An Automated Reconfigurable Supporting Structure for Aeronautical Applications
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2018
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka
Abstract
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
Description
Keywords
Mechanical Engineering, Aircrafts Engineering