Fastener Inspection Templates for Mixed Aerospace Recertification
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the aerospace industry, traditional methods for inspecting fasteners are tedious, time-consuming, and prone to human error, especially when recertifying mixed fasteners, leading to waste and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for automatically generating inspection templates of known good fasteners, which includes providing data entry mechanisms, storing content in a database, and creating templates with fastener profiles and features, enabling rapid and reliable identification of mixed fasteners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional manual inspection methods are used for fasteners, then inspection can be performed with simple equipment, but the process becomes tedious, time-consuming, and prone to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection methods with an automated computer-implemented inspection system that uses optical sensors, image processing, and automated measurement techniques to capture and analyze fastener geometry, thereby eliminating human error and reducing inspection time
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection system automatically generates inspection templates from captured images of known good fasteners without requiring manual template creation, and autonomously compares subsequent fasteners against these templates to identify defects or variations
2Loss of substance
If manual inspection methods are used for recertifying mixed fasteners, then equipment complexity remains low, but waste increases due to inability to efficiently identify usable fasteners
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates digital copies (templates) of known good fasteners from captured images, storing multiple views and measurements that can be rapidly compared against incoming fasteners to automatically identify usable ones among mixed batches
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection system measures multiple geometric parameters of fasteners including dimensions, thread characteristics, and head features, comparing these parameters against stored template ranges to determine acceptability and reduce waste of usable fasteners
3Productivity
If automated inspection systems are implemented, then inspection speed and accuracy improve, but the initial system complexity and setup requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary capture of known good fasteners to automatically generate inspection templates before actual inspection begins, pre-establishing acceptance criteria and measurement parameters that streamline subsequent high-speed inspection operations
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection system is designed to handle multiple fastener types and configurations using a single platform that can capture various views, generate different template types, and perform comprehensive geometric comparisons across diverse fastener geometries
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method of automatically generating inspection templates of a plurality of known good fasteners to identify fasteners at an inspection station is provided. The method includes providing a data entry mechanism to provide content needed to identify a plurality of unidentified mixed fasteners. The method also includes storing the content in a database, extracting the content from the database and creating the inspection templates from the extracted content. Each of the templates including a fastener profile and a set of features. Each of the features includes a range of acceptable values. Each of the templates has a fastener identification code associated therewith.