Patent ID: 8479394

Claim:
A method of assembling parts to form an aircraft component, in which a first surface of a first part is to be positioned in the assembly adjacent to a second surface of a second part, the method comprising the steps of: taking measurements of the first part while it is remote from the second part, taking measurements of the second part while it is remote from the first part, calculating from the measurements the size and shape of the space that will be generated between the first and second surfaces when the first and second parts are assembled, providing a shim of varying thickness in dependence upon the results of the calculating step, and assembling the first and second parts with the shim positioned between the first and second parts, the varying thickness of the shim compensating for a varying spacing of the first and second surfaces, wherein the measurements of the first part are taken while it is mounted on a first jig, and the measurements of the second part are taken while it is mounted on a second jig, the taking of measurements of the first part comprising measuring positions relative to a reference point on the first jig, and the taking of measurements of the second part comprising measuring positions relative to a reference point on the second jig.