Manufacturing Model Alignment for NDE Data Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The management and analysis of large datasets from non-destructive evaluation (NDE) and quality-related data in manufacturing processes are inefficient, leading to limited usefulness due to cumbersome data handling and frequent discarding of data not associated with detected defects.
Innovation Solution
A method that aligns NDE datasets to simulated models of parts, allowing for spatially correlated statistics to be determined and analyzed, thereby enabling effective monitoring and modeling of manufacturing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If NDE data is collected for every part manufactured, then data completeness is improved, but data management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments NDE data into discrete datasets associated with specific parts and locations. Each NDE dataset is broken down into individual data points that can be independently managed and analyzed. This segmentation allows comprehensive data collection without overwhelming management complexity, as data can be processed in manageable units rather than as a monolithic dataset.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension by aligning NDE data points to specific locations on simulated models of parts. This dimensional transformation organizes data in space rather than simply in time or sequence, enabling efficient management through spatial indexing and location-based retrieval. The spatial correlation allows data to be organized by physical position on the part, making management tractable even as data volume increases.
2Loss of information
If all NDE data is retained for analysis, then analytical completeness is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the relevant portions of NDE data by aligning data points to specific locations on simulated models. Instead of processing all NDE data uniformly, the system extracts and processes only those data points that correspond to actual part features and potential defect locations. This extraction approach maintains analytical completeness for relevant data while reducing processing time by eliminating unnecessary data handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary alignment of NDE data points to simulated model locations before full analysis. By pre-organizing data in its spatial context and identifying relevant data points in advance, the system prepares data for analysis in a way that reduces subsequent processing time. This preliminary structuring allows for more efficient querying and analysis without losing analytical completeness.
3Loss of information
If NDE data is aligned to simulated models, then data utility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses simulated models as digital copies or representations of physical parts. Instead of directly processing complex physical part data, the system creates and aligns NDE data to simplified simulated model representations. These copies retain the essential geometric and spatial features needed for analysis while being computationally more manageable. The simulated models serve as intermediate representations that enhance data utility without requiring direct manipulation of complex physical part data.
4Loss of information
If spatially correlated statistics are calculated, then manufacturing process understanding is improved, but computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent calculates spatially correlated statistics at local levels rather than globally. By computing statistics for specific regions, locations, or features on the simulated model rather than for the entire part, the system gains detailed process understanding at critical locations while reducing overall computational requirements. This local approach allows focused analysis where it is most needed without the computational burden of analyzing all data points across the entire part.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, and computer program products for analyzing, monitoring, and/or modeling the manufacture of a type of part by a manufacturing process. Non-destructive evaluation data and/or quality related data collected from manufactured parts of the type of part may be aligned to a simulated model associated with the type of part. Based on the aligned data, the manufacturing process may be monitored to determine whether the manufacturing process is operating properly; aspects of the manufacturing process may be spatially correlated to the aligned data; and/or the manufacturing process may be analyzed.