Patent Publication Number: US-2023138621-A1

Title: Systems and Methods for Supporting a Workpiece in a Manufacturing Environment

Description:
PRIORITY 
     This application claims priority from U.S. Ser. No. 63/275,005 filed on Nov. 3, 2021. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This application relates to the manufacturing of structures and, more specifically, to methods and systems for supporting aerospace structures during manufacturing. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Manufacturing of large structures in the aerospace industry typically requires manual processing, manually placing the structure into a workstation, and manually moving it out of the workstation 
     Challenges arise related to proper orientation and support of large structures within a work cell, specifically in work cells utilizing overhead mechanical equipment. Other difficulties arise related to movement of large structures into and out of work cells, and more particularly to automated transfer of large structures. 
     Accordingly, those skilled in the art continue with research and development efforts in the field of manufacturing large aerospace structures. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed are systems for supporting a workpiece in a manufacturing environment. 
     In one example, the disclosed system includes a support beam elongated along a longitudinal axis. The support beam includes a first end portion and a second end portion longitudinally opposed from the first end portion. The support beam also includes a first beam-side indexing feature proximate the first end portion and a second beam-side indexing feature proximate the second end portion. The system further includes a first frame assembly having a first base portion, a first riser portion defining a first vertical axis, and a first carriage. The first carriage is connected to the first riser portion and moveable relative to the first riser portion along the first vertical axis. The first carriage includes a first frame-side indexing feature configured to engage with the first beam-side indexing feature. The system further includes a second frame assembly having a second base portion, a second riser portion defining a second vertical axis, and a second carriage. The second carriage is connected to the second riser portion and moveable relative to the second riser portion along the second vertical axis. The second carriage includes a second frame-side indexing feature configured to engage with the second beam-side indexing feature. 
     In another example, the disclosed system includes a support beam elongated along a longitudinal axis. The support beam has a first end portion and second end portion longitudinally opposed from the first end portion. The support beam includes a first male indexing feature proximate the first end portion and a second male indexing feature proximate the second end portion. The system further includes a first frame assembly located within one work cell of a plurality of work cells. The first frame assembly has a first base portion, a first riser portion defining a first vertical axis, and a first carriage, the first carriage being connected to the first riser portion and moveable relative to the first riser portion along the first vertical axis. The first carriage has a first female indexing feature configured to engage with the first male indexing feature. The system further includes a second frame assembly located within the one work cell of the plurality of work cells. The second frame assembly has a second base portion, a second riser portion defining a second vertical axis, and a second carriage. The second carriage is connected to the second riser portion and is moveable relative to the second riser portion along the second vertical axis. The second carriage includes a second female indexing feature configured to engage with the second male indexing feature. 
     Also disclosed are methods for supporting a workpiece in a manufacturing environment. 
     In one example, the disclosed method includes connecting the workpiece to a support beam. The method further includes engaging the support beam with a first frame assembly. The method further includes engaging the support beam with a second frame assembly. The engaging the support beam with the first frame assembly and the second frame assembly includes indexing the support beam with the first frame assembly and the second frame assembly. 
     Other examples of the disclosed systems and methods for supporting a workpiece in a manufacturing environment will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a system for supporting a workpiece in a manufacturing environment; 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of a portion of the system of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3   a    is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of the system of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3   b    is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of the system of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  4    is a top plan view of a portion of the system of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  5    is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of the system of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  6    is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of the system of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view of a portion of the system of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective view of a portion of the system of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of a portion of the system of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  10    is a perspective view of a portion of the system of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  11    is a perspective view of a portion of the system of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  12    is a flow diagram of a method for supporting a workpiece in a manufacturing environment; 
         FIG.  13    is a block diagram of the system of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  14    is a flow diagram of an aircraft manufacturing and service methodology; and 
         FIG.  15    is a schematic illustration of an aircraft. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific examples described by the present disclosure. Other examples having different structures and operations do not depart from the scope of the present disclosure. Like reference numerals may refer to the same feature, element, or component in the different drawings. 
     Illustrative, non-exhaustive examples, which may be, but are not necessarily, claimed, of the subject matter according to the present disclosure are provided below. Reference herein to “example” means that one or more feature, structure, element, component, characteristic, and/or operational step described in connection with the example is included in at least one aspect, embodiment, and/or implementation of the subject matter according to the present disclosure. Thus, the phrases “an example,” “another example,” “one or more examples,” and similar language throughout the present disclosure may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same example. Further, the subject matter characterizing any one example may, but does not necessarily, include the subject matter characterizing any other example. Moreover, the subject matter characterizing any one example may be, but is not necessarily, combined with the subject matter characterizing any other example. 
     As used herein, a system, apparatus, device, structure, article, element, component, or hardware “configured to” perform a specified function is indeed capable of performing the specified function without any alteration, rather than merely having potential to perform the specified function after further modification. In other words, the system, apparatus, device, structure, article, element, component, or hardware “configured to” perform a specified function is specifically selected, created, implemented, utilized, programmed, and/or designed for the purpose of performing the specified function. As used herein, “configured to” denotes existing characteristics of a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware that enable the system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware to perform the specified function without further modification. For purposes of this disclosure, a system, apparatus, device, structure, article, element, component, or hardware described as being “configured to” perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively be described as being “adapted to” and/or as being “operative to” perform that function. 
     For the purpose of this disclosure, the terms “coupled,” “coupling,” and similar terms refer to two or more elements that are joined, linked, fastened, attached, connected, put in communication, or otherwise associated (e.g., mechanically, electrically, fluidly, optically, electromagnetically) with one another. In various examples, the elements may be associated directly or indirectly. As an example, element A may be directly associated with element B. As another example, element A may be indirectly associated with element B, for example, via another element C. It will be understood that not all associations among the various disclosed elements are necessarily represented. Accordingly, couplings other than those depicted in the figures may also exist. 
     References throughout the present specification to features, advantages, or similar language used herein do not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the examples disclosed herein should be, or are in, any single example. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an example is included in at least one example. Thus, discussion of features, advantages, and similar language used throughout the present disclosure may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same example. 
     Disclosed are automated methods and systems for orienting a workpiece in a cell, supporting a strong back beam using a structure, such as a J-frame, and moving a workpiece from one cell to the next cell. The supporting structure includes fixed points attached to an overhead structure. The supporting structures are used at each cell location as a part of the indexing of a workpiece along with adjustable arms/straps to connect to the overhead equipment. 
     The supporting structure provides the capability to precisely orient the workpiece in the cell. Utilizing rail-based machine beds, a metrology reinforced coordinate system is produced. Metrology cycles, part positioning cycles, and machine re-initialization cycles may be performed at any time in any combination to optimize the process. The structure provides the capability to change the elevation of the workpieces in the manual work cells for the purposes of ergonomic optimization. The structure further allows the overhead equipment to be supported while other components, such as bridges, are \ swapped out and/or recycled thereby providing a method of de-conflicting and re-cycling the overhead gantry system. The structure may further allow the overhead equipment to be lowered onto transportation carts for storage and maintenance as required. 
     The disclosed system  100  and method  1000  may utilize a control system  600 . The control system may utilize a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) based controller. The supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) based controller for the disclosed system  100  and method  1000  utilize feedback control to ensure proper movement between the plurality of work cells  30 . The system  100  and method  1000  may be automated such that each step of the method  1000  is performed automatically based upon data  929  analysis and commands received from a control system  600 . Further, any reference to moving or a movable component of the disclosed system  100  and method  1000  may refer to automated movement based upon workpiece  50  geometry and position within the system  100 . For example, movement may automatically occur to position the workpiece  50  in a desired location within a work cell  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 , . . . n, etc. of the system  100  for the work to be performed in that work cell on that particular shape and size of workpiece  50 . Movement may include movement along any axis or plane needed to position the workpiece  50  properly within the work cell. 
     Disclosed is a system  100  for supporting a workpiece  50  in a manufacturing environment  10 , as shown in  FIG.  1   . In one example, the manufacturing environment  10  includes a plurality of work cells  30 , see  FIG.  1   . The plurality of work cells  30  includes, individually, work cells  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 , . . . n, etc. At least one work cell  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 , . . . n etc. of the plurality of work cells  30  includes a first frame assembly  140  and a second frame assembly  160  such that each are located within one work cell (e.g.,  20 ) of the plurality of work cells  30 . 
     In one example, the system  100  includes a control system  600 , as shown in  FIG.  13   . The control system  600  includes a computer  900 . The computer  900  may utilize one or more numerical control program  910  to direct movement of the workpiece  50  within a work cell of the plurality of work cells  30  or between the plurality of work cells  30 . The control system  600  may utilize a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) based controller  920  to direct movement and facilitate data  929  analysis. 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , the system  100  includes a support beam  110 . The support beam  110  is elongated along a longitudinal axis L. The support beam  110  may include a truss  111 . The support beam  110  includes a first end portion  112  and a second end portion  114 . The second end portion  114  is longitudinally opposed from the first end portion  112 . The support beam  110  includes a first beam-side indexing feature  120  proximate the first end portion  112  and a second beam-side indexing feature  130  proximate the second end portion  114 , see  FIG.  4   . In one example, the support beam  110  includes a metallic material and is substantially rigid. 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , the system  100  includes a first frame assembly  140 . The first frame assembly  140  may be generally L-shaped or J-shaped. The first frame assembly  140  includes a first base portion  142 . The first frame assembly  140  further includes a first riser portion  144 . The first riser portion  144  defines a first vertical axis V 1 . In one example, the first riser portion  144  and the first base portion  142  are integral such that the first frame assembly  140  is a single, monolithic piece. 
     Still referring to  FIG.  2   , the system  100  includes a first carriage  146 . The first carriage  146  is connected to the first riser portion  144  of the first frame assembly  140 . The first carriage  146  is moveable relative to the first riser portion  144  along the first vertical axis V 1 . For example, the first carriage  146  may be movable via any mechanical means such as automated movement via a command  927  from control system  600 , manual movement, or a combination thereof. The first carriage  146  includes a first frame-side indexing feature  148  configured to engage with the first beam-side indexing feature  120 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , the system  100  includes a second frame assembly  160 . The second frame assembly  160  may be generally L-shaped or J-shaped. The second frame assembly  160  includes a second base portion  162  and a second riser portion  164 . In one example, the second base portion  162  and the second riser portion  164  are integral such that the second frame assembly  160  is a single, monolithic piece. The second riser portion  164  defines a second vertical axis V 2 . The system  100  further includes a second carriage  166 . The second carriage  166  is connected to the second riser portion  164  and is moveable relative to the second riser portion  164  along the second vertical axis V 2 . The second carriage  166  includes a second frame-side indexing feature  168  configured to engage with the second beam-side indexing feature  130 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  7   , the workpiece  50  is suspended from the support beam  110 . The system  100  may include a hanger  113  connected to the support beam  110 , see  FIG.  11   . The hanger  113  may be located for hanging the workpiece  50  from the support beam  110 . 
     In one example, the workpiece  50  is a wing panel  52  of an aircraft  1102 , as shown in  FIG.  15   . The workpiece  50  may include a composite material. The composite material may include a reinforcement material embedded in a polymeric matrix material, such as carbon fibers embedded in a thermoset (or thermoplastic) resin. 
     In one example, the first base portion  142  of the first frame assembly  140  is fixedly connected to an underlying floor  60  (e.g., a factory floor). Further, the second base portion  162  of the second frame assembly  160  is fixedly connected to the underlying floor  60  (e.g., a factory floor). In another example, both the first base portion  142  of the first frame assembly  140  and the second base portion  162  of the second frame assembly  160  are fixedly connected to the underlying floor  60 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  7   , the first frame assembly  140  is spaced a distance D apart from the second frame assembly  160 . In one example, the distance D is at least about 1 meter. In another example, the distance D is at least about 2 meters. In another example, the distance D is at least about 3 meters. In yet another example, the distance D is greater than about 3 meters. 
     Referring to  FIG.  8   , in one example, the first riser portion  144  of the first frame assembly  140  includes a first track  150 . The first carriage  146  may be configured to engage with the first track  150  and to move relative to the first riser portion  144  along the first track  150  (i.e., the first carriage  146  may be moveable relative to the first riser portion  144 ). 
     The system  100  may include a motor  172 , which may be configured to selectively effect movement of the first carriage  146  along the first track  150  when the first carriage  146  is engaged with the first track  150 , as shown in  FIG.  5   . For example, the motor  172  may enable movement of the first carriage  146  vertically along first vertical axis V 1  along the first track  150  based upon desired location for a workpiece  50  and based upon geometry of the workpiece  50 . Movement of the first carriage  146  along the first track  150  may be controlled by the control system  600 , such as control based upon data  929  collected and sensed by one or more sensor  175 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  10   , in one example, the second riser portion  164  includes a second track  170 . The second carriage  166  may be configured to engage with the second track  170  and move relative to the second riser portion  164  along the second track  170 . 
     The system  100  may include another motor  172  configured to selectively effect movement of the second carriage  166  along the second track  170 . For example, the motor  172  may enable movement of the second carriage  166  vertically along second vertical axis V 2  along the second track  170  based upon desired location for a workpiece  50  and based upon geometry of the workpiece  50 . Movement of the of the second carriage  166  along the second track  170  may be controlled by the control system  600  based upon data  929  collected and sensed by one or more sensor  175 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  8   , in one example, the first beam-side indexing feature  120  includes a first male indexing feature  121 . The first frame-side indexing feature  148  includes a first female indexing feature  149  sized and shaped to closely receive the first male indexing feature  121 . In one example, the first male indexing feature  121  is or includes a first ball member  123  and the first female indexing feature  149  is or includes a first socket member  151 , as shown in  FIG.  6   . In another example, the first male indexing feature  121  is or includes a generally cone-shaped member and the first female indexing feature  149  is or includes a generally cup-shaped member. 
     Referring to  FIG.  10   , in one example, the second beam-side indexing feature  130  includes a second male indexing feature  131  and the second frame-side indexing feature  168  includes a second female indexing feature  171  sized and shaped to closely receive the first male indexing feature  121 . In one example, the second male indexing feature  131  is or includes a second ball member  133  and the second female indexing feature  171  is or includes a second socket member  173 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  13   , in one example, the system  100  includes a first sensor  180  positioned to detect engagement between the first beam-side indexing feature  120  and the first frame-side indexing feature  148 . The first sensor  180  is in communication with the control system  600  such that any data  929  collected from the first sensor  180  is sent to the control system  600  for analysis. In one example, the first sensor  180  includes a force sensor  182 . In another example, the first sensor  180  includes a motion detector. 
     Referring to  FIG.  13   , in one example, the system  100  includes a second sensor  190  positioned to detect engagement between the second beam-side indexing feature  130  and the second frame-side indexing feature  168 . The second sensor  190  is in communication with the control system  600  such that any data  929  collected from the second sensor  190  is sent to the control system  600  for analysis. In one example, the second sensor  190  includes a force sensor  182 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , the system  100  may include a gantry  200  selectively interfaceable with the support beam  110  to move the support beam  110  within the manufacturing environment  10 . Gantry  200  may selectively interface with the support beam  110  based upon dimensions of a workpiece  50  for supporting with the support beam  110  in the manufacturing environment. The gantry  200  may selectively interface with the support beam  110  by any suitable mechanical interfacing means. In one example, the gantry  200  is configured to only move the support beam  110  in two directions, the two directions defining a plane P that is generally perpendicular to the first vertical axis V 1 . The support beam  110  may include a coupling feature  202  positioned to facilitate interfacing the support beam  110  with the gantry  200 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  7   , in one or more examples, the system  100  for supporting the workpiece  50  in a manufacturing environment  10  includes support beam  110  elongated along a longitudinal axis L. The support beam  110  includes first end portion  112  and second end portion  114  longitudinally opposed from the first end portion  112 . The support beam  110  includes first male indexing feature  121  proximate the first end portion  112  and second male indexing feature  131  proximate the second end portion  114 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  3 A  and  FIG.  7   , the system  100  further includes first frame assembly  140  located within one work cell (e.g.,  20 ) of the plurality of work cells  30 . The first frame assembly  140  includes first base portion  142 , first riser portion  144  defining first vertical axis V 1 , and first carriage  146 . The first carriage  146  is connected to the first riser portion  144  and is moveable relative to the first riser portion  144  along the first vertical axis V 1 . The first carriage  146  first female indexing feature  149  configured to engage with the first male indexing feature  121 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  3 B  and  FIG.  7   , the system  100  further includes second frame assembly  160  located within the one work cell (e.g.,  20 ) of the plurality of work cells  30 . The second frame assembly  160  includes second base portion  162 , second riser portion  164  defining second vertical axis V 2 , and second carriage  166 . The second carriage  166  is connected to the second riser portion  164  and is moveable relative to the second riser portion  164  along the second vertical axis V 2 . The second carriage  166  includes second female indexing feature  171  configured to engage with the second male indexing feature  131 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  9    and  FIG.  13   , the system  100  may include a first sensor  180 . First sensor  180  may be positioned to detect engagement between the first male indexing feature  121  and the first female indexing feature  149 . The system  100  may further include a second sensor  190  positioned to detect engagement between the second male indexing feature  131  and the second female indexing feature  171 . The first sensor  180  and the second sensor  190  may be in communication with the control system  600  such that they are configured to send sensed data  929  to the control system  600  for analysis. 
     Referring to  FIG.  12   , disclosed is a method  1000  for supporting a workpiece  50  in a manufacturing environment  10 . The method  1000  may be used in conjunction with the system  100  shown and described herein. In one example, each step of the method  1000  may be automated such that it utilizes a control system  600  to automate each step. 
     In one example, the method  1000  includes connecting  1010  the workpiece  50  to a support beam  110 . The support beam  110  is elongated along a longitudinal axis L. The support beam  110  incudes a first end portion  112  and second end portion  114  longitudinally opposed from the first end portion  112 . The support beam  110  further includes a first beam-side indexing feature  120  proximate the first end portion  112  and a second beam-side indexing feature  130  proximate the second end portion  114 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  12   , the method  1000  includes engaging  1020  the support beam  110  with a first frame assembly  140 . In one example, the first frame assembly  140  includes a first base portion  142 , a first riser portion  144  defining a first vertical axis V 1 , and a first carriage  146 . The first carriage  146  includes a first frame-side indexing feature  148 , see  FIG.  8   . The first carriage  146  is connected to the first riser portion  144  and moveable relative to the first riser portion  144  along the first vertical axis V 1 . For example, the first carriage  146  is movable such that it may change position along first vertical axis V 1  based upon workpiece  50  geometry and specifications. The engaging  1020  the support beam  110  with the first frame assembly  140  includes moving the first carriage  146  relative to the first riser portion  144  such that the first frame-side indexing feature  148  engages the first beam-side indexing feature  120  of the support beam  110 . 
     Still referring to  FIG.  12   , the method  1000  further includes engaging  1030  the support beam  110  with a second frame assembly  160 . The second frame assembly ( 160 ) has a second base portion  162 , a second riser portion  164  defining a second vertical axis V 2 , and a second carriage  166 . The second carriage  166  includes a second frame-side indexing feature  168 . The second carriage  166  is connected to the second riser portion  164  and moveable relative to the second riser portion  164  along the second vertical axis V 2 . For example, the second carriage  166  is movable such that it may change position along second vertical axis V 2  based upon workpiece  50  geometry and specifications. The engaging  1030  the support beam  110  with the second frame assembly  160  includes moving the second carriage  166  relative to the second riser portion  164  such that the second frame-side indexing feature  168  engages the second beam-side indexing feature  130  of the support beam  110 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  12   , the method  1000  may include sensing  1025  when the first frame-side indexing feature  148  engages the first beam-side indexing feature  120 . The method  1000  may further include sensing  1035  when the second frame-side indexing feature  168  engages the second beam-side indexing feature  130 . The data  929  collected from sensing  1025  and  1035  may be analyzed by the control system  600  to determine movement within the system  100 . 
     In example, the engaging  1020  the support beam  110  with the first frame assembly  140  and the engaging  1030  the support beam  110  with the second frame assembly  160  are performed simultaneously. In another example, the engaging  1020  the support beam  110  with the first frame assembly  140  and the engaging  1030  the support beam  110  with the second frame assembly  160  are performed sequentially. In another example, the engaging  1020  the support beam  110  with the first frame assembly  140  and the engaging  1030  the support beam  110  with the second frame assembly  160  includes indexing  1015  the support beam  110  with the first frame assembly  140  and the second frame assembly  160 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  12   , the method  1000  may include moving  1005  the support beam  110  to a position proximate the first frame assembly  140  and the second frame assembly  160  prior to the engaging the support beam  110  with the first frame assembly  140  and the engaging the support beam  110  with the second frame assembly  160 . In one example, the moving  1005  the support beam  110  includes moving  1005  the support beam  110  with a gantry  200 . In another example, the moving  1005  the support beam  110  includes moving  1005  the support beam  110  in only two directions, the two directions defining a plane P that is generally perpendicular to a first vertical axis V 1  defined by the first frame assembly  140 . 
     Examples of the subject matter disclosed herein may be described in the context of aircraft manufacturing and service method  1100  as shown in  FIG.  14    and aircraft  1102  as shown in  FIG.  15   . During pre-production, service method  1100  may include specification and design (block  1104 ) of aircraft  1102  and material procurement (block  1106 ). During production, component and subassembly manufacturing (block  1108 ) and system integration (block  1110 ) of aircraft  1102  may take place. Thereafter, aircraft  1102  may go through certification and delivery (block  1112 ) to be placed in service (block  1114 ). While in service, aircraft  1102  may be scheduled for routine maintenance and service (block  1116 ). Routine maintenance and service may include modification, reconfiguration, refurbishment, etc. of one or more systems of aircraft  1102 . 
     Each of the processes of service method  1100  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 vendors, subcontractors, and suppliers; and an operator may be an airline, leasing company, military entity, service organization, and so on. 
     As shown in  FIG.  15   , aircraft  1102  produced by service method  1100  may include airframe  1118  with a plurality of high-level systems  1120  and interior  1122 . Examples of high-level systems  1120  include one or more of propulsion system  1124 , electrical system  1126 , hydraulic system  1128 , and environmental system  1130 . Any number of other systems may be included. Although an aerospace example is shown, the principles disclosed herein may be applied to other industries, such as the automotive industry. Accordingly, in addition to aircraft  1102 , the principles disclosed herein may apply to other vehicles, e.g., land vehicles, marine vehicles, space vehicles, etc. 
     The disclosed systems and methods for supporting a workpiece in a manufacturing environment may be employed during any one or more of the stages of the manufacturing and service method  1100 . For example, components or subassemblies corresponding to component and subassembly manufacturing (block  1108 ) may be fabricated or manufactured in a manner similar to components or subassemblies produced while aircraft  1102  is in service (block  1114 ), such as by employing the disclosed systems and methods for supporting a workpiece in a manufacturing environment. Also, one or more examples of the disclosed systems and methods for supporting a workpiece in a manufacturing environment may be utilized during production stages, i.e. component and subassembly manufacturing (block  1108 ) and manufacturing and system integration (block  1110 ), for example, by substantially expediting assembly of or reducing the cost of aircraft  1102 . Similarly, one or more examples of the disclosed systems and methods for supporting a workpiece in a manufacturing environment may be utilized, for example and without limitation, while aircraft  1102  is in service (block  1114 ) and/or during maintenance and service (block  1116 ). 
     The disclosed systems and methods for supporting a workpiece in a manufacturing environment are described in the context of an aircraft. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the disclosed systems and methods for supporting a workpiece in a manufacturing environment may be utilized for a variety of applications. For example, the disclosed systems and methods for supporting a workpiece in a manufacturing environment may be implemented in various types of vehicles including, e.g., helicopters, watercraft, passenger ships, automobiles, and the like. 
     Although various examples of the disclosed systems and methods for supporting a workpiece in a manufacturing environment have been shown and described, modifications may occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the specification. The present application includes such modifications and is limited only by the scope of the claims.