Rivet Loading Inspection and Scrap Ejection for Compliant Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-tasking devices for installing rivets and temporary fasteners in the aeronautical industry often perform non-compliant operations due to the use of incorrect rivets or temporary fasteners, and lack effective verification of their suitability before installation.
Innovation Solution
A multi-tasking device equipped with means for checking the conformity of rivets or temporary fasteners against predetermined criteria, and includes mechanisms for evacuating non-conforming items to a waste area, utilizing visual analysis through a camera and gravity or suction-based removal methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multi-tasking devices are used to install rivets and temporary fasteners, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential installation of non-compliant items
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification of rivet and temporary fastener conformity before installation by capturing images at the loading station, analyzing visual characteristics, and comparing them against reference data. This preliminary action ensures compliance is checked before the installation process begins, preventing non-compliant items from being installed while maintaining high productivity.
2Reliability
If conformity checking means are added to verify rivet and fastener compliance, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging and analysis system serves multiple functions: it verifies conformity of rivets, verifies conformity of temporary fasteners, and provides documentation. By using a single imaging system for multiple verification purposes, the patent avoids adding separate complex verification systems for each item type, thus improving reliability while limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses optical copying through imaging to create visual representations of rivets and temporary fasteners for analysis. This copying approach allows non-contact verification and automated analysis without requiring physical measurement devices, thereby improving reliability while keeping the added complexity minimal.
3Manufacturing precision
If visual analysis through camera is used to identify non-conforming items, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical measurement and identification systems with optical imaging and automated image analysis. This substitution allows for non-contact, high-precision identification of rivet and temporary fastener characteristics, improving manufacturing precision while the automated analysis software handles the complexity of pattern recognition and comparison against reference data.
4Reliability
If means for evacuating non-conforming items are implemented, then reliability is improved, but loss of time occurs during evacuation process
Solution Approach 1:
The system rapidly identifies and evacuates non-conforming items through automated image analysis and quick mechanical ejection mechanisms. By implementing fast analysis algorithms and rapid ejection systems, the patent minimizes the time loss during evacuation while maintaining high reliability through thorough conformity checking before installation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures that only suitable rivets or temporary fasteners are installed, preventing non-compliant operations and simplifying the installation process by identifying and removing unsuitable items efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
means for checking the conformity of said rivet or said temporary fixing according to at least one predetermined conformity criterion
Implementation Method 2
means for evacuating to a waste area a rivet or a temporary fixing identified as non-conforming
Implementation Method 3
means for evacuating to a waste area a rivet or a temporary fixing identified as non-conforming
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a multi-task device comprising at least: - a rivet support module capable of containing a rivet and/or a temporary fixing support module capable of containing a temporary fixing; - means for introducing a rivet or a temporary fixing into said modules at at least one loading station; - means for moving said at least one module to a work station for the installation of a rivet or temporary fixing in an opening made in a structure to be worked on; characterized in that said device comprises means for checking the conformity of said rivet or said temporary fixing according to at least one predetermined conformity criterion, and means for evacuating to a scrap area a rivet or a temporary fixing identified as non-conforming by said checking means.