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Modeling of fast pre-joining processes optimization for skin-stringer panels

Gang Liu (The State Key Lab of Fluid Power Transmission and Control, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China)
Wei Tang (The State Key Lab of Fluid Power Transmission and Control, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China)
Ying-Lin Ke (The State Key Lab of Fluid Power Transmission and Control, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China)
Qing-Liang Chen (Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Co. Ltd., Chengdu, China)
Yunbo Bi (The State Key Lab of Fluid Power Transmission and Control, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China)

Assembly Automation

ISSN: 0144-5154

Article publication date: 9 September 2014

292

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new model for optimizing pre-joining processes quickly and accurately, guiding workers to standardized operations. For the automatic riveting in panel assemblies, the traditional approach of determination of pre-joining processes entirely rests on the experience of workers, which leads to the improper number, location and sequence of pre-joining, the low quality stability and the high repair rate in most cases.

Design/methodology/approach

The clearances computation with the complete finite element model for every process combination is time-consuming. Therefore a fast pre-joining processes optimization model (FPPOM) is proposed. This model treats both the measured initial clearances and the stiffness matrices of key points of panels as an input; considers the permissive clearances as an evaluation criterion; regards the optimal number, location and sequence as an objective; and takes the neighborhood-search-based adaptive genetic algorithm as a solution.

Findings

A comparison between the FPPOM and complete finite element model with clearances (CFEMC) was made in practice. Further, the results indicate that running the FPPOM is time-saving by >90 per cent compared with the CFEMC.

Practical implications

This paper provides practical insights into realizing the pre-joining processes optimization quickly.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to propose the FPPOM, which could simplify the processes, reduce the degrees of freedom of nodes and conduct the manufacturers to standardized manipulations.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the Science Fund for Creative Research Groups of National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.: 51221004), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (2014FZA4004) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51275463).

Citation

Liu, G., Tang, W., Ke, Y.-L., Chen, Q.-L. and Bi, Y. (2014), "Modeling of fast pre-joining processes optimization for skin-stringer panels", Assembly Automation, Vol. 34 No. 4, pp. 323-332. https://doi.org/10.1108/AA-05-2014-036

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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