Drilling apparatus and method
US9533359B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 29, 2013 |
| Grant date | Jan 3, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 12, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T408/561
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Drilling apparatus and method, the apparatus comprising: a first robot (10); a first member (30) (e.g. a pressure foot) and a drilling tool (38) both coupled to the first robot (10); a second robot (12); and a second member (52) coupled to the second robot (12); wherein the apparatus is arranged to press the members (30, 52) against opposite sides of a part to be drilled (2, 100) (e.g. an aircraft panel) so as to hold the part (2, 100) and prevent deflection of at least a portion of the part (2, 100); and the first member (30) and the drilling tool (38) are arranged such that the drilling tool (38) may drill into the portion of the part (2, 100) of which deflection is opposed from the side of the part (2, 100) pressed against by the first member (30). The robots (10, 12) may be robotic arms.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.