Ronald J Braun

US Patent:

45037884, Mar 12, 1985

Filed:

Sep 24, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/423485

Inventors:

Ottavio Giannuzzi - Baldwin NY
Ronald C. Braun - West Islip NY

Assignee:

Grumman Aerospace Corporation - Bethpage NY

International Classification:

D05B 2100

US Classification:

11212112

Abstract:

A translaminar stitching module is disclosed for stitching complex airframe details comprised of composite materials. The stitching module is self-digitizing, microprocessor controlled, and has six degrees of motion which allow the module to stitch along straight, bowed, twisted and highly contoured paths. During the stitching operation positioning is controlled by a microprocessor by controlling movement along five of the module's six axes through the use of encoder feedback. Upon receipt of the encoded data a microprocessor interpolates between selected coordinate point inputs and inserts the required stitch pitch for proper movement along the stitching path.

US Patent:

45277834, Jul 9, 1985

Filed:

Apr 26, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/488818

Inventors:

George A. Collora - Holbrook NY
Ronald C. Braun - West Islip NY

Assignee:

Grumman Aerospace Corporation - Bethpage NY

International Classification:

B25B 1100

US Classification:

269 21

Abstract:

A universal apparatus for holding contoured work-pieces in a selected pre-determined contour during the performance of various manufacturing operations is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a spring metal frame supported by a base, which through the activation of computer programmable linear actuator members can be deformed to a desired pre-determined contour to form a contoured support plane for a work-piece. The spring metal frame portion of the apparatus further comprises a device for indexing the contoured work-piece in the contoured support plane formed by the deformed spring metal frame. The spring metal frame is also provided with a constraining device which comprises a plurality of spaced vacuum cups which are selectively activated to secure the work-piece to the metal frame.