Indexed Support Beam for Aerospace Workpiece Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The aerospace industry faces challenges in properly orienting and supporting large structures during manufacturing, particularly in work cells with overhead mechanical equipment, and in automating the transfer of these structures between work cells.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a support beam with indexing features that engage with frame assemblies in each work cell, allowing for precise orientation and movement of the workpiece using a gantry and automated control systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual processing and manual handling of large structures is used, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but productivity is low and manufacturing efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A support beam with indexing features serves as an intermediary component between the workpiece and the work cell equipment. This mediator enables automated handling and positioning while maintaining the flexibility to accommodate different workpiece configurations, thereby improving productivity without complete automation of all operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The support beam is divided into multiple indexed positions along its length, allowing selective engagement at different locations. This segmentation enables flexible positioning and support of large structures at various stages of manufacturing, improving both productivity and adaptability.
2Manufacturing precision
If overhead mechanical equipment is used in work cells, then manufacturing precision can be improved, but proper orientation and support of large structures becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The support beam is pre-configured with indexing features at predetermined positions and orientations. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex real-time orientation adjustments during manufacturing operations, making it easier to support large structures while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The indexed support beam acts as a mediator that translates the precision requirements of overhead mechanical equipment into simplified support and orientation functions, making large structure handling easier while maintaining manufacturing precision.
3Productivity
If automated transfer of large structures is implemented, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The indexed support beam serves as a simple yet effective intermediary that enables automated transfer operations without requiring complex robotic manipulators or sophisticated control systems. The indexing features provide inherent positioning information, reducing the complexity of the automation system while maintaining high transfer efficiency.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A system includes support beam (110) elongated along a longitudinal axis (L). The support beam includes a first end portion (112) longitudinally opposed from a second end portion (114), a first beam-side indexing feature (120) proximate the first end portion (112) and a second beam-side indexing feature (130) proximate the second end portion (114). The system further includes a first frame assembly (140) having a first base portion (142), a first riser portion (144) defining a first vertical axis (Vi), and a first carriage (146), connected to the first riser portion (144) and moveable relative to the first riser portion (144) along the first vertical axis (Vi).The first carriage (146) includes a first frame-side indexing feature (148) configured to engage with the first beam-side indexing feature (120). The system further includes a second frame assembly (160) having a second base portion (162), a second riser portion (164) defining a second vertical axis (V2 ), and a second carriage (166) connected to the second riser portion (164) and moveable relative to the second riser portion (164) along the second vertical axis (V2 ). The second carriage (166) includes a second frame-side indexing feature (168) configured to engage with the second beam-side indexing feature (130).