Aircraft Panel Holding Jig for Automated Curved Riveting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing aircraft panel production methods require multiple positioning jigs for different shapes, increasing manufacturing and management costs, and limit the application of automatic riveting machines due to interference with support members and the need for manual handling between process stages.
Innovation Solution
A holding jig that grips the peripheral edge portions of aircraft panels with a curved cross-sectional shape, allowing for the assembly and movement of panels with reduced structural complexity, enabling automatic riveting and simplifying the manufacturing process by omitting central support members and allowing the jig to move between processing stages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple positioning jigs are manufactured for different body panel shapes, then positioning accuracy for various panel types is improved, but manufacturing cost and management complexity of jigs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning jig is designed with a movable configuration that allows it to adapt to different body panel shapes through position adjustment. The jig includes a movable support member that can be repositioned along the panel, enabling a single jig to perform positioning functions for multiple panel types (single-curved and double-curved surfaces) without requiring multiple dedicated jigs for each shape variant.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning jig incorporates movable components including a movable support member that can be adjusted to different positions. This dynamic structure allows the jig to adapt its configuration to match different body panel shapes and curvatures, providing positioning accuracy for various panel types while maintaining a single versatile jig design rather than requiring multiple fixed jigs.
2Stability of the object's composition
If support members are added to the positioning jig to stabilize the panel, then positioning stability is improved, but interference with automatic riveting machines increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the beam member (support member) from the positioning jig structure. Instead of using a rigid beam to support the panel, the jig relies on the movable support member that can be positioned and adjusted without requiring extensive central support structures. This extraction of the beam member eliminates interference with automatic riveting machines while maintaining panel stability through the adjusted movable support configuration.
3Productivity
If the body panel is moved between work places, then production flexibility is improved, but the need to remove and remount the panel on different positioning jigs increases labor cost
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning jig is designed as a universal device that can handle different body panel shapes and types through its movable and adjustable components. A single positioning jig design serves multiple functions and can accommodate various panel configurations, eliminating the need to transfer panels between multiple specialized jigs at different work places, thereby reducing handling time and labor costs.
4Device complexity
If positioning materials are disposed at large intervals corresponding to frame intervals, then the structure is simplified, but the range for automatic riveting machine application is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning jig employs a movable support member that can be dynamically repositioned to different locations along the body panel. This dynamic positioning capability allows the support member to be placed at optimal intervals that accommodate automatic riveting machine operations, rather than being fixed at large frame intervals. The movable configuration enables the jig to adapt to different riveting patterns and machine requirements, expanding the range for automatic riveting application.
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft panel production method has: a step in which a holding jig holds a body panel, which has a plurality of plate-like members having a curved cross-sectional shape, such that the cross section of the body panel has an upwardly bulging curved shape; a step in which the plate-like members of the body panel held by the holding jig are overlapped with each other and the overlapping portions are joined by a rivet; a step in which the holding jig, which is holding the body panel of which the plate-like members have been joined to each other, is moved; and a step in which a frame that follows the curved shape of the body panel is joined, by a rivet, to the plate-like members of the body panel which is held by the holding jig which has been moved.