Mark James Catania

US Patent:

56618921, Sep 2, 1997

Filed:

Jun 7, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/477093

Inventors:

Mark J. Catania - Tonawanda NY
Jeffrey P. Weaver - East Amherst NY
Thomas H. Rummell - Cheektowaga NY
Robert J. Kellner - Orchard Park NY

Assignee:

Gemcor Engineering Corp. - Buffalo NY

International Classification:

B23Q 1700
B23B 3500
B23C 300

US Classification:

2952502

Abstract:

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for positioning tooling with respect to a curvilinear workpiece which is curved in a first direction extending along a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the workpiece and which is curved in a second direction extending along a plane to the workpiece longitudinal axis, the degree of curvature in the first direction being greater than the degree of curvature in the second direction. An illustrative example is automatic drilling, inserting and upsetting one or two piece fasteners such as exterior skin rivets on an airplane fuselage. Inner and outer positioning systems carry or support inner and outer tooling, respectively, which engage the workpiece from opposite sides thereof during tooling operations thereon. Each of the inner and outer positioning systems move the respective tooling through a large number of axes, for example six axes of movement provided by the outer positioning system and seven axes of movement provided by the inner positioning system. Movements of the inner and outer positioning systems are controlled and co-ordinated by an adaptive, master-slave control system.

US Patent:

54775973, Dec 26, 1995

Filed:

Apr 14, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/048420

Inventors:

Mark J. Catania - Tonawanda NY
Jeffrey P. Weaver - East Amherst NY
Thomas H. Rummell - Cheektowaga NY
Robert J. Kellner - Orchard Park NY

Assignee:

Gemcor Engineering Corp. - Buffalo NY

International Classification:

B23Q 102
B23B 3916
B23C 104

US Classification:

29 34B

Abstract:

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for positioning tooling with respect to a curvilinear workpiece which is curved in a first direction extending along a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the workpiece and which is curved in a second direction extending along a plane to the workpiece longitudinal axis, the degree of curvature in the first direction being greater than the degree of curvature in the second direction. An illustrative example is automatic drilling, inserting and upsetting one or two piece fasteners such as exterior skin rivets on an airplane fuselage. Inner and outer positioning systems carry or support inner and outer tooling, respectively, which engage the workpiece from opposite sides thereof during tooling operations thereon. Each of the inner and outer positioning systems move the respective tooling through a large number of axes, for example six axes of movement provided by the outer positioning system and seven axes of movement provided by the inner positioning system. Movements of the inner and outer positioning systems are controlled and co-ordinated by an adaptive, master-slave control system.

US Patent:

51546434, Oct 13, 1992

Filed:

Feb 7, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/833625

Inventors:

Mark J. Catania - Buffalo NY
Ernest K. Krell - Lewiston NY

Assignee:

Gemcor Engineering Corporation - Buffalo NY

International Classification:

B23Q 554
B23C 112
B23B 3914

US Classification:

29 34B

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for positioning tooling (16, 16) with respect to an arc-shaped workpiece assembly (12) spaced radially away from a centerline (14). The apparatus includes axially spaced apart support arm assemblies (40, 42) which are swingable about the centerline. Each support arm is provided with a fixed portion (72) and a radially inwardly and outwardly movable portion (70), the movable portions of both arm assemblies being simultaneously movable under the control of a CNC controller (58). The ends of inner and outer beams (36, 38) are supported by the radially movable portion (70). Supported upon each of the inner and outer beams is a carriage assembly (32, 34) movable along the beam (36, 38). A head (28, 30) is supported upon each of the carriages, each head having a relatively stationary half (124) and a shiftable half (122), the shiftable half being mounted upon a track carried by the stationary half to provide for movement about a center point. In operation the beams will be swung to their desired position about the centerline, the carriages will be moved to their desired positions, at least one of the heads will be extended, and the tooling will be advanced towards the workpiece, all of this movement being controlled by the CNC controller.