Abstract:
A system is disclosed that accepts portable power feed drilling equipment and enables the mechanical determination of an existing hole vector and duplication of the hole on the same vector in a new production part. The system allows for extremely accurate match drilling of parts with multiple, variable hole vectors. In addition, the system is adjustable in the Z-axis, which allows infinite and precise drill tip positioning prior to drilling to increase accuracy and manage chip exit. Interchangeable drill adaptors internal to the quill sleeve allow for a wide size range of drills to be used.

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0001]    The present application relates generally to systems for transferring hole patterns from a first component to a second component. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    When repairing an aircraft, machine, or other assembly of parts, a part may be removed and replaced with a new part. If the part to be replaced includes a drilled hole pattern, it is typically desirable to replicate the hole pattern as closely as possible on the new part in order for the new part to fit with existing parts. During duplication of the hole pattern, the vector (i.e., orientation) of each hole should be reproduced precisely, even variation from hole to hole. In addition, the size, relative position, and orientation relative to the part surface(s) of each hole should be duplicated in the new part, if possible. 
         [0003]    Various known methods exist for performing hole pattern duplication. For example, a computer numerical controlled (CNC) machine or a jig bore can be used to transfer a hole pattern from one part to another. However, such machines typically require a reliable power source and a trained operator. Even then, the accuracy of duplication may vary from one operator to another. In certain parts of the world, such as remote locations or locations without a reliable power source (i.e., grid) and/or trained operators, CNC machines and jig bores are not practical to use for repairs. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The present application discloses a hole transfer system with a gimbal assembly, which mechanically captures a 5-axis hole vector for duplicating the hole precisely and secures a motor and drill at that vector, without requiring the assistance of a computer or other electronics. 
         [0005]    In one example, a system is disclosed for transferring one or more holes from a first workpiece to a second workpiece that is a substantial duplicate of the first workpiece. The system comprises a gimbal assembly configured to mechanically determine a first position of a first hole in the first workpiece. The first position comprises a first set of X, Y and Z coordinates relative to a surface of the first workpiece. The gimbal assembly is further configured to mechanically determine a first vector of the first hole within the first workpiece, and to secure a drill at substantially the same vector as the first vector of the first hole while a second hole is drilled at a second position in the second workpiece. The second position relative to the second workpiece is substantially the same as the first position relative to the first workpiece. 
         [0006]    The gimbal assembly may further comprise a floating gimbal surrounded by a locking nut that releasably fixes the position of the floating gimbal. The gimbal assembly may also further comprise an alignment component configured to telescope in the Z-axis. The alignment component may comprise a quill sleeve. The alignment component may also be configured to receive and secure a plurality of interchangeable drill adaptors, wherein each drill adaptor corresponds to a different drill. 
         [0007]    In another example, a system comprises a gimbal surrounded by a clamp ring and a clamp nut and a quill sleeve housed within the gimbal. The gimbal is configured to rotate freely within the clamp ring when the clamp nut is loose and to remain locked in a substantially fixed position within the clamp ring when the clamp nut is tightened. The quill sleeve is configured to adjust to a desired vertical position relative to the gimbal and is further configured to receive and secure a drill adaptor. 
         [0008]    The system may further comprise an adjustment nut and a conical nut coupled to the quill sleeve and configured to adjust the quill sleeve to a desired vertical position relative to the gimbal. The system may further comprise a gantry slidably mounted to an X-Y transfer table and a cross slide assembly slidably mounted to the gantry, wherein the gimbal is housed within a gimbal assembly coupled to the cross slide assembly. The system may further comprise a base module coupled to the X-Y transfer table, wherein the base module is configured to receive and secure a first workpiece at a selected first position in an X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, the first workpiece having a plurality of holes arranged in a first hole pattern. The base module may further be configured to receive and secure a second workpiece substantially identical to the first workpiece in which the first hole pattern is desired to be replicated, the second workpiece being secured at a selected second position such that the second workpiece is substantially parallel to the first workpiece in the Y-axis at a selected offset distance, d, and is substantially aligned with the first workpiece with substantially zero offset in the X-axis and the Z-axis. The system may further comprise a transfer bar slidably mounted to the gantry, wherein the transfer bar includes two or more index bushings separated by a selected offset distance, d, and configured to engage with an index pin coupled to the cross slide assembly. 
         [0009]    In another example, a method is disclosed for duplicating a hole from a first workpiece to a second workpiece substantially identical to the first workpiece. The method comprises positioning a gimbal assembly over a first hole at a first location relative to the first workpiece, inserting a step pin into the first hole, and inserting an alignment pin into the gimbal assembly. The method further comprises mechanically aligning the alignment pin with the step pin to determine a first vector of the first hole, securing the gimbal assembly in alignment with the first vector, removing the alignment pin from the gimbal assembly, and removing the step pin from the first hole. The method further comprises moving the gimbal assembly to a second location over the second workpiece, wherein the second location relative to the second workpiece is substantially the same as the first location relative to the first workpiece, and drilling a second hole in the second workpiece at the second location and at a second vector that is substantially the same as the first vector. 
         [0010]    Positioning the gimbal assembly over the first hole may comprise sliding a gantry along one or more base rails and sliding a cross slide along one or more gantry rails. Mechanically aligning the gimbal assembly may comprise rotating and tilting a floating gimbal within a clamp ring. Securing the gimbal assembly may comprise tightening a clamp nut. The method may further comprise adjusting an alignment component to a desired vertical position within the gimbal assembly, which may comprise rotating an adjustment nut to a desired vertical position, and then tightening a conical nut until it reaches a bottom surface of a gimbal. The method may further comprise temporarily securing the gimbal assembly over the first hole location after the gimbal assembly is secured in alignment with the first vector, which may comprise engaging a lockdown clamp with a transfer bar slidably mounted to a gantry in which the gimbal assembly is housed. Moving the gimbal assembly to the second location over the second workpiece may comprise disengaging an index pin from a first index bushing, moving the cross slide by a selected offset distance, d, and engaging the index pin with a second index bushing. The first hole may be duplicated in the second workpiece with a variation of no more than about 1/1000 inch from the location and vector of the first hole in the first workpiece. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a front perspective view of one example of a hole transfer system having a gimbal assembly. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1B  illustrates a rear perspective view of the hole transfer system shown in  FIG. 1A . 
           [0013]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a perspective view of one example of a gimbal assembly. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2B  illustrates an exploded view of the gimbal assembly shown in  FIG. 2A . 
           [0015]      FIG. 2C  illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the gimbal assembly shown in  FIG. 2A . 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  illustrates the gimbal assembly of  FIGS. 2A-2C  coupled to a drill. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  illustrates a method for transferring a hole pattern from a first workpiece to a second workpiece. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  illustrates a flow diagram of an aircraft production and service methodology. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  illustrates a block diagram of an aircraft. 
       
    
    
       [0020]    Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate one example of a hole transfer system  100  in accordance with the present application. In the illustrated example, the system  100  comprises an X-Y transfer table  120  with a base plate  102  having a base module  112  mounted thereon. The base module  112  comprises one or more mounts  122  configured to secure two or more workpieces  114  in a selected alignment relative to one another. For example, in the case illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the workpieces  114  are aligned with substantially zero offset in the X-axis and with a fixed, known offset distance, d, in the Y-axis. The workpieces  114  are substantially identical and may comprise a wide variety of suitable components or other structures, such as, for example, a part of a vehicle (e.g., an aircraft, land vehicle, watercraft, space vehicle, etc.). The base plate  102  also comprises two base rails  104 , on which a gantry  106  is slidably mounted. As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the base rails  104  are substantially parallel to one another and are generally oriented along the X-axis. As a result, the base rails  104 , which are sometimes referred to as X-rails, generally restrict the motion of the gantry  106  to movement along the X-axis. 
         [0022]    The gantry  106 , in turn, comprises two gantry clamps  124 , which are configured to engage the base rails  104  to lock the gantry  106  in a substantially fixed position in the X-axis. The gantry  106  also includes two gantry rails  108  and two clamp rails  126 , on which a cross slide  110  is slidably mounted. As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the gantry rails  108  and clamp rails  126  are substantially parallel to one another and are generally oriented along the Y-axis, which is substantially perpendicular to the X-axis along which the base rails  104  are oriented. As a result, the gantry rails  108 , which are sometimes referred to as Y-rails, and the clamp rails  126  generally restrict the motion of the cross slide  110  to movement along the Y-axis. 
         [0023]    As shown in  FIG. 1B , a transfer bar  128  is slidably mounted to the gantry  106  through two or more slots  130  with corresponding lockdown clamps  132 . This configuration enables the transfer bar  128  to slide back and forth in the Y-axis until the lockdown clamps  132  are engaged, at which point the transfer bar  128  is locked in a substantially fixed position in the Y-axis. The transfer bar  128  also comprises two or more index bushings  134 , which are separated by the same offset distance, d, by which the two workpieces  114  are separated. The index bushings  134  are securely fastened to the transfer bar  128 . For example, in some cases, the index bushings  134  are pressed and bolted to the transfer bar  128 . 
         [0024]    The cross slide  110  comprises two cross slide clamps  136 , which are configured to engage the clamp rails  126  to lock the cross slide  110  in a substantially fixed position in the Y-axis. The cross slide  110  also comprises an index pin  138  configured to releasably engage the index bushings  134 . For example, in some cases, the index pin  138  has an outer diameter sized and shaped to fit snuggly within an inner diameter of the index bushings  134 . This configuration enables the cross slide  110  to be moved easily from a first position to a second position in the Y-axis, separated by the selected offset distance, d. The cross slide further comprises a gimbal assembly  200 , which is described in greater detail below in connection with  FIGS. 2A-2C . 
         [0025]    In the example shown in  FIGS. 1A-1B , the first workpiece  114 A has a plurality of holes  116 , which are desired to be replicated on the second workpiece  114 B, comprising a substantial duplicate of the first workpiece  114 A. In some cases, for example, the first workpiece  114 A may comprise an aircraft part in need of repair, and the second workpiece  114 B may comprise a new, replacement part for the first workpiece  114 A. In some cases, the workpieces  114  may be mounted on the X-Y transfer table  120  with an offset distance, d, of 8 inches or 12 inches in the Y-axis, and substantially zero offset in the X-axis. The hole transfer system  100  advantageously enables each hole  116  to be replicated on the second workpiece  114 B with a high degree of precision, i.e., with a variation of no more than about 1/1000 inch from the X-Y-Z location and vector, or orientation, of the corresponding hole  116  on the first workpiece  114 A. 
         [0026]    In operation, the X-Y transfer table  120  may be used to position the gimbal assembly  200  correctly in both the X- and Y-axes to transfer a selected hole  116  from the first workpiece  114 A to the second workpiece  114 B. For example, an operator may slide the gantry  106  along the base rails  104  until the gantry  106  reaches the position of the selected hole  116  in the X-axis, and then slide the cross slide  110  along the gantry rails  108  until the cross slide  110  reaches the position of the selected hole  116  in the Y-axis. Once the gimbal assembly  200  is positioned at the desired X-Y coordinates, the operator can adjust the vertical position of the gimbal assembly  200 , i.e., the position in the Z-axis, and also tilt and rotate the gimbal assembly  200  until it is aligned with the vector of the selected hole  116 , i.e., aligned in the fourth and fifth axes. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrate a perspective view, exploded view, and partial cross-sectional view, respectively, of the gimbal assembly  200  shown in  FIGS. 1A-1B .  FIG. 3  illustrates the same gimbal assembly  200  coupled to a suitable drill  370 . In the example illustrated in  FIGS. 2-3 , the gimbal assembly  200  comprises a gimbal  222  surrounded by a clamp nut  224 , clamp ring  226 , and flange ring  228 . In some cases, the flange ring  228  may include a pair of posts  230  configured to mate with corresponding holes  232  in the clamp ring  226 , to prevent the clamp ring  226  from rotating relative to the flange ring  228 . As shown in  FIG. 2C , the posts  230  may be surrounded by springs  264  to keep the clamp ring  226  separated from the flange ring  228  when the clamp nut  224  is loose, or in an unclamped configuration. In addition, the flange ring  228  may comprise a plurality of holes  234  through which the flange ring  228  may be coupled to the cross slide  110  ( FIGS. 1A-1B ) using suitable fasteners, such as, for example, screws, bolts, rivets, etc. 
         [0028]    The clamp nut  224  may have a threaded interior surface configured to mate with a corresponding threaded exterior surface of the flange ring  228 . In addition, the clamp ring  226  may have a spherical interior surface configured to mate with a complementary spherical exterior surface of the gimbal  222 . Thus, when the clamp nut  224  is loose, the gimbal  222  floats smoothly within the clamp ring  226 , i.e., rotates freely in any orientation, because the springs  264  bias the clamp ring  226  away from the flange ring  228  in this configuration. When the clamp nut  224  is tightened, however, the clamp ring  226  compresses against the flange ring  228 , which locks the gimbal  222  in a substantially fixed orientation within the clamp ring  226 . 
         [0029]    The gimbal assembly  200  also comprises a threaded quill sleeve  236 , configured to be mounted within the gimbal  222 . In the particular example shown, the quill sleeve  236  comprises a pair of slots  238  keyed to corresponding tabs  240  located on an interior surface of the gimbal  222 , to prevent the quill sleeve  236  from rotating within the gimbal  222 . The gimbal assembly  200  further comprises a conical nut  242  and an adjustment nut  244 , both having threaded interior surfaces configured to mate with the threaded exterior surface of the quill sleeve  236 . The gimbal assembly  200  also comprises a retainer ring  246  configured to surround the quill sleeve  236  and the adjustment nut  244 , which acts to keep the components of the gimbal assembly  200  in place. The retainer ring  246  may comprise two complementary pieces held in place by suitable fasteners  248 , such as, for example, set screws, etc. 
         [0030]    During use, an operator can adjust the vertical position (i.e., the position in the Z-axis) of the quill sleeve  236  within the gimbal  222 , by rotating the adjustment nut  244  to the desired vertical position. The operator can then tighten the conical nut  242  until it reaches the bottom of the gimbal  222 , thereby securing the quill sleeve  236  in the desired vertical position. The shape of conical nut  242  may advantageously be configured to mate with the bottom surface of the gimbal  222 , which substantially reduces radial free play within the gimbal assembly  200  once the quill sleeve  236  is fixed in the desired vertical position. 
         [0031]    In addition, the quill sleeve  236  is advantageously configured to receive and secure a suitable drill adaptor  250 , or bushing guide, during operation. For example, in some cases, the quill sleeve  236  may have a threaded interior surface configured to mate with a threaded exterior surface of the drill adaptor  250 . The drill adaptor  250 , in turn, is preferably configured to receive and secure an alignment pin  266 , as shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C , as well as a drill bushing  372 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0032]    The alignment pin  266  can be used during an alignment process to facilitate alignment of the gimbal assembly  200  with the vector of a selected hole  116  in the first workpiece  114 A. During the alignment process, the operator may insert a suitable step pin  254  into the selected hole  116 . The step pin  254  may comprise a lower portion  256  and an upper portion  258 , separated by a shoulder  260 . The step pin  254  may advantageously be selected such that the lower portion  256  has an outer diameter configured to fit snuggly within the inner diameter of the selected hole  116 , while the shoulder  260  rests on the surface of the first workpiece  114 A. In addition, the upper portion  258  of the step pin  254  may have an outer diameter selected to fit snuggly within the inner diameter of a corresponding alignment pin  266 . 
         [0033]    To capture the hole vector, the operator manipulates the gimbal  222 , which floats within the clamp ring  226  as the alignment pin  266  interacts with the step pin  254 . Once the alignment pin  266  is aligned with the step pin  254 , the operator tightens the clamp nut  224 , which locks the gimbal  222  in the selected orientation, thereby capturing the vector of the selected hole  116 . The gimbal assembly  200  is configured such that, once the vector has been set, the gimbal  222  will remain locked in a substantially fixed position until the clamp nut  224  is loosened. As a result, the alignment pin  266  can then be removed from the step pin  254 , and the gimbal assembly  200  can be positioned over the second workpiece  114 B at the desired coordinates using the X-Y transfer table  120 , in preparation for a drill process, described below. 
         [0034]    During the drill process, the operator inserts and secures a drill bushing  372  of a suitable drill  370  into a corresponding drill adaptor  250  seated within the quill sleeve  236 . The drill adaptor  250  may include one or more engagement mechanisms  252  (e.g., tabs, etc.), configured to securely fasten the drill bushing  372  to the drill adaptor  250 . In the particular example shown in  FIG. 3 , the drill  370  comprises a Quackenbush® Series 230 drill marketed by Apex Tool Group, LLC located in Apex, N.C. Of course, numerous other suitable drills  370  could be utilized in addition to or in place of the particular drill  370  shown in  FIG. 3 . Many such drills  370  utilize a standard taper lock drill bushing  372 , although the specific size and configuration of the drill bushing  372  may vary from one drill  370  to the next. Accordingly, the quill sleeve  236  is configured to accommodate various interchangeable drill adaptors  250 , each of which is compatible with one or more drills  370 , selected from a number of suitable drills  370 . As a result, the gimbal assembly  200  does not need to be customized for each type of drill  370 . Rather, the gimbal assembly  200  may be implemented with a single, universal design in which one drill adaptor  250  can be exchanged for another as needed to accommodate different drills  370 . 
         [0035]    Once the drill bushing  372  is secured within the drill adaptor  374 , the desired new hole can be drilled in the second workpiece  114 B using a suitable drill bit  374  that has an outer diameter sized to match the desired inner diameter of the new hole. Because the drill process follows the alignment process described above, the new hole is advantageously drilled at substantially the same X-Y-Z position and with substantially the same vector as the corresponding hole  116  in the first workpiece  114 A. That is, the X-Y-Z location and vector of the new hole relative to the second workpiece  114 B is substantially the same as the X-Y-Z location and vector of the original hole  116  relative to the first workpiece  114 A. 
         [0036]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart illustrating one example of a method  400  for transferring a selected hole  116  from a first workpiece  114 A to a second workpiece  114 B. In a step  470 , the gimbal assembly  200  is positioned over the X-Y coordinates of the selected hole  116  in the first workpiece  114 A. As described above, this step  470  may be carried out using the X-Y transfer table  120  by sliding the gantry  106  along the X-rails  104  and the cross slide  110  along the Y-rails  106  until the gimbal assembly  200  reaches the desired X-Y position. During this step  470 , the index pin  138  of the cross slide  110  is engaged with the first index bushing  134 A, corresponding to the first workpiece  114 A, but the gantry clamps  124 , lockdown clamps  132 , and cross slide clamps  136  are loosened to allow the cross slide  110  and the transfer bar  128  to move as needed during the alignment process. 
         [0037]    In a step  472 , a step pin  254  is inserted into the selected hole  116 , and a corresponding alignment pin  266  is inserted into the drill adaptor  250  of the gimbal assembly  200 . In a step  474 , the quill sleeve  236  of the gimbal assembly  200  is adjusted to the desired vertical position relative to the surface of the first workpiece  114 A. In some cases, for example, the operator may telescope the quill sleeve  236  to a vertical position configured to place the drill bushing  372  above the surface of the second workpiece  114 B at a distance within the range of about ½ to about 1 times the diameter of the drill bit  374 . As described above, this step  474  can be carried out by rotating the adjustment nut  244  to the desired vertical position, and then tightening the conical nut  242  until it reaches the bottom surface of the gimbal  222 . 
         [0038]    In a step  476 , the gimbal  222  is manipulated until the alignment pin  266  aligns with the step pin  254 . In some cases, for example, the operator manipulates the gimbal  222  until the alignment pin  266  fits snuggly over the upper portion  258  of the step pin  254 . As described above, the gimbal  222  can be rotated and tilted freely within the clamp ring  226  when the clamp nut  224  is loose, which enables the alignment pin  266  of the gimbal assembly  200  to mechanically determine the vector of the step pin  254 . Then, in a step  478 , the clamp nut  224  is tightened to lock the gimbal  222  in place in the desired orientation, thereby capturing the vector of the step pin  254  and, hence, the selected hole  116 . In a step  480 , the operator attempts to remove the alignment pin  266  from the step pin  254 . If significant friction is detected, then in a step  482 , the clamp nut  224  is loosened, and the operator repeats steps  476  and  478 , until the alignment pin  266  can be removed from the step pin  254  without detecting significant friction. This condition indicates that the vector of the selected hole  116  has been determined accurately and captured mechanically. 
         [0039]    Once that occurs, in a next step  484 , the gantry clamps  124  are tightened to lock the gantry  106  in a substantially fixed position in the X-axis, and the lockdown clamps  132  are tightened to temporarily lock the transfer bar  128  and, hence, the cross slide  110  and gimbal assembly  200 , in a substantially fixed position in the Y-axis. In a step  486 , the alignment pin  266  is removed from the drill adaptor  250 , and the step pin  254  is removed from the selected hole  116 . 
         [0040]    In a step  488 , the gimbal assembly  200  is moved to the desired X-Y position over the second workpiece  114 B and locked in place. As described above, this step  488  can be carried out by disengaging the index pin  138  from the first index bushing  134 A, moving the cross slide in the Y-axis by the selected offset distance, d, and then engaging the index pin  138  with the second index bushing  134 B, corresponding to the second workpiece  114 B. As described above, the workpieces  114 A,  114 B are aligned on the X-Y transfer table  120  with the same offset distance, d, in the Y-axis and substantially zero offset in the X-axis. Accordingly, once the index pin  138  is engaged with the second index bushing  134 B, the gimbal assembly  200  is positioned at the desired X-Y location over the second workpiece  114 B. The gantry clamps  124  can then be tightened to further secure the cross slide  110  and, hence the gimbal assembly  200 , in a substantially fixed position in the Y-axis. 
         [0041]    In a final step  490 , a new hole is drilled in the second workpiece  114 B, using a suitable drill  370 . As described above, this final step  490  can be carried out by engaging an appropriate drill bushing  372  with a corresponding drill adaptor  250  and then drilling the new hole with an appropriate drill bit  374 . By following the steps described above, the new hole is advantageously drilled at substantially the same X-Y-Z position and with substantially the same vector in the second workpiece  114 B as the corresponding hole  116  in the first workpiece  114 A. For example, in some cases, the method  400  duplicates the selected hole  116  in the second workpiece  114 B with a variation of no more than about 1/1000 inch from the X-Y-Z location and vector of the corresponding hole  116  in the first workpiece  114 A. The method  400  can be repeated for each hole  116  in the first workpiece  114 A, until the entire hole pattern of the first workpiece  114 A has been duplicated in the second workpiece  114 B. 
         [0042]    The hole transfer system and method described above present a number of distinct advantages over conventional hole transfer approaches. For example, the hole transfer system  100  enables a hole pattern to be duplicated mechanically from an existing part to a new part, without requiring a CNC machine, jig bore, computer or other electronics. The system  100  includes a gimbal assembly  200  that mechanically captures the X-Y-Z position and orientations (i.e., 5 axes) of each hole in an existing hole pattern. As a result, the hole transfer system  100  can advantageously be powered by a generator in settings in which a reliable power source is not available (e.g., remote locations, undeveloped regions, etc.). The hole transfer system  100  is also much more economical than traditional solutions requiring CNC machines. 
         [0043]    In addition, the hole transfer system  100  is highly accurate, in part because the gimbal assembly  200  includes a quill sleeve  236  that can telescope in the Z-direction, as described above. By enabling the operator to adjust the vertical position of the quill sleeve  236 , the drill can advantageously be positioned near the second workpiece  114 B, which substantially reduces drill “walking” and increases the overall precision of the hole transfer system  100 . 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIGS. 5-6 , the systems and methods of the present application may be implemented in the context of an aircraft manufacturing and service method  500  as shown in  FIG. 5  and an aircraft  600  as shown in  FIG. 6 . During pre-production, exemplary method  500  may include specification and design  502  of the aircraft  600  and material procurement  504 . During production, component and subassembly manufacturing  506  and system integration  508  of the aircraft  600  takes place. Thereafter, the aircraft  600  may go through certification and delivery  510  in order to be placed in service  512 . While in service  512  by a customer, the aircraft  600  is scheduled for routine maintenance and service  514  (which may also include modification, reconfiguration, refurbishment, and so on). 
         [0045]    Each of the processes of method  500  may be performed or carried out by a system integrator, a third party, and/or an operator (e.g., a customer). For the purposes of this description, a system integrator may include without limitation any number of aircraft manufacturers and major-system subcontractors; a third party may include without limitation any number of vendors, subcontractors, and suppliers; and an operator may be an airline, leasing company, military entity, service organization, and so on. 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the aircraft  600  produced by exemplary method  500  may include an airframe  620  with a plurality of systems  622  and an interior  624 . Examples of high-level systems  622  include one or more of a propulsion system  626 , an electrical system  628 , a hydraulic system  626 , and an environmental system  628 . Any number of other systems may be included. Although an aerospace example is shown, the principles of the disclosed embodiments may be applied to other industries, such as the automotive industry. 
         [0047]    Apparatus and methods embodied herein may be employed during any one or more of the stages of the production and service method  500 . For example, components or subassemblies corresponding to production process  506  may be fabricated or manufactured in a manner similar to components or subassemblies produced while the aircraft  600  is in service  512 . Also, one or more apparatus embodiments, method embodiments, or a combination thereof may be utilized during the production stages  506  and  508 , for example, by substantially expediting assembly of or reducing the cost of an aircraft  600 . Similarly, one or more of apparatus embodiments, method embodiments, or a combination thereof may be utilized while the aircraft  600  is in service  512 , for example and without limitation, to maintenance and service  514 . 
         [0048]    Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certain preferred configurations, other configurations that are apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, including configurations that do not provide all of the features and advantages set forth herein, are also within the scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is defined only by reference to the appended claims and equivalents thereof.