A method of installing a fixture, such as a bracket, in a fuselage structure of an aircraft or spacecraft, includes providing or generating a three-dimensional digital model of the fixture; arranging a head of an additive manufacturing apparatus in, on or adjacent the fuselage structure; and forming the fixture in situ in or on the fuselage structure with the head of the additive manufacturing apparatus based upon the digital model of the fixture. The fixture is installed in or on the fuselage structure by bonding or fusing the fixture to the fuselage structure as the fixture is formed, and the step of forming the fixture in situ includes: forming an anchored portion of the fixture which is non-movably fixed to the structure; and forming an operable portion of the fixture which is movable relative to the anchored portion.
FIXTURE AND METHOD OF INSTALLING A FIXTURE
2017-08-24
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 / B22F Verarbeiten von Metallpulver , WORKING METALLIC POWDER / B29C Formen oder Verbinden von Kunststoffen , SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS / B33Y ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING , Additive (generative) Fertigung, d. h. die Herstellung von dreidimensionalen [3D] Bauteilen durch additive Abscheidung, additive Agglomeration oder additive Schichtung, z. B. durch 3D- Drucken, Stereolithografie oder selektives Lasersintern / B64C AEROPLANES , Flugzeuge |