Proximity detection in assembly environments having machinery
Systems and methods are provided for proximity detection in a fabrication environment. One embodiment is a method for reporting proximity in an assembly environment. The method includes inserting an arm of a bracket into an interior of a part that is held by a cradle, and that is worked upon by a robot, placing indexing features at the bracket into contact with indexing features of the cradle, operating sensors at the bracket to directly detect a location of a first proximity detector worn by a technician and a location of the second proximity detector at the robot, and directing the first proximity detector to provide a warning to the technician if a distance between the first proximity detector and the second proximity detector is less than a threshold.
1. A method for reporting proximity in an assembly environment, the method comprising:
inserting an arm of a bracket into an interior of a part that is held by a cradle, and that is worked upon by a robot;
placing indexing features at the bracket into contact with indexing features of the cradle;
operating sensors at the bracket to directly detect a location of a first proximity detector worn by a technician and a location of a second proximity detector at the robot; and
directing the first proximity detector to provide a warning to the technician if a distance between the first proximity detector and the second proximity detector is less than a threshold.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein:
the first proximity detector is integrated with an article of clothing worn by the technician.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein:
the operating sensors comprises receiving Ultra-Wideband (UWB) signals.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein:
the operating sensors comprises operating sensors disposed under the arm of the bracket.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein:
placing the indexing features at the bracket into contact with the indexing features of the cradle comprises placing cones into cups.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein:
the warning comprises visual and auditory stimuli.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
updating the distance based on input from an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) at the first proximity detector.
8. A portion of an aircraft assembled according to the method of claim 1 .
9. A non-transitory computer readable medium embodying programmed instructions which, when executed by a processor, are operable for performing a method for reporting proximity in an assembly environment, the method comprising:
inserting an arm of a bracket into an interior of a part that is held by a cradle, and that is worked upon by a robot;
placing indexing features at the bracket into contact with indexing features of the cradle;
operating sensors at the bracket to directly detect a location of a first proximity detector worn by a technician and a location of a second proximity detector at the robot; and
directing the first proximity detector to provide a warning to the technician if a distance between the first proximity detector and the second proximity detector is less than a threshold.
10. The medium of claim 9 wherein:
the first proximity detector is integrated with an article of clothing worn by the technician.
11. The medium of claim 9 wherein:
the operating sensors comprises receiving Ultra-Wideband (UWB) signals.
12. The medium of claim 9 wherein:
the operating sensors comprises operating sensors disposed under the arm of the bracket.
13. The medium of claim 9 wherein:
placing the indexing features at the bracket into contact with the indexing features of the cradle comprises placing cones into cups.
14. The medium of claim 9 wherein:
the warning comprises visual and auditory stimuli.
15. The medium of claim 9 further comprising:
updating the distance based on input from an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) at the first proximity detector.
16. A portion of an aircraft assembled according to the method defined by the instructions stored on the computer readable medium of claim 9 .
17. A system for proximity reporting in an assembly environment, the system comprising:
a first proximity detector that is wearable;
a second proximity detector that is disposed at a robot in a cell of the assembly environment;
a cradle that holds a part having an interior, the cradle including indexing features; and
a bracket comprising:
a base having indexing features that mate with the indexing features of the cradle;
an arm inserted into the interior of the part; and
multiple sensors disposed at the arm.
18. The system of claim 17 wherein:
the sensors comprise Ultra-Wideband (UWB) sensors.
19. The system of claim 17 further comprising:
a proximity server that determines a distance between the first proximity detector and the second proximity detector, provides a notification to the first proximity detector if the distance is less than a first threshold, and provides a notification to the second proximity detector if the distance is less than a second threshold.
20. The system of claim 17 wherein:
the part comprises a section of fuselage for an aircraft.
21. The system of claim 17 wherein:
each of the sensors disposed at the arm has a line of sight to the interior of the part.
22. The system of claim 17 wherein:
the indexing features at the bracket and the indexing features of the cradle are selected from the group consisting of: cups and cones.
23. Fabricating a portion of an aircraft using the system of claim 17 .