A method and apparatus for building a fuselage assembly for an aircraft. A number of fixtures may be drive across a floor to an assembly area to form an assembly fixture. The fuselage assembly may be built on the assembly fixture.

An attachment for an end effector. The attachment may include a clamp and a foot adhesively bonded to an edge of the clamp and having a set of interlocking features that form a mechanical interlock with the clamp.

A method and apparatus for positioning an end effector relative to a fuselage assembly. The end effector is positioned relative to an expected reference location for a reference point on the fuselage assembly using data from a first metrology system. After positioning the end effector relative to the expected reference location, an actual reference location for the reference point on the fuselage assembly is identified using data from a second metrology system. The end effector is positioned at an operation location based on the actual reference location identified.

A method and apparatus for performing an assembly operation. A tool may be macro-positioned relative to an exterior of a fuselage assembly. The tool may be micro-positioned relative to a particular location on the exterior of the fuselage assembly. An end effector is removably associated with an external robotic device associated with an external mobile platform. The tool is removably associated with the end effector. An assembly operation may be performed at the particular location on the panel using the tool.

A method and apparatus for positioning an end effector relative to a fuselage assembly. A configuration of the fuselage assembly may be determined. The end effector may be positioned relative to the fuselage assembly based on the configuration determined. A set of actual reference locations may be identified for a set of reference points on the fuselage assembly. The end effector may be positioned at an operation location based on the set of actual reference locations identified.

A combined cam shaft assembling method comprises the following steps: A, grinding the outer diameter of a steel pipe (2) to specified precision, and machining an inner hole of a cam sheet (1) and a signal disc to specified precision; B, pre-installing the cam sheet (1) and the signal disc onto the steel pipe (2) according to a specified sequence, distance and angle; C, utilizing a tension part (3) to penetrate through the steel pipe (2), ensuring the steel pipe (2) to be expanded, so as to fix the cam sheet (1) and the signal disc onto the steel pipe (2) and reach a specified torque. The method is carried out through a combined cam shaft assembling device. By adopting the tension part (3) to expand the steel pipe (2), the steel pipe (2) and the cam sheet (1) can be rapidly combined, the cam sheet (1) and the signal disc can be clamped onto the steel pipe (2) in a more reliable manner, and the strength of the entire cam shaft is relatively high.

A method and apparatus for installing a fastener. A reactive structural force is generated in a first direction during installation of the fastener. A new reactive structural force is generated in a second direction opposite to the first direction during the installation of the fastener.

A method and apparatus for performing an assembly operation. A tool may be macro-positioned relative to an exterior of a fuselage assembly. The tool may be micro-positioned relative to a particular location on the exterior of the fuselage assembly. An end effector is removably associated with an external robotic device associated with an external mobile platform. The tool is removably associated with the end effector. An assembly operation may be performed at the particular location on the panel using the tool.

A method and apparatus for distributing a number of utilities. The number of utilities may be coupled between a number of utility sources and a utility fixture. The number of utilities may be coupled between the utility fixture and a mobile system.

A method and apparatus for fastening two parts together. An initial interference fit may be created between a fastener and at least a portion of a hole extending through the two parts while maintaining a force equilibrium. A final interference fit may be created between the fastener and the hole, while maintaining a new force equilibrium.