A machine tool adapted to perform operations, for example, machining, on a surface of a part of large size is provided. The machine tool comprises a longitudinal rail and a transverse arm, orthogonal to the longitudinal rail, slidingly fastened at a first end to the longitudinal rail. A second end of the transverse arm is provided with a unit comprising a holding device enabling the unit to be held in position on the part during an operation. The transverse arm bearing a tool is thus precisely positioned on the part on which the operations are carried out.

A machine tool includes a frame with two opposite frame sections, a number of leg elements arranged on the frame, and a first carriage having a first linear axis. The first carriage is guided on the two opposite sections of the frame and is displaceable in a first direction. A second carriage of a second linear axis is guided on the first carriage and is displaceable in a second direction A tower element has a third linear axis, which is retained on the second carriage. A machining element is retained on the tower element and is displaceable in a third direction, and a tool spindle is arranged on the machining element for receiving a tool.

A machining apparatus is borne by an articulated arm and includes: a casing defining an opening to be placed by the articulated arm in a machining position so the opening faces the surface to be machined; at least three bearers attached to the casing to rest against the surface to be machined in the machining position; an attachment system fixing the casing to the surface to be machined; at least one support mounted to move with respect to the casing, and a machine-tool mounted on the support; and at least one position sensor providing position parameters representing a relative position of the surface to be machined with respect to the casing. Also included is a control system operating the support and to move the machine-tool with respect to the casing according to a movement instruction, the control system being designed to calculate the movement instruction using the position parameters.

Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for assembling a wing. Methods include coupling a robot arm to a bracket on a rib held against a wing panel, and operating the coupled robot arm to install shims between the rib and wing panel. Some methods further include mounting (e.g. detachably) the bracket, such as by aligning it with indexing features at the rib. In some methods, the bracket enforces a contour to the rib. Systems include a carriage coupled to a rib, and a robot arm extending therefrom that is operable to perform work (e.g. inspection, installing shims and/or fasteners, etc.) at an interface between the rib and a wing panel. Apparatus includes a robot arm dimensioned for placement at an interface between a rib and a wing panel, with the robot arm including an end effector to perform work upon the interface (e.g. inspection, installing shims and/or fasteners, etc.).

A guided circular saw system having a track and a ramp that is connected to a benchtop by a pair of hinge members. Hinge members are formed of a top section, a middle section and a bottom section and facilitate raising and lowering of the track in a quick and easy manner without tools. The track is raised to facilitate placing a workpiece under the track and then the track is lowered in place thereby engaging and holding the workpiece in place. A sled attached to a cutting device and the sled and cutting device slides along the track thereby cutting the workpiece. The track includes sacrificial grip strips that extend along the sides of the track and include an upper layer of material that is rigid and a lower layer of material that is compressible and has a high coefficient of friction and thereby holds the workpiece in place.

Milling tool head assemblies, remote control systems, and portable machine tools including the same. A milling tool head assembly comprises a milling tool head carriage, a milling tool head with a milling tool head base pivotally coupled to the milling tool head carriage, and a milling tool carrier operatively coupled to a cutting tool. The milling tool carrier is configured to travel along a primary tool path, and the milling tool carrier is slidingly coupled to the milling tool head base to define a secondary tool path of the milling tool carrier. In some examples, a portable machine tool comprises a machine frame, a rotating ring, a bridge, a facing tool head assembly, and a milling tool head assembly. In some examples, a remote control system for a portable machine tool comprises an operator pendant, a control tether, a pneumatic conditioning unit, and an auxiliary conditioning unit.

During an assembly process for an aircraft, segments of the fuselage are fabricated separately prior to joining the segments together to form the complete fuselage. In order to ensure that abutting ends of the segments mate together correctly, a machining process is performed along the edges of the segments at their ends. One embodiment comprises a trim-tool assembly for machining proximate to an edge of a workpiece. The trim-tool assembly includes an indexing cart configured to mount to a track secured to a surface of the workpiece, where a setting on the indexing cart varies a distance between a centerline of the track and the edge of the workpiece. The trim-tool assembly further includes a tool cart configured to mount to and translate along the track, where the tool cart includes a process tool that performs a machining process on the workpiece at a fixed distance from the centerline of the track.

Device for machining an end of an elementary panel for its subsequent friction stir welding, the elementary panel comprising a metal body defining two opposite faces, the machining device comprising a chassis, at least two guiding members configured to guide a first face of the elementary panel, at least one machining tool mounted on the chassis, the machining tool being positioned between the two guiding members and at least one pressure member mounted on the chassis and configured to exert a pressure on a second face of the elementary panel so as to press the elementary panel against the guiding members along the horizontal reference direction.

Locating system for machine tools including a machine tool for working on a object's machining surface by removing material and movement apparatus for placing in direct contact with the machining surface and for moving the machine tool with respect to the object while the tool works on the object, at least two locating apparatuses each including supporting portion for placing at a fixed point on the machining surface, detector including first cable or second cable for connecting the locating apparatus to the machine tool, and a locating portion to release or receive the cable to measure distance detected between the machine tool and locating apparatus. The detector is configured to allow mutual connection of the locating apparatuses to allow direct measurement of distance between locating apparatuses and distance is further obtainable indirectly from the distances detected by the detector between the machine tool and locating apparatuses.

Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for assembling a wing. Methods include coupling a robot arm to a bracket on a rib held against a wing panel, and operating the coupled robot arm to install shims between the rib and wing panel. Some methods further include mounting (e.g. detachably) the bracket, such as by aligning it with indexing features at the rib. In some methods, the bracket enforces a contour to the rib. Systems include a carriage coupled to a rib, and a robot arm extending therefrom that is operable to perform work (e.g. inspection, installing shims and/or fasteners, etc.) at an interface between the rib and a wing panel. Apparatus includes a robot arm dimensioned for placement at an interface between a rib and a wing panel, with the robot arm including an end effector to perform work upon the interface (e.g. inspection, installing shims and/or fasteners, etc.).