A bond fixture for bonding a component includes a frame defining a chamber for receiving the component. A first pad and a second pad are mounted to the frame. At least one of the first pad and the second pad is movable relative to the frame to adjust a pressure applied to the component. A caul assembly is adapted to be disposed in thermal communication with the component. The caul assembly heats a localized portion of the component.

The invention relates to tooling for holding parts in position to enable them to be friction welded together in order to construct a hollow structure, the tooling comprises: a framework made up of two frames for receiving the parts for welding together in their positions for forming the hollow structure, the parts comprising preformed parts and an intermediate section; shape-holder members for holding the hollow structure, associating backing thrust members and lateral grip members for gripping the outsides of the preformed parts; anvils suitable for being placed inside the set of preformed parts beside the section; and clamping means operable to take up a clamping position in which they cause opposing thrust to be applied against the anvil and the inside face of a preformed part, its part itself bears against the shape-holder members.

A manufacturing method is provided during which a plurality of first apertures are formed in a first plate to provide an apertured first plate. A plurality of second apertures are formed in a second plate to provide an apertured second plate. The apertured first plate and the apertured second plate are bonded to a base sheet to form a structure. The base sheet is bent to form a bend in the structure between the apertured first plate and the apertured second plate.

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 apparatus for accessing an interior of a fuselage assembly. A tower having a number of platform levels may be driven into a selected tower position within an assembly area. The interior of the fuselage assembly may be accessed using the number of platform levels.

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.

A device to assemble a skin and a frame of an aircraft fuselage. The device includes first and second brace members that extend along opposing sides of a gap. Arches are spaced apart and fixedly connected to the first and second brace members and that extend across the gap. A strongback is attached to and movable along the first and second brace members with the strongback having a curved shape that matches the plurality of arches. The strongback includes clamps configured to engage with the frame. First and second tension devices apply tension to the skin at the strongback.

Systems and methods are provided for assembling an airframe of an aircraft, including receiving a half barrel section of fuselage, advancing the half barrel section in a process direction across multiple stations to separately and simultaneously perform work on the half barrel sections, and subsequently joining the half barrel segments to form a section of the airframe. Each pair of half barrel sections, such as upper and lower half barrels, are progressed through assembly line processes to be delivered to a joining station for joining the half barrels together to form a circumferential section of the fuselage. Multiple joined circumferential sections are joined together to form an elongated extent of the fuselage. Indexing features are provided in the assembly process to monitor and control the progression of the half barrel sections in the work stations of the assembly line process.

A method of assembling an aircraft gearbox. The method includes mounting an outer race and a plurality of rollers of a roller bearing in an opening of a gearbox housing, mating a cylindrical guide sleeve having a lead-in chamfer with a gear assembly having a gear and a cylindrical shaft such that a trailing shoulder of the guide sleeve is positioned proximate a leading shoulder of the shaft, the shaft including an inner race of the roller bearing, axially passing the lead-in chamfer of the guide sleeve through the plurality of rollers, radially outwardly urging the rollers toward the outer race with the guide sleeve, axially passing the leading shoulder of the shaft through the plurality of rollers, positioning the inner race relative to the plurality of rollers to form the roller bearing and removing the guide sleeve from the gear assembly.

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 that 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 system further comprises an interior conforming device attached to the tool and configured to interface with the interior surface of the assembling body. The system additionally comprises an exterior conforming device configured to interface with the exterior surface of the assembling body.