Movable Holding Fixture Positioning for Curved Aircraft Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in maintaining positioning accuracy and shape accuracy of a moving holding fixture used in aircraft panel assembly, particularly when the fixture needs to accommodate panels with complex curved surfaces, as conventional fixtures are fixed and lack the necessary adaptability to ensure high precision across multiple workspaces.
Innovation Solution
A holding fixture fixing apparatus with multiple fixing units supporting the fixture from its lower surface, including straight and curved members forming a saddle shape, along with a positioning unit, a stage unit, and a laser tracker system to ensure accurate positioning and prevent expansion, allowing for high-accuracy assembly of aircraft panels with varying curvatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional fixed positioning fixture is used, then positioning accuracy is maintained, but the fixture cannot be moved to multiple workspaces and requires multiple fixtures for different panel shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning fixture is transformed from a static fixed structure to a movable dynamic system. The fixture can be moved between workspaces while maintaining positioning accuracy through active correction mechanisms that adjust the fixture's position relative to the panel after movement, ensuring continuous high-precision operation across multiple workspaces.
Solution Approach 2:
A single positioning fixture is designed to serve multiple workspaces and handle different panel shapes. The fixture incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable components that allow it to adapt to various panel geometries, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated fixtures while maintaining positioning accuracy through active correction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the holding fixture is moved to multiple workspaces, then fixture versatility is improved, but positioning accuracy and shape accuracy become difficult to ensure
Solution Approach 1:
A feedback mechanism is implemented that detects the position and orientation of the holding fixture after movement, and automatically adjusts the fixture or panel positioning to compensate for any deviations. This closed-loop control ensures that positioning accuracy is maintained even after the fixture has been moved between workspaces.
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical positioning methods are replaced with advanced measurement and control systems (such as laser trackers, encoders, or vision systems) that can precisely detect and correct positioning errors after fixture movement, enabling high-accuracy operation without relying solely on mechanical rigidity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple positioning fixtures are prepared for different panel shapes, then all panel types can be accommodated, but preparation and management costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single universal positioning fixture is designed with reconfigurable components that can adapt to different panel shapes and sizes. The fixture includes adjustable support elements, reconfigurable positioning mechanisms, and programmable control systems that allow one fixture to replace multiple dedicated fixtures, simplifying management while maintaining comprehensive panel shape coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning fixture utilizes programmable and adjustable parameters (such as position coordinates, support point locations, and clamping forces) that can be modified through software or mechanical adjustment to accommodate different panel geometries, eliminating the need for physical reconfiguration or multiple fixtures.
Data Source
AI summary
An object is to provide a holding fixture fixing apparatus which can ensure positioning accuracy and shape accuracy of a moving holding fixture, thus allowing an aircraft panel to be assembled with high accuracy. A holding fixture fixing apparatus includes a plurality of fixing units configured to support and fix a holding fixture, which holds a fuselage panel having a curved shape in cross section, from a lower surface of the holding fixture, the fixing units being provided on an installation surface, wherein the plurality of fixing units are provided corresponding to at least four corners of the lower surface of the holding fixture.