Machining system for aircraft structural components

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11565831-B2
Application number	US-201816633917-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 27, 2018
Priority date	Jul 24, 2017
Publication date	Jan 31, 2023
Grant date	Jan 31, 2023

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a processing installation for aircraft structural components having a processing station comprising a clamping frame for receiving the structural component, wherein the clamping frame extends along a station longitudinal axis which extends in a longitudinal direction and a processing unit which has an upper tool unit having an upper tool and a lower tool unit, wherein the processing installation has a processing region which is formed by a laterally delimited, first spatial portion in which the clamping frame and the processing unit are arranged during processing, wherein the processing installation has a service region for carrying out service operations, wherein the first spatial portion is separated from the second spatial portion in a transverse direction, wherein a service platform is arranged in the service region and can be positioned in a service plane which is orthogonal to the vertical direction.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A processing installation for aircraft structural components having a processing station comprising a clamping frame for receiving an aircraft structural component which is intended to be processed in each case; wherein the clamping frame extends along a longitudinal axis of the processing station which extends in a longitudinal direction and a processing unit for processing the aircraft structural component which has an upper tool unit having an upper tool which is orientated along a first tool axis and a lower tool unit having a lower tool which is orientated along a second tool axis, wherein the first tool axis and the second tool axis extend parallel with a vertical direction which is angled relative to the longitudinal direction, wherein the processing installation has a processing region for processing the aircraft structural component which is formed by a laterally delimited, first spatial portion in which the clamping frame and the processing unit are arranged during processing, wherein the processing installation has a service region for carrying out service operations, which is formed by a laterally delimited, second spatial portion, wherein the first spatial portion is separated from the second spatial portion in a transverse direction which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction, wherein a service platform is arranged in the service region and is or can be positioned in a service plane which is orthogonal to the vertical direction,
wherein the processing installation comprises a frame movable relative to a substrate and configured to carry the upper tool unit, the lower tool unit, and the service platform,
wherein the upper tool and the lower tool are displaceable into at least one service position, and
wherein both of the upper and lower tools are accessible from the service platform which is positioned in the service plane in the at least one service position.

2. The processing installation as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the upper tool and/or the lower tool is/are positioned in the at least one service position in the processing region and/or in the service region.

3. The processing installation as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the upper tool in the at least one service position in the service region, or in the transverse direction is positioned adjacent to the service region or the service platform in a plane, wherein the plane is orthogonal to the vertical direction and the plane is spaced apart from the service platform.

4. The processing installation as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the spacing between the upper tool and the service plane is in a range from 0.5 m to 2.0 m.

5. The processing installation as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the lower tool in the at least one service position in the transverse direction is positioned adjacent to the service region or the service platform, or the at least one service position is in the service region.

6. The processing installation as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the lower tool is displaceable between different service positions along the service region and/or along the service platform.

7. The processing installation as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the lower tool carrier is rotatable and/or linearly displaceable relative to the service region.

8. The processing installation as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the lower tool in the at least one service position in the transverse direction is positioned adjacent to an automatic tool changer.

9. The processing installation as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the automatic tool changer is positioned in a park position of the automatic tool changer in the service region and/or is positioned in a change position of the automatic tool changer in the transverse direction adjacent to the service region and/or in a vertical direction above the lower tool carrier.

10. The processing installation as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the upper tool in the at least one service position in the vertical direction is positioned above a test portion holder.

11. The processing installation as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the test portion holder in the transverse direction is positioned adjacent to the service region and/or the service platform.

12. The processing installation as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the lower tool in the at least one service position in the vertical direction is positioned below a test portion holder.

13. The processing installation as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the processing installation has a frame, on which the upper tool is supported.

14. The processing installation as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the frame has at least one lateral frame portion, wherein the first spatial portion which forms the processing region is laterally delimited by the at least one lateral frame portion.

15. The processing installation as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the service platform is arranged at or adjacent to the at least one lateral frame portion, wherein the upper tool and/or the lower tool is/are accessible past the lateral frame portion or through an opening which is directed in a traverse direction in the lateral frame portion in the respective service position from the service platform, or is/are displaceable between the processing region and the service region.

16. The processing installation as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the at least one lateral frame portion is connected to an upper frame portion for supporting the upper tool and/or a lower frame portion for supporting the lower tool,
wherein the lower frame portion, the at least one lateral frame portion and the upper frame portion together form a C-shape or portal-like shape.

17. The processing installation as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the service platform is permanently fixed on the frame, in the longitudinal direction and/or transverse direction and/or vertical direction.

18. The processing installation as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the processing installation has a frame, on which the upper tool and the lower tool are supported.

19. The processing installation as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the upper tool and/or the lower tool can each be displaced relative to the frame between at least one processing position and at least one service position.

20. A processing installation for aircraft structural components having a processing station comprising a clamping frame for receiving an aircraft structural component which is intended to be processed in each case; wherein the clamping frame extends along a longitudinal axis of the processing station which extends in a longitudinal direction and a processing unit for processing the aircraft structural component which has an upper tool unit having an upper tool which is orientated along a first tool axis and a lower tool unit having a lower tool which is orientated along a second tool axis, wherein the first tool axis and the second tool axis extend parallel with a vertical direction which is angled relative to the longitudinal direction, wherein the processing installation has a processing region for processing the aircraft structural component which is formed by a laterally delimited, first spatial portion in which the clamping frame and the processing unit are arranged during processing, wherein the processing installation has a service region for carrying out service operations, which is formed by a laterally delimited, second spatial portion, wherein the first spatial portion is separated from the second spatial portion in a transverse direction which is orthog

Assignees

• Broetje Automation Gmbh

Inventors

• Varrelmann Nils

Classifications

• B21J15/142 Primary

  Aerospace structures · CPC title

• B25J5/04

  wherein the guideway is also moved, e.g. travelling crane bridge type · CPC title

• B23Q1/25

  Movable or adjustable work or tool supports · CPC title

• B21J15/365

  Mandrels for expanding parts of hollow rivets · CPC title

• B21J13/08

  Accessories for handling work or tools · CPC title