Patent Publication Number: US-2022234759-A1

Title: System and method for positioning a sub-assembly for installation

Description:
FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to the positioning of a sub-assembly for installation, and more particularly to a system and method for positioning a sub-assembly for installation to a main assembly. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The assembly of large structures, such as airplanes, is typically performed on a factory floor where parts are moved into installation positions to be installed to and partially form the large structure. In the case of an airplane, parts to be installed on the airplane, such as sub-assemblies of a fuselage, can be assembled together to form the fuselage in an assembly line. 
     A moving assembly line, such as a pulse line, can be utilized. In a pulse line, parts to be installed are positioned sequentially in a straight or U-shaped line on the factory floor. The parts stay at those positions while the large structure (e.g., an aircraft fuselage) is moved through the pulse line. The large structure will remain in one location along the pulse line until all the parts at that location are installed and other planned work is completed, then the large structure is moved (i.e. pulsed) to the next location. Existing solutions primarily use manual processes for locating, moving, and positioning of parts, which leads to long installation times and is labor intensive. Accordingly, the time and labor inefficiencies of manual processes can slowdown the assembly of large structures in the assembly line, which can result in rate requirements, such as for an aircraft fuselage assembly line, to be missed. 
     SUMMARY 
     The subject matter of the present application has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to shortcomings of conventional installation and assembly processes and systems. Accordingly, the subject matter of the present application provides a system and method for positioning a sub-assembly for installation that overcome at least some of the above-discussed shortcomings of conventional processes and systems. 
     Disclosed herein in a system for positioning a sub-assembly for installation. The system comprises a tool comprising a base and a sub-assembly support. The sub-assembly support is positioned above the base and pivotably mounted to the base at a pivot axis. The tool is positioned adjacent to an interior surface of an assembling body and configured to support a sub-assembly. The system also comprises at least one actuator comprising a first end that is attached to the sub-assembly support and a second end that is attached to the base. The at least one actuator is selectively operable to tilt a first surface of the sub-assembly support toward an opening in the assembling body and adjust an angle of the sub-assembly support, relative to the base. The sub-assembly support is selectively adjustable between a loading position, distant from the opening in the assembling body, and an install position, adjacent to the opening in the assembling body. The system further comprises an interior conforming device attached to the tool. The interior conforming device is configured to interface with the interior surface of the assembling body when the sub-assembly support is in the install position. The system additionally comprises an exterior conforming device, discrete from the tool, and positioned adjacent to an exterior surface of the assembling body. The exterior conforming device configured to interface with the exterior surface of the assembling body. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 1 of the present disclosure. 
     The assembling body is an aircraft fuselage. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 2 of the present disclosure, wherein example 2 also includes the subject matter according to example 1, above. 
     The opening in the assembling body is a door frame opening and the sub-assembly is a door frame sub-assembly. The tool is configured to position the door frame sub-assembly within the door frame opening of the aircraft fuselage. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 3 of the present disclosure, wherein example 3 also includes the subject matter according to example 2, above. 
     The tool is selectively movable relative to the interior surface of the assembling body along a floor beneath the tool. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 4 of the present disclosure, wherein example 4 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-3, above. 
     The system further comprises an automated guide vehicle. The tool is selectively movable using the automotive guide vehicle. The automated guide vehicle is configured to move the tool adjacent to the interior surface of the assembling body by sensing at least one reference guide on the floor beneath the tool. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 5 of the present disclosure, wherein example 5 also includes the subject matter according to example 4, above. 
     The interior conforming device comprises a plurality of pins. The plurality of pins permanently extend from an interfacing surface of the interior conforming device. The plurality of pins is configured to contact the interior surface of the assembling body. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 6 of the present disclosure, wherein example 6 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-5, above. 
     Alternatively, the interior conforming device comprises a plurality of pins. The plurality of pins selectively retractable from an interfacing surface of the interior conforming device. The plurality of pins is configured to contact the interior surface of the assembling body. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 7 of the present disclosure, wherein example 7 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-5, above. 
     The interior conforming device comprises a first interior conforming device armature and a second interior conforming device armature. The first interior conforming device armature is configured to interface with the interior surface on a first side of the opening in the assembling body. The second interior conforming device armature is configured to interface with the interior surface on a second side, spaced apart from the first side, of the opening in the assembling body. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 8 of the present disclosure, wherein example 8 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-7, above. 
     The exterior conforming device comprising a plurality of pins. The plurality of pins is selectively retractable from an interfacing surface of the exterior conforming device. The plurality of pins is configured to contact the exterior surface of the assembling body. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 9 of the present disclosure, wherein example 9 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-8, above. 
     The exterior conforming device comprises a first exterior conforming device armature and a second exterior conforming device armature. The first exterior conforming device armature is configured to interface with the exterior surface on a first exterior side of the opening in the assembling body. The second exterior conforming device armature is configured to interface with the exterior surface on a second exterior side, spaced apart from the first exterior side, of the opening in the assembling body. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 10 of the present disclosure, wherein example 10 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-9, above. 
     The exterior conforming device is fixed relative to the exterior surface of the assembling body. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 11 of the present disclosure, wherein example 11 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-10, above. 
     Alternatively, the exterior conforming device is selectively movable relative to the exterior surface of the assembling body. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 12 of the present disclosure, wherein example 12 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-10, above. 
     The assembling body is secured to a conveyor system attached to the floor. The assembling body is moved along the conveyor system at a specified pulse rate. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 13 of the present disclosure, wherein example 13 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-12, above. 
     Further disclosed herein is a system for positioning a sub-assembly for installation. The system comprises a tool comprising a base and a sub-assembly support. The sub-assembly support is positioned above the base and pivotably mounted to the base at a pivot axis. The tool is positioned adjacent to an interior surface of an assembling body. The system also comprises at least one actuator comprising a first end, attached to the sub-assembly support, and a second end, attached to the base. The at least one actuator is selectively operable to tilt a first surface of the sub-assembly support toward an opening in the assembling body and adjust an angle of the sub-assembly support relative to the base. The sub-assembly support is selectively adjustable between a loading position, distant from the opening in the assembling body, and an install position, adjacent to the opening in the assembling body. The system also comprises a first interior conforming device armature attached to the tool. The first interior conforming device armature comprising a plurality of pins selectively retractable from an interfacing surface and configured to interface with the interior surface on a first side of the opening in the assembling body when the sub-assembly support is in the install position. Additionally, the system comprising a second interior conforming device armature attached to the tool. The second interior conforming device armature comprising a plurality of pins selectively retractable from an interfacing surface and configured to interface with the interior surface on a second side, apart from the first side, of the opening in the assembling body when the sub-assembly support is in the install position. The system further comprises a first exterior conforming device armature discrete from the tool and positioned adjacent to an exterior surface of the assembling body. The first exterior conforming device armature comprising a plurality of pins selectively retractable from an interfacing surface and configured to interface with the exterior surface on a first exterior side of the opening in the assembly body. Additionally, the system comprises a second exterior conforming device armature discrete from the tool and positioned adjacent to the exterior surface of the assembling body. The second exterior conforming device armature comprising a plurality of pins selectively retractable from an interfacing surface and configured to interface with the exterior surface on a second exterior side of the opening in the assembling body. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 14 of the present disclosure. 
     Additionally, disclosed herein in a method for positioning a sub-assembly for installation. The method comprises placing a sub-assembly on a sub-assembly support. The sub-assembly support positioned above a base on a tool and pivotably mounted at a pivot axis to the base. The method also comprises activating at least one actuator, attached to the sub-assembly support and the base, to tilt a first surface of the sub-assembly support along the pivot axis. The sub-assembly support tilting toward an opening in an assembling body. The method further comprises engaging an interior conforming device attached to the tool to interface with an interior surface of the assembling body. Additionally, the method comprises engaging an exterior conforming device adjacent to an exterior surface of the assembling body to interface with the exterior surface of the assembling body. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 15 of the present disclosure. 
     The method further comprises adjusting an adjustment wheel on the sub-assembly support to bring the first surface of the sub-assembly support to an install position, adjacent to the opening in the assembling body. The method also comprises installing the sub-assembly support to the opening in the assembling body. Additionally, the method comprises activating the at least one actuator to pivot the first surface of the sub-assembly support away from the opening in the assembling body to decline the sub-assembly support to a loading position. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 16 of the present disclosure, wherein example 16 also includes the subject matter according to example 15, above. 
     Additionally, the method comprises moving the tool along a floor, beneath the tool, using an automated guide vehicle. The method also comprises guiding the automated guide vehicle adjacent to the interior surface of the assembling body by sensing at least one reference guide on the floor. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 17 of the present disclosure, wherein example 17 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 15-16, above. 
     The method also comprises extending a plurality of pins from an interfacing surface of the interior conforming device to contact the interior surface of the assembling body when the sub-assembly support is in an install position. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 18 of the present disclosure, wherein example 18 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 15-17, above. 
     The method further comprises moving the exterior conforming device adjacent to the exterior surface of the assembling body. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 19 of the present disclosure, wherein example 19 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 15-18, above. 
     Additionally, the method comprises extending a plurality of pins from an interfacing surface of the exterior conforming device to contact the exterior surface of the assembling body when the sub-assembly support is in an install position. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 20 of the present disclosure, wherein example 20 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 15-19, above. 
     The described features, structures, advantages, and/or characteristics of the subject matter of the present disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more examples and/or implementations. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to impart a thorough understanding of examples of the subject matter of the present disclosure. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the subject matter of the present disclosure may be practiced without one or more of the specific features, details, components, materials, and/or methods of a particular example or implementation. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain examples and/or implementations that may not be present in all examples or implementations. Further, in some instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the subject matter of the present disclosure. The features and advantages of the subject matter of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the subject matter as set forth hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order that the advantages of the subject matter may be more readily understood, a more particular description of the subject matter briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific examples that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical examples of the subject matter, they are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope. The subject matter will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of a tool for positioning a sub-assembly for installation to an assembling body, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic perspective view of a tool for positioning a sub-assembly for installation to an assembling body, a sub-assembly placed on the tool, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic perspective view of an exterior conforming device, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic perspective view of a system for positioning a sub-assembly for installation to an assembling body, an exterior conforming device on the exterior surface of the assembling body and a tool visible through an opening in the assembling body, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic perspective view of a system for positioning a sub-assembly for installation to an assembling body, a tool in an install position and an interior conforming device and an exterior conforming device engaging the assembling body, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic perspective view of a system for positioning a sub-assembly for installation to an assembling body, the tool in an install position, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic flow diagram of a method for positioning a sub-assembly for installation to an assembling body, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference throughout this specification to “one example,” “an example,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example is included in at least one example of the present disclosure. Appearances of the phrases “in one example,” “in an example,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same example. Similarly, the use of the term “implementation” means an implementation having a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with one or more examples of the present disclosure, however, absent an express correlation to indicate otherwise, an implementation may be associated with one or more examples. 
     In some examples, the present disclosure provides systems and methods that are configured to position a sub-assembly for later installation of the sub-assembly to an opening in an assembling body. Generally, the process of positioning a sub-assembly adjacent to the opening in an assembling body is a time-consuming, labor-intensive, and manually-driven process. The systems and methods of the present invention can be used to make the process more automated and efficient by providing a tool for supporting the sub-assembly while positioning the sub-assembly. Accordingly, the systems and methods can be used to help ensure a sub-assembly is positioned for installation to an opening in an assembly body both in a timely and labor efficient manner. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , and according to some examples, a system  100  that includes a tool  102  for supporting a sub-assembly  101  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 2 ) is shown. The tool  102  includes a base  104  and a sub-assembly support  106 . The sub-assembly support  106  is positioned above the base  104  and is mounted to the base  106 . In one example, the sub-assembly support  106  is mounted to the base at a pivot axis  108 . The sub-assembly support  106  is configured to pivot relative to the base  104  between a loading position  126  and an install position  128  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 5 ). Pivoting of the sub-assembly support  106  may be controlled by an actuator  114 . 
     The actuator  114 , or each one of multiple actuators  114 , is selectively operable to tilt a first surface  120  of the sub-assembly support  106  relatively to the base  104 . The actuator  114  has a first end  116 , attached to the sub-assembly support  106 , and a second end  118 , attached to the base  104 . The actuator  114  may be attached to the sub-assembly support  106  at any location along the width W of the base  104 . Additionally, multiple actuators  114  may be attached to the sub-assembly support  106  and work in unison to adjust the angle of the sub-assembly support  106  relative to the base  104 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the sub-assembly support  106  is at the loading position  126  in which the sub-assembly support  106  defines an angle θ 1  relative to the base  104 . The loading position  126  is the position in which a sub-assembly  101  can be conveniently placed upon the sub-assembly support  106 . In the loading position  126 , the actuator(s)  114  are in a lowered or unactuated position. In one example, the loading position  126  may correspond with a substantially horizontal position, such that the angle θ 1  is approximately zero. In another example, the loading position  126  is at an acute angle θ 1  relative to the base  104 , and tilts the sub-assembly support  106  at an orientation that is easily accessible for loading a sub-assembly on the sub-assembly support  106  by an operator. The actuator  114  may be a pneumatic, hydraulic, electromagnetic, motorized, or other suitable releasably actuating and locking device. 
     The tool  102  may be formed of materials, including, but not limited to, metallic materials, such as steel or aluminum, composite materials, plastic materials, or other similar materials. In some examples, the sub-assembly support  106  and the base  104  are formed of the same materials. In other examples, the sub-assembly support  106  and the base  104  are formed of different materials. 
     Additionally, in certain examples, the tool  102  includes an interior conforming device  130  with multiple interior conforming device armatures  130   a ,  130   b  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 5 ). The interior conforming device  130  has an interfacing surface  150  that is configured to interface with an interior surface  110  of an assembling body  112 . As used herein, with regards to surfaces, interface means that two or more surfaces are brought together in close proximity, including direct contact or indirect contact. Accordingly, the interior conforming device  130  is brought in close proximity to an interior surface  110  of an assembling body  112  when the tool  102  is in use. In some examples, the interfacing surface  150 , defined by the interior conforming device  130 , has a flat or planar surface. In other examples, the interfacing surface  150  of the interior conforming device  130  includes one or more contours or curved surfaces. The interior conforming device  130  can have any of various shapes or dimensions. However, the shape of the interfacing surface  150  corresponds with or complements the shape of the interior surface  110  of the assembling body  112 . As defined herein, the interfacing surface  150  need not be a continuous surface and can be a collection of discontinuous or spaced apart surfaces, as shown in  FIG. 1 . Accordingly, in some examples, the interfacing surface  150  is the combination of multiple spaced apart surfaces where the contour of the interfacing surface  150  is defined by an extrapolated surface between and including the spaced apart surfaces. 
     The interior conforming device  130  further includes a plurality of pins  148  that extend from the interfacing surface  150 . In some examples, as shown, each one of the plurality of pins  148  extends from a corresponding one of the spaced apart surfaces defining the interfacing surface  150 . In one example, the plurality of pins  148  are permanently extended from the interfacing surface  150 . In another example, the plurality of pins  148  are selectively retractable from the interfacing surface  150 . The plurality of pins  148  can have any of various shapes or dimensions. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the tool  102  is used to support a sub-assembly  101  to be installed to an assembling body  112  (e.g., a main assembly or large structure, such as a vehicle). In certain examples, the assembling body  112  is an aircraft fuselage  136  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 4 ). As used herein, the assembling body  112  will be described in the context of an aircraft, however, it should be understood that the assembling body  112  could be any large structure. The sub-assembly  101  may be a door frame sub-assembly  140  that is configured to be installed in a door opening in the aircraft fuselage  136 . The sub-assembly  101  is placed on the tool  102  while the tool  102  is in the loading position  126 . In one example, the sub-assembly  101  is placed on the tool  102  as a complete structure. In another examples, the sub-assembly  101  is built or assembled while on the tool  102 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the system  100  further includes exterior conforming devices  132 . The exterior conforming devices  132  are discrete from the tool  102  and are positioned adjacent to an exterior surface  134  of the assembling body  112  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 4 ). Multiple exterior conforming device armatures  132   a  and  132   b  may be utilized to interface with the exterior surface  134  of the assembling body  112 . In one example, the exterior conforming device  132 , in conjunction with the interior conforming device  130 , is used to maintain the shape of the assembling body  112  during attachment of the sub-assembly  101  to the assembling body  112 . In other words, the interior conforming device  130  and the exterior conforming device  132  help ensure that the assembling body  112  maintains conformance to the desired contours of the assembling body  112  during an installation process on the assembling body  112 , thus preventing deformation of the assembling body  112  due to the attachment of the sub-assembly  101  thereto. Accordingly, an interfacing surface  158  of the exterior conforming device  132 , defined in a manner similar to the interfacing surface  150  of the interior conforming device  130 , generally corresponds with or complements the exterior surface  134  of the assembling body  112 . In another example, the interior conforming device  130  and the exterior conforming device  132  are used to alter the shape of the assembling body  112  during an installation process. Accordingly, the interfacing surface  158  of the exterior conforming device  132  and the interfacing surface  150  of the interior conforming device  130  does not correlate with an exterior surface  134  of the assembling body  112  before use, but alters the shape of the assembling body  112  during use. 
     The exterior conforming device  132  has a plurality of pins  156 . The plurality of pins  156  extends from the interfacing surface  158 , with each one of the plurality of pins  156  extending from a respective one of the spaced apart portions of the interfacing surface  158  in some examples. In one example, the plurality of pins  156  are permanently extended from the interfacing surface  158 . In another example, the plurality of pins  156  are selectively retractable from the interfacing surface  158 . The plurality of pins  156  can have any of various shapes or dimensions. A first exterior conforming device armature  132   a  has a first interfacing surface  158   a  and a second exterior conforming device armature  132   b  has a second interfacing surface  158   b.    
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the exterior conforming device  132  is configured to interface with the exterior surface  134  of the assembling body  112 . The assembling body  112  includes an opening  122 . The opening  122  is sized and shaped for installation of the sub-assembly  101 . The opening  122  may be a door frame opening  138  for an aircraft fuselage  136 . As shown, multiple exterior conforming device armatures  132   a  and  132   b  are positioned adjacent to the exterior surface  134  on either side of the opening  122 . A first exterior conforming device armature  132   a  is positioned on a first exterior side  160  of the opening  122 . The first exterior conforming device armature  132   a  includes a plurality of pins  156  extending from the first interfacing surface  158   a  and configured to contact the first exterior side  160  of the opening  122 . A second exterior conforming device armature  132   b  is positioned on a second exterior side  162  of the opening  122 . The second exterior conforming device armature  132   b  includes a plurality of pins  156  extending from the second interfacing surface  158   b  and configured to contact the second exterior side  162  of the opening  122 . The first exterior side  160  spaced apart from the second exterior side  162 . In one example, the first exterior side  160  is on the opposite side of the opening  122  from the second exterior side  162 . 
     The exterior conforming device  132  is supported by a floor  142  and may be fixed to the floor  142  adjacent to the exterior surface  134  of the assembling body  112 , such that the exterior conforming device  132  can interface with the assembling body  112  without adjustment. Alternatively, the exterior conforming device  132  may be selectively movable about the floor  142  relative to the exterior surface  134  of the assembling body  112 . The exterior conforming device  132  may be movable in multiple directions including, toward and back from the assembling body  112  or along the length of the assembling body  112 . Additionally, the exterior conforming device  132  may be extendable. 
     The assembling body  112  may be attached to a conveyor system  164  in some examples as shown in  FIG. 4 . The conveyor system  164  moves the assembling body  112  through an assembly line, such as a pulse line. The assembling body  112  remains at a location shown in  FIG. 4  during the positioning and installation of the sub-assembly  101  and other necessary work and then is pulsed to the next location along the assembly line. The positioning and installation of the sub-assembly  101  using the system  100  improves the efficiency of the processes and enables the installation of the sub-assembly  101  in one single step. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , an implementation of the system  100  is shown. The system  100  includes a tool  102  with an interior conforming device  130  having multiple interior conforming device armatures  130   a  and  130   b  and an exterior conforming device  132  having multiple exterior conforming device armatures  132   a  and  132   b . The interior conforming device armatures  130   a  and  130   b  are contacting the interior surface  110  of the assembling body  112 . The exterior conforming device armatures  132   a  and  132   b  are contacting the exterior surface  134  of the assembling body  112 . Thus, the interior conforming device armatures  130   a  and  130   b  and the exterior conforming device armatures  132   a  and  132   b  work in combination to contact the assembling body  112  from the interior surface  110  and exterior surface  134 , respectively, to help maintain the shape of or to change the shape of the assembling body  112 . The tool  102  includes multiple actuators  114  that are activated to tilt the first surface  120  of the sub-assembly support  106  toward the opening  122  in the assembling body  112 . The sub-assembly support  106  is in the install position  128  in which the sub-assembly support  106  defines an angle θ 2  relative to the base  104 . The angle θ 2  is greater than the angle θ 1 . The install position  128  is the position in which the sub-assembly  101  can be supported by the sub-assembly support  106  while the sub-assembly  101  is installed to the opening  122 . 
     The tool  102  is selectively movable relative to the interior surface  110  of the assembling body  112  along the floor  142  beneath the tool  102 . In one example, the tool  102  is selectively movable using an automatic guide vehicle  144 . The base  104  may incorporate the automatic guide vehicle  144 . Alternatively, the base may be attached to an automatic guide vehicle  144 . The automatic guide vehicle  144  is configured to move the tool  102  adjacent to the interior surface  110  of the assembling body  112  by sensing at least one reference guide  146  on the floor  142 . The reference guides  146  may be any marking the automatic guide vehicle  144  can follow, including but not limited to, marked long lines or wires on the floor  142 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , multiple interior conforming device armatures  130   a  and  130   b  of the interior conforming device  130  are configured to interface with the interior surface  110  of the assembling body  112 . The assembling body  112  includes the opening  122 . The first interior conforming device armature  130   a  includes a plurality of pins  148  that can extend from an interfacing surface  150   a  and configured to contact a first interior side  152  of the opening  122  of the assembling body  112 . The second interior conforming device armature  130   b  also includes a plurality of pins  148  extending from an interfacing surface  150   b  and configured to contact a second interior side  154  of the opening  122  of the assembling body  112 . The first interior side  152  spaced apart from the second interior side  154 . In one example, the first interior side  152  is on the opposite side of the opening  122  from the second interior side  154 . 
     The tool  102  may include an adjustment wheel  103 . In one example, the adjustment wheel  103  is on a second surface  121  of the sub-assembly support  106 , which is opposite the first surface  120  of the sub-assembly support  106 . The adjustment wheel  103  is used to make adjustments to the position of sub-assembly support  106  relative to the opening  122  while the sub-assembly support  106  is in the install position  128 . In one example, the adjustment wheel  103  can adjust the orientation or position of the sub-assembly support  106 , relative to the opening  122 , with multiple degrees of freedom, such as up and down, left and right, or forward and backward. In another example, the adjustment wheel  103  can be adjusted to adjust with six degrees of freedom (e.g., in three translations (forward/backward, up/down, left-right) and three rotations (pitch, yaw, and roll), thus allowing an even more accurate positioning of the sub-assembly support  106  relative to the opening  122 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , according to one example, a method  300  for positioning a sub-assembly  101  for installation includes (block  302 ) placing a sub-assembly  101  on a sub-assembly support  106 . The sub-assembly support  106  is positioned above a base  104  of a tool  102 . The sub-assembly support  106  is pivotably mounted at a pivot axis  108  to the base  104 . The method  300  also includes (block  304 ) activating at least one actuator  114  attached to the sub-assembly support  106  and the base  104 . The actuator  114  tilts a first surface  120  of the sub-assembly support  106  along the pivot axis  108  and tilts the sub-assembly support  106  toward an opening  122  in an assembling body  112 . The method  300  further includes (block  306 ) engaging an interior conforming device  130  attached to the tool  102  to interface with an interior surface  110  of the assembling body  112 . The method  300  additionally includes (block  308 ) engaging an exterior conforming device  132 , discrete from the tool  102 , and adjacent to an exterior surface  134  of the assembling body  112  to interface with the exterior surface  134  of the assembling body  112 . 
     In the above description, certain terms may be used such as “up,” “down,” “upper,” “lower,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “left,” “right,” “over,” “under” and the like. These terms are used, where applicable, to provide some clarity of description when dealing with relative relationships. But, these terms are not intended to imply absolute relationships, positions, and/or orientations. For example, with respect to an object, an “upper” surface can become a “lower” surface simply by turning the object over. Nevertheless, it is still the same object. Further, the terms “including,” “comprising,” “having,” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to” unless expressly specified otherwise. An enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive and/or mutually inclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” also refer to “one or more” unless expressly specified otherwise. Further, the term “plurality” can be defined as “at least two.” Moreover, unless otherwise noted, as defined herein a plurality of particular features does not necessarily mean every particular feature of an entire set or class of the particular features. 
     Additionally, instances in this specification where one element is “coupled” to another element can include direct and indirect coupling. Direct coupling can be defined as one element coupled to and in some contact with another element. Indirect coupling can be defined as coupling between two elements not in direct contact with each other, but having one or more additional elements between the coupled elements. Further, as used herein, securing one element to another element can include direct securing and indirect securing. Additionally, as used herein, “adjacent” does not necessarily denote contact. For example, one element can be adjacent another element without being in contact with that element. 
     As used herein, the phrase “at least one of”, when used with a list of items, means different combinations of one or more of the listed items may be used and only one of the items in the list may be needed. The item may be a particular object, thing, or category. In other words, “at least one of” means any combination of items or number of items may be used from the list, but not all of the items in the list may be required. For example, “at least one of item A, item B, and item C” may mean item A; item A and item B; item B; item A, item B, and item C; or item B and item C. In some cases, “at least one of item A, item B, and item C” may mean, for example, without limitation, two of item A, one of item B, and ten of item C; four of item B and seven of item C; or some other suitable combination. 
     Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “first,” “second,” etc. are used herein merely as labels, and are not intended to impose ordinal, positional, or hierarchical requirements on the items to which these terms refer. Moreover, reference to, e.g., a “second” item does not require or preclude the existence of, e.g., a “first” or lower-numbered item, and/or, e.g., a “third” or higher-numbered item. 
     As used herein, a system, apparatus, 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, 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 which 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, 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. 
     The schematic flow chart diagrams included herein are generally set forth as logical flow chart diagrams. As such, the depicted order and labeled steps are indicative of one example of the presented method. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more steps, or portions thereof, of the illustrated method. Additionally, the format and symbols employed are provided to explain the logical steps of the method and are understood not to limit the scope of the method. Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in the flow chart diagrams, they are understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding method. Indeed, some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the method. For instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the depicted method. Additionally, the order in which a particular method occurs may or may not strictly adhere to the order of the corresponding steps shown. 
     The present subject matter may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described examples are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.