Automated method and apparatus for aircraft surface finishing

Abstract

An improved method and automated apparatus provides for the automated surface finishing of aircraft panels, which includes a central controller, a universal shuttle for transporting aircraft panels, scanning means and a panel surface processor moveable about a plurality of axes to present a plurality of surface finishing tools to act upon the panel is disclosed herein.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An automated apparatus for surface finishing of aircraft panels comprising retaining means for retaining a panel to be processed; 
 surface panel processing means for acting on a panel retained by said retaining means, said surface processing means being movable about a plurality of axes relative to said panel to present said processing means to act on the surface contour of said panel;    means for effecting relative movement between said retaining means and said surface processing means; and    control means for controlling said surface panel processing means in combination with said means for effecting relative movement.    
     
     
         2 . In a method of surface finishing of an aircraft panel comprising providing an aircraft panel to be surface finished; 
 mounting said panel in a fixed position; providing finishing means for surface finishing said panel;    effecting relative movement between said finishing means and said mounted panel, the improvement wherein said method includes the steps of detecting surface anomalies in said panel;    generating a data-input control signal based on said surface anomalies; and    generating a data output control signal to actuate said finishing means to act on said anomalies.    
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein said improvement includes the steps of scanning a defined area of said panel with scanning means to generate said data input control signal relative to said surface anomalies, and generating an output control signal to actuate and control said finishing means whereby said finishing means is actuated to correct said surface anomalies.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein said improvement includes the step of generating a first control signal relative to different locations of anomalies on said panel, said output control signal being adapted to control relative movement between said finishing means and said mounted panel for positioning said finishing means at different locations about said panel.  
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus includes scanning means.  
     
     
         6 . A device according to  claim 5 , wherein said scanning means includes temperature measuring means.  
     
     
         7 . A device according to  claim 5 , wherein said scanning means includes acoustic measuring means.  
     
     
         8 . A device according to  claim 5 , wherein said scanning means includes optical measuring means.  
     
     
         9 . A device according to  claim 8 , wherein said optical measuring means includes a laser.