Disclosed herein is a system for lifting an object. The system comprises a first floor, a second floor, and an object rack supported on the second floor. The system further comprises an object advance apparatus coupled with the object rack. The object advance apparatus is configured to advance one object from the plurality of objects from an advancing position to a lifting position. The system additionally comprises a lifting cylinder that is configured to extend from a retracted position below the lifting position to an extended position above the first floor, such that the one object in the lifting position is removed from the object rack and lifted adjacent to the assembling body. The system also comprises a floor flap configured to open and close in synchronization with the extension and retraction of the lifting cylinder.

A shock strut servicing assistance system may comprise a controller including a display, and a tangible, non-transitory memory configured to communicate with the controller. The tangible, non-transitory memory may have instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the controller, cause the controller to perform operations comprising calculating, by the controller, a first fluid level, generating, by the controller, a first datum corresponding to the first fluid level, receiving, by the shock strut, a fluid in response to the first datum, calculating, by the controller, a second fluid level, generating, by the controller, a second datum, and storing, by the controller, a final fluid level.

A shock strut servicing assistance system may comprise a controller including a display, and a tangible, non-transitory memory configured to communicate with the controller. The tangible, non-transitory memory may have instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the controller, cause the controller to perform operations comprising calculating, by the controller, a first fluid level, generating, by the controller, a first datum corresponding to the first fluid level, receiving, by the shock strut, a fluid in response to the first datum, calculating, by the controller, a second fluid level, generating, by the controller, a second datum, and storing, by the controller, a final fluid level.

Described herein are flexible truss systems and methods of transferring flexible composite parts using these systems. A flexible truss system comprises a flexible truss mechanism and composite pick-and-place mechanisms supported on the flexible truss mechanism and designed to attach to various composite parts. The flexible truss mechanism comprises flexible elongated members and slidable ribs coupled to each flexible elongated member. Specifically, each rib is slidably coupled to at least one flexible elongated member. In some examples, each rib is also fixedly coupled to another flexible elongated member. The slidable coupling allows the flexible truss mechanism to bend and follow the shape of a supported part, such that the composite pick-and-place mechanisms are able to contact and support different areas of the composite part. As such, the same flexible truss mechanism is able to support flexible composite parts having different shapes.

Described herein are flexible truss systems and methods of transferring flexible composite parts using these systems. A flexible truss system comprises a flexible truss mechanism and composite pick-and-place mechanisms supported on the flexible truss mechanism and designed to attach to various composite parts. The flexible truss mechanism comprises flexible elongated members and slidable ribs coupled to each flexible elongated member. Specifically, each rib is slidably coupled to at least one flexible elongated member. In some examples, each rib is also fixedly coupled to another flexible elongated member. The slidable coupling allows the flexible truss mechanism to bend and follow the shape of a supported part, such that the composite pick-and-place mechanisms are able to contact and support different areas of the composite part. As such, the same flexible truss mechanism is able to support flexible composite parts having different shapes.

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.).

An aircraft engine repair tool for installing and/or removing a mid turbine frame from a gas turbine engine is provided. The tool includes a stabilizer configured to support a shaft via a load path different from a load path provided by the mid turbine frame rotatably supporting the shaft about a rotation axis. The tool includes a holder attachable to the mid turbine frame, and a guide movably engageable with the shaft and attachable to the holder. The guide guides movement of the holder and of the mid turbine frame relative to the shaft along the rotation axis, and prevents movement of the holder and the mid turbine frame relative to the shaft transverse to the rotation axis when the mid turbine frame is released from the support structure and attached to the holder, and when the holder is attached to the guide.

A method for manufacturing a structure includes sensing activity in a workstation with at least one sensor. The method further includes transporting the structure to the workstation, engaging a telescoping platform with the structure, and releasing an access barrier after the engaging.

A method for transporting a workpiece from an initial work cell to a subsequent work cell in a manufacturing environment having a plurality of work cells, the workpiece is supported by a support beam. The method includes monitoring the initial work cell for presence of a ready-to-move condition and monitoring the subsequent work cell for presence of a ready-to-receive condition. When both the ready-to-move condition and the ready-to-receive condition are present, the method includes interfacing the support beam with a gantry and, after the interfacing, moving the support beam with the gantry from the initial work cell to the subsequent work cell.

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.