Metrology Guided Wing Join Automation

Abstract

This paper presents the metrology automation solution implemented to optimally align aircraft wings at Triumph Aerostructures-Vought Aircraft Division (Triumph). The Wing Join measurement and alignment process enables Triumph to ensure the left and right wings are precisely fit to one another to achieve aerodynamic wing characteristics. The wings are joined in a laydown unconstrained deflected orientation using key feature targets established in individual assembly jigs. The join station at Triumph uses 6 positioners (3 positioners for the LH Wing & 3 positioners for the RH Wing) which allows each wing section to be adjusted relative to their key features. Operators use the Wing Join Cell’s Metrology Automation Software to sequence two online laser trackers through the measurement of key points on critical wing features. The key feature points are optimized and the resulting transform is used to determine specific sets of incremental 6D moves (e.g., steps) to join the wings. The transform is kinematically decoupled into the relative moves for each positioner and sends the specific positioner moves to the tool controller. Each step in the process achieves goal positions based on automated measurements of the actual wing position and the optimized into the final wing assembly.