Patent ID: 11919261
Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
Field: Handling (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 14:
15. An automated removal method for selectively removing one or more trimmed portions of a laminated ply in a ply-by-ply fabrication process, the automated removal method comprising the steps of:
positioning an automated removal apparatus over the one or more trimmed portions of the laminated ply, to be removed, in the ply-by-ply fabrication process, the automated removal apparatus comprising:
a rotatable reel comprising a plurality of retractable vacuum panels attached around a hub portion of the rotatable reel, each of the plurality of retractable vacuum panels comprising one or more retractable vacuum pad assemblies, each having a vacuum pad with a vacuum port and a self-sealing valve;
a plurality of actuator assemblies attached to the plurality of retractable vacuum panels;
a plurality of friction reducing elements attached around the rotatable reel;
a drive assembly attached to the rotatable reel;
a connector assembly attached to the drive assembly; and
a pneumatic system attached to the rotatable reel, the pneumatic system comprising a valve manifold operable to control an air flow to actuate the plurality of actuator assemblies, and operable to control the air flow to one or more vacuum generators to generate a vacuum flow through one or more of the vacuum ports;

rotating the rotatable reel, via the drive assembly, onto the one or more trimmed portions to be removed, wherein piston rods of the plurality of actuator assemblies are in an extended position, to extend the plurality of retractable vacuum panels and the one or more retractable vacuum pad assemblies;
compressing the one or more retractable vacuum pad assemblies against the one or more trimmed portions, to cause the self-sealing valve to open to an open position from a closed position, for each vacuum pad of the one or more retractable vacuum pad assemblies that is compressed, and to apply a vacuum force from the vacuum flow, to pull up and hold a section of the one or more trimmed portions against the vacuum pad; and
winding the one or more trimmed portions, held by the vacuum force, around an outer circumference of the rotatable reel for removal.