An automated clamp for clamping a rib web to a rib post or rib foot of an aircraft wing box is disclosed including a clamp frame having a first arm and a second arm extending from the base of the clamp frame. The second arm is moveable towards and away from the first arm; a robot end effector connector coupled to the clamp frame; clamp jaws including a first jaw fixed at a distal end of the first arm, and a second jaw fixed at a distal end of the second arm, the clamp jaws configured to clamp an aircraft assembly. One of the jaws includes a tool module docking aperture into which a tool module is insertable for accessing the aircraft assembly; and a swarf channel extending into the tool module docking aperture, the swarf channel fluidically connected to a vacuum source and configured to extract waste material adjacent the aircraft assembly.
AUTOMATED CLAMP
2024-08-29
Patent
Electronic Resource
English
IPC: | 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 / 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 / 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 |