An object is to simplify a structure of a holding fixture which holds the shape of an aircraft panel, and to hold the aircraft panel in an appropriate shape. A holding fixture includes: a plurality of gripping units configured to grip edge portions on two opposite sides of a fuselage panel including a skin; and a support body configured to integrally support the plurality of gripping units, the support body being provided corresponding to the fuselage panel to be gripped by the plurality of gripping units, wherein the plurality of gripping units hold the fuselage panel such that the gripping units grip the edge portions of the fuselage panel, and the fuselage panel has a curved shape in cross section taken in a direction perpendicular to a one axis direction, and the holding fixture is configured to be conveyable in a state of holding the fuselage panel.

A method and apparatus for building an assembly fixture for holding a fuselage assembly. A number of cradle fixtures may be driven across a floor to an assembly area. The number of cradle fixtures may be configured to form the assembly fixture.

A method and apparatus for adjusting an adjustable retaining structure. The adjustable retaining structure may be rotated, passively, about a spherical interface as a panel applies a load to the adjustable retaining structure.

The present invention generally relates to assembly equipment of valve body, especially to riveting and grinding assembly for nozzle of screw shaft valve. The invention may include a rack, a power control box, a turntable and a turntable divider. A carrier assembly which engages with the screw shaft valve body is installed on the edge of the turntable with uniform distribution. On the center part of the turntable, a support shaft which is installed on and fixed with the rack is vertically interposed and on the top of the support shaft, an upper supporting disc is installed. A valve pipe feeding device, a valve pipe preloading device, a valve pipe riveting device and a valve pipe grinding device which engage with the carrier assembly are installed on the said rack on the rotational direction of turntable. As the threaded pipe is put into the carrier assembly by valve pipe feeding device, the carrier assembly rotates counterclockwise along the turntable and rotates to the valve pipe feeding device to the press threaded pipe into the valve seat. Thereafter the carrier assembly rotates the valve pipe riveting device and rivets threaded pipe with a valve flange in order to finish assembling process. Finally, the carrier assembly rotates the valve pipe grinding device to grind nozzle of valve to finish grinding and riveting process of threaded pipe with high positioning accuracy of assembly and marvelous hermetic sealing.

The present invention generally relates to assembly equipment of valve body, especially to riveting and grinding assembly for nozzle of screw shaft valve. The invention may include a rack, a power control box, a turntable and a turntable divider. A carrier assembly which engages with the screw shaft valve body is installed on the edge of the turntable with uniform distribution. On the center part of the turntable, a support shaft which is installed on and fixed with the rack is vertically interposed and on the top of the support shaft, an upper supporting disc is installed. A valve pipe feeding device, a valve pipe preloading device, a valve pipe riveting device and a valve pipe grinding device which engage with the carrier assembly are installed on the said rack on the rotational direction of turntable. As the threaded pipe is put into the carrier assembly by valve pipe feeding device, the carrier assembly rotates counterclockwise along the turntable and rotates to the valve pipe feeding device to the press threaded pipe into the valve seat. Thereafter the carrier assembly rotates the valve pipe riveting device and rivets threaded pipe with a valve flange in order to finish assembling process. Finally, the carrier assembly rotates the valve pipe grinding device to grind nozzle of valve to finish grinding and riveting process of threaded pipe with high positioning accuracy of assembly and marvelous hermetic sealing.

A rivet supply system supplies rivets to a rivet setting tool comprising a punch, an extendable nose arrangement and a die, and comprises at least one rivet delivery track for delivering the rivets to the nose arrangement, at least one rivet transfer device for holding or releasing the rivets received at the rivet-receiving zone, and at least one refillable magazine for storing the rivets in proximity of the setting tool. The magazine comprises a magazine portion of said rivet delivery track, wherein the rivets can be stored within the magazine, or can transit through the magazine to be delivered to the setting tool. The magazine also comprises at least one docking interface for refilling the magazine from for example a bulk feeder. The magazine is in rivet-supply relation with the nose arrangement so that it can supply rivets to the setting tool, and is moveable together with the nose arrangement.

A rivet supply system supplies rivets to a rivet setting tool comprising a punch, an extendable nose arrangement and a die, and comprises at least one rivet delivery track for delivering the rivets to the nose arrangement, at least one rivet transfer device for holding or releasing the rivets received at the rivet-receiving zone, and at least one refillable magazine for storing the rivets in proximity of the setting tool. The magazine comprises a magazine portion of said rivet delivery track, wherein the rivets can be stored within the magazine, or can transit through the magazine to be delivered to the setting tool. The magazine also comprises at least one docking interface for refilling the magazine from for example a bulk feeder. The magazine is in rivet-supply relation with the nose arrangement so that it can supply rivets to the setting tool, and is moveable together with the nose arrangement.

A method for connecting two aircraft components composed of thermoplastic composite material by a rivet. The two aircraft components are arranged, in sections, areally on one another, before bores in the two aircraft components are expanded by a mandrel element such that the bores, after the expansion, form one continuous bore for receiving the rivet. Here, the two aircraft components are locally warmed by the mandrel element such that, during the expansion of the bores, the components are thermoplastically deformed. The mandrel element is inserted through the first bore into the second bore. The rivet is introduced into the continuous bore. A system for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

A method for installing a fastener system. A position on a structure relative to an overhang on the structure is automatically sensed for installing a fastener system in a hole using an offset collar installer. The offset collar installer is moved about a rotation axis to the position such that a collar in the fastener system is held in the position over the hole. The offset collar installer is connected to a platform and rotatable about the rotation axis. The collar is fastened to an engagement feature for a bolt in the hole.

To hold a long member in the original shape of the long member at a precise position, a long member assembling device has: a plurality of hand parts configured to grip a long member; arm parts and trunk parts configured to move the hand parts to adjust the positions of the plurality of hand parts gripping the long member; a storage unit in which the original shape of the long member is stored; and a control unit configured to, on the basis of the original shape of the long member stored in the storage unit, drive the arm parts and the trunk parts to adjust the positions of the plurality of hand parts gripping the long member such that the shape of the long member gripped by the plurality of hand parts matches the original shape of the long member stored in the storage unit.