System and method for self contained through sensor for determining an actuation position for a machine

1. A self-contained device, comprising:

a sensor disposed in a housing and configured to determine a location of an aperture disposed adjacent to a surface;

an alignment assembly disposed in the housing and having an alignment orifice, the alignment assembly configured to maneuver the alignment orifice in an x-y plane within the housing, the alignment assembly including a first electro-mechanical actuator configured to move the alignment orifice in the x-direction in the x-y plane and a second electro-mechanical actuator configured to move the alignment orifice in the y-direction in the x-y plane;

a processor coupled to the sensor and coupled to the alignment assembly, the processor configured to receive a signal from the sensor indicating the location of the aperture and configured to control the first and second actuators to maneuver the alignment orifice within the x-y plane to be co-axially located with the aperture in response to the sensor signal;

a pneumatic pump disposed in the housing and configured to mechanically engage one or more pneumatic suction mechanisms disposed on the housing and configured to secure the housing to the surface; and

a power source disposed in the housing and configured to provide electric power to the sensor, the alignment assembly, the processor, and the pneumatic pump.

2. The self-contained device of claim 1 , wherein the power source comprises a rechargeable battery.

3. The self-contained device of claim 1 , wherein the pneumatic pump further comprises a vacuum pump and the at least one suction mechanism comprises two suction cups mechanically coupled to the vacuum pump.

4. The self-contained device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor further comprises a plurality of magnetic sensor elements positioned in a pattern with respect to each, each magnetic sensor element configured to detect one or more electromagnetic fields.

5. The self-contained device of claim 4 , wherein the pattern comprises a first set of eight magnetic sensor elements disposed on a first axis and a second set of eight magnetic sensor elements disposed on a second axis perpendicular to the first axis.

6. The self-contained device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor further comprises an x-ray detection sensor configured to generate an x-ray signal suited to detect the location of the aperture.

7. The self-contained device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor further comprises an ultrasonic detection sensor configured to generate an ultrasonic signal suited to detect the location of the aperture.

8. The self-contained device of claim 1 , further comprising a tactile actuation input configured to initiate determining the location of the aperture disposed in the adjacent surface.

9. The self-contained device of claim 1 , further comprising a handle coupled to the housing configured for gripping by a human hand.

10. A manufacturing system, comprising:

a carriage configured to support attached manufacturing components;

an aperture detection device coupled to the carriage and including

a sensor disposed in a housing and configured to determine a location of an aperture disposed adjacent to a surface;

an alignment assembly disposed in the housing and having an alignment orifice, the alignment assembly configured to maneuver the alignment orifice in an x-y plane within the housing, the alignment assembly including a first electro-mechanical actuator configured to move the alignment orifice in the x-direction in the x-y plane and a second electro-mechanical actuator configured to move the alignment orifice in the y-direction in the x-y plane;

a processor coupled to the sensor and coupled to the alignment assembly, the processor configured to receive a signal from the sensor indicating the location of the aperture and configured to control the first and second actuators to maneuver the alignment orifice within the x-y plane to be co-axially located with the aperture in response to the sensor signal;

a pneumatic pump disposed in the housing and configured to mechanically engage one or more pneumatic suction mechanisms disposed on the housing and configured to secure the housing to the surface; and

a power source disposed in the house and configured to provide electric power to the sensor, the alignment assembly, the processor, and the pneumatic pump;

a target configured to be placed in the aperture and detected by the sensor; and

an end effector coupled to the carriage and configured to perform a manufacturing task with respect to the aperture.

11. The manufacturing system of claim 10 , further comprising a remote-control system communicatively coupled to the processor and configured to control the carriage, the aperture detection device and the end-effector remotely.

12. The manufacturing system of claim 10 , wherein the end effector further comprises a drill configured to drill a hole concentric with the alignment orifice and the aperture.

13. The manufacturing system of claim 10 , wherein the end effector further comprises a riveter configured to install a rivet concentric with the alignment orifice and the aperture.

14. The manufacturing system of claim 10 , further comprising a lateral rail coupled to the carriage and configured to facilitate lateral movement of the carriage.

15. The manufacturing system of claim 14 , wherein the pattern comprises a set of 16 magnetic sensor elements disposed in a circular pattern, each magnetic sensor element disposed equidistant from the alignment orifice.

16. The manufacturing system of claim 10 , wherein the sensor further comprises a plurality of magnetic sensor elements positioned in a pattern with respect to each, each magnetic sensor element configured to detect one or more electromagnetic fields.

17. The manufacturing system of claim 16 , wherein the pattern comprises a first set of eight magnetic sensor elements disposed on a first axis and a second set of eight magnetic sensor elements disposed on a second axis perpendicular to the first axis.