A system includes a robotic arm, a rotisserie control linkage, and a computer system. The robotic arm includes a touch probe and laser head. The rotisserie control linkage is configured to couple to a transport cart. The computer system is communicatively coupled to the robotic arm and the rotisserie control linkage and is configured to control the system to probe, using the touch probe of the robotic arm, a transparent outer layer of an aircraft canopy located on the transport cart in order to determine surface measurements of the aircraft canopy. The computer system also controls the system to ablate, using a plurality of predetermined parameters and the laser head of the robotic arm, an interface layer located between the transparent outer layer and the aircraft canopy, wherein movements of the robotic arm during the ablation are based on the surface measurements.

An optical axis adjusting method includes a position detecting step of emitting a laser beam from a laser oscillator, applying the laser beam to a processing point, and detecting the position of the laser beam by using a position detecting unit set at the processing point, a storing step of storing the position of the laser beam as detected in the position detecting step as a reference position, and an adjusting step of operating an adjusting mechanism of each optical component holder in the case that the position of the laser beam is deviated from the reference position after performing maintenance of each optical component, thereby adjusting the position of the laser beam so that the position of the laser beam is shifted back to the reference position.

Angled, single laser weld and a method of forming an angled, single laser weld including arranging a first and second faying surfaces of a first and second component adjacently to form an interface between the components; irradiating at least one of the first and second components at the interface with a laser, wherein the first faying surface defines a plane formed at an angle alpha in the range of +/−5 degrees to 60 degrees from an axis A perpendicular to the first front surface and the second faying surface matches the first faying surface; and forming a junction at the interface with an hourglass shaped weld.

Angled, single laser weld and a method of forming an angled, single laser weld including arranging a first and second faying surfaces of a first and second component adjacently to form an interface between the components; irradiating at least one of the first and second components at the interface with a laser, wherein the first faying surface defines a plane formed at an angle alpha in the range of +/−5 degrees to 60 degrees from an axis A perpendicular to the first front surface and the second faying surface matches the first faying surface; and forming a junction at the interface with an hourglass shaped weld.

A process for aligning a laser in a gear inspection system is disclosed. The method comprises fixing a gear for inspection within a gear inspection system and emitting a first signal from a laser to a point of interest of the gear. A reflection of the first signal is received as the first signal reflects off the point of interest of the gear. Based on the reflection of the first signal, an orientation of the laser is adjusted. Subsequently, a second signal is emitted from the laser to the point of interest of the gear, and a reflection of the second signal is received as the second signal reflects off the point of interest of the gear. Values corresponding to the orientation of the laser are stored based on the reflection of the second signal.

A process for aligning a laser in a gear inspection system is disclosed. The method comprises fixing a gear for inspection within a gear inspection system and emitting a first signal from a laser to a point of interest of the gear. A reflection of the first signal is received as the first signal reflects off the point of interest of the gear. Based on the reflection of the first signal, an orientation of the laser is adjusted. Subsequently, a second signal is emitted from the laser to the point of interest of the gear, and a reflection of the second signal is received as the second signal reflects off the point of interest of the gear. Values corresponding to the orientation of the laser are stored based on the reflection of the second signal.

A unit vector calculating unit of a laser machining device obtains a unit vector based on respective current rotational positions of an A-axis and a B-axis. A movement command calculating unit, a speed command calculating unit, or a torque command calculating unit generates a command signal for maintaining a gap amount at a constant value, based on the unit vector, and the gap amount between a machining nozzle and a workpiece. With a servo control unit, on the basis of the command signal, an X-axis motor, a Y-axis motor, and a Z-axis motor are controlled, whereby the machining nozzle is moved relatively in three-dimensional directions with respect to the workpiece.

A unit vector calculating unit of a laser machining device obtains a unit vector based on respective current rotational positions of an A-axis and a B-axis. A movement command calculating unit, a speed command calculating unit, or a torque command calculating unit generates a command signal for maintaining a gap amount at a constant value, based on the unit vector, and the gap amount between a machining nozzle and a workpiece. With a servo control unit, on the basis of the command signal, an X-axis motor, a Y-axis motor, and a Z-axis motor are controlled, whereby the machining nozzle is moved relatively in three-dimensional directions with respect to the workpiece.

A method for the removal of debris (75) from an aperture (60), the aperture comprising a first aperture diameter (64) and extending along a first axis (62) over a first distance (63), the method comprising the steps of aligning a beam of energy (80) with the first axis such that the beam of energy is coaxially aligned with the aperture, the beam of energy comprising both an energy sufficient to remove the debris, and a first beam diameter (82) which is less than the first aperture diameter; and, exposing the debris to the beam of energy in order to remove the debris from the aperture.

A method for the removal of debris (75) from an aperture (60), the aperture comprising a first aperture diameter (64) and extending along a first axis (62) over a first distance (63), the method comprising the steps of aligning a beam of energy (80) with the first axis such that the beam of energy is coaxially aligned with the aperture, the beam of energy comprising both an energy sufficient to remove the debris, and a first beam diameter (82) which is less than the first aperture diameter; and, exposing the debris to the beam of energy in order to remove the debris from the aperture.