When two structural components are to be joined, for example,when an aircraft skin section is to be secured to a stringer byan adhesive bonding, it is important that the joining surfaceareas are well-fitted to each other to avoid the formation of airinclusions in the joint because air inclusions weaken themechanical strength of the joint. Thus, a surface topographythat is not smooth or well-fitted must be smoothed out prior tothe joining. For this purpose the surface areas to be joined areoptically scanned to provide topographical information for eachsurface area that needs to be smoothed out. The topographicalinformation is processed to ascertain the configuration andvolume of the surface topography that needs to be filled with afiller material to produce a smooth surface without hills anddales. A respective control signal is produced and fed to adosing equipment which supplies the exact volume of fillermaterial required for smoothing the surface topography. Whensmoothing is completed, the two components are ready for joiningfor example by the application of pressure and heat to the fillermaterial.
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