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System for Recirculation of Mobile Tooling

Journal Article
2015-01-2494
ISSN: 1946-3855, e-ISSN: 1946-3901
Published September 15, 2015 by SAE International in United States
System for Recirculation of Mobile Tooling
Sector:
Citation: Hempstead, B. and Smith, S., "System for Recirculation of Mobile Tooling," SAE Int. J. Aerosp. 8(2):227-233, 2015, https://doi.org/10.4271/2015-01-2494.
Language: English

Abstract:

Aircraft assembly systems which require tooling or machinery to pulse or move between multiple positions within a factory can be positioned with high repeatability without high performance foundations or sweeping out large areas of floorspace. An example shows a system of large left and right-hand frames which are positioned at 3 sequential manufacturing steps and then recirculated to the start of production via a central return aisle. The frames are 41 ton actual weight and are 72′ long, similar to a rail car. The system achieves rectangular motion for the recirculation path. The supporting and moving system incorporates low-cost rail in a floor with minimal preparation and simple to use controls. The system is also easily reconfigured if the manufacturing system needs to be altered to meet rate or flow requirements.