Abstract:
An apparatus for supporting a wing assembly at a wing assembly support height. Base sections are provided, each having a different predetermined height with respect to one another. A movable platform carries a base section, and a wing assembly support section rests on a selected base section and includes a wing assembly connector, which is movable in a first plane and a second plane generally perpendicular relative to the first plane. A differential height is defined between the wing assembly support height and the combined heights of the platform and the height of wing assembly connector, relative to the bottom of the wing assembly support section. At least one of the base sections is of a predetermined height approximating the differential height and is carried on the platform. The wing assembly support section is carried on such base section.

Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to configurations, systems, and methods for supporting relatively large, elongated structures. More specifically, certain aspects of the disclosure relate to configurations, systems, and methods for manufacturing, maintenance, inspection, testing, and evaluation of aircraft wing assembles, wherein stanchions of readily variable heights may be employed. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In the manufacture of elongated components, and in particular aircraft wings, support stands (also referred to as stanchions) of differing heights may be required. This may be the case with aircraft wings in particular, wherein the thickness of an aircraft wing may change considerably, moving from the root of the wing (where the wing attaches to an aircraft fuselage) to the tip of such wing. To adequately support the wing, multiple stanchions are typically used along the length of both sides of the wing. These stanchions may be required to each be of a custom height in order to support a particular location of a specific model of wing, depending on a number of factors, including, without limitation, the weight to be supported, the design tolerances, the type and amount of work and/or inspection to be done, etc. Given the variety of wing models which may require manufacture, maintenance, inspection, testing, evaluation, etc., the construction of stanchions that are custom-made for each of the various wing models and/or configurations can be expensive, labor intensive, and can adversely bear on productions schedules. 
     Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches to the support of wings and other elongated structures may become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with the teachings and examples set forth in the present disclosure. 
     SUMMARY 
     It would be desirable to provide systems, methods, and apparatuses that address the issues discussed above, as well as other potential issues, and also to provide a modular stanchion system which is readily reconfigurable for production systems of a variety of aircraft wing models. Moreover, it would be beneficial to provide configurations, systems, and methods for supporting aircraft wings and/or other elongated structures during manufacturing, maintenance, inspection, testing, and/or evaluation through use of stanchions of readily adaptable heights. 
     Briefly, an example implementation of a modular stanchion system as disclosed herein may include a predetermined or preselected height upper section having an actuation system, controls and a movable slide table together with a lower base section of a preselected height. This arrangement allows for a quickly configurable and/or reconfigurable stanchion for a variety of aircraft wing models or other elongated structures, in that the overall stanchion height can be changed by replacing the lower base with another lower base of a different height. Wing attachments for connecting the stanchion system to the wing can be varied as necessary or desired by attaching an arm to the slide table on the upper section. A modular movable platform may be provided that is also of a predetermined size and/or height for use in connection with one or more other such modular movable platforms for supporting the stanchions. 
     Accordingly, configurations, systems, and method are disclosed for facilitating such support of wings and/or other large elongated structures substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, and as set forth more completely in the claims. 
     Examples of the present disclosure are generally directed to a method and apparatus for supporting one or more wings or other elongated structures. In one example implementation, a system, or apparatus, is disclosed for supporting a wing assembly at a wing assembly support height relative to a support surface, the apparatus comprising at least one movable platform having a first height and base sections, each having a different predetermined height with respect to one another. At least one wing assembly support section is provided, and a wing assembly connector is connected to the wing assembly support section. The wing assembly connector is configured to be movable in a first plane and a second plane generally perpendicular with respect to the first plane. The wing assembly support section defines a bottom, and the wing assembly connector is at a second height from the bottom. The movable platform and the wing assembly connector are configured such that the aggregate of the first height and the second height is less than the wing assembly support height and such that the difference between the aggregate of the first height and the second height and the wing assembly support height defines a differential height. At least one the base sections is of a predetermined height approximating the differential height and is carried on the movable platform. And, the wing assembly support section is carried on the at least one of the multiple base sections being of a predetermined height approximating the differential height. 
     Such example implementation may include multiple, or a plurality of, movable platforms including at least one clamp mechanism that selectively joins the plurality of movable platforms to one another. Each of the plurality of movable platforms may include a first side and a second side generally opposite the first side, and at least one first clamp mechanism may be provided on the first side of each of the plurality of movable platforms, and at least one second clamp mechanism may be provided on the second side of each of the plurality of movable platforms, wherein, the first clamping mechanism and the second clamping mechanism cooperate with one another to selectively join the plurality of movable platforms to one another. Additionally or alternately at least one male index mechanism may be provided on the front side of each of the plurality of movable platforms, and at least one female index mechanism may be provided on the rear side of each of the plurality of movable platforms, wherein, the first index mechanism and the second index mechanism cooperate with one another to selectively register the plurality of movable platforms to one another. 
     In another example implementation, the first side and the second side each platform may define an opening and a compartment may be provided extending between the first side and the second side and communicating with the opening in each of the first side and the second side. A door may be provided pivotally attached to the movable platform for selectively allowing access to the compartment. 
     An example implementation may comprise the movable platform including a plurality of wheels that permit the movable platform to move about the support surface. 
     Yet another example implementation may include the wing assembly support section defining a compartment and an access door that is in communication with the compartment. 
     Still another example implementation may include the wing assembly support section including a movable table interposed between the wing assembly support section and the base section and the movable table being configured to allow relative generally rectilinear movement between the assembly support section and a base section. 
     A further example implementation may include the wing assembly connector including an arm, and wherein the first plane is generally perpendicular to the support surface and the second plane is generally parallel to the support surface. Additionally, the wing assembly connector may include an arm movable in a third plane that is generally parallel to the first plane and generally perpendicular to the second plane. Also, an elevator device, which may include a motor, may be connected to wing assembly connector that automatically moves the arm in the second plane, and a movable bracket may be connected to wing assembly connector that allows the arm to move in the third plane. Furthermore, a load cell may be connected to the wing assembly connector that automatically determines a load placed on the arm. 
     Moreover, an example implementation may include at least one outrigger connected to the movable platform that stabilizes the platform. 
     In other exemplary aspects of the disclosure, configurations, systems, and methods for supporting aircraft wings and/or other elongated structures during manufacturing, maintenance, inspection, testing, and/or evaluation through use of a stanchion including an upper section of a generally predetermined, fixed height having an actuation system, controls, and a movable table in combination with a base section selected from a collection of base sections, each being of a different, predetermined height. 
     In another exemplary implementation of the disclosure, a method is provided for supporting a wing assembly at a wing assembly support height relative to a support surface, the method comprising the steps of: providing at least one wing assembly; providing at least one movable platform having a first height; providing multiple base sections, each having a different predetermined height with respect to one another; providing at least one wing assembly support section and a wing assembly connector movable in a first plane and a second plane generally perpendicular with respect to the first plane; the wing assembly support section defining a bottom, and the wing assembly connector being at a second height from the bottom; totaling the first height of the movable platform and the second height of the wing assembly connector from the bottom of the wing assembly section; determining a differential height by comparing the totaled first height and second height to the wing assembly support height; selecting one of the multiple base sections of a predetermined height approximating the differential height and positioning the selected one of the multiple base sections upon the platform; positioning the wing assembly support section on top of the selected one of the multiple base sections; and connecting the wing assembly connector to the wing assembly for supporting the wing assembly. 
     The number of stanchions could, in one example arrangement, be determined by the size of a wing, the weight of the wing, and the design tolerances. Because an example implementation stanchion system may be of modular design, an upper section could be designed to include an actuation system, controls, and/or a moving slide table to hold the wing in the correct orientation. The lower, base section may, accordingly, be varied in height in order to support the wing as the thickness of the wing varies from the wing&#39;s root to its tip. To facilitate positioning of the stanchions, modular rolling platforms may be provided which can be linked together, for example with a coupling arrangement, to allow each stanchion to move individually, or if desired, in a generally horizontal plane collectively along a floor or other support surface. 
     The features, functions and advantages discussed herein may be achieved independently in various examples or may be combined in yet other exemplary aspects of the disclosure, the further details of which may be seen with reference to the following description and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Having thus described exemplary aspects of the disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a side elevational view of an aircraft wing assembly supported by example implementations of a system of modular stanchions; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an example modular movable platform contemplated by the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an example stanchion and an example modular movable platform contemplated by the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are sectional views taken along lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 3  and an example upper stanchion moving horizontally between first and second positions with respect to a base section; 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view similar to  FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrating an example actuator system of an upper stanchion moving between first and second positions; and 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of an example stanchion and an example modular movable platform contemplated by the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a flow diagram of aircraft production and service methodology; and 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram of an aircraft. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Examples of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all examples of the disclosure are shown. Indeed, various exemplary aspects of the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein. Rather, these examples are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. 
     As used herein, “and/or” means any one or more of the items in the list joined by “and/or.” As an example, “x and/or y” means any element of the three-element set {(x), (y), (x, y)}. As another example, “x, y, and/or z” means any element of the seven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x, y), (x, z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}. Further, as used herein, the term “exemplary” means serving as a non-limiting example, instance, or illustration. Moreover, as used herein, the term, for example, or “e.g.,” introduces a list of one or more non-limiting examples, instances, or illustrations. 
     Examples of the present disclosure include methods and apparatuses provided for formation of a composite component about a mandrel having a generally rigid insert acting in cooperation with a pneumatic tooling element. 
     Generally, in one example implementation of the present disclosure, a system is provided for supporting a wing assembly at a wing assembly support height relative to a support surface shown in  FIG. 1 , the subject matter described herein relates generally to a horizontal build line, generally  150 , for a relatively large, elongated structure, such as an aircraft wing assembly, or simply, “wing,” generally  152 . Modular tooling stands, or stanchions, generally  200 , can be mounted to a support surface, such as the floor, generally  154 , or to modular rolling platforms, generally  202 , which facilitate support wing assembly  152 , such as in an assembly line and/or for maintenance, inspection, testing, and evaluation purposes. Platform  202  is of a predetermined height, which could be approximately 12 inches or any other suitable height. Stanchions  200  may allow a manufacturer to relatively quickly configure and/or reconfigure production system of various aircraft model wing sizes and configurations and/or other elongated structures. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  4 A,  4 B, and  5 , each stanchion  200  may include a wing assembly support section, such as a generally predetermined-height adjustable upper section, generally  208 , which may contain components and systems, such as an arm configuration, generally  210 , a movable slide table  214 , and an actuation system, generally  216 . A lower, base section, generally  220 , is of a predetermined height and may be of construction of similar width and depth dimensions as compare to other lower sections shown herein as exemplary implementations, and also, could be one of a number of such base sections of varying heights, each being readily interchangeable with one another and fully compatible with an upper section  208  and a modular rolling platform, generally  202 . This arrangement allows for the same overall stanchion design to be used in the assembly of wings with varying size/height requirements. Modular rolling platforms  202  are of a predetermined size and configuration, thereby allowing for generally interchangeable use with respect to a base section  220  and in stanchions  200 , generally. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates, in particular, four stanchions ( 200   a ,  200   b ,  200   c ,  200   d ) each being carried on a platform  202 . Each stanchion  200  includes a base section  220   a ,  220   b ,  220   c , and  220   d , respectively, and an upper section  208   a ,  208   b ,  208   c , and  208   d , respectively. Stanchion  200   a  is positioned near the root, generally  156 , of wing  152  which is the thickest portion of wing  152 . Stanchions  200   b ,  200   c  and  200   d  are spaced progressively further outwardly with respect to wing  152  and serve to support wing  152  as wing  152  is maintained, inspected, tested, evaluated, etc. Stanchion  200   d  is positioned furthermost outwardly with respect to root  156  of wing  152 , and because the distance from floor  154  to a support portion of wing  152  increases as one moves from root  156  to tip  158  of wing  152 , for support purposes, stanchion  200   d  is of a greater height from floor  154  than is stanchion  200   a . However, each of stanchions  200   a  and  200   d  include a generally interchangeable upper section,  208   a  and  208   d , respectively, with each of upper sections  200   a ,  200   d  being of substantially the same height as one another. Each of stanchions  200   a  and  200   d  are also mounted on a modular rolling platforms,  202   a ,  202   d , respectively, and each of modular rolling platforms  202  also being interchangeable with one another, i.e., of substantially the same height and configuration as compared to one another. 
     Accordingly, in order to provide the additional elevation, or height, required by stanchion  200   d , as compared to stanchion  200   a , base section  220   d  of stanchion  200   d  is of greater height than base section  220   a  of stanchion  200   a.    
     Turning to  FIG. 2 , modular rolling platform  202  is shown in more detail. Platform  202  includes a top surface  240  on which a base section  220  rests and is carried, such as shown in  FIG. 3 . Platform  202  includes a front wall  242 , a rear wall  244  ( FIG. 4A ), a left side wall  246  ( FIG. 6 ), and a right side wall  248 . Extending from front wall  242  and/or rear wall  244  is an outrigger assembly, generally  250 , that stabilizes platform  202  and which includes an arm  252  having a foot  254  configured to contact floor  154  is slidably carried for substantially rectilinear movement in slots  256  in which an upper portion  258  of foot member  242  may slide to and fro. Foot  254 , in one example implementation, is threadingly connected to upper block member  258  to allow the foot to be moved upwardly and downwardly with respect to arm  252  and to ultimately, via arm  252 , allow for platform  202  to be leveled, and/or generally fixed against movement with respect to floor  154 . Although only one outrigger assembly  250  is shown, it is to be understood that such outrigger assemblies could be provided in one or both channels  260 ,  262  ( FIG. 3 ) on front wall  242  of platform  202  and/or in rear wall  244 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an example implementation for an outrigger assembly  250  is provided on rear wall  244 . Front wall  242  of platform  202  also includes a clamp mechanism, generally  264 , which includes a handle  268  and a loop, or clasp,  266  which is engagable with a hook member  270  on an adjacent front wall  242  of an adjacent platform  202 , upon platforms  202  being placed in an adjacent relationship with respect to one another, such as is shown in  FIG. 1 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , handle  268  may be pivoted or otherwise actuated to cause loop  266  to engage and snugly clamp and/or lock loop  266  into hook member  270 , similar to a buckle arrangement and/or a toggle-like manner. Similarly, rear wall  244  of platform  202  may include a loop and handle  266 ,  268  combination and hook member  270  ( FIG. 6 ) for attaching to adjacent rear walls  244  of adjacent platforms  202 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . Upon platforms  202  being placed adjacent one another, one or more loops  266  may engage one or more hook members  270 , respectively, and the respective handles  268  may be actuated to cause loops  266  to snugly lock into respective hook members and thereby secure adjacent platforms together. 
     Platforms  202  may also include on sides  246  and  248  additional connectors  272  of selectively securing adjacent platforms  202  to one another. For example, side wall  246  of a platform  202  may include one or more male index mechanisms, connectors  280  ( FIG. 6 ) which engage with female connectors, or index mechanisms,  282 , that selectively register with one another to further secure adjacent platforms against relative movement with respect to one another, particularly against relative lateral movement with respect to one another (i.e., relative to the longitudinal dimension of wing  152 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , platforms  202  may further include a wire tray, generally  288 , extending the length of platform  202  adjacent wall  244 . Wire tray  288  is configured to carry wiring, cabling, hosing, etc. (not shown) between adjacent platforms  202 , and such wiring may pass through openings  290 , which may be in communication with both wire tray  288  and sides  246  and  248  (opening  290  is shown only in side  248  in the drawings). The wiring, cabling, hosing, etc. carried in wiring tray  288  may supply power, controls, pressurized air and/or hydraulic hosing, etc. to base sections  220  and/or upper sections  208  and may provide power and/or control instructions to base sections  220  and/or upper sections  208  for operations of arm configuration  210 , movable slide table  214 , and/or actuation system  216 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B, and  5 , the bottom portion of platform  202  may include castors, or wheels, generally  294 , proximate the corners of the bottom portion. Wheels  294  may be selectively actuatable between a locked configuration to generally prevent platform from moving and an unlocked position for allowing platform  202  to move generally freely about the floor. Wheels  294  could also be configured to move between a retracted position above the lowermost edges  296  of the platform, such that the platform rests on the floor supported by lowermost edges  296  (to generally prevent platform from moving) and an extended, wherein wheels  294  extend below lowermost edges  296  and allow the platform to move generally freely about the floor. Brackets  297  ( FIG. 3 ) may also be used to attach the platform to floor  154 , if desired. 
       FIGS. 3 ,  4 A,  4 B, and  5  illustrate base section  220 , which, as noted above, can be configured to be of different heights. Each base section  220  is configured to interchangeably attach to a platform  202 , and, if desired, to receive wiring, cabling, hosing, etc. from wire tray  288  or otherwise. Base sections  220  are, in an example implementation, generally box-shaped, but it is to be understood that base sections  220  could be of other shapes and constructions, including, but not limited to, open frame construction, cylindrical construction (none shown), if desired. Base sections  220  may include one or more access panels and/or doors, generally,  298 , on sides  300 ,  302  ( FIG. 6 ), and/or on the front  304  or back thereof. One or more flanges  306  may be provided at the bottom of a base section  220  and may include holes through which fasteners  308  such as screws, bolts, quick-release fasteners (none shown) may pass to attach base section  220  to a platform  202 . The upper surface  310  ( FIG. 3 ) of base section  220  is configured to receive movable sliding table  214 , which allows upper section  208  to selectively move generally rectilinearly with respect to base  220  and towards and away from wing  152 . Movement of upper section  208  on the sliding table can be done manually and/or through a motorized and/or pressurized fluid configuration (not shown). 
     As shown in  FIG. 4A , upper section  208  includes a cabinet  312  of a generally box-like configuration. Cabinet  312  includes an access door  314  ( FIG. 3 ) which opens to a compartment  316  within cabinet  312 . Inside compartment  316  is actuation system  216  which actuates arm mechanism  210 , which is carried in a yoke  320 . Yoke  320  is mounted on a bearing plate mechanism, generally  322 , which is carried for generally rectilinear vertical movement upwardly and downwardly, such as shown in  FIG. 5 . An elevator device, such as a ball screw mechanism, generally  324 , may be used to provided yoke  320  with such vertical movement, although it is to be understood that other mechanisms (such as pneumatic and/or hydraulic cylinders, cable mechanisms, etc.) (none shown) could also be used to cause such vertical movement, if desired. Ball screw mechanism  324  rotates a threaded shaft  324   a  on which a threaded support block configuration  324   b  is captured and restrained from rotation with respect to shaft  324   a  and instead moves generally rectilinearly up and down along shaft  324   a , as shown by arrow  324   d  in  FIG. 5 . Support block  324   b  is connected to a bracket  325  ( FIG. 6 ), and yoke  320  is carried on bracket  325  for side to side, or lateral, movement, as shown by arrow  325   a  in  FIG. 6 . Because support block  324   b  is connected to bracket  325 , and yoke  320  is connected to bracket  325 , yoke  320  moves vertically correspondingly with support block  324   b  and bracket  325 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4A , in one example implementation, controls in upper section  208  may include one or more ball screw mechanisms  324  is connected to a right angle drive gear reducer  330 , which is driven by a motor  334 . Ball screw actuator  324   c  is powered by gear reducer  330  to rotate threaded shaft  324   a  of ball screw mechanism  324 . Motor  334  is shown as being vertically disposed in  FIG. 5 , although it could be horizontally disposed or disposed at some other angle, if desired. Motor  334  may be powered via wiring, cabling, etc. carried in one or more platforms  202 . 
     Controls included in upper section  208  may comprise one or more load cell arrangements, generally,  340  may be provided in compartment  316  that automatically determines a load placed on arm arrangement  210  and may include a load cell  344  and a pull plate  346  adjacent to load cell  344 . Load cell arrangement  340  may be powered using wiring, cabling, etc. carried in one or more platforms  202 . 
     Yoke  320  carries arm arrangement  210 , which may include a generally L-shaped arm member  350  having ears  352  carried in receivers  354  in yoke  320 . Arm member  350  may include a wing assembly connector, or, attachment portion  358  ( FIG. 4B ) configured for coupling with a corresponding and/or mating coupling (not shown) provided on wing  152 . The coupling of attachment portion  358  with wing  152  (or other elongated structure) allows a portion of the weight and/or downward force of wing  152  to be borne by arm member  350 , which in turn transmits the force through ball screw mechanism  324 . The adjustability of upper section  308  towards and away from wing  152 , via sliding table  214  (in the direction of arrow  214   a  is  FIG. 4B ) and the horizontal adjustability (via yoke  320  on bracket  325 ) and the vertical adjustability (via yoke  320  carried on support block  324   b ) of arm member  350  allows for a variety of degrees of freedom by which arm member  350  can be attached to wing  152 , such as at spars (not shown) or other portions of wing  152 . 
     In other exemplary aspects of the disclosure, configurations, systems, and methods for supporting aircraft wings and/or other elongated structures during manufacturing, maintenance, inspection, testing, and/or evaluation through use of a stanchion including an upper section of a generally predetermined or preselected and/or fixed height having an actuation system, controls, and a movable table in combination with a base section selected from a collection of base sections, each being of a different, predetermined height. 
     Examples of the present disclosure may be described in the context of an aircraft manufacturing and service method, generally depicted as  100 , shown schematically in  FIG. 7 , and an aircraft, generally depicted as  102 , shown schematically in  FIG. 8 , with the functions of service method  100  and construction of aircraft  102  being depicted as blocks and/or modules in such figures. During pre-production, exemplary method  100  may include specification and design  104  of the aircraft  102  and material procurement  106 . During production, component and subassembly manufacturing  108  and system integration  110  of the aircraft  102  takes place. Thereafter, the aircraft  102  may go through certification and delivery  112  in order to be placed in service  114 . While in service by a customer, the aircraft  102  is scheduled for routine maintenance and service  116  (which may also include modification, reconfiguration, refurbishment, and so on). 
     Each of the processes of method  100  may be performed or carried out by a system integrator, a third party, and/or an operator (e.g., a customer). For the purposes of this description, a system integrator may include, without limitation, any number of aircraft manufacturers and major-system subcontractors; a third party may include without limitation any number of venders, subcontractors, and suppliers; and an operator may be an airline, leasing company, military entity, service organization, and so on. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the aircraft  102  produced by exemplary method  100  may include an airframe  118  with a plurality of systems  120  and an interior  122 . Examples of high-level systems  120  include one or more of a propulsion system  124 , an electrical system  126 , a hydraulic system  128 , and an environmental system  130 . Any number of other systems may be included. Although an aerospace example is shown, the principles of the invention may be applied to other industries, such as the automotive industry. 
     Apparatus and methods embodied herein may be employed during any one or more of the stages of the production and service method  100 . For example, components or subassemblies corresponding to the production process stage  108  may be fabricated or manufactured in a manner similar to components or subassemblies produced while the aircraft  102  is in service. Also, one or more apparatus examples, method examples, or a combination thereof may be utilized during the production stages  108  and  110 , for example, by substantially expediting assembly of or reducing the cost of an aircraft  102 . Similarly, one or more of apparatus examples, method examples, or a combination thereof may be utilized while the aircraft  102  is in service, for example and without limitation, for maintenance and service  116 . 
     The present disclosure is applicable in the context of manufacturing an air craft  102  and service method  100 , and/or in other manufacturing sectors, such as the automotive sector, space sector, heavy industry sector, surface and submarine vessel maritime sector, etc. 
     Exemplary implementations of configurations, systems, and methods for supporting elongated structures, such as aircraft wings, during manufacturing, maintenance, inspection, testing, and/or evaluation are described above in detail. The systems and methods are not limited to the specific implementations described herein, but rather, components of systems and/or steps of the method may be utilized independently and separately from other components and/or steps described herein. The disclosed dimensional ranges include all sub ranges there between. Further, tools and components described herein may be fabricated from any material that enables such tool or component to function as described herein. Each tool or component and each method step may also be used in combination with other components and/or method steps. Although specific features of various implementations may be shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only. Any feature of a drawing may be referenced and/or claimed in combination with any feature of any other drawing. 
     Many modifications and other exemplary aspects of the disclosure set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains, having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific examples disclosed and that modifications and other exemplary aspects of the disclosure are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings illustrate examples in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative examples without departing from the scope of the appended claims. For instance, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.