Abstract: A method for placing a piece of composite material onto a substrate. The piece of composite material is placed on the substrate with using an end effector. The piece of composite material is held against the substrate using the end effector. The piece of the composite material is compacted against the substrate while also holding the piece of composite material against the substrate using the end effector.

Abstract: An end effector comprises a plurality of vacuum ports. The plurality of vacuum ports is formed from a plurality of hollow protrusions extending from a face of the end effector. The plurality of vacuum ports is connected to a vacuum chamber receiving a vacuum from a vacuum source interface.

Abstract: A method for supporting a structure includes coupling an index pin to the structure, moving an index head relative to the structure to receive the index pin within a bore extending through the index head, and actuating a pin lock of the index head to retain the index pin within the bore.

Abstract: A method for placing a piece of a composite material. The piece of the composite material is picked up from a source using an end effector. The piece is moved to a tool using the end effector. The piece is placed on the tool using the end effector. The piece is conformed to a shape of the tool using a roller system in the end effector, in which the roller system is moveable to conform the piece to a shape of the tool.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for laying up laminates. One embodiment is a method that includes laying up a multi-layer laminate of fiber reinforced material onto a surface, by: feeding a tape of fiber reinforced material to tape cutters which cut the tape into pieces, picking up pieces of the fiber reinforced material via pick-and-place devices at each of multiple lamination units that are in sequence in a direction of travel, and placing the pieces of fiber reinforced material via the pick-and-place devices to form a laminate as the surface and the lamination units change position with respect to each other and multiple pieces are laid-up concurrently.

Abstract: Compliant end effectors, robots that include compliant end effectors, and methods of utilizing the same. The robots include a robotic arm and the compliant end effector. The compliant end effector includes a base, a jaw fixedly coupled to the base, a part-engaging surface, and a pivot structure. The pivot structure extends between the part-engaging surface and the jaw and is configured to permit limited rotation of the part-engaging surface relative to the jaw about a single pivot axis. The methods include locating an apparatus with a vision system of the robot, locating a part with the vision system, gripping the part with the compliant end effector, positioning the part relative to the apparatus, and operatively attaching the part to the apparatus. The positioning includes deliberately contacting a toe end of a flange of the part with the apparatus prior to contacting a heel end of the flange with the apparatus.

Abstract: The invention is a method for operating a panel saw of a framework supporting a set of beveled railings, the railings being held in a parallel and spaced apart orientation to one another and to the framework; a carriage having at least two pairs of opposing beveled carriage side edges and at least one tool securing apparatus, one pair of opposing carriage side edges reversibly removably engages the set of railings to movably locate the carriage between the set of railings; wherein the carriage moves in and out of contact with the railings through the top ends of the railings to allow the one pair of carriage side edges to be moved out of contact with the set of railings while alternately allowing the remaining pair to reversibly engage the set of railings in a manner that lets permits the carriage move along the railings in a self-centering manner.

Abstract: A method for placing a piece of composite material onto a substrate. The piece of composite material is placed on the substrate with using an end effector. The piece of composite material is held against the substrate using the end effector. The piece of the composite material is compacted against the substrate while also holding the piece of composite material against the substrate using the end effector.

Abstract: A method for placing a piece of composite material onto a substrate. The piece of composite material is placed on the substrate with using an end effector. The piece of composite material is held against the substrate using the end effector. The piece of the composite material is compacted against the substrate while also holding the piece of composite material against the substrate using the end effector.

Abstract: A torque reactor employs a first socket with a first drive element engaging the first socket and a second socket with a second drive element engaging the second socket. The first drive element has a first receiving channel and the second drive element has a second receiving channel. A shaft is received in the first receiving channel second receiving channel. A first engagement mechanism secures the shaft in the first receiving channel and a second engagement mechanism secures the shaft in the second receiving channel.

Abstract: A method for placing a piece of a composite material. The piece of the composite material is picked up from a source using an end effector. The piece is moved to a tool using the end effector. The piece is placed on the tool using the end effector. The piece is conformed to a shape of the tool using a roller system in the end effector, in which the roller system is moveable to conform the piece to a shape of the tool.

Abstract: A method for placing a piece of composite material onto a substrate. The piece of composite material is placed on the substrate with using an end effector. The piece of composite material is held against the substrate using the end effector. The piece of the composite material is compacted against the substrate while also holding the piece of composite material against the substrate using the end effector.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for laying up laminates. One embodiment is a method that includes laying up a multi-layer laminate of fiber reinforced material onto a surface, by: feeding a tape of fiber reinforced material to tape cutters which cut the tape into pieces, picking up pieces of the fiber reinforced material via pick-and-place devices at each of multiple lamination units that are in sequence in a direction of travel, and placing the pieces of fiber reinforced material via the pick-and-place devices to form a laminate as the surface and the lamination units change position with respect to each other and multiple pieces are laid-up concurrently.

Abstract: An end effector comprises a plurality of vacuum ports. The plurality of vacuum ports is formed from a plurality of hollow protrusions extending from a face of the end effector. The plurality of vacuum ports is connected to a vacuum chamber receiving a vacuum from a vacuum source interface.

Abstract: The invention is a panel saw and a method for same, the panel saw has a railing set supporting a power cutting tool-carriage combination capable of moving along at least a portion of a length of the railing set; a framework that removably connects the railing set to a frame support that holds the railing set in a semi-upright canted operating position; the frame support has two backing panels each of which having movably attached support panel that allows the backing panel to obtain a semi-upright canted operating position, wherein the framework removably attaches each of the two backing panels to hold the two backing panels in a spaced apart, coplanar relationship to one another further creating a cutting space for the power cutting tool between the two backing panels.

Abstract: Compliant end effectors, robots that include compliant end effectors, and methods of utilizing the same. The robots include a robotic arm and the compliant end effector. The compliant end effector includes a base, a jaw fixedly coupled to the base, a part-engaging surface, and a pivot structure. The pivot structure extends between the part-engaging surface and the jaw and is configured to permit limited rotation of the part-engaging surface relative to the jaw about a single pivot axis. The methods include locating an apparatus with a vision system of the robot, locating a part with the vision system, gripping the part with the compliant end effector, positioning the part relative to the apparatus, and operatively attaching the part to the apparatus. The positioning includes deliberately contacting a toe end of a flange of the part with the apparatus prior to contacting a heel end of the flange with the apparatus.

Abstract: Compliant end effectors, robots that include compliant end effectors, and methods of utilizing the same. The robots include a robotic arm and the compliant end effector. The compliant end effector includes a base, a jaw fixedly coupled to the base, a part-engaging surface, and a pivot structure. The pivot structure extends between the part-engaging surface and the jaw and is configured to permit limited rotation of the part-engaging surface relative to the jaw about a single pivot axis. The methods include locating an apparatus with a vision system of the robot, locating a part with the vision system, gripping the part with the compliant end effector, positioning the part relative to the apparatus, and operatively attaching the part to the apparatus. The positioning includes deliberately contacting a toe end of a flange of the part with the apparatus prior to contacting a heel end of the flange with the apparatus.

Abstract: The invention is a method for operating a panel saw of a framework supporting a set of beveled railings, the railings being held in a parallel and spaced apart orientation to one another and to the framework; a carriage having at least two pairs of opposing beveled carriage side edges and at least one tool securing apparatus, one pair of opposing carriage side edges reversibly removably engages the set of railings to movably locate the carriage between the set of railings; wherein the carriage moves in and out of contact with the railings through the top ends of the railings to allow the one pair of carriage side edges to be moved out of contact with the set of railings while alternately allowing the remaining pair to reversibly engage the set of railings in a manner that lets permits the carriage move along the railings in a self-centering manner.

Abstract: A reconfigurable fixturing assembly including an elongate member defining a longitudinal axis, a support assembly slideably connected to the elongate member, the support assembly including a support member extending therefrom, a plurality of pivot assemblies slideably connected to the elongate member, each pivot assembly defining a pivot axis, and a plurality of transverse guide rails, wherein each transverse guide rail defines a guide rail axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member, and wherein each transverse guide rail is slideably connected to an associated pivot assembly.

Abstract: A method for supporting a structure includes coupling an index pin to the structure, moving an index head relative to the structure to receive the index pin within a bore extending through the index head, and actuating a pin lock of the index head to retain the index pin within the bore.