Nutplate Preparation Laser System

Abstract

A system includes a laser configured to conduct a cleaning cycle that includes producing a laser beam capable of cleaning a faying surface of each of a plurality of nutplates, and conducting a first pass to clean each of the faying surfaces, wherein the laser is at a first position having a first angle relative to an axis orthogonal to the faying surfaces during the first pass. The system also includes a nutplate tray configured to hold the plurality of nutplates such that each faying surface is oriented such that the laser beam is capable of contacting each faying surface at least once during the cleaning cycle.

1 . A system, comprising:
 a laser configured to conduct a cleaning cycle comprising:
 producing a laser beam capable of cleaning a faying surface of each of a plurality of nutplates; and 
 conducting a first pass to clean each of the faying surfaces, wherein the laser is at a first position having a first angle relative to an axis orthogonal to the faying surfaces during the first pass; and 
   a nutplate tray configured to hold the plurality of nutplates such that each faying surface is oriented such that the laser beam is capable of contacting each faying surface at least once during the cleaning cycle.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning cycle further comprises conducting a second pass to clean each of the faying surfaces, wherein the laser is at a second position having a second angle relative to an axis orthogonal to the faying surfaces during the second pass; and
 wherein the first angle is different from the second angle.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the laser is configured to move during the first pass. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a conveyor, wherein the conveyor is configured to:
 make contact with the nutplate tray; and   move the nutplate tray during the first pass.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a lens attached to the laser such that the laser beam passes through the lens, wherein the lens has a focal distance; and   wherein a distance between the lens and a point where the laser beam contacts one of the faying surfaces is within 10 percent of the focal distance.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a container having one or more sides, wherein the container is configured to contain the laser and the nutplate tray. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the laser is configured to produce a laser beam having a wavelength of between 800 nm and 2000 nm. 
     
     
         8 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A system, comprising:
 a controller;   a laser configured to conduct a cleaning cycle comprising:
 producing a laser beam capable of cleaning a faying surface of each of a plurality of nutplates; and 
 conducting a first pass to clean each of the faying surfaces, wherein the laser is at a first position having a first angle relative to an axis orthogonal to the faying surfaces during the first pass; 
   a nutplate tray configured to hold the plurality of nutplates such that each faying surface is oriented such that the laser beam is capable of contacting each faying surface at least once during the cleaning cycle; and   a conveyor configured to move the nutplate tray in a plurality of directions in response to receiving instructions from the controller.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the cleaning cycle further comprises conducting a second pass to clean each of the faying surfaces, wherein the laser is at a second position having a second angle relative to an axis orthogonal to the faying surfaces during the second pass; and
 wherein the first angle is different from the second angle.   
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the laser is configured to move during the first pass. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the conveyor is configured to move the nutplate tray during the first pass. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a lens attached to the laser such that the laser beam passes through the lens, wherein the lens has a focal distance; and   wherein a distance between the lens and a point where the laser beam contacts one of the faying surfaces is within 10 percent of the focal distance.   
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising a container having one or more sides, wherein the container is configured to contain the laser and the nutplate tray. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the laser is configured to produce a laser beam having a wavelength of between 800 nm and 2000 nm.