Patent ID: 7787979
Filing Date: 2010-08-31
Classification: B33Y,G05B,Y02P,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of assembling two fuselage sections of an aircraft, comprising the steps of: (A) measuring the position of mating surfaces of the fuselage sections by a non-contact method comprising a merged photogrammetry and laser tracking process; (B) virtually assembling the fuselage sections by generating computer models of the fuselage sections and comparing the computer models; (C) generating a profile of splice elements used to join the fuselage sections, based on the virtual assembly performed in step (B); (D) producing a tool insert based on the profile generated in step (C); (E) producing splice elements using the tool insert produced in step (D); and, (F) assembling the fuselage sections using the splice elements.