Browsing by Author "Kulasekera, A. L."

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    An Automated Reconfigurable Supporting Structure for Aeronautical Applications
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2018) Vitharana, N.; Nishanthan, S.; Kulasekera, A. L.; Jayaweera, N.D.
    Reconfigurable tooling/supporting structures are needed for aircraft manufacturers and Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities to increase their production rates to meet the growing demand and to switch rapidly and effectively between operations within optimal aircraft variant-mixes while minimizing resource wastage. Dedicated tooling is expensive, difficult to use with different aircraft sizes, require long manufacturing lead time and setup time, skilled workforce and occupy floor space during use. Overcoming these drawbacks, reconfigurable supporting structure should be reusable so that it enhances the operational flexibility, ensures rapid response to production/maintenances-schedule changes and reduces development costs and setup time. Furthermore, having lesser footprint is a value adding attribute for the structure. In this research, a reconfigurable supporting structure is developed for MRO operations. A platform mounted on a scissor, with sections of platforms which extend further provide safe and easy access to the aircraft. It has the flexibility to cater different applications in aircraft manufacturing, assembly and MRO facilities. The whole support structure can provide autonomous/semi-autonomous mobility by being mounted on an automated guide vehicle (AGV). Proposed design can cater to multiple airframe sizes by being able to easily modify height and orientation providing increased reconfigurability. Furthermore, increasing the number of modules in operation ensures the flexibility for different applications ranging from inspection, installation/removal of equipment etc. depending on the type of maintenance. Keywords: Aeronautical, Aircraft maintenance, Automated support structures, Modular, Reconfigurable
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    An innovative Fixing Solution for holding Complex Shaped Components
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2018) Balasuriya, B.M.S.C.B.; Bhanuka, H.W.P.; Sampath, H.R.L.; Kulasekera, A. L.; Jayaweera, N. D.
    Manufacturing industry faces several challenges when fixing complex shaped components, especially in the aerospace industry. The aerospace industry uses various types of dedicated fixturing systems to handle these components, but lacks a universal method of fixing. A complex shaped component does not have any symmetric lines or parallel surfaces, which makes it difficult to fix in manufacturing processes such as machining, finishing and inspection operations. A pin type fixturing system is the dominant and reliable design used in such applications to fix complex shaped components. In pin type fixturing systems, force is applied via a point contact to the workpiece. This can cause structural and/or surface damage to the component. To overcome this, a fixturing system based on jamming of materials with negative pressure is used to improve conventional pin type. A flexible diaphragm filled with januning materials is used to increase the area of contact. By changing the diaphragm properties, it is possible to improve the quality of workpiece fixing. This work studies the effect of the diaphragm properties on fixing quality. Series of experiments were carried out to decide the best suited diaphragm properties in terms of highest holding force with best adaptability to a given complex shape. According to experimental results, increasing the thickness of granular jamming membrane has provided higher fixturing force for complex shaped components. Keywords: Aerospace, Complex shapes, Fixtures, Granular Jamming, Work holding devices.