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To an aircraft, the accuracy of aerodynamic configuration has a direct influence on flight performance. To improve the assembly accuracy of aircraft wing components, two kinds of positioning method and the corresponding assembly precision are studied, and a low-cost flexible assembly tooling system for different wing components is proposed. First, the article analyzes the technological characteristics of airplane wing skin and determines the assembly requirement. Second, positioning method based on contour boards and coordination holes and their assembly precision are researched. Third, to verify the positioning method and the algorithm of assembly precision calculation based on coordination holes, a locating unit with three motion axes is designed and manufactured. Fourth, experimental verification is done and the corresponding results are analyzed. Experiment results showed the assembly precision based on coordination holes has an improvement of 24% contrasting with the precision based on contour boards, and the assembly productivity is increased by 60%. The flexible assembly tooling system also has a demonstration effect for other flexible assembly tooling within the aerospace industry.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop digital flexible pre-assembly tooling system for fuselage panels. Design/methodology/approach – First, the paper analyzes the technological characteristics of fuselage panels and then determines the pre-assembly object. Second, the pre-assembly positioning method and assembly process are researched. Third, the panel components pre-assembly flexible tooling scheme is constructed. Finally, the pre-assembly flexible tooling system is designed and manufactured. Findings – This study shows the novel solution results in significantly smaller tooling dimensions, while providing greater stability. Digital flexible assembly is an effective way to reduce floor space, reduce delivery and production lead times and improve quality. Practical implications – The tooling designed in this case is actually used in industrial application. The flexible tooling can realize the pre-assembly for a number of fuselage panels, which is shown as an example in this paper. Originality/value – The paper suggests the fuselage panel pre-assembly process based on the thought including pre-assembly, the automatic drilling and riveting and jointing, and constructs a flexible tooling system for aircraft fuselage panel component pre-assembly.

Embedding piezoelectric materials as actuators or sensors into structures to form intelligent piezoelectric structures is a research hotspot. Piezoelectric intelligent structures should not only have good sensing and actuation performance, but should also ensure mechanical performance. The influence of forming and cutting embeddings of macro fiber composites (MFC) on the flexural and actuation properties of a piezoelectric composite curved shell was studied by simulation and experiment. The flexural performance was evaluated using a three-point bending simulation and test, and the actuation performance was evaluated by simulating the actuation deformation of a curved piezoelectric cantilever beam. Compared with forming embedding, cutting embedding destroys the continuity of the fiber, resulting in a reduction in the strength of the structure. However, it exhibits good actuation performance. Simultaneously, the influence of ply direction on performance was studied.

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