CA2527258A1 - Method and device for manufacturing sections for transportation means, particularly for aircraft - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for manufacturing sections 19 to 27 for transportation means, particularly for aircraft, that are composed of several individual components 18 with a plurality of workstations 1 to 6.
According to an embodiment of the invention, each workstation 1 to 6 is essentially designed for carrying out one of at least three manufacturing steps, and sections 19 to 27 can be processed in each workstation 1 to 6 regardless of their shape and/or size.
This configuration ensures that only one specialized manufacturing step, for example, in the form of assembly and tacking, connecting, finishing or performing follow-up work is respectively carried out in each workstation 1 to 6. This allows a high degree of automation because the sections 19 to 27 are transferred to a downstream workstation 1 to 6 immediately after the completion of the respective manufacturing step in order to carry out the next manufacturing step. The workstations 1 to 6 also make it possible to largely process the sections 19 to 27 regardless of their shape and/or size.
The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing sections 19 to 27 for transportation means, particularly for aircraft, by assembling several individual components 18 in a plurality of workstations 1 to 6.
According to an embodiment of the invention, one of at least three manufacturing steps is carried out in each workstation 1 to 6 and the respective sections 19 to 27 can be processed in each workstation 1 to 6 regardless of their shape and/or size.

Description

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MANUFACTURING SECTIONS FOR
TRANSPORTATION MEANS. PARTICULARLY FOR AIRCRAFT
This application claims the benefit of the filing date of German Patent Application No. 10 2004 056 287.3 filed November 22, 2004, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Field of the invention The invention relates to a device for manufacturing sections for transportation means, particularly for aircraft, that are composed of several individual components with a series of workstations.
The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing sections for transportation means, particularly for aircraft, by assembling several individual components in a series of workstations.
Technological Background Various devices and methods for manufacturing sections for aircraft are known associated with the increasing popularity of sectional construction techniques.
In known devices and methods, a section remains in one and the same workstation until it is nearly completed. This principle is only economically feasible if the sections are predominantly assembled manually. In highly automated manufacturing processes, it is common practice, for example, to utilize riveting robots for connecting individual components, particularly fuselage shells and floor frames, into complete sections. In such instances, is not efficient for the completely assembled section to remain in the same workstation for follow-up work because the very costly equipment cannot be used for extended periods of time while this possibly time-consuming follow-up work is performed.
Until now, only sections with specifically defined lengths and/or cross-sectional geometries could be processed in conventional workstations of this type. For example, known devices and methods currently do not make it possible to manufacture sections for different versions of the same type of aircraft or sections for completely different types of aircraft in one and the same workstation and with the same tools. Up to now, the assembly of sections for different types of aircraft and/or different versions of the same type of aircraft, for example, in the form of short-range and long-range versions, requires specially designed workstations as well as individually adapted tools. Each workstation needs to be individually adapted to the section to be manufactured. In other words, sections for different types of aircraft and/or for different versions of the same type of aircraft cannot be manufactured in the same workstation with known devices and methods.
Therefore, known methods and devices are only conditionally suitable for the efficient assembly of aircraft fuselage sections by means of modern, highly automated manufacturing methods.
Summary of the Invention According to an exemplary embodiment, a device for manufacturing sections for transportation means, particularly for aircraft, is provided, which sections are composed of several individual components, the device comprising a plurality of workstations, wherein each workstation is essentially designed for carrying out one of at least three manufacturing steps, and wherein in each workstation sections can be processed regardless of their shape and/or size.
According to another exemplary embodiment, a method for manufacturing sections for transportation means, particularly for aircraft, is provided, the method comprising assembling several individual components in a plurality of workstations, wherein in each workstation essentially one of at least three manufacturing steps is carried out, and in each workstation sections are processed regardless of their shape and/or size.
According to an exemplary embodiment, a device and a method are provided that also allow an efficient capacity utilization of the production workstations even if the sections for aircraft fuselage cells are manufactured in a highly automated fashion. In addition, a device and a method are made available that also make it possible to manufacture sections of different sizes, particularly different lengths and/or different cross-sectional dimensions and/or cross-sectional geometries, in one and the same production workstation even in case of a high level of automation.
A superior capacity utilization of each individual workstation may also be achieved in highly automated manufacturing methods because each workstation is essentially designed for carrying out one of at least three manufacturing steps and the respective sections can be processed in each workstation regardless of their shape and/or size.
Since manufacture of practically any size is possible, it may be also possible to assemble sections for different types of aircraft and for different versions of the same type of aircraft, for example, in the form of short-range and long-range versions, in the same workstation or in the same arrangement of workstations such that the required production means may be reduced.
According to one exemplary embodiment of the device, it is possible, in particular, to process sections of different lengths and/or cross-sectional dimensions in the respective workstations.
This may improve the flexibility of the device with respect to the assembly of diverse sections for different types of aircraft and for different versions of the same type of aircraft.

In another exemplary embodiment of the device, the workstations are at least partially provided with handling or manipulator systems, particularly robots, automatic positioning devices and/or manual processing devices.
This may result in an improved productivity of the entire manufacturing system.
At least one buffer facility is provided in another exemplary embodiment of the device.
The buffer facility may make it possible to compensate work flow fluctuations in the respective workstations.
Other exemplary embodiments of the device are defined in the ensuing dependent claims of the device.
An improved or optimal capacity utilization of the individual workstations may be achieved in that one of at least three manufacturing steps can be carned out in each workstation and sections of essentially any shape and/or size can be processed in each workstation. This may be particularly important if the manufacturing methods are highly automated. The ability to manufacture sections of essentially any shape and/or size also makes it possible to assemble sections for different types of aircraft and for different versions of the same type of aircraft, for example, long-range and short-range versions, such that fewer resources may be required.
In another exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention, the individual components are assembled into transportable sections and tacked together in at least one workstation that is provided with an assembly and tacking apparatus in a first manufacturing step, wherein the individual components of the thusly formed sections are connected to one another in at least one workstation that is provided with a connecting apparatus in a second manufacturing step, and wherein the sections are finished and/or follow-up work is performed on the sections in a least one workstation that is provided with a finishing apparatus in a third manufacturing step.

In this manufacturing sequence according to an embodiment of the invention, only one specific step is respectively carned out in each workstation such that a superior capacity utilization of the respective workstations may be achieved. This is particularly important if the respective workstations operate in a highly automated fashion. After the respective manufacturing step is completed, the section is transferred from the workstation in question to the next workstation.
In another exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention, the residence times of the sections in the workstations are varied in dependence on the amount of work to be performed, particularly in dependence on the lengths and/or the cross-sectional dimensions of the respective sections.
This means that each section only remains in a workstation until the manufacturing steps to be carried out are completed. Sections of larger dimensions typically remain in a workstation longer than sections of smaller dimensions. Consequently, the sections are not transferred between the respective workstations in fixed cycles.
In another exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention, the sections are transferred between the workstations via at least one buffer facility.
This embodiment may make it possible to compensate fluctuations in the work flow in the individual workstations, so that it may be made possible that neither workstation has to wait for the completion of a section in the preceding workstation.
According to another exemplary embodiment of this method, the sections bypass at least one buffer facility during their transfer between workstations.
This may prevent unnecessary time delays if an intermediate storage is not required.
In another exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention, the sections are transferred between the workstations and/or between the workstations and at least one buffer facility by means of at least one transport device, particularly an automatically and/or manually controlled transport vehicle.
This embodiment may make it possible to carry out the method in a fully automated fashion without human intervention and/or in an at least partially manual fashion.
Other exemplary embodiments of the method are defined in the ensuing dependent claims of the method.
In the enclosed figures, Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the device according to the invention for manufacturing sections of aircraft that are composed of several individual components regardless of their shape and/or size.
Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments Figure 1 shows one exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention.
The device comprises, among other things, the workstations 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. The device also comprises an arrival repository 7, a departure repository 8 and two buffer facilities 9 and 10. The workstations 1 to 6 as well as the arnval repository 7, the departure repository 8 and the buffer facilities 9, 10 are connected to one another by a transport device 11. In the embodiment shown, the transport device 11 comprises, among other things, four transport vehicles 12, 13, 14, 15 that essentially serve for transporting the sections lying thereon. Additional transport vehicles are provided and not illustrated in Figure 1 in order to provide a better overview. For example, these additional transport vehicles and the sections lying thereon are situated in the workstations 1 to 6, the buffer facilities 9, 10 or the departure repository 8.

A control and/or regulating unit 16 is provided for controlling all above-described components. The control and/or regulating unit 16 may be, for example, a complex electronic computing system, particularly a process computing system.
The transport vehicles 12, 13, 14, 15 and, if applicable, the sections lying thereon move along a guidance system 17 that may be realized, for example, in the form of a rail system. The guidance system 17 may also comprise contactless guide elements, for example, induction loops or laser-based control means. The transport vehicles 12, 13, 14, 15 can be moved along guidance system 17 in the direction indicated by the black double arrows. Alternatively, it is also possible to control the movement of the transport vehicles 12, 13, 14, 15 without a mechanical guidance system 17, for example, with the aid of a GPS system or the like. The movement of the transport vehicles 12, 13, 14, 1 S may be realized, for example, with wheels, rolls, rollers, chains, rail wheels or the like, wherein the transport vehicles are preferably realized in the form of underfloor vehicles. Alternatively, the transport vehicles 12, 13 , 14, 15 may also be moved on the ground in a contactless fashion, for example, with the aid of air cushions, magnetic fields or the like. The guidance system 17 also contains a plurality of junctions that are not illustrated in detail in Figure 1 and serve for transfernng the transport vehicles 12, 13, 14, 15 between the workstations 1 to 6, the buffer facilities 9, 10, the arrival repository 7 and the departure repository 8 under the control of the control and/or regulating unit.
A variety of individual components 18 required for the assembly of the sections 19 to 27 are intermediately stored in the arrival repository 7. The individual components 18 are, for example, left lateral shells 28, right lateral shells 29, bottom shells 30, top shells 31, as well as floor frames 32. The assembly of the sections 19 to 27 from left lateral shells 28, right lateral shells 29, bottom shells 30, top shells 31 and floor frames 32 is also referred to as a "four shell design". Alternatively, the device according to the invention and the method according to the invention may also be utilized for assembling sections from so-called upper and lower half shells.
In this case, the upper and lower half shells are already provided with the floor frame. This design with lower and upper half shells is also referred to as a "half shell design". A
_7_ corresponding number of upper and lower half shells also need to be stored in the arrival repository 7 in this case. The sections 19 to 27 can be assembled in accordance with the four shell design as well as the half shell design in each of the workstations 1 to 6 of the device according to the invention.
The workstations 1 and 2 respectively contain an assembly and tacking apparatus 33, 34. The individual components 18 are positioned in the assembly and tacking apparatuses 33, 34 such that the exemplary sections 19, 20 are formed. For example, the individual components 18 of a symbolically illustrated section 19 are currently positioned in the workstation 1 as described above. The symbolically illustrated section 20 in the workstation 2 is already assembled or assembled and tacked, respectively.
The individual components 18 are positioned relative to one another in the assembly and tacking apparatuses 33, 34 by means of not-shown automatic positioning devices and then minimally tacked together, however, such that the partially tacked section can be transported without being distorted. The positioning devices are controlled by the control and/or regulating unit 16 in this case.
The assembly and tacking apparatuses 33, 34 respectively comprise at least one tacking apparatus that is not illustrated in detail in Figure 1 and serves for manually and/or automatically tacking together the individual components 18. The tacking of the individual components 18 may be realized, for example, by means of riveting, bonding, welding, particularly friction twist welding, clamping, pressing or the like.
The sections 19, 20 are moved out of the assembly and tacking apparatuses 33, immediately after the tacking process is completed.
The sections 19, 20 remain in the workstations 1, 2 after the assembly and tacking process is completed, wherein said sections remain on the respectively assigned transport vehicle, for example, one of the transport vehicles 12-15, during the entire manufacturing process.
_g_ A workstation 3 contains at least one connecting apparatus 35. A section 21 on which the connections are finished is shown in the connecting apparatus 35. The individual connecting points of the section 21 are symbolized by small circular thickenings on the periphery that are not identified in more detail in order to provide a better overview. The individual components 18 of the section 21 are definitively and rigidly connected to one another in the connecting apparatus 35 with the aid of not-shown connecting means. The connecting means may be, for example, automatic handling or manipulator systems, particularly robots with articulated arms or conventional track-guided and at least partially automated manipulator systems. The connections between the individual components 18 may be produced, for example, by means of riveting, bonding, welding, particularly friction twist welding, clamping or the like. A
section remains in the connecting apparatus 35 for the shortest time possible in order to achieve a superior capacity utilization.
The respective workstations 4, S, 6 also comprise a finishing apparatus 36, 37, 38.
The sections 22, 23, 24 are adapted in accordance with specific customer requirements in the finishing apparatuses 36, 37, 38. Customer-specific adaptations are, for example, the installation of mounting elements for seats, on-board kitchens, sanitary installations and the like.
The finishing apparatuses 36, 37, 38 also serve for performing follow-up work.
This follow-up work may be, for example, processes that could not be finished or not completely finished in the preceding workstations 1, 2, 3.
The transport between the assembly and tacking apparatuses 33, 34, the connecting apparatus 35, the buffer facilities 9, 10 and the finishing apparatuses 36, 37, 38 is realized, for example, with the aid of the transport vehicles 12 to 15 that move on the guidance system 17 under the control of the control and/ or regulating unit 16. The number of transport vehicles 12 to 15 approximately corresponds, in principle, to the number of sections being processed in the device according to the invention.
Additional transport vehicles are required when sections need to be placed on stand-by in the buffer facilities 9, 10 and in the departure repository 8.

The constructive expenditures for realizing the device can be reduced if the transport vehicles 12 to 1 S are realized in the form of two-part vehicles. In this case, a transport vehicle 12 to 15 comprises, among other things, an undercarnage that is not illustrated in greater detail and serves for moving the transport vehicle along the guidance system 17. A positioning frame arranged on the undercarriage is also not illustrated in greater detail in the figure and can, if so required, be removed from the undercarnage and parked. This positioning frame accommodates a section during its transport and can be used for parking and/or positioning a section within a workstation 1 to 6.
During the operation of the device, a transport vehicle composed of an undercarriage and a positioning frame arranged thereon transports a section lying on the positioning frame into one of the workstations 1 to 6 and parks the positioning frame together with the section lying thereon. Before the processing of the section begins, the positioning frame needs to be precisely aligned relative to the workstation 1 to 6 by means of positioning elements that are arranged on the positioning frame and not illustrated in greater detail.
After the positioning frame is parked, the undercarnage can immediately depart the workstation and receive another positioning frame with a new section to be transported into or out of another workstation 1 to 6.
The separation of the transport function of the transport vehicles 12 to 15 from the parking and positioning function of the positioning frame provides the decisive advantage that only a positioning frame is required for each section rather than a complete transport vehicle. Consequently, it is possible to operate the device with a significantly smaller number of undercarriages, ideally with only one undercarnage.
The preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention also comprises two buffer facilities 9, 10. The buffer facilities 9, 10 serve for the brief intermediate storage of sections in case a workstation 1 to 6 is not yet ready to receive a section that has undergone a proceeding manufacturing step. Such instances may occur, for example, if the connecting apparatus 35 requires more time than expected for producing the final connections between the components of a section. The transport vehicles normally pass by buffer facilities 9, 10 on bridgings 39, 40.
In addition, the device comprises a departure repository 8 for receiving several sections 25, 26, 27. The departure repository 8 makes it possible to place a certain number of sections on stand-by for subsequent manufacturing steps. This means that downstream or subsequent manufacturing stations can continue to operate in case the manufacturing process in the device according to the invention comes to standstill due to a defect.
According to the invention, the individual components of the sections 19 to 27 are only correctly positioned and tacked together in the assembly and tacking apparatuses 33, 34, and the connecting apparatus 35 only produces the final connection between the individual components of the sections 19 to 27. A very high productivity of the entire device is achieved due to the high level of specialization in the individual workstations 1 to 6, particularly in connection with the high level of automation in the workstations 1 to 3.
The sections 19 to 27 are essentially adapted to specific customer requirements in the three finishing apparatuses 36, 37, 38, wherein most of these adaptations are still performed manually and therefore quite time-consuming. Possibly required follow-up work can also be performed in the finishing apparatuses 36, 37, 38. The assembly and tacking apparatuses 33, 34 as well as the connecting apparatus 35 are usually realized with a comparatively high level of automation such that the residence times of the sections in these workstations 1 to 3 can be shortened in order to ensure a sufficient capacity utilization. This is also reflected in the quantitative ratio between the two assembly and tacking apparatuses 33, 34, the connecting apparatus 35 and the three finishing apparatuses 36, 37, 38. The specialization of the manufacturing steps carried out in the workstations 1 to 6 forms the foundation for the use of highly automated manufacturing processes in the construction of aircraft sections. However, it would also be possible to choose different quantitative ratios.

According to the invention, the assembly and tacking apparatuses 33, 34, the connecting apparatus 35 and the finishing apparatuses 36, 37, 38 are also realized in such a way that sections of different shapes and/or sizes can be processed.
For example, sections for different types of aircraft and for different versions of the same type of aircraft that can have a significantly varying cross-sectional dimensions and/or cross-sectional geometries can be very flexibly manufactured in the workstations 1 to 6. In this case, sections with significantly varying cross-sectional geometries may have maximum cross-sectional dimensions between approximately 2 and 14 metres.
The high manufacturing flexibility is primarily achieved due to the utilization of automated manipulator systems, particularly industrial robots, robots with articulated arms or at least partially automated track-guided manipulator systems. These manipulator systems in connection with the specialization of the workstations allow a significant variability with respect to sections of different sizes and/or and geometric shapes.
The control and/or regulating unit 16 serves for controlling and monitoring all processes being carned out in the device according to the invention. For this purpose, the control and/or regulating unit is connected to the arnval repository 7, the departure repository 8, the buffer facilities 9, 10, the workstations 1 to 6 as well as the transport system 11 and its transport vehicles 12 to 15 via control lines and measuring lines that are not illustrated in greater detail in Figure 1.
In the method according to the invention, the individual components 18 required for manufacturing a section are initially removed from the arrival repository 7 and then transported to one of the two assembly and tacking apparatuses 33, 34. It would also be possible to bypass the arrival and departure repositories 7, 8 and to directly deliver the individual components 18 to the respective workstation.
The method according to the invention is described below in an exemplary fashion with reference to the section 19. For example, a bottom shelf 41 for the assembly of the section 19 is initially loaded on one of transport vehicles 12 to 15, positioned, and placed into the assembly and tacking apparatus 33. In Figure 1, the transport vehicle 12 is no longer illustrated in the region of the workstation 1 in order to provide a better overview. If the transport vehicle 12 is formed of two parts, the positioning frame is separated from the undercarriage and then precisely positioned and/or aligned in the assembly and tacking apparatus 33. All of the individual components 18 to be assembled are aligned relative to the bottom shell 41. The positioning frame with the bottom shell 41 lying thereon remains in the assembly and tacking apparatus 33 until this particular manufacturing step is completed. However, the undercarriage can depart the station in order to transport other individual components 18 or another section 19-27. For the remainder of the manufacturing process, the section 19 remains on the assigned transport vehicle and/or, when using two-part transport vehicles, on the assigned positioning frame.
Subsequently, a left lateral shell 42, a right lateral shell 43, a top shell 44 and a floor frame 45 are removed from the arrival repository 7 by means of not-shown devices and transported to the assembly and tacking apparatus 33. In the assembly and tacking apparatus 33, these individual components are then exactly aligned and positioned relative to one another by means of not-shown devices. The respective positions of the individual components are determined, for example, with the aid of a not-shown measuring device that is connected to the control and/or regulating unit 16.
Based on the position values acquired by the measuring device, the control and/or regulating unit 16 is able to correspondingly position not-shown positioning elements for aligning the individual components relative to one another in accordance with a pre-stored simulation model. Although the entire process essentially takes place in a fully automated fashion, it is possible to intervene manually, if so required. The bottom shell 41, the left lateral shell 42, the right lateral shell 43, the top shell 44 and the floor frame 45 are then tacked together in an essentially fully automated fashion by means of not-shown devices. In this context, it is be possible, for example, to use automated manipulator systems, particularly robots with articulated arms or at least partially automated track-guided manipulator systems equipped with corresponding tools.

The individual components can be tacked together with suitable tools, for example, by means of riveting, bonding, welding, particularly friction twist welding, clamping, pressing or the like. However, according to an embodiment of the invention, a section 19 is only tacked together to such a degree that it can be transported by means of the transport vehicle 12 and a deformation of the section due to its own weight is prevented. This low level of tacking ensures that the section 19 is able to depart the assembly and tacking apparatus 33 after a short period of time.
The section 19 situated on the assigned transport vehicle 12 is then transported into the connecting apparatus 35. The individual components are definitively and rigidly connected into a section 19 in the connecting apparatus 35. For this purpose, the connecting apparatus 35 is provided with not-shown automated manipulator systems, particularly standard industrial robots, robots with articulated arms or automated track-guided manipulator systems equipped with corresponding tools. The final connections between the individual components of the section 19 are produced, for example, by means of riveting, bonding, welding, particularly friction twist welding, clamping, pressing or the like. The connections between the individual components of the section 19 are also largely produced in a fully automated fashion under the control of the control and/or regulating unit 16. Due to the high level of automation of the connecting apparatus 35, the residence times of the sections in this station should be particularly short in order to ensure a proper capacity utilization of the connecting apparatus 35.
The definitively and rigidly connected section 19 is now transported out of the connecting apparatus 35 by means of the transport vehicle 12 and transferred into one of the three finishing apparatuses 36 to 38. For example, the section 19 is adapted, among other things, to specific customer requirements and/or follow-up work is performed in the finishing apparatus 36. Due to the broad variety of manufacturing steps to be performed in this station, the level of automation is comparatively low, i.e., most work is performed manually. This means that the residence time of a section is longer in the finishing apparatuses 36-38 than in all other stations.
Consequently, three finishing apparatuses 36, 37, 38 are provided in this embodiment for accommodating the sections that have undergone the corresponding manufacturing steps in the two assembly and tacking apparatuses 33, 34 and the connecting apparatus 35, respectively.
If so required, the sections can also be intermediately stored in the buffer facilities 9, 10, so that the sections are not directly transported to the respectively following workstation 1 to 6 in this case. Such instances occur, for example, when one of the workstations 1 to 6 is not yet ready to receive a section and no second equivalent workstation 1 to 6 is available.
After the processing in one of the three finishing apparatuses 36 to 38, the finished section 19 is transported into the departure repository 8 by means of the transport vehicle 12, and then to other manufacturing sites, if so required.
The manufacturing sequence described above with reference to the section 19 should only be interpreted as one of many conceivable variations. For example, the transport system 11 in connection with the exemplary transport vehicles 12 to 15 shown, the buffer facilities 9, 10, the arrival repository 7 and the departure repository 8 makes it possible to realize a variety of different manufacturing sequences that respectively have specific advantages and disadvantages. In addition, the number of workstations 1 to 6 or the number of assembly and tacking apparatuses 33, 34, the number of connecting apparatuses 35 and the number of finishing apparatuses 36 to 38 can be varied in accordance with the respective requirements.
As mentioned above, the method according to the invention and the device according to the invention make it possible to manufacture sections in accordance with the aforementioned "half shell design" or the aforementioned " four shell design,"
namely regardless of their shapes and sizes.
It should be noted that the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps and the "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Also elements described in association with different embodiments may be combined.

It should also be noted that reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

List of reference numerals 1 Workstation 2 Workstation 3 Workstation 4 Workstation Workstation 6 Workstation 7 Arrival repository 8 Departure repository 9 Buffer facility Buffer facility 11 Transport device 12 Transport vehicle 13 Transport vehicle 14 Transport vehicle 1 Transport vehicle S

16 Control and/or regulating unit 17 Guidance system 18 Individual components 19 Section Section 21 Section 22 Section 23 Section 24 Section Section 26 Section 27 Section 28 Left lateral shell 29 Right lateral shell Bottom shell 31 Top shell 32 Floor frame 33 Joining and tacking apparatus 34 Joining and tacking apparatus 35 Connecting apparatus 36 Finishing apparatus 37 Finishing apparatus 38 Finishing apparatus 39 Bridging 40 Bridging 41 Bottom shell 42 Left lateral shell 43 Right lateral shell 44 Top shell 45 Floor frame

Claims (23)

1. A device for manufacturing sections for transportation means, particularly for aircraft, which sections are composed of several individual components, the device comprising a plurality of workstations, wherein each workstation is essentially designed for carrying out one of at least three manufacturing steps, and wherein in each workstation sections can be processed regardless of their shape and/or size.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein sections of different lengths and/or cross-sectional dimensions can be processed in the workstations.

3. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the workstations at least partially comprise manipulator systems, particularly robots, automatic positioning devices and/or manual processing devices.

4. The device of any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising at least one buffer facility.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the transport of the sections between the workstations as well as between the workstations and the at least one buffer facility is realized by a transport device, particularly by at least one transport vehicle.

6. The device of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least one workstation comprises an assembly and tacking apparatus for assembly and tacking together the individual components of the sections, in order to render the sections transportable with the least degree of tacking possible.

7. The device of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one workstation comprises a connecting apparatus for connecting the individual components for forming a section.

8. The device of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least one workstation comprises a finishing apparatus for finishing the sections, particularly for adapting the sections to individual equipment requirements and/or for performing follow-up work on the sections.

9 The device of any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising at least one arrival repository for accommodating the individual components and comprising at least one departure repository for accommodating finished sections.

10. The device of any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising two assembly and tacking apparatuses, one connecting apparatus and three finishing apparatuses.

11. The device of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the device is provided with a control unit and/or with a regulating unit.

12. A method for manufacturing sections for transportation means, particularly for aircraft, the method comprising assembling several individual components in a plurality of workstations, wherein in each workstation essentially one of at least three manufacturing steps is carried out, and in each workstation sections are processed regardless of their shape and/or size.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the individual components are assembled and tacked together into a transportable state in at least one workstation that comprises an assembly and tacking apparatus in a first manufacturing step, wherein the individual components of the thusly formed sections are connected to one another in at least one workstation that comprises a connecting apparatus in a second manufacturing step, and wherein the sections are finished in at least one workstation that comprises a finishing apparatus in a third manufacturing step in order to adapt the sections to individual equipment requirements and/or to perform follow-up work on the sections.

14. The method of claim 12 or 13, wherein the residence times of the sections in the workstations is varied in dependence on the amount of work to be performed, particularly in dependence on the lengths and/or cross-sectional dimensions of the sections.

15. The method of any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the sections are moved between the workstations via at least one buffer facility.

16. The method of any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the sections are moved between the workstations bypassing at least one buffer facility.

17. The method of any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the sections are transported between the workstations and/or between the workstations and at least one buffer facility by means of at least one transport device, particularly by means of a transport vehicle that is controlled automatically and/or manually.

18. The method of any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein, in at least one assembly and tacking apparatus, the individual components of the sections are essentially assembled and tacked together with the least degree of tacking possible by means of positioning devices, particularly automated manipulator systems and/or robots, in order to minimize the residence time of the sections in the at least one assembly and tacking apparatus.

19. The method of any one of claims 12 to 18, wherein the individual components of the sections are essentially connected to one another by means of automated manipulator systems, particularly robots, in at least one connecting apparatus.

20. The method of any one of claims 12 to 19, wherein the sections are finished by means of automated manipulator systems, particularly robots, and/or manually in at least one finishing apparatus.

21. The method of any one of claims 12 to 20, wherein the individual components are accommodated in at least one arrival repository and finished sections are accommodated in at least one departure repository.

22. The method of any one of claims 12 to 21, wherein two assembly and tacking apparatuses, one connecting apparatus and three finishing apparatuses are provided.

23. The method of any one of claims 12 to 22, wherein all process sequences are controlled by a control and/or regulating unit.