The paper presents the earliest results of a research collaboration between the aircrafts company Piaggio Aero Industries (PAI) and the PMARLab Robotics Research Group of the University of Genova, aimed at the development of a parallel-hybrid machine for the machining of body panels of the aircraft P180. Most of the manufacturing of the body panels of this small airplane, today, is performed manually and by chemical milling, with high process costs. A task-oriented machine able to perform all these operations (without moving the parts between different working stations and avoiding specific preparation, e.g. peeling for chemical etching) could remarkably reduce costs and overall process time, improving quality and accuracy of the machined components. Moreover, the need for adjustments in the subsequent assembly steps of the assembly process (e.g. correction of holes during riveting) would be eliminated or dramatically reduced. The panels have complex curvatures and are very different in size. Their manufacturing involves few millimeters depth high-speed milling, contouring, deburring, holing. The technological processes to be performed have different stiffness, accuracy, force and surface finishing requirements; this makes the design of one machine for all processes complex. The finally proposed architecture is hybrid, composed of a 2-dof cartesian-parallel unit carrying an agile 4-dof hybrid-parallel unit supporting the spindle.
A parallel hybrid machine for automated manufacturing of body panels of the aircraft Piaggio P180
Parallel Kinematic Machines in Research and Practice, PKS, Chemnitz Parallel Kinematics Seminar, 5 ; 721-731
2006
11 Seiten, 6 Bilder, 7 Quellen
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Englisch
GENERAL AVIATION - Piaggio to stretch P180's range for special missions
Online Contents | 2012
Boeing steps up 737 production . Piaggio pares price of P180 Avanti
Online Contents | 1997
Piaggio plans new start - Seeks to boost sales of P180
Online Contents | 2000
Business Aviation - EJU offers guarantee on charter . Piaggio in P180 costs deal
Online Contents | 2005