Aircraft Airframe Section Assembly Using Reference Structure Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of aircraft airframes faces challenges in achieving precise assembly due to difficulties in producing separate sections with tight tolerance bounds, often requiring lengthy and expensive shimming processes and dedicated assembly tools.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that determine the precise position and orientation of aircraft airframe components relative to a reference structure, using computer-aided design data and specialized assembly tools with jig frames and pickup devices to maintain accurate alignment and attachment, allowing for the production of airframe sections within tight tolerance bounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If separate airframe sections are produced independently, then production flexibility and independence are improved, but assembly precision and tolerance alignment deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a reference structure that is a precise copy or representation of the second airframe section. This reference structure is used to define the positions and orientations of components during assembly of the first section, ensuring that when the two sections are joined, their interfaces align within tight tolerance bounds without requiring shimming processes.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional dedicated assembly tools are used for each assembly process, then component support and positioning are improved, but tool complexity and production cost worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal reference structure that can be used across multiple assembly processes and for different airframe sections. Instead of requiring dedicated assembly tools for each specific assembly operation, the reference structure provides a consistent framework that defines component positions and orientations, reducing the number of specialized tools needed and simplifying the overall assembly system.
3Manufacturing precision
If tight tolerance bounds are enforced during component production, then final assembly quality is improved, but production time and cost worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent determines and records the positions and orientations of all components relative to the reference structure before actual assembly takes place. This preliminary planning and positioning information is used to guide the assembly process, allowing components to be assembled more quickly without requiring extensive post-assembly adjustments or shimming, thus maintaining tight tolerances while improving production efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
AIRCRAFT AIRFRAME ASSEMBLY Disclosed is a method of producing a first part of an aircraft airframe (4), the first part of the aircraft airframe (4) being for attachment to a second part of the aircraft airframe (5). The methodcomprises: providing a plurality of components (8-12) of the first part (4); for each component (8-12), determining a position and orientation of that component (8-12) relative to the second part (5)were the first part (4) attached to the second part (5); providing a reference structure (64) representative of the second part (5); arranging the components (8-12) such that the position and orientation of each component (8-12) relative to the reference structure (64) is the same as the determined position and orientation of that component (8-12) relative to the second part (5); and attaching together the components (8-12) such that the relative positions and orientations of those components (8-12) are maintained. (Figure 2)