A system for inspecting each workpiece of a plurality of non-identical workpieces includes a controller in control communication with the instruments of the system, and a ruleset corresponding to one or more such non-identical workpieces, the system reconfiguring the inspection instruments to customize part tending operations for each such non-identical workpiece. A method for inspecting each workpiece of a plurality of non-identical workpiece includes providing a controller in control communication with the instruments of the system, and a ruleset corresponding to each such non-identical workpiece, the controller causing reconfiguration of the inspection instruments to customize part tending operations for each such non-identical workpiece.

Illustrative embodiments improve holding of a workpiece in an industrial process by placing the workpiece on or in a workpiece interface of a workholder and, prior to securing the workpiece on or in the workholder, vibrating the workpiece interface to settle the workpiece onto or into the workpiece interface. The act of vibrating the workpiece interface is separate and distinct from an act of securing the workpiece to the workpiece interface, and the vibration from the act of vibrating the workpiece interface is separate and distinct from vibration that may occur incidental to the act of securing the workpiece to the workpiece interface. Some embodiments of a workholder include a vibration actuator distinct from a workpiece interface actuator that opens and closes the workpiece interface. Some embodiments of workpiece interface include a set of one or more tapered guides to guide a workpiece onto the workpiece interface.

Illustrative embodiments provide a method by which artificial intelligence in combination with vision systems or cameras cooperate with a robot to automate a process for inspecting a workpiece. An illustrative method includes providing a set of cameras to image a set of workpieces that are randomly disposed in a storage area. A controller employing a neural network trained to identify workpieces then processes images from the set of cameras to identify each workpiece, and uses workpiece identity to customize the operation of an inspection system.

Systems and methods provide for the determination and correction of tooling deviation by comparing two different three-dimensional surface scans of a composite panel after curing. Such methods and systems may allow for less accurate post-cure fixturing (e.g., holding the panel in a less constrained state, as compared to prior art techniques), while still maintaining a sufficient amount of precision for predictive shimming and shimless techniques. Methods include performing a first three-dimensional surface scan, performing a second three-dimensional surface scan, and comparing the two to determine a deformation function corresponding to tooling deviation. In some systems, a header structure is used to hold the composite panel in a nominal configuration for the second three-dimensional surface scan. In some systems, scanning devices perform mirrored scanning on either side of the composite panel, using a common reference frame.

Systems and methods provide for the determination and correction of tooling deviation by comparing two different three-dimensional surface scans of a composite panel after curing. Such methods and systems may allow for less accurate post-cure fixturing (e.g., holding the panel in a less constrained state, as compared to prior art techniques), while still maintaining a sufficient amount of precision for predictive shimming and shimless techniques. Methods include performing a first three-dimensional surface scan, performing a second three-dimensional surface scan, and comparing the two to determine a deformation function corresponding to tooling deviation. In some systems, a header structure is used to hold the composite panel in a nominal configuration for the second three-dimensional surface scan. In some systems, scanning devices perform mirrored scanning on either side of the composite panel, using a common reference frame.

A measuring apparatus for measuring a planar relative motion between a tool attacher and a work attacher of a machine tool includes at least one image capturing element capable of performing image capturing at a first position, a second position, and a third position, which are not located on the same line. The image capturing elements at the first position, the second position, and the third position are caused to capture a first point, a second point, and a third point, respectively, arranged on at least one plane of an XY-plane, an XZ-plane, and a YZ-plane. The image capturing element at the second position and the image capturing element at the third position are caused to capture the first point, the image capturing element at the first position and the image capturing element at the third position are caused to capture the second point, and the image capturing element at the first position and the image capturing element at the second position are caused to capture the third point. Based on the image capturing result, a value indicating the planar relative motion between the tool attacher and the work attacher is calculated.

Systems and methods provide for the determination and correction of tooling deviation by comparing two different three-dimensional surface scans of a composite panel after curing. Such methods and systems may allow for less accurate post-cure fixturing (e.g., holding the panel in a less constrained state, as compared to prior art techniques), while still maintaining a sufficient amount of precision for predictive shimming and shimless techniques. Methods include performing a first three-dimensional surface scan, performing a second three-dimensional surface scan, and comparing the two to determine a deformation function corresponding to tooling deviation. In some systems, a header structure is used to hold the composite panel in a nominal configuration for the second three-dimensional surface scan. In some systems, scanning devices perform mirrored scanning on either side of the composite panel, using a common reference frame.

A fixturing system for processing components includes a work surface, such as a table formed from a ferromagnetic material, a tool fixture having a magnet operable for securing the tool fixture to the work surface and having at least one alignment surface to hold and/or align a component to the tool fixture and to the work surface. The system further includes a storage location spaced from the work surface for storing the tool fixture when not in use on the work surface, a work piece, and optionally a robotic arm with a controller to move the work piece and robotic arm, and a computer having stored therein component location data. The computer is configured to control the work piece to retrieve the tool fixture from the storage location and to place the tool fixture on the work surface at a tool fixture location based on the component location data for aligning, and optionally holding the two components with the tool fixture while being processed.

A cutting apparatus includes a chuck table that holds a workpiece, a processing unit that forms a processed groove in the workpiece, an imaging unit that images the workpiece, a display unit that displays a captured image of a processed groove imaged by the imaging unit, and a control unit that executes display control of a display screen of the display unit. The control unit causes a mark that indicates the latest processed groove based on the Y-coordinate of the latest processed groove to be displayed on the display unit while being superimposed on a captured image.

A control method for a processing apparatus includes the steps of suspending a processing operation of a processing unit during the formation of a processed groove and then imaging the processed groove by using an imaging unit to obtain a detected image, inspecting the condition of the processed groove according to the detected image, inputting a selected one of plural parameters into an input area displayed on a touch panel from an operator in adjusting the parameters to optimize inspection conditions, moving an input cursor from the input area according to the input of the selected parameter, and executing the inspection of the processed groove by using the selected parameter input in the input area.