Aircraft Outer Mold Line (OML) Control

The initial focus of this solicitation is for the establishment of an automated affordable, accurate dimensional control of aircraft OML structures for the military aircraft production line. The Air Force is supporting the expansion of manufacturing capacity via automated metrology systems for military and related applications. Precise measurement of composite parts is the first step towards an automated OML control system. Part feature information is then made available, digitally, for real-time assembly guidance of skins, panels and doors and will provide shim thickness and location information for OML control. It''s anticipated that the final system will consist of the following elements: a metrology system to provide assembly guidance, a digital thread to project shim size and location information, a permanently mounted system for quick deployment, common software to provide connectivity to other devices for OML data collection, and a user-friendly interface to provide interactive guidance to the user. The application requires developing and validating an automated production system capable of providing assembly guidance and projecting onto the aircraft, the required shim size and thickness, by measuring surface profiles of the fabricated skins, doors and panels as well as the as-built condition of the aircraft. BENEFIT: MILITARY APPLICATION: This developed technology is equally applicable for use on military aircraft COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: Large-size passenger and cargo aircraft