ASSEMBLY INSPECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD
First Claim
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1. A method for inspecting assembly of components in an aircraft structure, comprising:
- acquiring a visual representation of at least a portion of the structure;
saving an electronic file of the visual representation on a computer readable medium;
accessing a three-dimensional design of the structure, the three dimensional design containing information on a proper position of the components within the structure;
comparing the visual representation with the three-dimensional design using a computer; and
generating a feedback indicating a result of the comparison.
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Abstract
A method for inspecting assembly of components in a structure includes acquiring a visual representation of at least a portion of the structure, and saving an electronic file of the visual representation on a computer readable medium. A three-dimensional design of the structure, which contains information on a proper position of the components within the structure, is accessed. The visual representation is compared with the three-dimensional design using a computer, and a feedback indicating a result of the comparison is generated.
48 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for inspecting assembly of components in an aircraft structure, comprising:
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acquiring a visual representation of at least a portion of the structure; saving an electronic file of the visual representation on a computer readable medium; accessing a three-dimensional design of the structure, the three dimensional design containing information on a proper position of the components within the structure; comparing the visual representation with the three-dimensional design using a computer; and generating a feedback indicating a result of the comparison. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for automatic inspection of a real aircraft structure against a computer aided design (CAD) model of the real aircraft structure, comprising:
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retrieving CAD data of the model; generating a checking plan that includes a plurality of inspection stations; generating a robot plan for a robot carrying a sensor array disposed to acquire visual information from the real aircraft structure, the robot plan including a plurality of positions, each position corresponding to a particular inspection station; providing the robot plan to a robot controller; providing the checking plan to a data processing unit; executing the robot plan to obtain visual information from the real aircraft structure; comparing the visual information with the CAD data at each inspection station; and generating an output indicative of component deviations when the comparison of the visual information with the CAD data indicates that a component of the real aircraft structure has at least one of an incorrect position, incorrect shape, or is not present on the real aircraft structure. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An inspection system adapted to inspect an aircraft structure, the aircraft structure having a plurality of components therein, the inspection system comprising:
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a non-transitory, computer-readable database containing computer readable information therein indicative of a design of the aircraft structure; an image capturing device configured to capture visual information from the aircraft structure; a conveyance device configured to selectively carry and position the sensor array relative to the aircraft structure; and a controller associated with the database, the sensor array, and the conveyance device, the controller disposed to compare the visual information to the information indicative of the design. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification