Part to part indexing for assembly of stowage bins -- an overview

摘要

Most commercial aircraft interior stowage bins are assembled using jigs. These assembly jigs are built to strict tolerances to ensure that the assemblies created in them will perform properly. Over the past decade, commercial aircraft structuresassembly has been in transition from a method of assembly jig location to a method of part to part indexing. This is referred to as Determinant Assembly (DA). DA is now being investigated for accurate location of composite sandwich panels and metalattachments for commercial aircraft interiors.A background on Determinant Assembly as it has developed in structures is introduced. Several methods of coordinating composite sandwich panels to metal parts are discussed. Data that substantiates the use of these methods to maintain the proscribedtolerances is presented graphically. The results of building prototype parts using these techniques are presented. The process capability for DA assembled stowage bins is predicted using Variation Simulation Analysis.