US 11,667,403 B2
Methods and systems for assembling a structure
Darrell D. Jones, Mill Creek, WA (US); Daniel R. Smith, Woodinville, WA (US); Robert William Whiting, St. Louis, MO (US); and Allen James Halbritter, Summerville, SC (US)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Nov. 10, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/454,262.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/115,036, filed on Nov. 18, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0153433 A1, May 19, 2022
Int. Cl. B32B 41/00 (2006.01); B64F 5/10 (2017.01); B29C 70/38 (2006.01); B29C 70/44 (2006.01); B29L 31/30 (2006.01)
CPC B64F 5/10 (2017.01) [B29C 70/38 (2013.01); B29C 70/44 (2013.01); B29L 2031/3082 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for placing a preform onto a mandrel, the preform comprising an unhardened fiber-reinforced material, the method comprising:
moving the mandrel in a process direction relative to a placement station(s) that comprises multiple pick-and-place machine(s);
identifying a tray that stores the preform;
placing a strong back at the preform via at least one of the multiple pick-and-place machine(s), wherein placing the strong back comprises placing a recess of the strong back at the preform;
applying vacuum pressure to hold the preform in contact with the strong back;
transporting the preform to the mandrel via the at least one of the multiple pick-and-place machines, wherein transporting the preform to the mandrel comprises aligning a recess of the strong back with a cut-out in the mandrel; and
placing the preform onto the mandrel.