and determines when retraction of the electrode has occurred.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a through hole in a component between a first surface and a second surface, the through hole including a cavity formed in the first surface and a communicating passage between the second surface and the cavity including the steps of: a) laser percussion drilling a plurality of blind holes in the first surface to form the cavity and b) drilling a communicating passage between the cavity and the second surface.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a through hole in a component between a first surface and a second surface, the through hole including a cavity formed in the first surface and a communicating passage between the second surface and the cavity including the steps of:

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a through hole in a component between a first surface and a second surface, the through hole comprising a cavity formed in the first surface and a communicating passage between the second surface and the cavity comprising the steps of: a) laser percussion drilling a plurality of blind holes in the first surface to form the cavity b) drilling a communicating passage between the cavity and the second surface.

Abstract: A conformance gauge is used as an inspection tool to check that component features lie within tolerance limits. When the component has been designed using CAD tools the CAD data file defining external surfaces of the component is used as the basis to create a second CAD data file defining the surfaces of the inspection to conform to the corresponding surfaces of the component. Viewing apertures or slots are then defined in the data file to the tolerance limits of features to be checked. The second CAD data file is then provided to a rapid prototyping system, eg a stereolithography machine to produce the final inspection gauge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a through hole in a component between a first surface and a second surface, the through hole comprising a cavity formed in the first surface and a communicating passage between the second surface and the cavity comprising the steps of:

Abstract: A conformance gauge is used as an inspection tool to check that component features lie within tolerance limits. When the component has been designed using CAD tools the CAD data file defining external surfaces of the component is used as the basis to create a second CAD data file defining the surfaces of the inspection to conform to the corresponding surfaces of the component. Viewing apertures or slots are then defined in the data file to the tolerance limits of features to be checked. The second CAD data file is then provided to a rapid prototyping system, eg a stereolithography machine to produce the final inspection gauge.