A smart drilling system includes a terminal configured to map a design space to an actual space and having perforation location information in the design space, a drilling machine including a drill for perforation and configured to perform perforation in the actual space under control of the terminal based on the perforation location information, and a total station configured to acquire location information of a reference point in the actual space for mapping the design space to the actual space and location information of the drilling machine in the actual space, and to transmit the location information of the reference point in the actual space and the location information of the drilling machine to the terminal, wherein the terminal recognizes and displays a perforable region or a perforable point at a current position of the drilling machine.

A machine comprising a frame supported on a movable carrier. A first actuator is adapted to actuate a boom coupled to the frame. A first sensor generates signals indicative of a spatial orientation of the boom. At least one second actuator actuates a drilling work device coupled to the boom. A second sensor generates signals indicative of a spatial orientation of the drilling work device. A controller receives signals indicative of the spatial orientation of the boom and the drilling work device and actuates at least one of the first actuator and the second actuator through predetermined sequential steps to automatically position the machine in a default configuration. The controller further receives signals indicative of data corresponding to at least one drilling hole and automatically positions the machine in an operating configuration.

End effector assemblies for drilling a plurality of spaced-apart holes in a part, robots including the end effector assemblies, and associated methods are disclosed herein. The end effector assemblies include a first force application structure, an end effector, and a second force application structure. The first force application structure is configured to apply a first force to a surface of the part. The end effector is configured to selectively transition the first force application structure between a retracted state and an extended state and to selectively extend a drill bit into the part and subsequently retract the drill bit from the part. The second force application structure is configured to continuously apply a second force to the surface of the part while the first force application structure is in the retracted state and as the end effector assembly transitions from a first predetermined location to a second predetermined location.

Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for machining a part. Methods include generating a first spatial representation identifying a first orientation of a machining tool, and mechanically coupling an end effector to the part at a first position, the end effector including the machining tool and a coupling tool. Methods include generating a second spatial representation identifying a second orientation of the machining tool relative to the part, the first and second spatial representations being generated based on images captured by at least one imaging device and measurements from a plurality of sensors. Methods include identifying a plurality of differences that result from the coupling and that include a rotational distance and translational distance, the identifying being based on a comparison of a first image and a second image. Methods include adjusting the machining tool to return the machining tool to the first orientation at the first position.

Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for machining a part. Methods include generating a first spatial representation identifying a first orientation of a machining tool, and mechanically coupling an end effector to the part at a first position, the end effector including the machining tool and a coupling tool. Methods include generating a second spatial representation identifying a second orientation of the machining tool relative to the part, the first and second spatial representations being generated based on images captured by at least one imaging device and measurements from a plurality of sensors. Methods include identifying a plurality of differences that result from the coupling and that include a rotational distance and translational distance, the identifying being based on a comparison of a first image and a second image. Methods include adjusting the machining tool to return the machining tool to the first orientation at the first position.

A dummy tool is used to teach a robot the path the robot will follow to perform work on a workpiece to eliminate the possibility of damaging an actual tool during the training. The dummy tool provides the robot programmer an indication of potential collisions between the tool and the workpiece and other objects in the work cell when path is being taught. The dummy tool can have a detachable input/output device with a graphic user interface (GUI) that can communicate wirelessly with the robot controller. The dummy tool can also have a moveable camera attached thereto to track the relationship of the tool to objects in the work area.

Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for machining a part. The methods may include generating a plurality of spatial representations associated with a plurality of positions identified by a machining pattern associated with the part. The plurality of spatial representations may include a first spatial representation identifying a first orientation of a machining tool relative to the part at a first position. The methods may include moving an end effector to the first position. The methods may include mechanically coupling, using a coupling tool, the end effector to the part at the first position. The methods may include generating a second spatial representation identifying a second orientation of the machining tool relative to the part at the first position. The methods may include adjusting the machining tool in response to determining that the second spatial representation is different than the first spatial representation.

A method and system for drilling holes in a repaired composite structure. Four corner holes are selected from holes outside of a repaired area in the repaired composite structure. The four corner holes define a rectangle encompassing the repaired area with sides that each include a pair of corner holes with intermediate holes in between. A surface representation is generated based on a scan of the repaired composite structure that includes the rectangle. Side hole locations between a corresponding pair of corner holes are generated for each side of the rectangle. Grid vector lines are generated between corresponding pairs of side hole locations on opposite sides of the rectangle. The grid vector lines intersect each other at intersection points on the surface representation. Point coordinates are determined for intersection points that lie within the repaired area. A path is created for drilling holes at point coordinates for the intersection points.

A robot control system according to an embodiment is a control system for a robot comprising an arm, the arm being capable of holding a tool while rotating the tool and capable of moving the tool in at least two-dimensional directions, the arm being equipped with a rotating mechanism provided for the tool. The robot control system comprises a load-acquiring unit and a control-signal-generating unit. The load-acquiring unit is configured to acquire a force measured by a force sensor configured to measure a force applied from the tool to the arm during profile copying performed on a machining object by moving the arm while a copying guide attached to the arm and a copying mold placed on the machining object are kept in contact with each other. The control-signal-generating unit is configured to automatically control the arm by generating a control signal for the arm in accordance with the force acquired by the load-acquiring unit and with control information for the arm regarding the profile copying, and by outputting the control signal to the arm.

A smart drilling system includes a terminal configured to map a design space to an actual space and having perforation location information in the design space, a drilling machine including a drill for perforation and configured to perform perforation in the actual space under control of the terminal based on the perforation location information, and a total station configured to acquire location information of a reference point in the actual space for mapping the design space to the actual space and location information of the drilling machine in the actual space, and to transmit the location information of the reference point in the actual space and the location information of the drilling machine to the terminal, wherein the terminal recognizes and displays a perforable region or a perforable point at a current position of the drilling machine.