Robot-deployed assembly tool and method for installing fasteners in aircraft structures

• Main Authors: SARH BRANKO, TOH CHIN H, HARMAN EDWARD BRUCE
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 16.10.2012
• Subjects: COMBINED OPERATIONS; FORGE FURNACES; FORGING; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; HAMMERING; MACHINE TOOLS; MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVINGMATERIAL; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; OTHER WORKING OF METAL; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PRESSING METAL; PUNCHING METAL; RIVETING; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS; TRANSPORTING; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS

An assembly system and method for assembling an aircraft wing box or other structure that may define an interior area accessible through at least one access opening are provided. The method includes inserting a robot having an assembly tool mounted thereto into the interior area through the at least one access opening. The assembly tool may be positioned at a fastener location, and may be clamped to the structure. A hole may be made through the structure, and a fastener may be installed in the hole.