idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12). The work surface 610 of the worktable 608 is configured to shape the workpiece 602 to a desired shape (see, e.g., FIG. 13) while the workpiece 602 is sandwiched between the engagement surface 606 and the work surface 610. The conformable member 604 is configured to disengage from the worktable 608 while maintaining engagement with the workpiece 602 and while maintaining the desired shape of the workpiece 602 (see, e.g., FIG. 14).

In another example, the system 600 also includes an end effector 612, a mechanical arm 614 and a computerized control subsystem 616. The end effector 612 configured to receive the conformable member 604. The mechanical arm 614 configured to receive the end effector 612. The computerized control subsystem 616 configured to control the mechanical arm 614, the end effector 612, and the conformable member 604 to engage the engagement surface 606 of the conformable member 604 with the work surface 610 of the worktable 608, to disengage the conformable member 604 from the worktable 608, and to transport the workpiece 602 on the engagement surface 606 of the conformable member 604 from the worktable 608 to a subsequent station. For example, the end effector 612 may include a pick and place (PnP) end effector suitable for gripping the conformable member 604.

In a more simplified example, the system 600 may include a hand-held lifting device to position the conformable member 604 on the worktable 608. Similarly, the hand-held lifting device may be used to remove the conformable member 604 and the workpiece 602 from the worktable 608. The hand-held lifting device may be configured to enable multi-person lifting to accommodate safety requirements.

In yet another example of the system 600, the conformable member 604 and the worktable 608 are configured to sandwich the workpiece 602 between the engagement surface 606 of the conformable member 604 and the work surface 610 of the worktable 608.

In still another example of the system 600, the worktable 608 is configured to shape the workpiece 602 to the desired shape by selectively adjusting 204 (see FIG. 2) at least a portion of the worktable 608 in at least one of a vertical axis and a pitch axis.

In still yet another example of the system 600, the worktable 608 is configured to selectively move at least a portion of the worktable 608 to shape the workpiece 602 to at least one interim shaping position. The worktable 608 is configured to selectively move at least another portion of the worktable 608 to shape the workpiece 602 to a desired shaping position representative of the desired shape.

In another example of the system 600, the desired shape includes a three-dimensional shape, a first curved shape, a second curved shape with a double curvature, a third curved shape with two or more curvatures, a two-dimensional shape, or any other suitable shape.

In yet another example of the system 600, the conformable member 604 is configured to at least temporarily adhere the workpiece 602 to the conformable member 604 prior to disengaging 106 (see FIG. 1) from the worktable 608. In a further example, the conformable member 604 is configured to maintain the desired shape prior to disengagement and at least temporarily after the disengagement.

In still another example, the system 600 is configured to draw a vacuum between the work surface 610 of the worktable 608 and the engagement surface 606 of the conformable member 604. In a further example, at least one of the worktable 608 and the conformable member 604 are configured to draw the vacuum. In another further example, the system 600 is configured to cease the vacuum between the work surface 610 of the worktable 608 and the engagement surface 606 of the conformable member 604 to facilitate disengaging 106 (see FIG. 1) of the conformable member 604 from the worktable 608.

In still yet another example, the system 600 is configured to apply an electromagnetic force to at least one of the work surface 610 of the worktable 608 and the engagement surface 606 of the conformable member 604. In a further example, the electromagnetic force facilitates sandwiching 202 (see FIG. 2) of the workpiece 602 between the engagement surface 606 of the conformable member 604 and the work surface 610 of the worktable 608. In another further example, the system 600 is configured to remove the electromagnetic force to facilitate disengaging 106 (see FIG. 1) of the conformable member 604 from the worktable 608.

In another example, the system 600 is configured to apply a passive force to at least the conformable member 604. In a further example, the passive force facilitates sandwiching 202 (see FIG. 2) of the workpiece 602 between the engagement surface 606 of the conformable member 604 and the work surface 610 of the worktable 608. In another further example, the system 600 is configured to remove the passive force to facilitate disengaging 106 (see FIG. 1) of the conformable member 604 from the worktable 608.

With reference again to FIGS. 6 and 7, in one or more examples, the conformable member 604 of FIG. 6 may include an electrostatic layer 702. In this example, the conformable member 604 is configured to apply an electrostatic charge to the electrostatic layer 702 to at least temporarily adhere the workpiece 602 to the conformable member 604.

In another example, the conformable member 604 of FIG. 6 may include a vacuum layer 704. In this example, the conformable member 604 is configured to draw a vacuum on the workpiece 602 using the vacuum layer 704 to at least temporarily adhere the workpiece 602 to the conformable member 604.

With reference again to FIGS. 6 and 8, in one or more examples, the conformable member 604 of FIG. 6 may include a first flexible membrane 802, a conformable core layer 804 and a second flexible membrane 806. The first flexible membrane 802 and the second flexible membrane 806 are sealed around a perimeter of the conformable core layer (804). In this example, the conformable member 604 is configured to permit a vacuum to be drawn between the first flexible membrane 802 and the second flexible membrane 806 to stiffen the conformable member 604.

Referring generally to FIGS. 6, 8, 9 and 12-14, by way of examples, the present disclosure is directed to a composite manufacturing method 900. FIG. 9 shows an example of a method 900 that engages a conformable member 604 with the work surface 610, shapes the conformal member 604, maintains the shape of the conformable member 604, and disengages from the work surface 610 while maintaining the shape of the conformable member 604.

With reference again to FIGS. 6, 9 and 12-14, in one or more examples, a composite manufacturing method 900 includes engaging 902 an engagement surface 606 of a conformable member 604 with an opposing work surface 610 of a worktable 608. Next, while the engagement surface 606 of the conformable member 604 is engaged with the work surface 610 of the worktable 608, shaping 904 the work surface 610 of the worktable 608 to shape the conformable member 604 to a desired shape (see, e.g., FIG. 13). At 906, the conformable member 604 is maintained at the desired shape. Next, disengaging 908 the conformable member 604 from the worktable 608 while maintaining 906 the conformable member 604 at the desired shape (see, e.g., FIG. 14).

In another example of the method 900, a workpiece 602 is prepositioned on the work surface 610 (see, e.g., FIG. 12). In this example, the workpiece 602 is compressed between the engagement surface 606 of the conformable member 604 and the work surface 610 of the worktable 608. The shaping 904 the work surface 610 of the worktable 608 also shapes the workpiece 602 to the desired shape. The desired shape of the workpiece 602 is maintained. The workpiece 602 is retained on the engagement surface 606 of the conformable member 604 and removed from the work surface 610 of the worktable 608.

With reference again to FIGS. 6, 8, and 9, in one or more examples of the method 900, the conformable member 604 comprises a first flexible membrane 802, a conformable core layer 804, and a second flexible membrane 806. The first flexible membrane 802 and the second flexible membrane 806 are sealed around a perimeter of the conformable core layer 804. In this example, maintaining 906 the conformable member 604 at the desired shape may include drawing a vacuum on the conformable member 604 to stiffen the conformable member 604 at the desired shape.

With reference again to FIGS. 6, 10 and 12-14, in one or more examples, a method 1000 for preforming a workpiece 602 includes engaging 1002 at least a portion of an engagement surface 606 of a conformable member 604 with at least a portion of an opposing work surface 610 of a worktable 608. The workpiece 602 is prepositioned on the work surface 610 (see, e.g., FIG. 12) such that the workpiece 602 is compressed between the engagement surface 606 and the work surface 610 in conjunction with the engaging 1002. Next, while the workpiece 602 is sandwiched between the engagement surface 606 of the conformable member 604 and the work surface 610 of the worktable 608, shaping 1004 the work surface 610 of the worktable 608 to shape the conformable member 604 to a desired shape (see, e.g., FIG. 13). At 1006, the conformable member 604 and the workpiece 602 are disengaged from the worktable 608 while maintaining the desired shape of the workpiece 602 (see, e.g., FIG. 14). The workpiece 602 is retained on the engagement surface 606 of the conformable member 604 and removed from the work surface 610 of the worktable 608.

With reference again to FIGS. 6 and 11-14, in one or more examples, a method 1100 for preforming a workpiece 602 includes engaging 1102 at least a portion of an engagement surface 606 of a conformable member 604 with at least a portion of an opposing work surface 610 of a worktable 608. The workpiece 602 is prepositioned on the work surface 610 (see, e.g., FIG. 12). At 1104, the workpiece 602 is sandwiched between the engagement surface 606 of the conformable member 604 and the work surface 610 of the worktable 608 in conjunction with the engaging 1102. Next, while the workpiece 602 is sandwiched between the engagement surface 606 and the work surface 610, shaping 1106 the work surface 610 of the worktable 608 to shape the workpiece 602 and the conformable member 604 to a desired shape (see, e.g., FIG. 13). At 1108, the conformable member 604 is disengaged from the worktable 608 while maintaining the desired shape of the workpiece 602 (see, e.g., FIG. 14). The workpiece 602 is retained on the engagement surface 606 of the conformable member 604 and removed from the work surface 610 of the worktable 608.

Examples of the methods 100, 900, 1000, 1100 and the system 600 may be related to, or used in the context of workpiece (e.g., part) fabrication for aircraft manufacturing. Although an aircraft example is described, the examples and principles disclosed herein may be applied to other products in the aerospace industry and other industries, such as the automotive industry, the space industry, the construction industry, and other design and manufacturing industries. Accordingly, in addition to aircraft, the examples and principles disclosed herein may apply to stamp forming workpieces to form an assembly for other types of vehicles (e.g., land vehicles, marine vehicles, space vehicles, etc.), stand-alone structures, high-traffic surfaces, and other high-contact surfaces.

The preceding detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific examples described by the present disclosure. Other examples having different structures and operations do not depart from the scope of the present disclosure. Like reference numerals may refer to the same feature, element, or component in the different drawings. Throughout the present disclosure, any one of a plurality of items may be referred to individually as the item and a plurality of items may be referred to collectively as the items and may be referred to with like reference numerals. Moreover, as used herein, a feature, element, component, or step preceded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding a plurality of features, elements, components, or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited.

Illustrative, non-exhaustive examples, which may be, but are not necessarily, claimed, of the subject matter according to the present disclosure are provided above. Reference herein to “example” means that one or more feature, structure, element, component, characteristic, and/or operational step described in connection with the example is included in at least one aspect, embodiment, and/or implementation of the subject matter according to the present disclosure. Thus, the phrases “an example,” “another example,” “one or more examples,” and similar language throughout the present disclosure may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same example. Further, the subject matter characterizing any one example may, but does not necessarily, include the subject matter characterizing any other example. Moreover, the subject matter characterizing any one example may be, but is not necessarily, combined with the subject matter characterizing any other example.