A system to adjust extension lengths of slats of a work platform relative to a workpiece includes sensors to collect first data associated with a position of an outer surface of the workpiece at a height of the slats. The system includes actuators configured to extend or retract the slats. The system also includes a controller coupled to the sensors and to the actuators. The controller is configured to receive the first data and second data associated with rotation of the workpiece. The controller is configured to provide signals to the actuators of the work platform based on the first data and the second data. The signals cause the actuators to adjust or maintain extension lengths of the slats of the work platform to maintain separation distances between ends of the slats and the outer surface of the workpiece within a separation distance range as the workpiece rotates.

An apparatus is for attaching an aerodynamically functional film to a surface of a body around which flow passes. The apparatus includes: a self-adhesive, redetachable positioning film having positioning aids for the exact positioning of the positioning film on the surface of the body around which flow passes and having at least one application area for the aerodynamically functional film that is to be applied.

In one aspect, there is a method of making a composite skin for a tiltrotor aircraft including providing a first skin in a mold, the first skin having a periphery defined by a forward edge, an aft edge, and outboard ends; providing a plurality of honeycomb panels having an array of large cells onto the first skin, each cell having a width of at least 1 cm; assembling the plurality of honeycomb panels along the longitudinal axis of the first skin to form a honeycomb core having an outer perimeter within the periphery of the first skin; positioning a second skin onto the honeycomb core, the second skin having an outer perimeter within the periphery of the first skin; and curing an adhesive to create a bond between the first skin, the honeycomb core, and the second skin to form a composite skin.

A stiffening element comprises a tension and compression member, a shear member, an attachment member, and a plurality of beads. The tension and compression member is positioned spaced apart from the skin and configured to bear tension or compression forces that stiffen the skin and prevent the skin from buckling or bending. The shear member is connected to the tension and compression member and configured to bear shear forces between the skin and the tension and compression member. The attachment member is connected to the shear member and is configured to connect to the skin. The beads each create out-of-plane feature that is positioned in at least one of the shear member and the attachment member. The beads permit the stiffening element be reshaped to adjust a longitudinal curvature of the stiffening element.

A stiffening element comprises a tension and compression member, a shear member, an attachment member, and a plurality of beads. The tension and compression member is positioned spaced apart from the skin and configured to bear tension or compression forces that stiffen the skin and prevent the skin from buckling or bending. The shear member is connected to the tension and compression member and configured to bear shear forces between the skin and the tension and compression member. The attachment member is connected to the shear member and is configured to connect to the skin. The beads each create out-of-plane feature that is positioned in at least one of the shear member and the attachment member. The beads permit the stiffening element be reshaped to adjust a longitudinal curvature of the stiffening element.

A propulsion assembly for a rotorcraft includes a raceway having a tapered inner surface and a mast configured to receive the raceway at a raceway receiving station. The mast has a tapered outer surface at the raceway receiving station. The propulsion assembly includes a mast bearing assembly having a plurality of bearings facing the mast to engage the raceway. The tapered inner surface of the raceway is friction welded to the tapered outer surface of the mast at the raceway receiving station to form a tapered friction weld line.

A propulsion assembly for a rotorcraft includes a raceway having a tapered inner surface and a mast configured to receive the raceway at a raceway receiving station. The mast has a tapered outer surface at the raceway receiving station. The propulsion assembly includes a mast bearing assembly having a plurality of bearings facing the mast to engage the raceway. The tapered inner surface of the raceway is friction welded to the tapered outer surface of the mast at the raceway receiving station to form a tapered friction weld line.

The disclosure relates to a processing installation for aircraft structural components having a processing station comprising a clamping frame for receiving the structural component, wherein the clamping frame extends along a station longitudinal axis which extends in a longitudinal direction and a processing unit which has an upper tool unit having an upper tool and a lower tool unit, wherein the processing installation has a processing region which is formed by a laterally delimited, first spatial portion in which the clamping frame and the processing unit are arranged during processing, wherein the processing installation has a service region for carrying out service operations, wherein the first spatial portion is separated from the second spatial portion in a transverse direction, wherein a service platform is arranged in the service region and can be positioned in a service plane which is orthogonal to the vertical direction.

The disclosure relates to a processing installation for aircraft structural components having a processing station comprising a clamping frame for receiving the structural component, wherein the clamping frame extends along a station longitudinal axis which extends in a longitudinal direction and a processing unit which has an upper tool unit having an upper tool and a lower tool unit, wherein the processing installation has a processing region which is formed by a laterally delimited, first spatial portion in which the clamping frame and the processing unit are arranged during processing, wherein the processing installation has a service region for carrying out service operations, wherein the first spatial portion is separated from the second spatial portion in a transverse direction, wherein a service platform is arranged in the service region and can be positioned in a service plane which is orthogonal to the vertical direction.

Provided are systems and apparatuses for manufacturing aircraft support structures. An example robotic end effector comprises a rotatable reel with a flat strip of material wound around the reel. The end effector further includes a forming shoe including a forming surface contacting the strip of material. A first end of the forming surface corresponds to a start shape and a second end of the forming surface corresponds to an end shape. As the strip of material passes from the first end of the forming surface to the second end of the forming surface, the strip of material transitions from the first shape to the end shape and is deposited as a formed stringer ply onto an application surface. The forming shoe may further include a vacuum system to suction air through a plurality of ports along the forming surface to urge the strip of material against the forming surface.