Patent ID: 7353580

Claim:
A method of automatically verifying the acceptable insertion of at least one Z-pin into a composite laminate, the method comprising the steps of: a) positioning at least one Z-pin upon the composite laminate; b) applying an insertion force to the Z-pin at a first level sufficient to commence an insertion process wherein the Z-pin is driven into the composite laminate at a first insertion speed; c) monitoring the insertion force applied to the Z-pin; d) reducing the first insertion speed to a second insertion speed in response to a monitored increase in the insertion force from the first level to a second level; e) discontinuing the application of the insertion force to the Z-pin and terminating the insertion process in response to a monitored increase in the insertion force from the second level to a third level; and f) verifying the reduction from the first insertion speed to the second insertion speed in step (d) and the increase of the insertion force to the third level in step (e).