Simulation and Optimization of Aircraft Assembly Process Using Supercomputer Technologies

The assembly line is very complicated and its performance directly determines the aircraft production efficiency and cost. Therefore, the modeling, simulation and optimization for aircraft assembly line are very important. In this paper, a modeling and simulation approach for aircraft assembly line based on Quest simulation software has been investigated. Firstly, the characteristics of the aircraft assembly and Quest are briefly introduced in this article. Then, the assembly process model of center fuselage was established, the assembly process is simulated and analyzed, the bottleneck in the production line has been found, which can be used to optimize the assembly line.

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On Sequential-Pattern-Based Intelligent Compilation of Aircraft Assembly Process

Journal of Physics Conference Series ◽

10.1088/1742-6596/1820/1/012106 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1820 (1) ◽

pp. 012106

Author(s):

Sen-Shan Ouyang ◽

Liang Song ◽

Xiang-Feng Liu ◽

Chen Chen ◽

Zhen-Yu Chen

Keyword(s):

Sequential Pattern ◽

Assembly Process ◽

Aircraft Assembly

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Complex Fastener Model for Simulation of Airframe Assembly Process

Volume 2B: Advanced Manufacturing ◽

10.1115/imece2020-23588 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sergey Lupuleac ◽

Aleksandr Smirnov ◽

Julia Shinder ◽

Margarita Petukhova ◽

Maria Churilova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Contact Interaction ◽

Stiffness Matrix ◽

Complex Model ◽

Assembly Process ◽

Optimization Analysis ◽

Global Modeling ◽

Aircraft Assembly ◽

Simulation Results ◽

Variation Simulation ◽

Model Dimension

Abstract The complex model of fastener for the global modeling of aircraft assembly with regard to compliance and contact interaction of parts is introduced in the paper. The presented complex fastener model incorporates such effects as the stiffness of fastening elements; the loosening of fasteners and also the failure of fasteners (if the load exceeds the maximal value that fastener can hold). This model can be implemented for all types of fastening elements in variation simulation and assembly optimization analysis. It provides more realistic simulation results at expense of higher model dimension. The fastener is modeled as having an additional stretching stiffness. The option of fastener loosening is included by implementation of additional contact node in each fastening element. This option allows taking into account the pre-tension in fasteners and also enables the modeling of installation and removal of fasteners without change of stiffness matrix.

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Numerical Simulation of Aircraft Assembly Process with Presence of Sealant

10.4271/2021-01-0001 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Artem Eliseev ◽

Sergey Lupuleac ◽

Boris Grigor'ev ◽

Julia Shinder ◽

Jacques Bouriquet

Keyword(s):

Numerical Simulation ◽

Assembly Process ◽

Aircraft Assembly

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Simulation and Optimization of Airframe Assembly Process

Volume 2: Advanced Manufacturing ◽

10.1115/imece2018-87058 ◽

2018 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Sergey Lupuleac ◽

Nadezhda Zaitseva ◽

Maria Stefanova ◽

Sergey Berezin ◽

Julia Shinder ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mathematical Model ◽

Statistical Analysis ◽

Problem Solving ◽

Contact Problem ◽

Quality Measures ◽

Assembly Process ◽

Variation Analysis ◽

Simulation And Optimization ◽

The Mathematical Model ◽

Variation Simulation

An approach for simulating the assembly process where compliant airframe parts are being joined by riveting is presented. The foundation of this approach is the mathematical model based on the reduction of the corresponding contact problem to a Quadratic Programming (QP) problem. The use of efficient QP algorithms enables mass contact problem solving on refined grids, which is needed for variation analysis and simulation as well as for the consequent assembly process optimization. To perform variation simulation, the initial gap between the parts is assumed to be stochastic and a cloud of such gaps is generated based on statistical analysis of the available measurements. The developed approach is illustrated with two examples, simulation of A350-900 wing-to-fuselage joining and optimization of A320 wing box assembly. New contact quality measures are discussed.

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Research on Aircraft Assembly Sequence Planning Technology Based on Key Characteristics

Applied Mechanics and Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.328.9 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 328 ◽

pp. 9-16 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Zhan Lei Sun ◽

Peng Fei Han ◽

Gang Zhao

Keyword(s):

Process Design ◽

Assembly Sequence Planning ◽

Assembly Process ◽

Assembly Sequence ◽

Assembly Quality ◽

Constraint Matrix ◽

Aircraft Assembly ◽

Sequence Planning ◽

Key Characteristics ◽

Assembly Sequences

Assembly Sequence Planning (ASP) is an essential question for aircraft assembly process design. Modern aircraft assembly contains plenty of complex shape components, which have so many assembly features to ensure, this leads to a large number of feasible assembly sequences using traditional sequence planning algorithms; and it is hard to evaluate the contribution to assembly quality for every sequence. A methodology called Key Characteristics Based ASP is proposed in this paper, which can significantly reduce unavailable sequences and ensure key features for quality in assembly process designing compared with previous methods. The methodology focuses on the final assembly quality and considers it as Assembly Key Characteristics (AKCs) in the beginning of assembly process design. With tools such as AKCs decomposition, Datum Flow Chain, precedence constraint matrix, the methodology describes the main process for ASP. To verify the technologys effectiveness, this paper presents an application of the algorithm in an aircraft component assembly by an 863 program.

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Determination of Motion Equation of Rivet Head During Shaft Riveting Assembly Process for Wheel Hub Bearing Units

Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering ◽

10.1115/1.4031588 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 138 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Jie Qu ◽

Guojie Zhang

Keyword(s):

Euler Angle ◽

Axial Displacement ◽

Motion Equation ◽

Assembly Process ◽

Fe Method ◽

Time Curve ◽

Theoretical Derivation ◽

Simulation And Optimization ◽

Combined Application ◽

Riveting Process

The shaft riveting assembly process is a very effective method for assembling lightweight, integrated, and highly reliable automobile wheel hub bearings. This paper proposes a method to determine the motion equation of a rivet head during the shaft riveting process based on a theoretical derivation, on-site test results, and structural equipment parameters. Based on the structure of the riveting machine, the motion equation of the rivet head is deduced through the combined application of a rectangular spatial coordinate system and the Euler angle method. In addition, the axial displacement and axial riveting force of the spindle were measured during the shaft riveting process using a newly developed on-site testing system. The axial velocity of the rivet head is determined using the spline function method based on the measured axial displacement–time curve. Subsequently, the motion equation of velocity and three-axis angular velocity of the rivet head can be obtained based on the deduced motion equation of the rivet head, test data, and structural equipment parameters. Finally, the motion equation of the rivet head is validated by simulating the shaft riveting process using the finite-element (FE) method, and then comparing the simulated axial riveting force and final geometric shape of the riveted hub shaft with the experimental ones. The result shows that the method proposed in this paper lays the foundation for the numerical simulation and optimization of the shaft riveting technology for a wheel hub bearing unit.

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Study on Formalizable Aircraft Assembly Process Planning Knowledge

Materials Science Forum ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/msf.532-533.640 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 532-533 ◽

pp. 640-643 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Hong Jun Qiu ◽

Hua Tao ◽

Bin Tang Yang ◽

Xiao Bin Gao

Keyword(s):

Knowledge Representation ◽

Process Planning ◽

Domain Knowledge ◽

Formal Description ◽

Assembly Process ◽

Assembly Process Planning ◽

Aircraft Assembly ◽

Special Domain ◽

Planning Knowledge

Domain knowledge representation is various and domain-concerned. The aircraft assembly process planning (A2P2) is a special domain, a lot of things should be taken into account, and the knowledge representation of A2P2 is complicated. It is focused on the knowledge representation of A2P2 in this paper. Based-on case, the framework of A2P2 knowledge is presented. The main considerations of A2P2 are analyzed, the transformation and reassembly of native A2P2 knowledge is studied, the features of A2P2 is acquired, and the formalizable framework of A2P2 is proposed. With BNF, a formal description of A2P2 knowledge is given.

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The Application of DELMIA in ARJ21 Aircraft Central Wing Assembly Simulation

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.314-316.2287 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 314-316 ◽

pp. 2287-2292

Author(s):

Hong Jun Liu ◽

Xiao Yan Tong ◽

Sheng Li Lv ◽

Qing Ming Fan

Keyword(s):

Process Simulation ◽

Virtual Assembly ◽

Assembly Process ◽

Aircraft Assembly ◽

Simulation Process ◽

Assembly Simulation ◽

Task Simulation

This paper is to explain the application of DELMIA in 3D digital virtual assembly. It takes ARJ21 aircraft central wing assembly simulation process as an example. It introduces the related modules of DELMIA software and discusses the application of DELMIA in aircraft assembly simulation through the central wing assembly process simulation and human task simulation in the ARJ21 aircraft central wing assembly simulation.

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Propagation analysis of variation for fuselage structures in multi-station aircraft assembly

Assembly Automation ◽

10.1108/aa-03-2017-031 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 38 (1) ◽

pp. 67-76 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Liang Cheng ◽

Qing Wang ◽

Jiangxiong Li ◽

Yinglin Ke

Keyword(s):

Propagation Model ◽

Analysis Approach ◽

Good Prediction ◽

Assembly Process ◽

Content Type ◽

Modeling And Analysis ◽

Aircraft Assembly ◽

Propagation Analysis ◽

Variation Propagation ◽

Large Aircraft

Purpose This paper aims to present a modeling and analysis approach for multi-station aircraft assembly to predict assembly variation. The variation accumulated in the assembly process will influence the dimensional accuracy and fatigue life of airframes. However, in digital large aircraft assembly, variation propagation analysis and modeling are still unresolved issues. Design/methodology/approach Based on an elastic structure model and variation model of multistage assembly in one station, the propagation of key characteristics, assembly reference and measurement errors are introduced. Moreover, the reposition and posture coordination are considered as major aspects. The reposition of assembly objects in a different assembly station is described using transformation and blocking of coefficient matrix in finite element equation. The posture coordination of the objects is described using homogeneous matrix multiplication. Then, the variation propagation model and analysis of large aircraft assembly are established using a discrete system diagram. Findings This modeling and analysis approach for multi-station aircraft assembly reveals the basic rule of variation propagation between adjacent assembly stations and can be used to predict assembly variation or potential dimension problems at a preliminary assembly phase. Practical implications The modeling and analysis approaches have been used in a transport aircraft project, and the calculated results were shown to be a good prediction of variation in the actual assembly. Originality/value Although certain simplifications and assumptions have been imposed, the proposed method provides a better understanding of the multi-station assembly process and creates an analytical foundation for further work on variation control and tolerance optimization.

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