An automated clamp for clamping a rib web to a rib post or rib foot of an aircraft wing box comprising a clamp frame having first and second arms 72, 73 where the second arm is movable towards and from the first arm, a robot end effector connector coupled to the frame, first and second jaws 76, 77 fixed at the ends of the arms configured to clamp and aircraft assembly, one of the jaws comprising a tool docking module aperture 84 into which a tool module is insertable for accessing the assembly, a swarf channel 110 extends into the aperture and is fluidly connected 116 to a vacuum source and configured to extract waste material adjacent the aircraft assembly. There may be a vision system to detect a datum of the web, post, or foot. The swarf channel may split into two channels around a line of sight of an imaging device 94 of the vision system. There may be a contact normalisation system comprising a a fixed jaw body and a rotatable nose-piece configured to contact a surface of the assembly configured to passively rotate relative to the jaw body upon contact with the surface.
Automated clamp
2024-08-28
Patent
Electronic Resource
English
IPC: | B64F GROUND OR AIRCRAFT-CARRIER-DECK INSTALLATIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH AIRCRAFT , Boden- oder Flugzeugträgerdeckeinrichtungen besonders ausgebildet für die Verwendung in Verbindung mit Luftfahrzeugen / B25B TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING, OR HOLDING , Werkzeuge oder Werkbankvorrichtungen zum Befestigen, Verbinden, Lösen oder Halten, soweit nicht anderweitig vorgesehen / B25J Manipulatoren , MANIPULATORS |