The joining and assembly of barrel sections of large aircraft is always cumbersome. Any means to ease this task are welcome. In recent years The Boeing Co. has invented and licensed their “Flex-Track” system. But however flexible this approach may be, double curved surfaces, large variations of cross-section radius and issues with vacuum cup fixture are problems to be dealt with.Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China has developed a new, innovative circumferential splicing system in cooperation with Broetje-Automation, Germany.There is a unique, time-saving setup technology and self-stepping actuation for a one up 360° splicing operation. The process endeffector is based on standard, state of the art components in use for large fastening systems. Features are high speed servo drilling spindle with HSK 32 drill chuck holder, tool changer, vacuum chip removal, reference hole detection and correction, surface normality alignment, pressure foot clamp-up, countersink control.An area of roughly 1,5 square meters can be accessed without re-stepping. Deep stroke z-axis is included in the 5 DOF kinematics to allow large variation of cross-section diameters. The dual track system locks itself to the barrel surface and totally avoids the use of vacuum cups. For this innovative approach target application is the fuselage barrel assembly of China's new transport aircraft.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Innovative Approach to Circumferential Splicing for Large Aircraft Assembly


    Additional title:

    Sae Technical Papers


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    SAE 2015 AeroTech Congress & Exhibition ; 2015



    Publication date :

    2015-09-15




    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English




    Innovative Approach to Circumferential Splicing for Large Aircraft Assembly

    Meiners, Christian / Zhu, Weidong / Ke, Yinglin | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2015


    Innovative Approach for Modular and Flexible Positioning System for Large Aircraft Assembly

    Schneider, Thomas | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2015



    Splicing aircraft cable

    Gazley, R.C. | Engineering Index Backfile | 1932


    Circumferential clamp and latching assembly

    PEET STEVEN EDUARD | European Patent Office | 2017

    Free access