A drilling method is provided allowing drilling in confined spaces with less effort. Two independent data sources are used for reducing tolerances between the component to be joined to the workpiece. The component is measured at the supplier using photogrammetry or laser scanning First geometric data of the component obtained by this measurement are put in a data storage, such as a barcode tag or database. At the manufacturer, the first geometric data are used to position the component relative to the workpiece. Subsequently, the component is measured to obtain second geometric data indicative of the positions and diameters of the component joining holes. After determining a deviation between the first and second geometric data to be smaller than a predetermined threshold, the automatic drill is positioned at the correct drilling location and joining holes are drilled into the workpiece. Finally, the component and the workpiece are joined by fasteners.

A modular additive manufactured tool assembly includes a perishable tool and a tool holder coupled to the perishable tool. The tool assembly is configured to be coupled to a machine spindle. The tool assembly also includes a spindle connection coupled to the tool holder. The spindle connection is configured to be coupled to a machine spindle. Each of the tool holder and the perishable tool includes a perishable material. Each of the tool holder and the perishable tool is manufactured using an additive manufacturing process.

In drilling processing on a press-formed inclined portion, a hole is formed with high precision without occurrence of damage to a blade of a punch or slipping of the punch. Embodiments include a method where two through holes are formed in a blank before press-forming which are opposed to each other in the inclined direction of the inclined portion, each through portion partially forming a peripheral edge portion of the hole. The inclined portion is formed using press processing on the blank. Piercing processing using a punch is performed while pressing the inclined portion, so that the two opposed through holes are connected, thereby forming the hole.

Ribs for working an aircraft component having an aircraft component surface, fixtures for the same, and methods for the same, are provided herein. The rib includes a rib surface configured to receive the aircraft component and to be in abutting contact with at least a portion of the aircraft component surface. The rib further includes an extension extending away from the rib and configured to couple to a worksurface. Orientation of the rib is configured to be adjustable relative to the worksurface for improving working of the aircraft component. The fixture includes a mount defining an aperture and configured to be coupled to the worksurface and the rib. The method includes providing the fixture including the rib. The method further includes coupling the extension to a worksurface. The method further includes disposing the aircraft component on the rib surface.

Ribs for working an aircraft component having an aircraft component surface, fixtures for the same, and methods for the same, are provided herein. The rib includes a rib surface configured to receive the aircraft component and to be in abutting contact with at least a portion of the aircraft component surface. The rib further includes an extension extending away from the rib and configured to couple to a worksurface. Orientation of the rib is configured to be adjustable relative to the worksurface for improving working of the aircraft component. The fixture includes a mount defining an aperture and configured to be coupled to the worksurface and the rib. The method includes providing the fixture including the rib. The method further includes coupling the extension to a worksurface. The method further includes disposing the aircraft component on the rib surface.

A robotic forming system and method for forming a tapered hole in a workpiece include a housing and a nose extending from the housing. The housing defines an internal chamber. A vacuum gate is in fluid communication with an internal cavity of the nose. A seal is within the nose. A first spindle includes a first operative head. The first spindle is retained within the internal chamber. The first spindle is configured to be moved between a first stowed position within the housing and a first operating position in which the first operative head extends into the nose. The first operative head is configured to form an initial hole within the workpiece. A second spindle includes a second operative head. The second spindle is retained within the internal chamber. The second spindle is configured to be moved between a second stowed position within the housing and a second operating position in which the second operative head extends into the nose. The second operative head is configured to modify the initial hole to form a tapered hole.

A robotic forming system and method for forming a tapered hole in a workpiece include a housing and a nose extending from the housing. The housing defines an internal chamber. A vacuum gate is in fluid communication with an internal cavity of the nose. A seal is within the nose. A first spindle includes a first operative head. The first spindle is retained within the internal chamber. The first spindle is configured to be moved between a first stowed position within the housing and a first operating position in which the first operative head extends into the nose. The first operative head is configured to form an initial hole within the workpiece. A second spindle includes a second operative head. The second spindle is retained within the internal chamber. The second spindle is configured to be moved between a second stowed position within the housing and a second operating position in which the second operative head extends into the nose. The second operative head is configured to modify the initial hole to form a tapered hole.

Systems and methods are provided for inspection. One embodiment is a method for automatically measuring a hole. The method includes driving a fiber optic probe into the hole, determining a profile by scanning the hole via the fiber optic probe, and determining whether an interface gap exists at the hole based on the profile.

Systems and methods are provided for inspection. One embodiment is a method for automatically measuring a hole. The method includes driving a fiber optic probe into the hole, determining a profile by scanning the hole via the fiber optic probe, and determining whether an interface gap exists at the hole based on the profile.

A state monitoring method for vibration drilling of a stack structure material is provided. A load power and a torque value of a drilling spindle is monitored during machining. Drilling state are divided according to a machining material of a drill. According to a data of a test library, reference thresholds of two monitoring objects for judging the change of the drilling state are set to achieve the state monitoring for the drilling process. The method monitors the machining process through the monitoring module in the machining system.