Patent US5390128A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5390128A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Robotic processing and inspection system
Assignee: Cargill Detroit Corp
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Filing: 1993-04-12
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Granted: 1995-02-14
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Expires: 2013-04-12
Abstract
Abstract Automated system for trimming and inspecting complex composite aircraft parts. A straight firing abrasive water jet head with integral catcher mounted on a first Z axis slide is numerically controlled on a six axis gantry/water jet manipulator (X, Y, Z, C, A, B axes). A touch probe mounted on a second Z axis slide is used to gauge three part points which establish part orientation in the X, Y, Z gantry/robot cell; also to adjust CNC and CMM part trim/inspection programs to actual part orientation and for peripheral dimensional inspection.
Inventors
- 👤 Jim Ryan
- 👤 Michael Radeke
- 👤 Mark Saberton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 22:12
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/18; G05B19/408; G05B19/4083; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/30; G05B2219/36; G05B2219/36503; G05B2219/37; G05B2219/37043; G05B2219/37211; G05B2219/40; G05B2219/40293; G05B2219/45; G05B2219/45036; G05B2219/50; G05B2219/50166; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/364
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
Automated system for trimming and inspecting parts comprising computer programmable means for geometrically defining a part program responsive CNC means at a trimming station for trimming a program defined part, means for locating a part to be trimmed at said station, means for gauging any offset in the actual position of said part relative to programmed position for trimming by said CNC means, means for transforming the CNC program to comply with said actual position in performing said trimming operation, and correspondingly transformed program responsive CMM means for inspecting the trimmed part at said station.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
Automated system for trimming and inspecting parts comprising computer programmable means for geometrically defining a part program responsive CNC means at a trimming station for trimming a program defined part, means for locating a part to be trimmed at said station, means for gauging any offset in the actual position of said part relative to programmed position for trimming by said CNC means, means for transforming the CNC program to comply with said actual position in performing said trimming operation, and correspondingly transformed program responsive CMM means for inspecting the trimmed part at said station.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
System of claim 1 including an X, Y, Z axis Gantry Robot providing a work cell for performing trimming and inspection operations.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
System of claim 1 wherein said means for trimming provides linear cutting action.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
System of claim 3 including means for providing said linear cutting action in a direction normal to the surface of said part being trimmed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
System of claim 3 wherein said linear cutting action comprises an abrasive water jet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
System of claim 4 wherein said linear cutting action is provided by two axis head means for adjusting the linear angle at a constant focal point.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
System of claim 6 including water catching means spaced from said focal point for absorbing energy of said abrasive water jet following its cutting action.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
System of claim 7 including a third axis mounting means for said catcher to maintain its alignment with said linear cutting action.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
System of claim 2 including a Z axis mast for mounting said CNC means, and a separate Z axis mast for mounting said means for gauging, with separate computer programmable controls for independently operating each means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
System of claim 1 wherein said means for gauging includes means to gauge the position of three reference points on said part indicating the actual location of said part relative to said trimming station.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
System of claim 2 wherein said means for gauging includes means for inspecting the part following said trimming action.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
System of claim 10 wherein said means for gauging comprises a probe with means for gauging the X, Y, Z position of each reference point to establish the exact location of said part at said trimming station.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
System of claim 1 including means for trimming and inspecting complex composite parts.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
System of claim 1 including means for trimming and inspecting complex composite aircraft parts.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
58 words
System of claim 5 wherein said means for locating a part to be trimmed includes universal holding fixture means for retaining a part on a multiplicity of adjustable locators set to a master surface corresponding to the underside of said part, and including vacuum means on said locators for retaining said part against shifting during the trimming operation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
System of claim 1 including temperature compensation means for modifying the CNC trimming program for differentials in thermal expansion between the part and the station structure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
System of claim 16 including means for comparing known dimensions on relatively low coefficient composite part with the corresponding measurement of the CNC machine using the ratio determined by such measurement for modifying the CNC program to match the actual part dimensions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-02-13 | 1998-08-15 | 1999-02-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-02-13 | 2002-08-15 | 2003-02-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-02-13 | 2006-08-15 | 2007-02-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |