Method of part verification
First Claim
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1. A method of verifying a part, the method comprising:
- scanning the part to create a three-dimensional computer-based model of the part;
indexing the computer-based model of the part to a three-dimensional nominal part design by selecting a plurality of fixture points on the nominal part design and identifying a plurality of points on the model that correspond to the fixture points;
adjusting the shape of the model to generate an adjusted model with a shape corresponding to the shape of the nominal part design, including simulating, on the model, the effect of applying one or more loads to the part in a manner that causes the shape of the model to change, wherein points on the model corresponding to the fixture points remain fixed relative to one another as the shape of the model changes;
determining variations between the size and configuration of the adjusted model and the nominal part design; and
using information collected while adjusting the shape of the model, determining whether adjusting the part to conform to the nominal part design would compromise the structural integrity of the part.
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Abstract
An automated method of verifying a part includes scanning the part to create a three-dimensional computer-based model of the part, indexing the computer-based model of the part to a three-dimensional nominal part design, and adjusting the shape of the model to generate an adjusted model with a shape corresponding to the shape of the nominal part design. The adjusted model is compared to the nominal part design to identify variations between the size and configuration of the adjusted model and the target part design are determined. Furthermore, it is determined whether adjusting the part to conform to the nominal part design would compromise the structure of the part.
4 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of verifying a part, the method comprising:
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scanning the part to create a three-dimensional computer-based model of the part; indexing the computer-based model of the part to a three-dimensional nominal part design by selecting a plurality of fixture points on the nominal part design and identifying a plurality of points on the model that correspond to the fixture points; adjusting the shape of the model to generate an adjusted model with a shape corresponding to the shape of the nominal part design, including simulating, on the model, the effect of applying one or more loads to the part in a manner that causes the shape of the model to change, wherein points on the model corresponding to the fixture points remain fixed relative to one another as the shape of the model changes; determining variations between the size and configuration of the adjusted model and the nominal part design; and using information collected while adjusting the shape of the model, determining whether adjusting the part to conform to the nominal part design would compromise the structural integrity of the part. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of verifying a part, the method comprising:
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scanning the part in an unrestrained position to create a point cloud comprising a plurality of points each representing a point on the surface of the part; indexing the point cloud to a mesh based on a nominal part design; adjusting the shape of the point cloud to generate an adjusted point cloud with a shape corresponding to the shape of the mesh, wherein adjusting the point cloud includes— (a) selecting a plurality of different load points on the point cloud, (b) determining a gap between the point cloud and the mesh at each of the load points, (c) identifying the largest gap, (d) adjusting the shape of the point cloud to simulate applying a load to the point cloud at the load point corresponding to the largest gap, the magnitude of the simulated load being sufficient to reduce the largest gap to within a tolerance, and (e) repeating steps (b) through (d) until all of the gaps are within the tolerance, determining variances between the size and configuration of the adjusted point cloud and the mesh; and using information collected while adjusting the shape of the point cloud, determining whether adjusting the part to conform to the mesh would compromise the structural integrity of the part. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of verifying a part, the method comprising:
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scanning the part to create a three-dimensional computer-based model of the part; indexing the computer-based model of the part to a three-dimensional nominal part design; adjusting the shape of the nominal part design to generate an adjusted design with a shape corresponding to the shape of the computer-based model; determining variations between the size and configuration of the adjusted design and the model; and using information collected while adjusting the shape of the design, determining whether adjusting the part to conform to the nominal part design would compromise the structural integrity of the part.
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Specification