Handling of Large Components for Aircraft Assembly Using an Adaptable Network of Different Kinematic Units

Today's assembly devices used for large-volume components in the aerospace industry are characterized by their inflexibility. This inflexibility is evident by the common use of custom designed rigid structures and specially adapted solutions for a single task. This paper describes an approach for a flexible assembly device, using the example of an aircraft section assembly, capable of integrating and exchanging different kinematic units making it highly adaptable to a variety of assembly tasks and product types. This reconfigurable assembly device uses an integrated measuring system enabling it to handle and assemble different large components with high tolerance requirements.