Data Acquisition Upgrade Validation Using a Composite Part

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The manufacturing process of parts is complex and prone to issues such as collisions and parts falling out of tolerance due to changes in the process, necessitating a method to validate upgrades to data acquisition systems before deployment.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for validating upgrades to data acquisition systems by acquiring measurement data from a composite part representing a family of parts, comparing it to reference data defining tolerances, and validating the upgrade based on this comparison.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If upgrades are deployed to improve manufacturing processes, then productivity and measurement capabilities are improved, but the risk of collisions and tolerance violations increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing process efficiencyVSAvoidprocess stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a validation process that tests upgrades on a composite part representing a family of parts before deploying them to the production line. This advance testing identifies potential collisions and tolerance issues before they affect actual manufacturing, allowing upgrades to be improved while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If comprehensive validation testing is performed, then reliability is improved, but time consumption and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupgrade validation accuracyVSAvoidvalidation process duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies copying by creating a composite part that represents a family of parts, which serves as a test model for validation. This composite part incorporates features from multiple parts in the family, allowing comprehensive testing to be performed on a single representative model rather than requiring extensive testing on each individual part type, thus reducing time while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If a composite part representing a family of parts is used for validation, then validation comprehensiveness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalidation coverageVSAvoidcomposite part complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by combining features from multiple parts in a family into a single composite part. This composite part integrates various geometries, tolerances, and features that would otherwise require separate validation processes, thereby improving validation coverage while consolidating the validation process into one unified test object rather than multiple separate tests.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11460834B2Validating an upgrade for a data acquisition system

Publication Date: 2022.10.04 PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP

AI summary

There are described a method, apparatus, and kit for validating an upgrade to a data acquisition system (DAS). The method comprises acquiring measurement data from a composite part using an upgraded DAS, the composite part representing a family of parts and having features from different parts of the family of parts incorporated thereon; comparing the measurement data to reference data defining tolerances for the measurement data; and validating the upgrade to the DAS based on the comparing of the measurement data to the reference data.