Electroimpact supplied Airbus in the UK with a wing panel assembly
cell for the A340-500/-600 aircraft. The cell incorporates four E4100 wing riveting machines for
upper and lower panel assembly. These machines attach stringers to
wing panels and install a portion of the buttstrap fasteners. Electroimpact provided six
automated wing panel holding fixtures, three for upper panels and
three for lower panels, each with the flexibility to hold
both port and starboard segments of the panel.
The A340-600 wing panel assembly system is a third
generation “in jig” wing panel automated assembly
system. Wing panel assembly components such as
stringers, panels, splice plates and reinforcements are
located and fastened under CNC control in these
automated cells. Previous systems consist of a series of
dedicated wing panel fixtures lined in a row and serviced
by one or more traveling yoke assembly machines. The A340-600 LVER system follows the basis of
this concept with the introduction of a new innovative part
fixture concept based on the “popping post”. The
popping post fixtures provide increased functionality, full
automatic set-up and operation all in a smaller footprint
than would be required with conventional wing panel jigs.
The E4100 is a second-generation five-axis dual trunnion
yoke machine. The solid yoke machine allows complete
five-axis capability within the wing panel envelope while
maintaining precision alignment between the skin and
stringer side heads. Process capability includes slug
rivet and lock bolt installation, with and without
cold working.