U.S. patent application number 11/759779 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-11 for reusable mold forming tool.
This patent application is currently assigned to THE BOEING COMPANY. Invention is credited to Daniel S. Winkler.
Application Number | 20080302500 11/759779 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39710929 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080302500 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Winkler; Daniel S. |
December 11, 2008 |
REUSABLE MOLD FORMING TOOL
Abstract
Embodiments of the disclosure provide methods, apparatus, and
articles for making a plurality of molds described by CAD data in
machine readable form using a reusable mold-forming device. Various
embodiments include configuring a plurality of adjustable actuators
fixed to a base of a mold-forming device, where the top surface of
the adjustable actuators takes the form of the mold required to
make the part described by the CAD data. The adjustable actuators
may then be readjusted to form another mold surface.
Inventors: |
Winkler; Daniel S.; (Mesa,
AZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NovaTech IP Law
1001 Ave. Pico, Suite C500
San Clemente
CA
92673
US
|
Assignee: |
THE BOEING COMPANY
Irvine
CA
|
Family ID: |
39710929 |
Appl. No.: |
11/759779 |
Filed: |
June 7, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
164/45 ;
425/175 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B29C 33/308 20130101;
G05B 2219/49008 20130101; G05B 2219/49025 20130101; Y02P 90/265
20151101; Y02P 90/02 20151101; G05B 19/4099 20130101; B29C 33/3835
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
164/45 ;
425/175 |
International
Class: |
B22C 7/04 20060101
B22C007/04 |
Claims
1. A method for making a plurality of molds, comprising:
configuring a plurality of adjustable actuators of a mold-forming
device to a first plurality of positions for forming a first mold,
using first CAD data of the first mold; forming the first mold
using the mold-forming device; reconfiguring the plurality of
adjustable actuators of the mold-forming device to a second
plurality of positions for forming a second mold, that is separate
and distinct from the first mold, using second CAD data of the
second mold; and forming the second mold using the mold-forming
device.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating the data
for positioning the plurality of adjustable actuators of the
mold-forming device, the data describing a mold form.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising locking the plurality
of adjustable actuators in specified positions.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the locking further comprises
continuing locking the plurality of adjustable actuators in
specified positions while the mold-forming device receives no
power.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving electronic
feedback from the at least one of the adjustable actuators, wherein
the plurality of adjustable actuators include an electronic
feedback system attached to each actuator, providing verification
feedback of the current positions of the adjustable actuators.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the verification feedback of the
adjustable actuators is compared to input CAD data for the mold
being formed.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising locating the
mold-forming device on a mobile platform.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the mold-forming device on the
mobile platform further comprises physical connectors allowing a
plurality of mobile platforms to be joined.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuring further comprises
computing positions of each of the plurality of adjustable
actuators based upon a thermal expansion.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuring further
comprises computing positions of each of the plurality of automatic
adjustable actuators based upon a composite part spring-back.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuring further
comprises computing positions of each of the plurality of
adjustable actuators, based upon a thickness of the material to be
formed into a mold.
12. The method of claim 1, further comprising disposing a flexible
caul plate upon the upper surface of the plurality of adjustable
actuators.
13. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing an
interconnect socket allowing the mold-forming device be coupled
with a plurality of mold-forming devices, allowing data
communications to transfer through the interconnect socket.
14. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a data
communication interconnect socket to the mold-forming device for
receiving data at the mold-forming device.
15. An apparatus for forming a mold comprising: a plurality of
adjustable actuators each including an upper surface adapted to
receive a material to be formed into a mold; a base unit supporting
the plurality of actuators; and a module operatively coupled to the
plurality of adjustable actuators and adapted to: configure the
plurality of adjustable actuators to a first plurality of positions
for forming a first mold, using first CAD data of the first mold,
facilitate forming the first mold, reconfigure the plurality of
adjustable actuators to a second plurality of positions for forming
a second mold, that is separate and distinct from the first mold,
using second CAD data of the second mold; and facilitate forming
the second mold.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the module is further
adapted to generate the data for positioning the plurality of
adjustable actuators, the data describing a mold form.
17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the module is further
adapted to lock the plurality of adjustable actuators in specified
positions.
18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the module is further
adapted to lock the plurality of adjustable actuators in specified
positions while the mold-forming device receives no power.
19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the base unit is further
located on a mobile platform.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the mobile platform further
comprises physical connectors allowing a plurality of mobile
platforms to be joined.
21. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the module further comprises
an interconnect socket allowing coupling with a plurality of
modules, allowing data communications to transfer through the
interconnect socket.
22. An article of manufacture comprising: a storage medium; and a
plurality of programming instructions stored on the storage medium
and configured to program a mold-forming device to configure a
plurality of adjustable actuators of a mold-forming device to a
first plurality of positions to form a first mold, using first CAD
data of the first mold; form the first mold using the mold-forming
device; reconfigure the plurality of adjustable actuators of the
mold-forming device to a second plurality of positions to form a
second mold, that is separate and distinct from the first mold,
using second CAD data of the second mold; and form the second mold
using the mold-forming device.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present embodiments of the disclosure relates to the
field of manufacturing molded parts, in particular, the method and
apparatuses related to making molds.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In a manufacturing system environment, where small numbers
of repeatable molded parts are required (e.g., aerospace industry,
rapid prototyping), typically individual molds are machined from
billets using Numerically Controlled (NC) methods from a Computer
Aided-Design (CAD) model or surface, or a plaster splash from a
machined male tool. Numerically Controlled (NC) machines continue
to play an important role in the machining of metal tools having
3-D contoured shapes for production or prototype applications. Many
organizations still machine high density foam to close tolerances
to fabricate a form onto which composite tooling may be made; this
is a labor-intensive method, but still a viable approach for deep
drawn objects such as fighter radomes, or helicopter tailbooms.
These methods are expensive due to each part requiring its own
mold. Modifications and minor changes to molded parts are common as
a design matures, requiring new molds. These modifications may be
expensive as a new mold and splash are needed; typically, this
slows the design and manufacturing process. The cost of storing
individual molds for archiving tool changes and later use is
expensive and time consuming. If manufacturing is occurring in
different physical geographical locations there is also the added
cost and time of transporting molds.
[0003] In the 1990s, rapid tooling became popular using methods
like Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) and Stereolithography (SLA);
although this method was faster and more cost effective than
conventional machined or touch composite tooling, it could not be
used for production due to its low temperature polymer composition,
physical size limitations, high frangibility and poor ability to
hold required tolerances.
[0004] Electron Beam Curing (EBC) was developed to speed the
process of curing composites, but still relies heavily on
traditional tooling. Currently, there are no disruptive tooling
approaches for manufacturing advanced aerospace composite
components, typically aerospace tooling costs approximately three
times the production price of an aircraft, making it a large source
of costs for the final product.
SUMMARY
[0005] Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure mold differently
shaped parts using the same mold-forming device, which is
adjustable and allows for modifications of the mold. This
embodiment may comprise a plurality of adjustable actuators fixed
perpendicular to a base, and arranged in a matrix, the ends of the
adjustable actuators not fixed to the base being free to move in a
direction perpendicular to the base.
[0006] The mold may be created by taking the CAD data of a part to
be molded, using the CAD data to compute adjustments to the
plurality of adjustable actuators into positions that represent the
surface of a mold for the part to be formed. A repeatable flexible
caul plate may then be placed on top of the adjustable actuators to
form a mold surface. Once the adjustable actuators are in position
they may be adjusted by the mold-forming device for thermal
expansion, composite part spring-back, and thickness of the
material to be formed using the mold. In this embodiment the
adjustable actuators may have a feedback system allowing the
adjustable actuators to be calibrated and their positions
determined. The determined positions of the adjustable actuators
may be corroborated against the input data allowing for quality
control of the mold-forming device. Once the position of the
adjustable actuators is verified with the input data the adjustable
actuators may be locked into position. The embodiment may then have
power withdrawn from the device and the actuators will hold their
position, providing a stable tooling surface, and allowing the mold
to be reused in the set position for more than one molded part. In
various embodiments, the mold-forming device may be mobile and may
be maneuvered into a curing device such as an autoclave. The
mold-forming device may be constructed in a modular form so that a
plurality of mold-forming devices may be joined together allowing
for the possibility of manufacturing larger molded parts. Storage
of molds is no longer required as the data to create the mold using
the mold-forming device is all that is required to be stored. The
data may be sent to distant geographical locations that are in
possession of an embodiment of the mold-forming device, allowing
manufacturing to take place quickly and cheaply wherever the
devices are located. Rapid prototyping and modification is possible
as the mold of molded part can quickly and easily be adjusted using
the new data of the adjusted part, allowing for individual molded
part comparisons to be carried out in their application
environment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Embodiments of the disclosure will be readily understood by
the following detailed description in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings. Embodiments of the disclosure are
illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the
figures of the accompanying drawings.
[0008] FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of the mold-forming device used
in various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart view of selected operations of
the methods used in accordance with various embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary architecture of selected
computing components of the mold-forming device of FIG. 1 suitable
for use to perform selected automated operations of FIG. 2, in
accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of aircraft production and service
method, in accordance with various embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an aircraft, in accordance with
various embodiments of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure include, but are
not limited to, methods, apparatuses, and articles of manufacture
for a multiuse mold-forming device that may be electronically
adjusted. Embodiments may contain a plurality of adjustable
actuators fixed to a base, where the adjustable actuators are
affixed perpendicular to the base. The adjustable actuators may be
arranged in a matrix, where the adjustable actuator ends are
opposite to the base end, are free to move, and are configurable.
The mold-forming device may be mobile and contain a module capable
of adjusting the adjustable actuators into a plurality of positions
dependent upon input data coming from a CAD model or surface. The
module adjusting the matrix arrangement of adjustable actuators may
then allow the data from the CAD surface or solid model to position
the adjustable actuator thereby configuring the top surface of the
adjustable actuators to form the exact shape of the CAD surface to
be tooled, this may be a male or female mold.
[0014] Various operations may be described as multiple discrete
operations in turn, in a manner that may be helpful in
understanding various embodiments; however, the order of
description should not be construed to imply that these operations
are order dependent.
[0015] The description may use perspective-based descriptions such
as up/down, back/front, and top/bottom. Such descriptions are
merely used to facilitate the discussion and are not intended to
restrict the application of the embodiments.
[0016] The terms "coupled" and "connected," along with their
derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms
are not intended as synonyms for each other. Rather, in particular
embodiments, "connected" may be used to indicate that two or more
elements are in direct physical or electrical contact with each
other. "Coupled" may mean that two or more elements are in direct
physical or electrical contact. However "coupled" may also mean
that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each
other, but yet still cooperate or interact with each other.
[0017] For the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form
"A/B" means A or B. For the purposes of the description, a phrase
in the form "A and/or B" means "(A), (B), or (A and B)." For the
purposes of the description, a phrase in the form "at least one of
A, B, and C" means "(A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C),
or (A, B and C)." For the purposes of the description, a phrase in
the form "(A) B" means "(B) or (AB)," that is, A is an optional
element.
[0018] The description may use the phrases, "various embodiments"
"in an embodiment," or "in embodiments," which may each refer to
one or more of the same or different embodiments. Furthermore, the
terms "comprising," "including," "having," and the like, as used
with respect to embodiments as described in the present disclosure,
are synonymous.
[0019] FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of the mold-forming device used
in various embodiments of the disclosure. As illustrated, a
mold-forming device may have a base 105, and the base may be a
solid rectangular structure capable of supporting a matrix of
electronic actuators; items for carrying out data processing,
controlling devices for the adjustable actuators 103, a caul plate
that may rest on the top surface 113 of the adjustable actuators
103, and any mold-forming material. The base may be set on casters
109 or a similar device allowing the mold-forming device to be
maneuverable; allowing the device to be mobile within the
manufacturing environment. This may allow the device to be
maneuvered into a curing environment such as an autoclave. It may
also allow the device to be maneuvered into a position allowing the
mold-forming device to be locked together with other mold-forming
devices. The mold-forming device may include a locking device (not
shown) that couples the mold-forming device to other mold-forming
devices, allowing a larger mold-forming device to be created from
the smaller modular mold-forming devices. This larger mold-forming
device made up of the embodiment allows for larger molded pieces to
be created. The mold-forming device may also include an electronic
interconnect module (not shown) allowing data to be transferred
between the mold-forming devices when a plurality are joined to
create a larger mold-forming device for creating larger molded
parts. This may allow data to pass through the plurality of
mold-forming devices so that the appropriate mold-forming device is
configured, allowing the plurality of mold-forming devices to act
as one large mold-forming device. The electronic interconnect
module may allow data to be input into the mold-forming device from
an external source, where the CAD model or surface data is stored
or directly from a computer device that is capable of transferring
mold data to the mold-forming device. The mold data may then be
input into a module (not shown) that contains adjustable actuator
logic and a storage medium for positions of the adjustable
actuators 103, representing the CAD model or surface to be
formed.
[0020] The base 105 of the mold-forming device may have a plurality
of adjustable actuators 103 attached perpendicularly to the base
105 in the form of a matrix. The adjustable actuator base 111 may
be fixed to the base 105 of the mold-forming device, the adjustable
actuator 103 may be attached firmly holding the adjustable actuator
perpendicular to the base 105 of the mold-forming device. In this
embodiment, the adjustable actuators 103 are positioned as close
together as possible to each other so that the top surface 113 of
the adjustable actuators 103 may form a near contiguous
surface.
[0021] CAD model data for a part or surface that may be molded by
the device is input via the electronic interconnect module (not
shown). The data may be computed using the module (not shown) into
position data for the adjustable actuators 103. The computed
adjustable actuator position data represents the position for each
adjustable actuator 103 so that the plurality of adjustable
actuators 103 may be configured into positions to represent a
shape, or surface of a mold that will form the part described in
the CAD model or surface data.
[0022] In this embodiment, to compute the positions for each
adjustable actuator 103, the module that accepts the CAD model or
surface data uses this data with one or more of the thermal
expansion of the mold material, composite part spring-back of the
mold, and thickness of the material to be formed using the
mold.
[0023] Once the position data for each adjustable actuator 103 of
the mold-forming device has been calculated, the module inputs the
position data into the appropriate actuator driver which moves the
adjustable actuator to the calculated position. Each adjustable
actuator 103 is connected to an electronic feedback system (not
shown) allowing the precise position of each adjustable actuator
103 to be determined, allowing the mold-forming device to verify
the precise position of each of the adjustable actuators 103 for
quality control. This may be accomplished automatically as the
adjustable actuator's actual positions may be matched to the CAD
model or surfaces computed positions, eliminating the need for
Coordinate Measurement Mapping (CMM) or other tool inspection
procedures. This feedback system allows quality control to be
carried out automatically as each new CAD mold or surface data set
is input into the mold-forming device, as the mold-forming device
forms the mold.
[0024] In this embodiment, the adjustable actuators 103 are locked
into position once the position of each adjustable actuator is
verified with the CAD model or surface. The locked actuator allows
the mold-forming device to be detached from any power source and
the electronic interconnect module (not shown). The locked
adjustable actuators may now hold their positions which form the
shape of the mold representing the part described by the CAD model
or surface. A repeatable flexible caul plate 115 may now be laid on
the top surface 113 of the automatic actuators. This may be a
highly ductile material that is flexible in all directions, e.g., a
Teflon plate, thin aluminum, or high temperature rubber.
[0025] The mold-forming device may now have the mold-forming
material laid on top of the caul plate and the mold-forming device
maneuvered into a curing environment for the particular
mold-forming material being used. The mold-forming device may be
used to make copies of this part as necessary. The mold-forming
device may hold its shape as the adjustable actuators 103 are
locked into position. When a new mold shape is required the
mold-forming device is reattached using the electronic interconnect
module (not shown) to a device holding the CAD model or surface of
the new shape. The process may be repeated for the new mold shape.
If the original shape is required at some time in the future, the
data can be re-input into the mold-forming device so the device can
again reposition the adjustable actuator into the original
positions allowing the original shape to be formed.
[0026] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart view of selected operations of
the methods used in accordance with various embodiments of the
disclosure. In this embodiment, the mold-forming device may receive
the data that represents the mold-form as CAD data of the model or
surface, block 201, to be shaped. In other embodiments the data may
be in the form of electronic data representing the shape to be
formed by the mold-forming device.
[0027] If more than one mold-forming device is required, block 210,
to form the mold, one or more mold-forming devices as required, may
be connected together. The mold-forming devices may have physical
connectors that allow the mold-forming device to be locked
together, block 202. This locking together may physically attach
one mold-forming device to another mold-forming device, where a
process to detach them may be required to separate the mold-forming
devices from one another. This may allow the mold-forming devices
to revert back to their singular state. Once locked together the
one or more mold-forming devices form a larger mold-forming device
required to mold a larger part, this may be because the mold to be
formed is too large to be formed on one mold-forming device.
[0028] The CAD data of the mold, block 201, may be input into the
mold-forming device through the electronic interconnect module, the
data being input into a module containing computational logic 314
(shown in FIG. 3). The module generates data for the positions of
the adjustable actuators, block 203, using computational logic 314
(shown in FIG. 3) and actuator logic 316 (shown in FIG. 3). Once
the position for each adjustable actuator 103 (shown in FIG. 1) has
been calculated, further refinement of the adjustable actuator 103
(shown in FIG. 1) position may take place. In this embodiment the
position of the adjustable actuator 103 (shown in FIG. 1) may be
refined by further generating data for the position of the
adjustable actuators 103 (shown in FIG. 1) based upon a thermal
expansion, block 204. This embodiment may include the position of
the adjustable actuator 103 (shown in FIG. 1) being refined by
further generating data for the position of the adjustable actuator
103 (shown in FIG. 1) based upon a composite part spring-back,
block 206. This embodiment may further refine the position of the
adjustable actuator 103 (shown in FIG. 1) by further generating
data for the position of the adjustable actuator 103 (shown in FIG.
1) based upon a thickness of the material to be formed, block
208.
[0029] The position data for each adjustable actuator 103 (shown in
FIG. 1) may then be used to configure each adjustable actuator via
the data communication interconnect, block 205, using the actuator
driver 320 (shown in FIG. 3), contained in the module of the
mold-forming device. The data communication interconnect socket may
allow data to be transferred from an outside source; this may be
another computer device from which the data is input into the
mold-forming device. Once the adjustable actuators have been
configured, the adjustable actuators may be locked, block 207. An
electronic feedback system may provide feedback of positions of
adjustable actuators, block 209, to allow the precise position of
each adjustable actuator to be determined for quality control
purposes. Once the precise position of the adjustable actuators has
been provided, the mold-forming device verifies the position of the
adjustable actuator, block 211, with the CAD model data that was
provided to determine the positions of the adjustable actuators. If
an adjustable actuator is found to be in the wrong position, the
mold-forming device configures the adjustable actuator, block 205,
again. This process is repeated until the positions of all of the
adjustable actuators can be verified with the input CAD model
data.
[0030] In this embodiment of the disclosure, once the position of
the adjustable actuators 103 (shown in FIG. 1) has been verified,
block 211, removal of power from the mold-forming device, block
212, may be performed. The adjustable actuators 103 (shown in FIG.
1) are locked into their verified position and with the removal of
power from the mold-forming device remain in the same position. The
mold-forming device may be used one or more times without being
reconnected to a power source, the locked adjustable actuator 103
(shown in FIG. 1), locked into the position determined by the CAD
input data.
[0031] Once each of the adjustable actuator's positions has been
verified, a flexible caul plate 115 (shown in FIG. 1) may be
disposed upon the upper surface of the actuators, block 213, with
the caul plate in place the mold material may be applied to the
mold, block 215. The mold-forming device can now be moved to an
environment to cure the mold and then ready the mold-forming device
for another mold, block 217. If the same part is required, the
mold-forming device may be reused as the adjustable actuators are
locked into position. If a new mold part is required, the
operations are repeated, the mold-forming a new shape dependent
upon the input data.
[0032] FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary architecture of selected
computing components of the mold-forming device suitable for
performing the described operations of various embodiments of the
present disclosure. As shown, computing components 300 may include
one or more processors 302 and memory 304. Additionally, computing
system/device 300 may include mass storage devices 306 (such as
diskette, hard drive, CD-ROM and so forth), and communication
interfaces 310 (such as network interface cards, modems and so
forth). The elements may be coupled to each other via system bus
312, which represents one or more buses. In the case of multiple
buses, they may be bridged by one or more bus bridges (not
shown).
[0033] Mass storage 306 and memory 304 may be employed to store a
working copy and a permanent copy of the programming instructions
implementing one or more aspects of the above described teachings
to practice the mold-forming device methods and apparatuses of the
present disclosure, such as computational logic 314. The
programming instructions may be implemented in assembler
instructions supported by processor(s) 302 or high level languages,
such as C, that may be compiled into such instructions.
[0034] The permanent copy of the programming instructions may be
placed into mass storage 306 in the factory, or in the field,
through, e.g., a distribution medium (not shown) or through
communication interface 310 (from a distribution server (not
shown)).
[0035] Mass storage 306 may contain actuator logic 316 and storage
for position data 318 for each adjustable actuator. The actuator
logic may be the logic required to convert surface or model data
into actuator position data, computing where each individual
adjustable actuator from the plurality of adjustable actuators
arranged in a matrix should be positioned to represent the surface
or model of the CAD data to be molded. Once each adjustable
actuator position is calculated the position data may be stored in
the position data storage 318. The adjustment of the adjustable
actuators may require an actuator driver 320, each adjustable
actuator may have its own instance of the actuator driver, the
position data for each adjustable actuator stored in the position
data 318 may be communicated to the actuator driver 320 via the bus
312. The actuator drivers 320 may then adjust the adjustable
actuators to the computed position, allowing the plurality of
adjustable actuators to form a surface with the end of adjustable
actuators, the end being opposite to the end fixed to the base.
[0036] Referring more particularly to the drawings, embodiments of
the disclosure may be described in the context of an aircraft
manufacturing and service method 400 as shown in FIG. 4 and an
aircraft 502 as shown in FIG. 5. During preproduction, exemplary
method 400 may include specification and design 404 of the aircraft
502 and material procurement 406. During production, component and
subassembly manufacturing 408 and system integration 410 of the
aircraft 502 takes place. Thereafter, the aircraft 502 may go
through certification and delivery 412 in order to be placed in
service 414. While in service by a customer, the aircraft 502 is
scheduled for routine maintenance and service 416 (which may
include modification, reconfiguration, refurbishment, and so
on).
[0037] Each of the processes of method 400 may be performed or
carried out by a system integrator, a third party, and/or an
operator (e.g., a customer), as indicated by the "X" in the grid to
the right of the flow diagram of FIG. 4. For the purposes of this
description, a system integrator may include without limitation any
number of aircraft manufacturers and major-system subcontractors; a
third party may include without limitation any number of venders,
subcontractors, and suppliers; and an operator may be an airline,
leasing company, military entity, service organization, and so
on.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 5, the aircraft 502 produced by exemplary
method 400 may include an airframe 518 with a plurality of systems
520 and an interior 522. Examples of high-level systems 520 include
one or more of a propulsion system 524, an electrical system 526, a
hydraulic system 528, and an environmental system 530.
[0039] Apparatus and methods embodied herein may be employed during
any one or more of the stages of the production and service method
400. For example, components or subassemblies corresponding to
production process 408 may be fabricated or manufactured in a
manner similar to components or subassemblies produced while the
aircraft 502 is in service. Also, one or more apparatus
embodiments, method embodiments, or a combination thereof may be
utilized during the production stages 408 and 410, for example, by
substantially expediting assembly of or reducing the cost of an
aircraft 402. Similarly, one or more of apparatus embodiments,
method embodiments, or a combination thereof may be utilized while
the aircraft 502 is in service, for example and without limitation,
to maintenance and service 416.
[0040] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described herein for purposes of description of the preferred
embodiment, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in
the art that a wide variety of alternate and/or equivalent
implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiment
shown and described without departing from the scope of the
disclosure. Those with skill in the art will readily appreciate
that the present disclosure may be implemented in a very wide
variety of embodiments. This application is intended to cover any
adaptations or variations of the embodiments discussed herein.
Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this disclosure be
limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.
* * * * *