Patent Publication Number: US-2023135678-A1

Title: Method and system for transporting a workpiece in a manufacturing environment

Description:
PRIORITY 
     This application claims priority from U.S. Ser. No. 63/275,020 filed on Nov. 3, 2021. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This application relates to the manufacturing of structures and, more specifically, to methods and systems for transporting 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 methods for transporting a workpiece from an initial work cell to a subsequent work cell in a manufacturing environment having a plurality of work cells, the workpiece being supported by a support beam. 
     In one example, the method includes monitoring the initial work cell for presence of a ready-to-move condition. The method further includes monitoring the subsequent work cell for presence of a ready-to-receive condition. When both the ready-to-move condition and the ready-to-receive condition are present, the method includes interfacing the support beam with a gantry. After the interfacing, the method includes moving the support beam with the gantry from the initial work cell to the subsequent work cell. 
     Also disclosed are systems for transporting a workpiece from an initial work cell to a subsequent work cell in a manufacturing environment having a plurality of work cells, the workpiece being supported by a support beam. 
     In one example, the system includes an initial work cell sensor positioned to monitor the initial work cell for presence of a ready-to-move condition. The system further includes a subsequent work cell sensor positioned to monitor the subsequent work cell for presence of a ready-to-receive condition. The system further includes a gantry configured to interface with the support beam and move the support beam from the initial work cell to the subsequent work cell once both the ready-to-move condition and the ready-to-receive condition are present. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a flow chart of a method for transporting a workpiece from an initial work cell to a subsequent work cell in a manufacturing environment; 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of a system for transporting a workpiece from an initial work cell to a subsequent work cell in a manufacturing environment; 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of a portion of the system of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  4    is perspective view of a portion of the system of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of a portion of the system of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of a portion of the system of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  7 A  is a perspective view of a portion of the system of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  7 B  is a perspective view of a portion of the system of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective view of a portion of the system of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of a portion of the system of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  10    is a block diagram of a control system of the system of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  11    is a flow diagram of a method for transporting a workpiece from an initial work cell to a subsequent work cell in a manufacturing environment; 
         FIG.  12    is a flow diagram of an aircraft manufacturing and service methodology; and 
         FIG.  13    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. 
     The system  100  and method  600  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  700 . 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  30   a  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. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1    and  FIG.  11   , disclosed is a method  600  for transporting a workpiece  50  from an initial work cell  30   a  to a subsequent work cell  30   b  in a manufacturing environment  10 . The manufacturing environment  10  includes a plurality of work cells  30 . The workpiece  50  is supported by a support beam  110 . Referring to  FIG.  5   , in one example, the support beam  110  includes a truss  111 . In another example, the support beam  110  includes a metallic material and is rigid. 
     The workpiece  50  may be suspended from the support beam  110  by a hanger  113 , see  FIG.  8   . In one example, the workpiece  50  is a wing panel  52  of an aircraft  1302 . In another example, the workpiece  50  includes a composite material  325 , the composite material  325  comprising a reinforcement material embedded in a polymeric matrix material. 
     In one example, the method  600  includes monitoring  610  the initial work cell  30   a  for presence of a ready-to-move condition. The monitoring  610  may utilize an initial work cell sensor  185  positioned to monitor the initial work cell  30   a  for presence of a ready-to-move condition. The initial work cell sensor  185  may sense data and share it with a control system  700  for analysis. In one example, the ready-to-move condition is present when work on the workpiece  50  within the initial work cell  30   a  is complete. 
     In one example, the monitoring  610  the initial work cell  30   a  comprises monitoring an initial work cell sensor  185 . The initial work cell sensor  185  may include at least one of a motion sensor  183 , a laser sensor  181 , a pressure sensor  187 , a radar device  189 , an RFID device  191 , and a wireless device  193  to ascertain presence of personnel within the initial work cell  30   a.    
     Still referring to  FIG.  11   , the method  600  includes monitoring  620  the subsequent work cell  30   b  for presence of a ready-to-receive condition. The monitoring  620  may utilize a subsequent work cell sensor  195  positioned to monitor the subsequent work cell  30   b  for presence of a ready-to-receive condition. In one example, the ready-to-receive condition is present when the subsequent work cell  30   b  is devoid of a workpiece  50 . In another example, the ready-to-receive condition is present when a signal is received indicating that the subsequent work cell  30   b  is devoid of a workpiece  50 . In yet another example, the ready-to-receive condition is present when the subsequent work cell  30   b  is devoid of a workpiece  50  and devoid of personnel. 
     Referring to  FIG.  11   , when both the ready-to-move condition and the ready-to-receive condition are present, the method  600  includes interfacing  630  the support beam  110  with a gantry  200 . Further, after the interfacing  630 , the method  600  includes moving  640  the support beam  110  with the gantry  200  from the initial work cell  30   a  to the subsequent work cell  30   b.    
     In one example, the method  600  includes, automatically upon the presence of the ready-to-move condition, generating  615  a notification instructing all personnel to leave the initial work cell  30   a . The generating  615  may be achieved with a control system  700  configured to analyzed sensed data and determine the presence of the ready-to-move condition. In one example, the generating  615  the notification includes at least one of generating  615   a  an audible notification, generating  615   b  a visual notification, and generating  615   c  a wireless broadcast. 
     In one example, the ready-to-move condition is present when a signal is received indicating that work on the workpiece  50  within the initial work cell  30   a  is complete. In another example, the ready-to-move condition is present when work on the workpiece  50  within the initial work cell  30   a  is complete and the initial work cell  30   a  is devoid of personnel. 
     In one example, the method  600  includes, automatically upon the presence of the ready-to-receive condition, generating  625  a notification instructing all personnel to leave the subsequent work cell  30   b . The generating  625  the notification may include at least one of generating  625   a  an audible notification and generating  625   b  a visual notification. 
     In one example, the monitoring  620  the subsequent work cell  30   b  includes monitoring at least one of a laser sensor  181  and a pressure sensor  187  to ascertain presence of personnel within the subsequent work cell  30   b.    
     Referring to  FIG.  6   , the support beam  110  includes a first coupling feature  122 . In one example, the interfacing  630  the support beam  110  with the gantry  200  includes engaging the first coupling feature  122  on the support beam  110  with a second coupling feature  124  on the gantry  200 . The first coupling feature  122  on the support beam  110  may include a male coupling portion  122   a  and the second coupling feature  124  on the gantry  200  may include a female coupling portion  124   a . In another example, the interfacing  630  the support beam  110  with the gantry  200  may include raising the support beam  110  along the vertical axis V into engagement with the gantry  200 . 
     The interfacing  630  the support beam  110  with the gantry  200  may include sensing whether the second coupling feature  124  on the gantry  200  has securely engaged the first coupling feature  122  on the support beam  110 . In one example, the interfacing  630  the support beam  110  with the gantry  200  includes interfacing using a feedback control loop. 
     In one example, the support beam  110  comprises at least two of the first coupling feature  122 . The interfacing  630  the support beam  110  with the gantry  200  may include engaging  632  the at least two of the first coupling feature  122  on the support beam  110  with at least two of the second coupling feature  124  that correspond on the gantry  200 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  9   , the gantry  200  includes a first elongated rail member  210  and a second elongated rail member  220  moveably engaged with the first elongated rail member  210 . The gantry  200  further includes a trolley  275  that is moveably engaged with the second elongated rail member  220 . The trolley  275  is coupled with an interfacing member  250 , see  FIG.  6   , configured to engage with second coupling feature  124 . The trolley  275  facilitates movement of workpiece  50  throughout the manufacturing environment  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , in one or more examples, the plurality of work cells  30  are arranged along a longitudinal manufacturing environment axis A. The first elongated rail member  210 , see  FIG.  9   , is aligned with the longitudinal manufacturing environment axis A. In one example, the second elongated rail member  220  is transverse to the first elongated rail member  210  and moves relative to the first elongated rail member  210  along the longitudinal manufacturing environment axis A. 
     In one example, the moving  640  the support beam  110  with the gantry  200  includes moving  640  the support beam  110  in only two directions, the two directions defining a plane P that is generally perpendicular to a vertical axis V of the manufacturing environment  10 . The moving  640  may be automated such that it positions the support beam  110  based upon geometry of the workpiece  50  and work cell, example  30   a , parameters. 
     The method  600  may further include, once the support beam  110  is in the subsequent work cell  30   b , positioning  645  the support beam  110  onto a first frame assembly  140  and a second frame assembly  160 . Referring to  FIG.  4   , in one example, the first frame assembly  140  is spaced a distance D apart from the second frame assembly  160 . In one example, the distance D may be at least about 1 meter. The distance D may be at least about 2 meters. In another example, the distance D may be at least about 3 meters 
     Referring to  FIG.  4   , the support beam  110  is elongated along a longitudinal support beam axis L and includes a first end portion  112  and a 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 , see  FIG.  7 A . 
     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  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 . In one example, 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.  4   , the second frame assembly  160  includes 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  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 . In one example, 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.  4   , 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 B , in one example, the first beam-side indexing feature  120  comprises a first male indexing feature  121  and the first frame-side indexing feature  148  comprises a first female indexing feature  149  sized and shaped to closely receive the first male indexing feature  121 . The positioning  645   a  the support beam  110  onto the first frame assembly  140  includes inserting the first male indexing feature  121  into the first female indexing feature  149 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  7 A , 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 second male indexing feature  131 . In one example, the positioning  645   b  the support beam  110  onto the second frame assembly  160  includes inserting the second male indexing feature  131  into the second female indexing feature  171 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  7 B , in one example, the first male indexing feature  121  includes a first ball member  123  and the first female indexing feature  149  includes a first socket member  151 . Referring to  FIG.  7 A , the second male indexing feature  131  includes a second ball member  133  and the second female indexing feature  171  includes a second socket member  173 . 
     In one example, automatically upon the presence of the presence of the ready-to-move condition, the method  600  includes actuating  670  personnel lockouts  400  to inhibit ingress of personnel into the initial work cell  30   a . The actuating  670  may be automated such that it occurs via a command from the control system  700 . In one or more examples, the method  600  includes, automatically upon the presence of the presence of the ready-to-receive condition, actuating  670  personnel lockouts  400  to inhibit ingress of personnel into the subsequent work cell  30   b.    
     Referring to  FIG.  11   , in one or more examples, the method  600  further includes monitoring  610   a  the subsequent work cell  30   b  for presence of a second ready-to-move condition and monitoring  620   a  a still subsequent work cell  30   b  for presence of a second ready-to-receive condition. In one example, the monitoring  610   a  and monitoring  620   a  include sensing with an initial work cell sensor  185  and a subsequent work cell sensor  195 , respectively. 
     In one example, when both the second ready-to-move condition and the second ready-to-receive condition are present, the method  600  includes interfacing  630  the support beam  110  with the gantry  200 . The method  600  further includes, after the interfacing  630 , moving  640  the support beam  110  with the gantry  200  from the subsequent work cell  30   b  to the still subsequent work cell  30   b.    
     Referring to  FIG.  11   , once all work on the workpiece  50  within the manufacturing environment  10  is complete, the method may include separating  650  the workpiece  50  from the support beam  110 . After separating  650 , the workpiece  50  may be positioned for further processing. 
     Referring to  FIG.  11   , the method  600  may further include supporting  660  a second workpiece  50 ′ on the support beam  110 . The second workpiece  50 ′ may include a composite material  325 , the composite material  325  comprising a reinforcement material embedded in a polymeric matrix material. The second workpiece  50 ′ may be suspended from the support beam  110  by a hanger  113 , see  FIG.  8   . 
     In one example, the plurality of work cells  30  comprise at least one of a trimming cell  40   a , a sanding cell  40   b , a washing cell  40   c , a non-destructive inspection cell  40   d , a painting cell  40   e , and a drilling cell  40   f , and an assembling cell  40   g . The workpiece  50  may automatically move between each of the plurality of work cells  30  via the gantry  200  and control system  700 . 
     In one example, the method  600  includes monitoring  610  the initial work cell  30   a  for presence of a ready-to-move condition, wherein the ready-to-move condition is present when work on the workpiece  50  within the initial work cell  30   a  is complete and the initial work cell  30   a  is devoid of personnel. 
     The method  600  further includes monitoring  620  the subsequent work cell  30   b  for presence of a ready-to-receive condition, wherein the ready-to-receive condition is present when the subsequent work cell  30   b  is devoid of a workpiece  50  and devoid of personnel. Once the ready-to-move condition and the ready-to-receive condition are present, a workpiece  50  located in the initial work cell  30   a  is authorized to move from the initial work cell  30   a  to the subsequent work cell  30   b.    
     The method  600  further includes, when both the ready-to-move condition and the ready-to-receive condition are present, engaging  632  a first coupling feature  122  on the support beam  110  with a second coupling feature  124  on a gantry  200 . After the engaging  632 , the method  600  includes moving  640  the support beam  110  with the gantry  200  from the initial work cell  30   a  to the subsequent work cell  30   b.    
     In one example, the moving  640  includes moving the support beam  110  in only two directions, the two directions defining a plane P that is generally perpendicular to a vertical axis V of the manufacturing environment  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , disclosed is a system  100  for transporting a workpiece  50  from an initial work cell  30   a  to a subsequent work cell  30   b  in a manufacturing environment  10 . The manufacturing environment  10  includes a plurality of work cells  30 . The workpiece  50  is supported by a support beam  110 . In one example, the support beam  110  includes a truss  111 . The support beam  110  may include a metallic material and may further be rigid. In one example, the workpiece  50  is suspended from the support beam  110  by a hanger  113 , see  FIG.  8   . 
     Referring to  FIG.  10   , in one or more examples, the system  100  includes a control system  700 . The control system  700  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  700  may utilize a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) based controller  920  to direct movement and facilitate data analysis. 
     The system  100  includes an initial work cell sensor  185  positioned to monitor the initial work cell  30   a  for presence of a ready-to-move condition, see  FIG.  2   . The initial work cell sensor  185  may include at least one of a motion sensor  183 , a laser sensor  181 , a pressure sensor  187 , a radar device  189 , an RFID device  191 , and a wireless device  193 . The initial work cell sensor  185  may be operatively associated with control system  700  such that sensed data is communicated to the control system  700  for analysis and facilitating movement within the system  100 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , the system  100  includes a subsequent work cell sensor  195  positioned to monitor the subsequent work cell  30   b  for presence of a ready-to-receive condition. The subsequent work cell sensor  195  may include at least one of a motion sensor  183 , a laser sensor  181 , a pressure sensor  187 , a radar device  189 , an RFID device  191 , and a wireless device  193 . The subsequent work cell sensor  195  may be operatively associated with control system  700  such that sensed data is communicated to the control system  700  for analysis and facilitating movement within the system  100 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  9   , the system  100  includes a gantry  200  configured to interface with the support beam  110  and move the support beam  110  from the initial work cell  30   a  to the subsequent work cell  30   b  once both the ready-to-move condition and the ready-to-receive condition are present. 
     Referring to  FIG.  4   , in one example, the support beam  110  of system  100  includes a first coupling feature  122  and the gantry  200  includes a second coupling feature  124 , see  FIG.  6   . The gantry interfaces with the support beam  110  by engaging the first coupling feature  122  with the second coupling feature  124 . The first coupling feature  122  on the support beam  110  may include a male coupling portion  122   a  and the second coupling feature  124  on the gantry  200  may include a female coupling portion  124   a.    
     Referring to  FIG.  9   , in one or more examples, the gantry  200  includes a first elongated rail member  210  and a second elongated rail member  220  moveably engaged with the first elongated rail member  210 . The system  100  further includes a trolley  275  moveably engaged with the second elongated rail member  220 . In one example, the gantry  200  is configured to move the support beam  110  in only two directions, the two directions defining a plane P that is generally perpendicular to a vertical axis V of the manufacturing environment  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , in one or more examples, the plurality of work cells  30  of the system  100  is arranged along a longitudinal manufacturing environment axis A. Further, the first elongated rail member  210 , FIG. 9 , is aligned with the longitudinal manufacturing environment axis A. In one or more examples, the second elongated rail member  220  is transverse to the first elongated rail member  210  and moves relative to the first elongated rail member  210  along the longitudinal manufacturing environment axis A. 
     Examples of the subject matter disclosed herein may be described in the context of aircraft manufacturing and service method  1200  as shown in  FIG.  12    and aircraft  1302  as shown in  FIG.  13   . During pre-production, service method  1200  may include specification and design (block  1204 ) of aircraft  1302  and material procurement (block  1206 ). During production, component and subassembly manufacturing (block  1208 ) and system integration (block  1210 ) of aircraft  1302  may take place. Thereafter, aircraft  1302  may go through certification and delivery (block  1212 ) to be placed in service (block  1214 ). While in service, aircraft  1302  may be scheduled for routine maintenance and service (block  1216 ). Routine maintenance and service may include modification, reconfiguration, refurbishment, etc. of one or more systems of aircraft  1302 . 
     Each of the processes of service method  1200  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.  13   , aircraft  1302  produced by service method  1200  may include airframe  1318  with a plurality of high-level systems  1320  and interior  1322 . Examples of high-level systems  1320  include one or more of propulsion system  1324 , electrical system  1326 , hydraulic system  1328 , and environmental system  1330 . 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  1302 , 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  1200 . For example, components or subassemblies corresponding to component and subassembly manufacturing (block  1208 ) may be fabricated or manufactured in a manner similar to components or subassemblies produced while aircraft  1302  is in service (block  1214 ), such as by employing the disclosed systems and methods for supporting a workpiece  50  in a manufacturing environment  10 . 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  1208 ) and system integration (block  1210 ), for example, by substantially expediting assembly of or reducing the cost of aircraft  1302 . 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  1302  is in service (block  1214 ) and/or during maintenance and service (block  1216 ). 
     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.