Parallel Robotic Stringer Attachment for Aircraft Skin Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for manufacturing aircraft wing panels using C-frame machines and FAJ tooling are inefficient due to their bulkiness and limited throughput, as they can only drill and fasten one hole at a time, making it difficult to attach multiple stringers to a single skin panel effectively.
Innovation Solution
A manufacturing apparatus and method utilizing multiple pairs of robots operating in parallel, with one robot performing operations on the upper surface and another on the lower surface of a skin panel, allowing for simultaneous attachment of stringers across multiple locations, supported by retractable members and Automated Guided Vehicles for efficient assembly and inspection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If C-frame machines are used to attach stringers to skin panels, then structural integrity is ensured, but throughput is severely limited due to one-hole-at-a-time drilling and fastening capability
Solution Approach 1:
The C-frame machine is divided into multiple independent drilling and fastening stations arranged in parallel. Each station can drill and fasten holes simultaneously, transforming a single-point operation into a multi-point concurrent operation system, thereby dramatically increasing throughput without requiring a completely new machine design
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from sequential one-dimensional hole processing to parallel multi-dimensional hole processing by arranging multiple drilling and fastening stations across different spatial locations on the skin panel, enabling simultaneous operations at multiple points
2Adaptability or versatility
If C-frame machines are used for manufacturing, then structural stability is maintained, but the machines are large and bulky, reducing manufacturing agility
Solution Approach 1:
The large C-frame machine structure is segmented into multiple smaller, modular drilling and fastening stations that can be independently positioned and adjusted. This modular approach reduces the overall machine footprint while maintaining the structural stability needed for manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable positioning mechanisms that allow the drilling and fastening stations to be dynamically repositioned according to different skin panel sizes and configurations, enhancing manufacturing agility without requiring a complete machine redesign
3Strength
If multiple stringers are attached to a single skin panel, then structural integrity is improved, but the manufacturing time increases due to sequential processing
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment process is segmented into multiple simultaneous drilling and fastening operations conducted at different locations on the skin panel. Multiple stringers can be attached in parallel rather than sequentially, dramatically reducing total manufacturing time while ensuring each attachment point maintains proper structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous productive action by having multiple drilling and fastening stations operate simultaneously at different locations. This eliminates idle time between operations and ensures that all stringers are attached in the minimum possible time while maintaining quality standards
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, apparatus and computer program product are present for performing a manufacturing procedure. A component may be positioned in a work area. A plurality of groups of robots may be operated in parallel and robots of each group of robots of the plurality of groups of robots may be operated in synchronism for performing a plurality of manufacturing operations at a plurality of locations on the component.