This content is not included in
your SAE MOBILUS subscription, or you are not logged in.
Interface Management in Wing-Box Assembly
Technical Paper
2011-01-2640
ISSN: 0148-7191, e-ISSN: 2688-3627
Annotation ability available
Sector:
Language:
English
Abstract
Gaps between structural components have been a common problem since the start of aviation. This has usually been caused by the manufacturing tolerances of the components in question not being sufficiently tight. An example where such issues arise is in the assembly of a wing skin to rib feet to form an aircraft wing-box, where it is commonly found that, whilst some rib feet are in contact with the wing skin, others are spaced from it. Yet a strong connection between the wing skin and the rib feet is important to maintain the structural strength of the wing-box. To eliminate the existing gaps, the current approach, used in many manufacturing production lines, involves filling in the gaps to the required shape by applying liquid or solid shim to the rib feet. This is a relatively long and expensive process.
To overcome these current inherent difficulties in interface management, a method to eliminate the shimming requirement between component interfaces is presented. It is achieved by developing automated methods and processes that remove a known excess of material from the appropriate interfaces using sophisticated rapid metrology techniques and advanced equipments such as gantry mounted robots, NC machines, or local rapid-machining centres. The paper considers various solutions for a shim-less assembly approach originating from: design for manufacturing, the application of metrology systems, jigs and fixturing design, automation processes, and technology development.
Recommended Content
Authors
Topic
Citation
Chouvion, B., Popov, A., Ratchev, S., Mason, C. et al., "Interface Management in Wing-Box Assembly," SAE Technical Paper 2011-01-2640, 2011, https://doi.org/10.4271/2011-01-2640.Also In
References
- Coleman, M. The effects of design, manufacturing processes, and operations management on the assembly of aircraft composite structure M.S Thesis MIT 1991
- Saadat, M. Cretin, L. Dimensional variation during Airbus wing assembly Assembly Automation 22 199 206 2002
- Saadat, M. Sim, R. Najafi, F. Prediction of geometrical variation in Airbus wing-box assembly Assembly Automation 27 324 32 2007
- Crumpler, P. Clayton, R. Assembly of aircraft components US patent, US 2008/0308211 A1 2008
- Glazebrook, C.J. Assembly of aircraft components US patent, US2008/0256788 A1 2008
- Kayani, A. Gray, I.L. Aerofoil structure and a method of making a rib for an aerofoil structure US patent, US 2010/0209255 A1 2010
- Jamshidi, J. Kayani, A. Iravani, P. Maropoulos, P.G. Summers, M.D. Manufacturing and assembly automation by integrated metrology systems for aircraft wing fabrication Proc. IMechE Part B: J. Engineering Manufacture 224 25 36 2010
- Muelaner, J. Maropoulos, P.G. Large scale metrology in aerospace assembly Proc. DET2008 1 20 Nantes, France 2008
- Anscombe, R. Bryant, A. Buckingham, R. Ferguson, G. et al. “Snake-Arm Robots: A New Approach to Aircraft Assembly,” SAE Technical Paper 2006-01-3141 2006 10.4271/2006-01-3141
- Kalantari, M. Kasser, M. Photogrammétrie et vision par ordinateur Revue XYZ 117 49 54 2008
- Snider, D. Precision waterjet cutting in the composites industry utilizing robots for high quality accurate machining Proc. Composites 2011 Ft Lauderdale, USA 2011
- Shirinzadeh, B. Ng, Y.K. Alici, G. Intelligent robotic fettling using a visual feedback technique and force sensing Int. J. Adv. Manuf. Technol 24 607 14 2004
- Summers, M. “Robot Capability Test and Development of Industrial Robot Positioning System for the Aerospace Industry,” SAE Technical Paper 2005-01-3336 2005 10.4271/2005-01-3336
- Shen, C.H. et al. Reconfigurable fixtures for automotive engine machining and assembly applications J. Manuf. Sci. Prod. 6 61 70 2011
- Millar, A. Kihlman, H. “Reconfigurable Flexible Tooling for Aerospace Wing Assembly,” SAE Technical Paper 2009-01-3243 2009 10.4271/2009-01-3243
- Wang, H. et al. Computer aided fixture design: recent research and trends Comput. Aided-Design 42 1085 94 2010
- Jones, F.D. et al. Machinery's handbook Industrial Press, Inc 26 th 2000