Abstract: Provided is a laser-weld manufacturing method. The method includes: providing a first component and a second component that are separated from one another by a gap, the gap having a depth and a width and at least one of the first component and the second component having a sacrificial edge-tab; exposing the sacrificial edge-tab to laser energy, the laser energy being sufficient to melt at least a portion of the sacrificial edge-tab; forming a melt-pool in the gap between the first component and the second component, the melt-pool including material from the melted portion of the sacrificial edge-tab; and solidifying the melt-pool to form a weld that joins the first component and the second component together.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus comprising a base surface, in turn comprising a first end and a second end is disclosed. The packaging apparatus further comprises a feed tube between the first end and the second end of the base surface, a transporter between the first end of the base surface and the feed tube, a first sealer between the feed tube and the second end of the base surface, and a second sealer between the first sealer and the second end of the base surface.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing having an opening that includes an interior surface with a portion that is only viewable from an external vantage point at a viewing angle that is other than ninety degrees (90°). The electronic device also includes a SIM card tray that is removable from the housing via the opening and the SIM card tray includes an angled surface. Information is encoded in the form of text that is laser etched on the angled surface. The text is characterized as having an aspect ratio that corresponds to the viewing angle.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus comprising a base surface, in turn comprising a first end and a second end is disclosed. The packaging apparatus further comprises a feed tube between the first end and the second end of the base surface, a transporter between the first end of the base surface and the feed tube, a first sealer between the feed tube and the second end of the base surface, and a second sealer between the first sealer and the second end of the base surface.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus comprising a base surface, in turn comprising a first end and a second end is disclosed. The packaging apparatus further comprises a feed tube between the first end and the second end of the base surface, a transporter between the first end of the base surface and the feed tube, a first sealer between the feed tube and the second end of the base surface, and a second sealer between the first sealer and the second end of the base surface.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing having an opening that includes an interior surface with a portion that is only viewable from an external vantage point at a viewing angle that is other than ninety degrees (90°). The electronic device also includes a SIM card tray that is removable from the housing via the opening and the SIM card tray includes an angled surface. Information is encoded in the form of text that is laser etched on the angled surface. The text is characterized as having an aspect ratio that corresponds to the viewing angle.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for changing a set of old tools for a set of new tools may be presented. The system may comprise a crawler robot, a robotic arm, a tool changer, a vision system, and at least one of a tool rack or a storage area. The tool changer may be an end effector of the robotic arm. The tool changer may comprise a number of grippers and a number of movement assemblies. The number of grippers may perform at least one of moving a set of new tools to the crawler robot or removing the set of old tools from the crawler robot. The number of movement assemblies may be associated with the number of grippers. The vision system may be associated with at least one of the robotic arm and the tool changer.

Abstract: A system for diffusing wrinkles in a composite laminate may include at least one wrinkle diffuser. The wrinkle diffuser may include a diffuser body may be mounted to a tool in a manner such that a composite ply at least partially overlaps the wrinkle diffuser. A plurality of diffuser elements may be formed in the diffuser body to define a corrugated surface. The corrugated surface may cause a portion of the composite ply to assume a corrugated shape when a compaction pressure is applied to force the composite ply against the corrugated surface. The wrinkle diffuser may include an indexing feature to index the wrinkle diffuser to a ply edge of the composite ply.

Abstract: Provided is a laser-weld manufacturing method. The method includes: providing a first component and a second component that are separated from one another by a gap, the gap having a depth and a width and at least one of the first component and the second component having a sacrificial edge-tab; exposing the sacrificial edge-tab to laser energy, the laser energy being sufficient to melt at least a portion of the sacrificial edge-tab; forming a melt-pool in the gap between the first component and the second component, the melt-pool including material from the melted portion of the sacrificial edge-tab; and solidifying the melt-pool to form a weld that joins the first component and the second component together.

Abstract: A method includes receiving characteristic information from a sensor. The characteristic information may be representative of a characteristic of a weight bearing structure of an aircraft when a force is applied to the weight bearing structure. The method includes determining a weight of the aircraft based on the characteristic information. The method includes receiving attitude information from an attitude sensor. The attitude information indicates whether the aircraft is situated on a level surface. The method includes determining a balance condition based on the attitude information and the weight of the aircraft. The balance condition indicates whether the weight of the aircraft is distributed evenly. The method includes generating an alert when the balance condition indicates that the weight of the aircraft is not distributed evenly.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for changing a set of old tools for a set of new tools may be presented. The system may comprise a crawler robot, a robotic arm, a tool changer, a vision system, and at least one of a tool rack or a storage area. The tool changer may be an end effector of the robotic arm. The tool changer may comprise a number of grippers and a number of movement assemblies. The number of grippers may perform at least one of moving a set of new tools to the crawler robot or removing the set of old tools from the crawler robot. The number of movement assemblies may be associated with the number of grippers. The vision system may be associated with at least one of the robotic arm and the tool changer.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus comprising a base surface, in turn comprising a first end and a second end is disclosed. The packaging apparatus further comprises a feed tube between the first end and the second end of the base surface, a transporter between the first end of the base surface and the feed tube, a first sealer between the feed tube and the second end of the base surface, and a second sealer between the first sealer and the second end of the base surface.

Abstract: A system for diffusing wrinkles in a composite laminate may include at least one wrinkle diffuser. The wrinkle diffuser may include a diffuser body may be mounted to a tool in a manner such that a composite ply at least partially overlaps the wrinkle diffuser. A plurality of diffuser elements may be formed in the diffuser body to define a corrugated surface. The corrugated surface may cause a portion of the composite ply to assume a corrugated shape when a compaction pressure is applied to force the composite ply against the corrugated surface. The wrinkle diffuser may include an indexing feature to index the wrinkle diffuser to a ply edge of the composite ply.

Abstract: A method includes receiving characteristic information from a sensor. The characteristic information may be representative of a characteristic of a weight bearing structure of an aircraft when a force is applied to the weight bearing structure. The method includes determining a weight of the aircraft based on the characteristic information.