SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING AUTOMATED COMPOSITE MANUFACTURING PROCESSES
First Claim
1. A head assembly for performing a manufacturing operation on a workpiece, comprising:
- a tool moveable relative to the workpiece and configured to perform the manufacturing operation on the workpiece; and
a monitoring unit operatively coupled to and moveable with the tool relative to the workpiece, the monitoring unit including;
a laser configured to illuminate an illuminated strip of the workpiece upon which the tool has performed the manufacturing operation; and
a camera configured to receive a reflected beam reflected from the illuminated strip;
wherein the monitoring unit is further configured to illuminate the illuminated strip and receive the reflected beam simultaneously with the performance of the manufacturing operation using the tool.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for monitoring automated composite fabrication processes are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes performing a manufacturing operation on a portion of a workpiece using a tool moveable relative to the workpiece. Simultaneously with performing the manufacturing operation, the tool is translated relative to the workpiece, and a portion of the workpiece upon which the tool has performed the manufacturing operation is monitored. The monitoring includes illuminating an illuminated strip of the workpiece using a laser, and receiving a reflected beam reflected from the illuminated strip into a camera. Output signals from the camera may be analyzed to detect and characterize a feature of interest, wherein the feature of interest may include an edge, an overlap, a gap, a wrinkle, and foreign object debris (FOD).
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A head assembly for performing a manufacturing operation on a workpiece, comprising:
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a tool moveable relative to the workpiece and configured to perform the manufacturing operation on the workpiece; and a monitoring unit operatively coupled to and moveable with the tool relative to the workpiece, the monitoring unit including; a laser configured to illuminate an illuminated strip of the workpiece upon which the tool has performed the manufacturing operation; and a camera configured to receive a reflected beam reflected from the illuminated strip; wherein the monitoring unit is further configured to illuminate the illuminated strip and receive the reflected beam simultaneously with the performance of the manufacturing operation using the tool. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for performing a manufacturing operation on a workpiece, comprising:
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at least one head assembly configured to perform the manufacturing operation on the workpiece; and a translation platform coupled to the at least one head assembly, the translation platform being configured to operatively position the head assembly proximate the workpiece and to systematically move the head assembly along a translation path proximate the workpiece, and wherein the head assembly includes; a tool moveable relative to the workpiece and configured to perform the manufacturing operation on the workpiece; and a monitoring unit operatively coupled to and moveable with the tool relative to the workpiece, the monitoring unit including; a laser configured to illuminate an illuminated strip of the workpiece upon which the tool has performed the manufacturing operation; and a camera configured to receive a reflected beam reflected from the illuminated strip; wherein the monitoring unit is further configured to illuminate the illuminated strip and receive the reflected beam simultaneously with the performance of the manufacturing operation using the tool. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of performing a manufacturing operation on a workpiece, comprising:
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performing the manufacturing operation on a portion of the workpiece using a tool moveable relative to the workpiece; simultaneously with performing the manufacturing operation, translating the tool relative to the workpiece; and simultaneously with performing the manufacturing operation, monitoring a portion of the workpiece upon which the tool has performed the manufacturing operation, wherein the monitoring includes; illuminating an illuminated strip of the workpiece using a laser; and receiving a reflected beam reflected from the illuminated strip into a camera. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification