TY  - JOUR
AB  - Purpose This paper aims to provide a shimming method based on scanned data and finite element analysis (FEA) for a wing box assembly involving non-uniform gaps. The effort of the present work is to deal with gap compensation problem using hybrid shims composed of solid and liquid forms.Design/methodology/approach First, the assembly gaps of the mating components are calculated based on the scanned surfaces. The local gap region is extracted by the seed point and region growth algorithm from the scattered point cloud. Second, with the constraints of hole margin, gap space and shim specification, the optional shimming schemes are designed by the exhaustive searching method. Finally, the three-dimensional model of the real component is reconstructed based on the reverse engineering techniques, such as section lines and sweeping. Using FEA software ABAQUS, the stress distribution and damage status of the joints under tensile load are obtained for optimal scheme selection.Findings With the scanned mating surfaces, the non-uniform gaps are digitally evaluated with accurate measurement and good visualization. By filling the hybrid shims in the assembly gaps, the joint structures possess similar load capacity but stronger initial stiffness compared to the custom-shimmed structures.Practical implications This method has been tested with the interface data of a wing tip, and the results have shown good efficiency and automation of the shimming process.Originality/value The proposed method can decrease the manufacturing cost of shims, shorten the shimming process cycle and improve the assembly efficiency.
VL  - 37
IS  - 4
SN  - 0144-5154
DO  - 10.1108/AA-02-2017-021
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/AA-02-2017-021
AU  - Wang Qing
AU  - Dou Yadong
AU  - Cheng Liang
AU  - Ke Yinglin
PY  - 2017
Y1  - 2017/01/01
TI  - Shimming design and optimal selection for non-uniform gaps in wing assembly
T2  - Assembly Automation
PB  - Emerald Publishing Limited
SP  - 471
EP  - 482
Y2  - 2024/04/19
ER  -