IP Library Granted Patent US 12,544,868
Granted Patent B2
US 12,544,868 · App. 19/036,504 · Granted Feb 10, 2026

Precision assembly process and advance tooling methods of use

Inventors: Kwok Tung Chan (Seattle, WA); Farahnaz Sisco (Mukilteo, WA)
Assignee: The Boeing Company
B23P19/04B23B35/00B23B47/28
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,544,868
App. No.
19/036,504
Granted
Feb 10, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A jig for use in performing an operation on a component includes a body including a back surface and a front surface opposite the back surface. The front surface defining a nominal shape of the component. The jig also includes a track extending at least partially along a length of the body. The jig further includes a carriage mounted to the track and adjacent the back surface. The carriage configured for movement in an X direction along the track and in a Y direction perpendicular to the X direction. The jig also includes a drill mounted to the carriage.

Claims (50)

1 . A jig for use in performing an operation on a component, the jig comprising:

a body including:

a back surface; and

a front surface opposite the back surface, the front surface defining a nominal shape of the component;

a pocket comprising a recess in the front surface;

a track extending at least partially along a length of the body;

a carriage mounted to the track and adjacent the back surface, the carriage configured for movement in an X direction along the track and in a Y direction perpendicular to the X direction; and

a drill mounted to the carriage.

2 . The jig of claim 1 , further comprising an indexing feature.

3 . The jig of claim 2 , wherein the pocket comprises a sidewall and a floor.

4 . The jig of claim 3 , wherein the indexing feature comprises an indexing hole depending from the floor of the pocket through the body.

5 . The jig of claim 3 , wherein the indexing feature comprises a protrusion projecting from the sidewall of the pocket.

6 . The jig of claim 3 , wherein the indexing feature comprises a shaped recess formed in the sidewall of the pocket.

7 . The jig of claim 1 , wherein the track is generally parallel to the front surface.

8 . The jig of claim 1 , further comprising a rail coupled to the track, wherein:

the rail is configured for movement in the X direction along the track;

the carriage is mounted to the rail; and

the carriage configured for movement in the Y direction along the rail.

9 . The jig of claim 8 , further comprising a powered roller configured for moving the rail along the track.

10 . The jig of claim 8 , further comprising a power cylinder configured for moving the carriage along the rail.

11 . The jig of claim 1 , further comprising an aperture formed in the back surface of the body and configured to receive a drill bit of the drill.

12 . The jig of claim 1 , further comprising a vacuum extractor mounted to the carriage.

13 . The jig of claim 1 , further comprising a sensor mounted to the carriage.

14 . The jig of claim 13 , wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a camera and a laser measurer configured for at least one of positioning the drill and inspecting the component.

15 . The jig of claim 1 , further comprising a ledge protruding from the front surface and extending along at least a portion of the length of the body.

16 . The jig of claim 1 , further comprising tooling pins mounted to the front surface and configured for holding the component in conformance with the nominal shape.

17 . The jig of claim 1 , further comprising a first support and a second support coupled to the body.

18 . The jig of claim 17 , further comprising a motor configured to rotate the body between the first support and the second support about an axis parallel to the length of the body.

19 . A jig comprising:

a body comprising:

a back surface; and

a front surface opposite the back surface and defining a nominal shape of a component;

a track coupled to the back surface and extending along at least a portion of a length of the body;

a rail coupled to the track and movable along the track;

a carriage coupled to the rail and movable along the rail;

a powered roller configured to move the rail along the track;

a power cylinder configured to move the carriage along the rail;

a first support and a second support coupled to opposing ends of the body;

a motor configured to rotate the body between the first support and the second support about an axis parallel to the length of the body;

a pocket formed in the front surface;

an indexing feature positioned in the pocket; and

a plurality of apertures formed through the body.

20 . A jig for use in performing an operation on a component, the jig comprising:

a support;

a body coupled to the support and comprising:

a back surface; and

a front surface opposite the back surface, the front surface defining a nominal shape of the component;

a track extending at least partially along a length of the body;

a carriage mounted to the track and adjacent the back surface, the carriage configured for movement in an X direction along the track and in a Y direction perpendicular to the X direction; and

a motor configured to configured to rotate the body relative to the support about an axis parallel to the length of the body.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 24, 2025
From: CHAN, KWOK TUNG; SISCO, FARAHNAZ
To: THE BOEING COMPANY
Reel/Frame 069997/0013 →
Continuity (3)
Division 18406045 · Jan 5, 2024
Provisional Application 63494507 · Apr 6, 2023
Related Publication 20250162092A1 · May 22, 2025
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