Aircraft Assembly F35

Government contractor for the F35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program evaluates Wheelift's omni-directional moving line technology to drive a unique solution for use in their new and aging production facilities.

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Continuous traveling split work platforms, tooled and kitted for an "each" sequential production process.

CHALLENGE: To provide lean manufacturing solutions for continuously moving assembly processes challenged with large structures, WIP accessibility, staged tooling, no hydraulics, and a one inch per minute travel speed.

SOLUTION: Provide a modular self-powered tooled mezzanine structure with automatic and manual control driven by Wheelift's Omni-directional AC servo drive Uniload® wheel modules.

BENEFITS:

• Process control
• Process flexibility
• Close "dual level" access for tooling, kitting, accessories, work stations, etc.
• Increased productivity driving reduced line time
• Continuous traveling split work platforms, tooled and kitted for "one-up" sequential production processes
  
  

Flexibility in Lean Manufacturing

Lean manufacturing principals continue to drive re-evaluation of sub-assembly and final assembly work processes within the aerospace industry. Retaining flexibility for rate, process, product, and staffing is at the forefront of these new programs.

Mobilizing production workers and materials close to the work in progress (WIP) was identified as a critical element driving increased productivity, accountability, and shortened work processes. Doerfer's Omni-directional Wheelift® Uniload® wheel modules were identified as an enabling technology to incorporate a self-propelled "traveling work platform" concept for the final assembly line. In this case, the traveling work platforms form two halves that encapsulate and carry the fuselage through the assembly process. The fuselage is supported on four jacks used to lower the finished WIP onto the floor at the end of the line for removal from the Wheelift assembly fixture. The airframe is towed out; the self-propelled traveling work platform separates in half and returns to the start of the process for re-loading. Each of the platform halves is an autonomous chassis capable of individual travel.

The self-propelled "traveling work platform" concept can be used for continuous or sequential line travel. The precision servo motor all-wheel drives on Wheelift's Uniload axles not only accommodate highly precise positioning, but finite travel speeds for a continuous moving line.

Wheelift's Uniload® axles

Weight capacity for the work in process, support machinery, tooling, parts, etc. is a non-issue and is easily accommodated with the Wheelift's Uniload® axles. For joined movement, the assembly platforms are latched with a communication link to become one integrated work platform with one controller becoming the "master" and the other the "slave", allowing the two assembly platforms to function as a single multi-axle powered assembly fixture. Movement and positioning of the paired platforms are accomplished via a single hand-held joy-stick controller with auto-guidance used for the continuous assembly line motion; Or, the line can be fully automated. For aerospace programs, like the F35 fighter, such systems could be ideally suited for use by major industry players like Northrop-Grumman, Lockheed-Martin, Boeing, Airbus, and others.