Patent ID: 7143494

Claim:
An apparatus for creating net attachment features on a three-dimensional object defined by X, Y and Z Cartesian coordinates, said apparatus comprising: a three-dimensional body having one end and an opposite end, each end of said three-dimensional body having at least one primary locating point thereon, said at least one primary locating point selectively located within a known tolerance range with respect to said X, Y and Z directions of said Cartesian coordinate system; means for storing design-intent locations of said at least one primary locating point on said three-dimensional body defined by X, Y and Z Cartesian coordinates; means for establishing an actual location of said at least one primary locating point on said three-dimensional body, in each of said X, Y and Z directions, said actual location being defined as a datum position; programmable means for comparing said actual location of said at least one primary locating point on said three-dimensional body with said design-intent location of said at least one primary locating point in said means for storing in each of said X, Y and Z directions, said comparing means further comprising: microprocessor means for determining an imprecise distance in each of said X, Y and Z directions between said actual location of said at least one primary locating point with said design-intent location; and means for creating a median point of said imprecise distance in each of said X, Y and Z directions, said median point of said imprecise distance of said at least one primary locating point of said three-dimensional body being an adjusted net position of said at least one primary locating point in each of said X, Y and Z directions on said three-dimensional body; and programmable means for directing at least one programmable work performing device to said adjusted net position to locate thereat whereby said work performing device performs work on said three-dimensional body such that at least one adjusted net attachment location is established for objects to be attached to said three-dimensional body.