The description relates to a joining head for fastening a fastening element by a die to the surface of a component with a gripper that can be linearly displaced in a first displacement direction R.sub.G and a magazine that can be linearly displaced in a second displacement direction R.sub.M. The magazine contains a plurality of fastening elements, with the first displacement direction R.sub.G running transversely to the second displacement direction R.sub.M.

A method and apparatus for welding a first component to a second component. A scanning head is positionally calibrated within a localised work envelope including the components, the positional calibration being referenced to at least one datum feature within the work envelope. Profiles of the components are scanned within the localised work envelope using the calibrated scanning head. A cloud point data image of defined coordinate positions of surfaces and edges to be welded within a space envelope is generated from the scanned profiles. A robotic welding torch electrode tip is scanned using the calibrated scanning head to determine a defined coordinate position of the electrode tip within the space envelope. The components are welded using the torch, the torch controlled using the cloud point data image and the defined coordinate position such that the electrode tip is held at pre-determined stand-off positions around the components during the welding.

A vehicle body assembling apparatus includes a lower jig, an upper jig movable by an arm of a robot, and a joining device. The joining device performs joining operations for lower component parts (e.g., a temporary assembly of a rear floor frame) transported by the upper jig and positioned by the lower jig, upper component parts (e.g., a temporary assembly of a rear floor panel) held by the upper jig, and a temporary assembly of a vertical assembly (e.g., rear floor component) formed by overlapping the upper assembly with the lower assembly, above the lower jig at different timings.

A system is provided including a first elongated object proximate a first surface on a first side of a structure and a second elongated object proximate a second surface on a second side of the structure, the second surface and the second side opposite the structure relative to the first surface and the first side, the first object aligned with the second object at a first point on the first surface. The system also includes a first plurality of corner cubes affixed to the first object at first known distances from each other and from the first point, wherein the first object abuts the first surface at the first point. The system also includes a second plurality of corner cubes affixed to the second object at second known distances from each other and from the first point, wherein the second object abuts second surface at second point opposite first point.

A component manufacturing method includes a step in which a robot for attachment gripping a long frame presses the frame against a tabular skin and a step in which, in a state in which the frame is pressed against the skin, a robot for riveting gripping a first rivet inserts the first rivet into a first through-hole formed in the skin and a second through-hole formed in the frame. In the step, the robot for riveting changes a position in the gripped first rivet in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the first rivet according to a force received by the first rivet from the skin or the frame.

A method and 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 for joining two components is disclosed. In an embodiment of the method, a joining element is inserted into the two components, and during the joining process, at least one parameter quantifying the joining process is determined. The joining element is inserted by a robot and the at least one parameter quantifying the joining process is determined by the robot. A device for joining two components is also disclosed.

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 attachment for an end effector. The attachment may include a clamp and a foot adhesively bonded to an edge of the clamp and having a set of interlocking features that form a mechanical interlock with the clamp.

A component mounting system for mounting a component to a frame member by a fastener, and includes: a machining apparatus configured to machine a hole in each of the frame member and the component along a machining axis and fasten the frame member and the component together by the fastener; a positioning unit configured to perform positioning of a mounting position present on the frame member relative to the machining axis; a robot configured to transfer the component to the mounting position present on the frame member; and a detector including a camera and a sensor, the camera being provided on the machining axis and configured to capture an image of the component transferred to the mounting position, the sensor being configured to detect a tilt of the component transferred to the mounting position.