Automated fixture layout is approached in two distinct stages. First, the spatial locations of clamping points on the work piece are determined to ensure immobility of the fixtured part under any infinitesimal perturbation. Second, spatial locations are matched against a user-specified library of reconfigurable clamps to synthesize a valid fixture layout or configuration that includes clamps that are accessible and collision free. The spatial locations matching during the second stage can be the same spatial locations chosen in the first stage to ensure immobility, or a different set of spatial locations.

The automatic support device generation method includes: receiving a virtual part; determining a retention direction for the virtual part; determining a retention rotation for the virtual part; and constructing a support device based on the part, the retention rotation, and the retention direction.

The automatic support device generation method includes: receiving a virtual part; determining a retention direction for the virtual part; determining a retention rotation for the virtual part; and constructing a support device based on the part, the retention rotation, and the retention direction.

Disclosed is a method of producing an assembly tool for assembling a first system comprising one or more components. The method comprises: for each component, determining, when the first system is attached to a second system, a position and orientation of that component relative to the second system and positions and orientations relative to the second system at which that component is to be supported; providing a frame; attaching, to the frame, a reference structure; providing a plurality of pickup devices each having a receiving element for receiving a component; and securing each pickup device to the frame such that a position and orientation relative to the reference structure of each receiving element is the same as a position and orientation at which a component is to be supported.

The automatic support device generation method includes: receiving a virtual part; determining a retention direction for the virtual part; determining a retention rotation for the virtual part; and constructing a support device based on the part, the retention rotation, and the retention direction.

A method of designing (300) an optimised component (100) for a load-bearing application comprises the steps of: analysing (302) a solid component (200) having an external shape to determine a stress distribution in the solid component (200) in response to an applied load; and defining (304), based upon the determined stress distribution in the solid component (200), a structure for an optimised component (100) comprising an outer skin layer (108) and an internal filament structure (110). The outer skin layer (108) forms an external shape substantially identical to the external shape of the solid component (200) and the internal filament structure (110) is enclosed by the outer skin layer (108), such that the optimised component (100) is configured to bear the applied load.

The automatic support device generation method includes: receiving a virtual part; determining a retention direction for the virtual part; determining a retention rotation for the virtual part; and constructing a support device based on the part, the retention rotation, and the retention direction.

Automated fixture layout is approached in two distinct stages. First, the spatial locations of clamping points on the work piece are determined to ensure immobility of the fixtured part under any infinitesimal perturbation. Second, spatial locations are matched against a user-specified library of reconfigurable clamps to synthesize a valid fixture layout or configuration that includes clamps that are accessible and collision free. The spatial locations matching during the second stage can be the same spatial locations chosen in the first stage to ensure immobility, or a different set of spatial locations.

Automated fixture layout is approached in two distinct stages. First, the spatial locations of clamping points on the work piece are determined to ensure immobility of the fixtured part under any infinitesimal perturbation. Second, spatial locations are matched against a user-specified library of reconfigurable clamps to synthesize a valid fixture layout or configuration that includes clamps that are accessible and collision free. The spatial locations matching during the second stage can be the same spatial locations chosen in the first stage to ensure immobility, or a different set of spatial locations.

An assembly process for assembling at least part of an aircraft airframe, the assembly process comprising: providing a first assembly including a first part of the airframe and a first reference structure attached thereto; providing a second assembly including a second part of the aircraft airframe and a second reference structure attached thereto; receiving, by a first receptacle, the first reference structure; receiving, by a second receptacle, the second reference structure; moving, by an actuation device, the receptacles into a predetermined configuration, thereby moving the first part of the aircraft airframe and the second part of the aircraft airframe into a predetermined configuration; and performing an assembly operation on the airframe parts to fixedly attach together the first part of the aircraft airframe and the second part of the aircraft airframe, thereby producing the part of the aircraft airframe.