Substantially simultaneous manufacturing functions
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- autonomously performing a plurality of functions on a first plurality of locations on a workpiece substantially simultaneously using a plurality of autonomous functional components, wherein each of the plurality of functions is different than each other function of the plurality of functions; and
autonomously moving the plurality of autonomous functional components relative to the workpiece and relative to a base by changing positions at which the plurality of functional components are connected to a surface of the base using a plurality of autonomous movement systems configured to move across the surface of the base, wherein the base is movable with respect to the workpiece.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for performing manufacturing functions on a workpiece. The apparatus may comprise a base, a plurality of autonomous functional components, and a plurality of autonomous movement systems. Each functional component of the plurality of autonomous functional components may be configured to perform a respective function. The plurality of autonomous movement systems may be associated with the base. Each of the plurality of autonomous movement systems may be connected to a respective functional component of the plurality of autonomous functional components.
19 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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autonomously performing a plurality of functions on a first plurality of locations on a workpiece substantially simultaneously using a plurality of autonomous functional components, wherein each of the plurality of functions is different than each other function of the plurality of functions; and autonomously moving the plurality of autonomous functional components relative to the workpiece and relative to a base by changing positions at which the plurality of functional components are connected to a surface of the base using a plurality of autonomous movement systems configured to move across the surface of the base, wherein the base is movable with respect to the workpiece. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus comprising:
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a base comprising a surface, wherein the base is movable with respect to a workpiece; a plurality of autonomous functional components, in which each autonomous functional component of the plurality of autonomous functional components is configured to perform a respective function; and a plurality of autonomous movement systems associated with the base, in which each of a first number of the plurality of autonomous movement systems is connected to a respective functional component of the plurality of autonomous functional components, and wherein the plurality of autonomous movement systems are configured to move across the surface of the base to change positions at which the plurality of autonomous functional components are connected to the surface of the base. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. An apparatus comprising:
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a base comprising a surface; a movement assembly connected to the base and configured to move the base relative to a workpiece; a plurality of autonomous clamping components having a plurality of operating envelopes positioned relative to a plurality of locations of the workpiece when the plurality of autonomous clamping components apply pressure to the workpiece; a plurality of autonomous functional components, in which each functional component of the plurality of autonomous functional components is configured to perform a different respective single function on a respective location of the plurality of locations of the workpiece through a respective operating envelope of the plurality of operating envelopes; a plurality of autonomous movement systems associated with the base such that the plurality of autonomous movement systems is configured to move across the surface of the base, in which each of the plurality of autonomous movement systems is connected to a respective functional component of the plurality of autonomous functional components or a respective clamping component of the plurality of autonomous clamping components such that the plurality of autonomous movement systems is configured to change positions at which the plurality of autonomous functional components and the plurality of autonomous clamping components are connected to the surface of the base; and a controller in communication with at least one of the movement assembly, the plurality of autonomous clamping components, the plurality of autonomous functional components, or the plurality of autonomous movement systems. - View Dependent Claims (31)
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32. An apparatus comprising:
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a base comprising a surface; a plurality of autonomous functional components, in which each autonomous functional component of the plurality of autonomous functional components is configured to perform a respective function; a plurality of autonomous movement systems associated with the base, in which each of a first number of the plurality of autonomous movement systems is connected to a respective functional component of the plurality of autonomous functional components, and wherein the plurality of autonomous movement systems are configured to move the plurality of autonomous functional components across the surface of the base to change positions at which the plurality of autonomous functional components are connected to the surface of the base; and a movement assembly connected to the base and configured to move the base to different areas with respect to a workpiece and such that the surface of the base faces the workpiece at the different areas with respect to the workpiece.
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Specification